Is Coral Reef really that bad????

[SheenaXena21]

I have been four times in the past four trips. AND... we're eating there again.

Yes, the service is a hit or miss. You can get a bad server anywhere.

I think the food is great, and that's why we go. That's why I choose the restaurants that I eat at. Not for the characters or that the surroundings are neat. I go for good food. And I get it at Coral Reef. The "fish tank" is an added bonus.

 

[serrotak]

We just ate there this past Saturday (Halloween) for lunch for the first time and we're frequent DIS visitors too but I always had a tough time getting an ADR. It was pretty good actually.

It was just my 11 yr old dd and I so we split the crab cake appetizer. Now I must say although they were good they were tiny! Maybe 2" diameter. They give you 2, they can spare 3 at that size.

I had the trout for my entree and that was actually very good. It was a nice size portion and plenty of food for me. The service was good, the restaurant is very clean and appealing.

The fish tank is very cool to watch, you can see it from all over the restaurant although the tables right by the tank windows are cool because some interesting marine life sometimes park themselves by the windows, like a huge sea turtle was sitting by one snoozing while we were there. It was pretty cool.

I know I've read mixed reviews but it's definitely worth a try. Maybe you'd want to try lunch instead of dinner. Lunch is a bit pricey but if you're on the DDP it's a good option. I have the TOW card so that helped discount the meal a bit. I would go back again for lunch.

That's some really great info, thanks

 

[serrotak]

FYI - This is no longer on the menu (Blackened Catfish) . It was the one item that would have got me to go back. So make sure you check the latest menu before you go in.

Aww man, that stinks, but thanks for telling me.

When did they change it? Allears.net still shows it as of September and DIS as of April

 

[disney_dreaming_mom]

We liked the ambiance. Sitting by the aquarium was so much fun and worth a meal just for that experience alone. We went when there was a diver in the tank. He held up a Happy Anniversary sign for my husband and I which was special. As far as the food goes, we liked our meal very much. We both had steak and felt that it was cooked better than the steaks we have had at The Outback and similar resturaunts.

 

[MattDisney]

We didn't eat there for years due to the reviews. We ate there on our last trip and loved it!

 

[GovieMom]

When did they change it? Allears.net still shows it as of September and DIS as of April

The latest restaurant menus are listed on Disney Dining where you make online ADRs.

 

[emmabemmainc]

I have been there twice in the past 2 years and I was disappointed both times. We only went the second time because my daughter wanted to go. The Land and Sea appy is wonderful--everything else was below average. Our waiter was extremely rude the second time and to me, the restaurant just seems outdated and dirty.
Unless my daughter begs again, we will NOT be going back.

 

[Baron Hardup]

The official review on DIS was bad for Coral Reef. I have not really heard anything good about it yet. We have ADR's for dinner there in Feb.

I thought it would be neat with the big aquarium and theme, but if the food is not that great, I really may want to cancel my ADR and choose somewhere else.

Does anyone have any good reviews of Coral Reef? 3 adults and 3 children ages 12, 7 and 3 will be with us.

When you're from south Louisiana (I live in Walker BTW) it is tough to find "good" seafood whenever you travel. But, I'm giving CR a shot in December.

I accidentally went to the Shark Reef (I think that was the name?) in Sea World last year. It as the same aquarium type setting and the food was . . . AWESOME! I'm curious to see how CR compares.

 

[tink1953]

Yes it is really that bad.....server was so bad we almost didn't leave a tip, very little food on the plate and what was there was up to O'Charley's standards (which I like but not any better) and way over priced (free dining only reason we went)

The decor was the only thing I can say was good.

BArb

 

[tkitty]

It's one of our family's favs. We've been twice now, and have had great food and service both times. (DDP) Last time was 3 weeks ago.
We've had the steak and fish and everyone loved everything. Did have to wait 15-20 mins each time, even though we had ADRs.
We would eat there again.

 

[serrotak]

When you're from south Louisiana (I live in Walker BTW) it is tough to find "good" seafood whenever you travel. But, I'm giving CR a shot in December.

I accidentally went to the Shark Reef (I think that was the name?) in Sea World last year. It as the same aquarium type setting and the food was . . . AWESOME! I'm curious to see how CR compares.

I LIVE IN WALKER!!! How crazy is that? I am from Chalmette originally and my parents are commercial fisherman so I was raised around seafood all my life.

I definitely want to experience it. I even like going to the Bass Pro to see the aquarium.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I've been to Coral Reef mutiple times and the food has always been good. My favorite dish is the Blackened Catfish, with these grits that are spicy. They also have a chocolate cake that's to die for. Guess I'll have to try a new fish entree since they don't have the catfish anymore

I always try to try a place out for myself..those reviews are so subjective. I do think that if you're going to go to a primarily seafood restaurant and you get chicken, then there's something wrong.(JK) I love seafood and fish so this place is right up my alley.

The staff is nice. When I took my dad in 2008, it was his first time both at WDW and Coral Reef. I nicely asked the hostess if at all possible, could we have a table on the lower level. I made it clear that I understood if they couldn't.

Not only did we get a table on the lower level, we got one right up against the glass.

 

[brerdawg]

We ate at CR last November and had a great all around experience. We were in a hurry to use our fast pass for Soarin' before the park closed. We sat next to the glass. The CM was very accommodating and sped out our meals. The food was great: I had the shrimp for an app., grilled Mahi-Mahi, and the chocolate wave for dessert. We ate and out we went making it in time for the ride. We will definitely eat there next June!

 

[keishashadow]

We liked the ambiance. Sitting by the aquarium was so much fun and worth a meal just for that experience alone. We went when there was a diver in the tank. He held up a Happy Anniversary sign for my husband and I which was special. As far as the food goes, we liked our meal very much. We both had steak and felt that it was cooked better than the steaks we have had at The Outback and similar resturaunts.

it's lovely, noise and (if ur lucky enough to grab an aquarium seat) the chance of sombody's kiddos crawling over u to get a good look @ one of the critters; all part of the fun! I didn't think they took requests for the dive signs any longer, but it was a highlight one trip for us.

we too go for the steak, i just can't eat seafood while looking @ their brethern swimming past; although i do sneak in the lobster bisque.

we've been lucky enough to have well-trained servers here too.We tend switch off between LeCellier & Coral Reef.

 

[ElementCamper]

Everyone should try it at least once. I took a friend to Disney last September and booked Coral Reef for the first time. Nice view of the aquarium, it was very busy so ADR was late getting a table.

When the meal was going, I had to call the waiter over and compliment him on how good it was! Said 'I know I've seem bad reviews for this place but I just don't get it, this is delicious!' Having said that, no idea what I had, I think it was the filet, we were on the dining plan.

So you never know, unless you go!

 

[eandt]

Out of all of the restaurants we have tried in WDW Coral Reef is one of our least favs. It wasn't horrible but I think that our expectations were high. We had a 20-30 min wait past or ADR time and when we did get in the dining room we saw a bunch of empty tables including numerous ones next to the aquarium or at least much closer than where we were seated which was against the back wall. The food was decent but the portions were not what we have been served at most other Disney restaurants. We thought that in the end Coral Reef was a disappointment and it is not on among our ADRs for later this month.

 

[honeydiane1953]

The Coral Reef is dark and appears to be dank. I hope there is no mold however it never gets aired out. Being located by the fish tanks the restaurant doesn't appeal to me. I will not eat in there.