Talk me into (or out of) Coral Reef

[denanbob]

We are going to DW on the dining plan from May 6-13. We have 7 table service meals, and 7 counter service meals to work with. Right now we have 9 table service and only 5 counter service. Our first full day (Sunday) I wanted to go to Wide World of Sports and eat at the All Star Cafe for lunch because my son LOVES sports and then go do "The Sports Experience" before heading to MGM for the evening. I could either cut out All Star Cafe and do counter service at AK instead (where we'll be the 1st 1/2 of the day), or I could just pay out of pocket for All Star Cafe.

The only other one I'm considering dropping is Coral Reef.

What option would you choose?

#1:

Saturday (arrival day): boat to DTD from POR and shop and eat at Earl of Sandwich

Wednesday: Typhoon Lagoon, Disney Quest, Epcot at 6:30 for Coral Reef and Illuminations

Thursday: Epcot all day (Le Cellier at 1:40) and then Hoop Dee Doo at 7:15

#2:

Saturday (arrival day): Epcot from 5:30 - 9:00 and see Illuminations (eat counter service supper)

Wednesday: Typhoon Lagoon, Disney Quest, Downtown Disney and eat at Earl of Sandwich

Thursday: Epcot all day (Le Cellier at 1:40) and then Hoop Dee Doo at 7:15.

Option #2 takes Coral Reef out of the itinerary, but I think it makes for a nicer, more relaxed Wednesday. But I think my kids would like Coral Reef for the atmosphere. But it would take away from our already over the limit TS meals and put in another counter service that we have room for.

HELLLLP. Here are our other dining ADR's if you're interested:

Primetime 50's Diner
Storybook Princess Breakfast
Liberty Tree Tavern
Le Cellier
Hoop Dee Doo (takes 2 TS credits)
Sci Fi Dinner Theater
(All Star Cafe and Coral Reef puts us over the 7 allowed TS meals)

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

Why not do a search on this baord, you'll find lots of threads on the Coral Reef. Here's one:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1080323&highlight=coral+reef


Also more reviews here:

http://allearsnet.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=83&sort=8&cat=34&page=1


Bob

 

[kid@heart25]

I would pass on Coral Reef. The atmosphere there is nice but we did not like the food. We go to the parks often and we have never been back to Coral Reef because we did not feel like giving it a second chance. There are better places to go!!!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Or maybe if you dropped hoop de doo, you could stick around Epcot and do Coral Reef for dinner.

I agree with the previous poster about reading the dining reviews on allears. Click on dining, then click on reviews. I've not done the Hoop de doo so have no idea if it's worth the 2 ts credits.

I enjoyed the Coral Reef. I think I had swordfish with creole sauce. If you aren't into seafood, I think they have steak too. We're taking our ds there this fall. I think he'll enjoy watching the fish.

 

[bctripp]

We went to Coral Reef in September 2003, and the food was ok. I'm considering trying it again, but I think there are a lot of better places to try. I haven't decided yet. I am not a seafood lover, and I got a steak.

 

[frannn]

It fits all your criteria (other than eating at Coral Reef). The first option looks like you'd be rushing too much to enjoy the day. Unless you've been to TL and DQ enough times to be able to run and do everything you love and feel good about leaving quickly, I would stick with option 2. If you want a bit of a fancier dinner at DTD, but want to stick to CS, I think there is at least one other choice. I have never personally eaten there, but we are considering Wolfgang Puck Express for lunch one day. We (I) had to choose between Le Cellier and Coral Reef, as I was not budging on the other TS. I chose CR because I love seafood (will probably order shrimp cocktail appy and steak as entree ) but we (I) were very tempted by Le Cellier!

 

[maggiew]

Out of your 2 options I would pick #2. I do not think there is ANY way that you can do Typhoon Lagoon AND Disney Quest and be at EPCOT in time for a 6:30 ADR. The second option seems more managable since you won't be rushing to get somewhere at a certain time. You can just eat the counter service whenever. Plus, you can go back to Disney Quest after you eat! (Although I don't recommend getting on the raft ride immediately after eating! I was a little nausous and that was on an empty stomach!)

I think you can spend a whole day (morning and afternoon) at Typhoon Lagoon AND a full day (morning and afternoon) at Disney Quest. Then off to dinner somewhere each of those days.

Maggie