Back in Future World, we have a few minutes to kill so we walk through Innoventions. We’ve never spent any time in here but it’s basically an awesome interactive science museum and the girls are lovin’ it. We finally get to the Segway demo and they are about to close……aaacckkkk! Wish we had more time to spend here but we have to head over to the Coral Reef for our 7:00 p.m. ADR.
We find the Coral Reef hidden around on the right side of the Living Seas and we stand in line again….behind the uninformed non-DISing masses who do not have ADRs and are being turned away. Now I have made note of the fact that several DISers said to ask for Blanca or Riley as a server and to request to be seated near the aquarium but there are LOTS of people waiting so I figure it’s best not to be picky since we’re all starving. We check in and DH and DS show up shortly.
Now I’d like to mention that tonight’s dinner is Emily’s pick so she’s excited. When I made the ADRs back in the spring, I told DH about the Coral Reef and explained the concept and how the tables overlooked the aquarium. “Well, what do they serve there?” he asked. Uuummmm, fish. “Really??” Yep, kinda weird when you think about it, I guess.
We are finally called to our table and it is in the very, very back right next to the kitchen. Yay. Now my little guy is undone because he can’t see the aquarium. We spy a table down next to the tank that is not currently seated so DH takes him down to have a look and it’s all good. The restaurant is set up like a Vegas theater with all tables facing the tank. I expect to see Crush come out any minute and sing “It’s not Unusual.”
A hostess stops by the table with a “fish guide” that shows us the names of all the fishes in the “sea” and she makes note of the fact that they do not serve any of the varieties that they have in the tank. Well, that’s good!
I’ll make a long story short by telling you that our server was lacking in enthusiasm and skills and the food was pretty good but not worth the $225 or so that the tab totaled. DH’s steak was just OK but Mimi’s chicken/pasta dish was full of soy and almost untouched. I was the only one who really loved my dinner—
ahi tuna medium rare with wasabi mashed potatoes. But let’s face it…Coral Reef is really about the atmosphere, not the food.
Well, the moment I have been waiting for all week has finally arrived. I spot some DISers at the table next to us. How do I know they are DISers? They are photographing their food! I politely ask if they are doing dining reviews on the DIS and they tell me they are….sorry I can’t remember their names. I told them I might be writing a trip report but was a little intimidated since Glendamax, Utahmama, and ZZUB all had one going. There seemed to be no spark of recognition. You mean not everyone hangs out on the trip reports board???? Who knew?
DH and I sent the girls and DS ahead to Test Track with the fastpasses since Emily is determined to ride. We call when we get there and they have been given a second go since there’s no one waiting. Woo-hoo! DH and I wait in the dump shop but I’m getting a little antsy since it’s almost 9:00 p.m. and time for Illuminations. DH says for the girls and me to go on over to the lagoon and they’ll catch up.
We barely get to the lagoon and stand behind the masses as we attempt to watch the fireworks. DH and DS never caught up and we did not see them until after Illuminations….which was beautiful but shorter and less spectacular than I remembered unfortunately. It was probably just the viewing spot.
Anyway, we meet back up with the guys and then go to the massive
Disney store, Mousegear, to wait out the crowds. The kids try on the hats; we look at the costumes; and then we head out to wait on a bench and watch the fountain and the people.
When the crowds die down we move slowly out of the park. The twinkling sidewalks near Spaceship Earth are absolutely magical so be sure to look for those.
We make the first bus that gets to the stop and we collapse into bed near 11:00 p.m. Can we possibly make rope drop at AK in the morning after three nights in a row of waiting out the fireworks crowds?
DO…spend more time at Innoventions next time. These exhibits are elaborate and interesting. If your kids are 8 or more, they will enjoy spending some time here. Do request a table near the aquarium if you go to the Coral Reef. (
This photo was on flickr.com but actually appears to be taken
from the table where we sat except the DISers were sitting at that empty table in the photo.) It was disappointing to be on the back row. Do ride Test Track (and Soarin’) near closing time if you're not going to watch Illuminations. You may get to go twice! Do look for the twinkling sidewalks at Epcot.
DON’T…eat at the Coral Reef again (That’s for me.) Like the castle, it’s an “atmosphere” restaurant more than a dining experience. Been there, done that. Don’t wait until the last minute to get a spot for Illuminations. Don’t watch Illuminations on the Future World side of the lagoon. It was a mob scene.