Which would you choose - Garden Grill or Coral Reef?

[CrzyforPiglet]

Our little family (me, DH, and DS) are striving to try a new restaurant when we go in December. We love our old favs but want to try some potential new ones. We are trying to decide on a fun place for lunch in Epcot that is new for us and would be entertaining for our son who will be 1 at the time. We narrowed our choices to Garden Grill or Coral Reef but I've heard mixed reviews about the food for each of them (more so Coral Reef). We think our son will love the tank and we'd be willing to wait a little bit for a table but if the food is really that iffy then I'm leaning towards Garden Grill but am worried the atmosphere won't appeal to a young child. Any thoughts?

Laurie

 

[tracys2cents]

I'll be eating there next week and will send you a report! However, you could stick a one-year-old under a fountain with a sippy cup and he'd enjoy the atmosphere. Use this time to choose a place that you and your DH would like...you'll have PLENTY of years left to cater to the kids' preferences.

 

[BlindTyldak]

You're making me pick between our two favorite eateries in the whole World. I would, however, go with Garden Grille. The restaurant rotates so there's something new to show your son constantly, the character interaction is phenominal, the booths are very private so he's unlikely to be distracted by other diners, and as a family style meal there's lots to choose from and a great, all you can eat variety in one sitting. With a one year old, I would recommend Coral Reef for a sit-down, AC break with a snack and something unique to drink around 3:30 or so, when you have a good chance of a table at the tank and if he gets bored, you're not "stuck". There's make your own sundaes for him and you have to try the lobster bisque for your own snack, or the Chocolate Wave.

 

[seven dwarfs]

We made this same choice in Sept. My kids picked Garden Grille. They like both but we have had bad food at coral reef. I would try it again though. My kids are 6,6,4,4,4,and 2. Not sure about your age of your son. My kids love the slow turn of Garden Grille. They also like the food. Good luck in whatever you deside!

 

[AKLRULZ]

Coral Reef for atmosphere and food (we've never had a bad experience there). Get the Chocolate Wave for dessert!

 

[missymagic]

My girls didn't like the food at Co Reef. they love the atmosphere but it wasnt worth them not eating. They enjoyed the food at the garden grill and they love the character interaction. My girls danced with Mickey. If you go on an off time we went at 2:30 it was perfect. Have fun at which ever you try. I personally enjoyed the food at both.

 

[liamsaunt]

I really liked my meal at the Coral Reef (mahi with couscous), but my niece and nephew both disliked the choices on the kids menu. They ordered mac and cheese, but didn't care for it. I got a pizza for them next, but they did not care for that either. They did enjoy the fish tank.

In general, I find the kids menus at Disney fairly limiting, compounded by my nephew's food allergies (shellfish and egg--aka every breaded product!). I am thinking of trying a new strategy for them next trip, such as purchasing an adult meal for them to split. Niece loves meat and nephew loves veggies, so this might work for us.

 

[PortieOwner]

Gadren Grill is great. We ate there last Sept. on "free dining" and had a good meal. The service was excellent, the characters were abundant, the food was very good, and I liked circling around the Land ride.

Portie

 

[DVCRSheridan]

I love Coral Reef, the atmosphere is amazing. Garden Grill's atmosphere is also very nice, circling thru the Land is awesome. As far as food goes, they are both very good, but obviously very different. Really, you can't go wrong w/ either one. I'd actually recommend that at some point you go to both of them, it's definitely worth it!

 

[RedsoxMickey]

Garden Grill -

We have tried Coral a coulple of times and this is one of our least favorite places. We don't think the atmosphere is all that great.

 

[gurleym]

This is my suggestion go to allearsnet.com they have a menu from both places. Check to see if they offer anything that you like at both places. We think both are nice. The coral Reef is definately better if you are by the tank. If nothing else try both of them maybe just a dessert at the coral reef.