Worried about Coral Reef...what would you do?

[MickeyNicki]

I have Coral Reef booked for dinner in January only because I thought our nieces would love the underwater tank dining. Now I have serious doubts because the recent reviews are just bad and they are stating that kids are mobbing the tank and making it uncomfortable for diners.

We ate there about 9 years ago and remember it being pretty good and no mob scenes

What would you do? Stick with CR or choose something else. And if you say to pick something else what would you pick?? Must be in Epcot though.....

Thanks!

 

[Shmily1]

Coral Reef is an awesome place and I do agree that your nieces will love it!! It is our favorite TS at EPCOT and never disappoints us. I love the blackened catfish!!

Most of the parents with children in the restaurant are considerate and handle their children appropriately. Some children do go up to the tank but are not in the way or what I would call a mob. We are usually in a booth toward the back of the room and, while we still have an awesome view, we are out of the way and get to observe the smaller children that are sitting closer. As long as DS18 is getting his creme brule and lobster soup, we are in good shape no matter where we sit!!

 

[ShannonMB]

We went to Coral Reef last October, and it was wonderful!! All of the adults loved their food, and I didn't see any kids mobbing the tanks at all, and the restaurant was full. We even saw the diver in the tank and no kids thronging. Maybe we got lucky?

The only downside was DD didn't really like the pizza she got (with chicken on it), but she's a picky kid and was more than happy when I gave her some of my steak.

We're not going next time because we wanted to try some others, but will definitely return if I get my way and travel to WDW every year for the rest of my life!!

 

[hollyluvsdisney]

I voted that you should stick with Coral Reef. We ate there on our honeymoon and liked it a lot. The atmosphere is great and we enjoyed our food. In particular, I loved the NY strip and the chocolate wave dessert. It's been almost a year since we were there, so it's possible that the food and service have gone downhill, but we had a really good experience there.

 

[john398]

We went to Coral Reef on Thanksgiving last week and it was awesome, our table was right against the glass. I had the steak and it was very good.

John

 

[angwill]

I say go and have fun. We eat at Coral Reef every year and because we are a small party we have always been right at the window to the tank. Yes, some children will come up between the tables and look in the tank. How can they resist when the turtle settles right by the window on the bottom of the tank. It has never been a mob just a child here and there and picture takers here and there as well. I usually just suggest that their picture would be better if they turn off the flash and most don't know how to turn it off. lol

I can only speak for myself but it does not bother me at all if people come up between our table and the next to see the turtle. There is plenty of room there. I love being right there next to the tank during dinner. I have never experienced any mob like situation either but I suppose if I did and it bothered me I would politely explain that I am eating and they are making me uncomfortable.

HTH

 

[sah95]

I thought the same thing last Dec. but decided to keep the resi. The food was excellent. We sat in a booth in the back and could see fine. When the big turtle came out my son and I went down to the side of the room just to get a better look and went back to our seat. Go for it and have a great dinner!!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Thanks guys! I think I am going to stick with Coral Reef!

 

[Pumbaa_]

i was looking for the choice to stop obsessing about my adr's!!

Glad to see you decided to stay put

 

[starsinnight]

Hmmm all these great reviews have made me decide to try and get a reservation there too I tried Le Cellier today but it was booked during our trip, so I'll be calling about the Coral Reef!

 

[suzimar57]

stay with coral reef - the beautiful aquarium alone is worth it!

 

[septbaby]

Stick with Coral Reef.

We really loved our meal there. The mobbing of the tanks is only a factor if you sit next to the tank, the worst seats in the house. You'd have to request that seat and I suggest you don't. We sat up on the second tier. Away from the tank you can see it all, up close your view is limited.

As for the food, well it was the only restaurant where the 3 of us each cleaned our plates. We also devoured a couple of baskets of bread, yummy! My nephew loved his cheese pizza and ate his apple slices w/o the brown sugar. He and I both ordered the make you own sundae. Oh and the tank activity sheet is really fun too.

Coral Reef is a definite do over in my book!

 

[Rora]

Another vote for Coral Reef!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We like Coral Reef.

We ate there in August (which was our 3rd time dining there). That was the first time we got a table right at the tank - it was fabulous! We did not have anyone hanging over our table to look at the tank. The 2 previous times we ate there we had a table on the first tier and we could see just fine.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Thanks for the positive reviews, I am feeling so much better about keeping it! I hope we get the second tier...sounds like a much better view

 

[my2dogs]

We were seated next to the aquarium in early November and there was NO crowding between the tables by others. Our dinner was one of the best that we had during our visit this time. It was my DH's birthday and he had a diver and a personalized menu. Keep your reservation!

 

[tink713]

I guess I'm the minority here but I say drop Coral Reef. We went in September and definetly will not be returning. The food was not good in our opinion, very slow service and as you said kids did mob the tank. We were on our honeymoon and got a tank seat. We felt very uncomfortable trying to eat while kids were standing right at our table for long periods of time. Personally I would switch to Tutto Italia instead.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Don't change places based on reviews! If you do, you'll never be able to eat anywhere in WDW since all places get their fair share of negativity. In the five or six times I have eaten at Coral Reef in the past three years, I have never seen unruly kids and the food has always been excellent.

If kids are mobbing your table, tell your server that you would like them to go someplace else!

 

[Eastern]

I would keep it. Every restaurant gets its share of bad reviews. People are very different; I would use reviews as a guide and not as a final answer.

 

[Flametamr]

Coral Reef is now one of our favorite resturants. We ate there for a second trip last Sept and got a window seat. It was very pleasant and the food was good. We did not have any children rush the windows near us. I actually don't remember seeing any do that at all.