opinion needed please on Coral reef restaurant

[ocrazyjane]

i am thinking about booking the candlelight procession for my husband and i and our 3yr old son at the Coral Reef restaurant in France. From all the research I have done, I have never read that this restaurant's viewing spot is one of the best to see the fireworks show. can anyone tell me how this viewing experience may be? thanks so much!

 

[disneylove69]

I think you may be confused. Coral Reef is not in France. It's to the front of the park in the Living Seas pavillon. You definatley can't see fireworks there.

 

[ocrazyjane]

that's strange because when i called to try to get reservations at coral reef, the wdw rep told me our only option was to purchase the candlelight procession/dinner pkg and then we would have reserved seating for the fireworks show. now what...????

 

[joyfulDisneytears]

Reserved seating for fireworks generally means you will have a special viewing area to watch the fireworks from, not that you'll be viewing them during your meal.

Happy planning

 

[mrsxsparrow]

that's strange because when i called to try to get reservations at coral reef, the wdw rep told me our only option was to purchase the candlelight procession/dinner pkg and then we would have reserved seating for the fireworks show. now what...????

When you book a candlelight processional package, it comes with dinner and then, separately, the candlelight processional "show" as well as a special viewing of Illuminations. So you will not be watching the fireworks while eating dinner; instead, afterwards, you will have a reserved seat somewhere else to watch.

 

[Dan Murphy]

If nothing else, you will have a LOT of walking, if you utilize the 'special' viewing area, if it is at the same location as in the past. The Coral Reef itself is a good restaurant. But, the walk from the restaurant to the Candlelight Processional theater is about as far a walk as you can have in Epcot, at the American Adventure pavilion. Then, if they use the same area as in the past for the 'special' viewing area, you have to walk the maximum distance possible in World Showcase. That viewing area is between the twin gift shops where World Showcase meets Future World, near the Christmas Tree. And it is not necessarily that great, especially if crowded. Just giving you the logistics.

 

[Bradsdadg]

Yeah you definitely won't be able to see anything inside of Coral Reef. But like PP mentioned, they probably have a roped off area for you after your meal. Coral Reef is our fav restaurant at Disney.

 

[ocrazyjane]

wow! thanks for all the info. i wish the wdw rep told me about this setup and i would have never wasted time even thinking about doing it.

so, back to another original question.... it seems that all the epcot restaurants are only available when booking a reservation to include the candlelight procession, except for la hacienda, bistro de paris and via napoli, which i believe arent great places to go with a 3yr old. therefore, what options do i have in order for us to grab some dinner before the fireworks show????

 

[jjsdad]

I don't see teppan edu(spelling?) on that list so with a 3 year old I would say that place. It is a hibachi style restaurant in Japan (think Bennihana).

 

[GovieMom]

I would think Biergarten would be good, with the oompah band; lots of fun.

 

[EastonCat]

The way the Candlelight Processional package works is confusing.

The way the package works, your seating will be before the Candlelight Processional, which will be before Illuminations. Depending on which seating/show you choose, you will have varying amounts of time between the end of the candlelight processional and Illuminations. You would not be dining at the time of Illuminations, so viewing of the lagoon to see the fireworks is not a worry. In addition to your guaranteed seating for the Processional, the package includes access to a special viewing area for Illuminations (the fireworks show at Epcot) at the bottom of the lagoon directly opposite from the American Adventure, which is the primary direction from which the show was designed to be seen.

If you choose to dine during Illuminations (not through the CP package), there are two restaurants that provide views - Hacienda de San Angel and Bistro de Paris (limited). If you are dining in a restaurant that does not provide a view, you are able to leave, see the show, and come back to finish your meal.

The Coral Reef is located in the Living Seas Pavilion. It has only one view - the aquarium. Not the lagoon, but not shabby either. The restaurant receives very mixed reviews for dining quality, both on service and food. I have not had good experiences there.

 

[disneynutsss]

i love the coral reef and was thrilled when i called and due to cancellations i was able to book it for the CP dining package.

our dinner ressies are at 5pm and the CP doesnt start until 8:15 pm - plenty of time to get to CP.

 

[danny1649]

The experts here can help you with some solid information.

 

[Tammy296]

Coral Reef is .... I ate there this past spring with my BF and had the lobster ravioli. Never again!!!! I think if the lobster ravioli had been cooked in something other than a tomatoe sauce they could have gotten away with a semi-decent meal... thankfully I didnt have to pay OOP for it.

Enjoy your trip!