2010 TR 1/29-2/05~~Mom's Dream Came True!! - Page 8 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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It was 4:45 p.m., almost time for our 5:05 ADRs, so we decided to see if we could be seated. I went in to ask while Peter talked with his Mom on the phone. I took a few pics of the menu posted outside,
mainly to post here. While planning our trip, I tried to find current menus of the places we had ADRS to print out so everyone could get an idea of what they might order each night. Some turned out to be current, others weren’t, so I remembered to get a picture of this from Coral Reef.
We were seated right away, on the second level, with a good view of the tank. It was crowded, but we had a good seat. Our waitress came out & asked us about drinks, and to me, kindof pushed the smoothies, which we ended up ordering. Peter, Logan, & I also decided to order the Lobster Soup as an appetizer, which we would pay for OOP. The soup was very good, as was the bread.
Peter ordered the Grilled Mahi Mahi w/Jasmine Rice
and the rest of us ordered the Grilled NY Strip w/mashed potatoes.
We ended up ordering tea & sodas also, as the smoothies didn’t last very long. For dessert, Peter & I got the Butterscotch Crème’ Brulee’
Nathan got the Chocolate Wave
& Logan got the Bailey’s & Jack Daniels Mousse.
We enjoyed everything we ordered, but we were now stuffed! We realized after this meal to NOT order an appetizer & to NOT eat too much bread. We aren’t usually big dessert eaters, so saving room for dessert was hard to get used to. Nathan went down near the tank to get some pictures before we left.
The guys went to the restroom, & I kept waiting for the waitress to return so I could settle our bill. This almost took as long as our entire meal and we were in and out of our dinner in less than an hour.
Total for meal: $204.33 ($178.80 =4TS credits) ($25.53 OOP) ($30.00 tip)
Ok….so here are my thoughts about Coral Reef. While the food was very good, I felt like it was a little too rushed & busy feeling throughout the entire dinner. I felt also that, as soon as the waitress saw we were on the DP, she really pushed the higher priced items, since the more we spend, the bigger the tip. Maybe it was my imagination, maybe she was just trying to let us know we could order anything. This was the only place we ate using the DP that I felt this way. The meal was kindof zip, zip through, and it wasn’t relaxed at all. It is a nice restaurant & the food was good, but neither of us care to go back again.
Side note: We also learned NOT to order appetizers on any of our upcoming meals!!!! I really wish that the DP offered the option of an appetizer or a dessert. We are really not big dessert eaters, but felt like we had to eat it or we were wasting money.
This is just my opinion, and the experience that we had dining at Coral Reef.
for your review of Coral Review. All your food looks very delicious.
Quote:
Originally Posted by debrabrown
Good review of CR. In and out in an hour? Yeah, I would feel a bit rushed myself. The food sure looked good though.
The food was very good, and I guess I shouldn't be harsh with my review of it, but after eating later at Kona' & Cape May Cafe', it didn't compare in overall dining experience for us.
I'm sorry you had a rushed experience at Coral Reef, we've found that a lot of the in park restaurants have a "Turn and Burn" philosophy --as many people in and out as quickly as possible. We still enjoy the food at some of these restaurants so we've learned to take our time ordering. Order an app first,then when it arrives order the entree. It will give you more time to enjoy your meal--and then of course be sure to let your waitstaff know that you are not in a hurry.
The food was very good, and I guess I shouldn't be harsh with my review of it, but after eating later at Kona' & Cape May Cafe', it didn't compare in overall dining experience for us.
I didn't take it as harsh at all. Bring on the honesty sister!
I love Coral Reef, but I think lunch is a much better experience. I noticed you dropped $30 for tip (on the size of your bill I can see why), but did it start to bother you that every time you sat down to eat you were spending more money on food even though you were on the dining plan?
Thanks for the review of the Coral Reef. We last ate there a few years ago and didn't have the greatest meal, but I do keep thinking about going back, so it's good to read up to date reviews.
So just caught up! So good.
Funny i have seen DeVine, many times, always while not looking for her.
What i have not seen is the Coral Reef rest. sign, after eating there many times!!
So glad you did the Hoop de Doo. Love that show. Everytime we go, we do the, should we see it AGAIN thing. We always go. We always crack up. Funny stuff that show.
Finally catching up here..... I'm excited for the days that my kids and I go separate ways and I can enjoy the parks alone with DH. It sounds like that part is going well for you guys. I love your experience at HDDR! That looked like such a good time. Funny that you wonder about what your older son did during grad nights! Maybe it's best that you don't know!!! Your dinner at Coral Reef looked good too, despite the ways of your server. Great updates, keep 'em comin!!! (and I'll try to keep up too)
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Your meal at Coral Reef sounds delish even if it wasn't the best overall experience. Looking forward to more....
I'll finish Day 3 very soon......
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMadonna3
I love Coral Reef, but I think lunch is a much better experience. I noticed you dropped $30 for tip (on the size of your bill I can see why), but did it start to bother you that every time you sat down to eat you were spending more money on food even though you were on the dining plan?
Actually, this was the only meal that I felt this way about. All the others were a wonderful experience (and we did a wide variety of TS dining....LTT, HDD, CR, 50's PT, Kona, & CMC). While the food was good, I feel there are so many great restaurants (alot on the DP) in WDW, that I don't want to waste my time/ money there again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Thanks for the review of the Coral Reef. We last ate there a few years ago and didn't have the greatest meal, but I do keep thinking about going back, so it's good to read up to date reviews.
Reading about all of your great dining experiences in your TRs..I wouldn't bother! Like I said, there are too many great restaurants to settle for CR.
Quote:
Originally Posted by burly
So just caught up! So good.
Funny i have seen DeVine, many times, always while not looking for her.
What i have not seen is the Coral Reef rest. sign, after eating there many times!!
So glad you did the Hoop de Doo. Love that show. Everytime we go, we do the, should we see it AGAIN thing. We always go. We always crack up. Funny stuff that show.
Will be waiting for more....
I will find her!!!!! Someday! The sign is right out front, unless there is a back entrance as well. Love, love HDD! A fun night!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disney_duke
Finally catching up here..... I'm excited for the days that my kids and I go separate ways and I can enjoy the parks alone with DH. It sounds like that part is going well for you guys. I love your experience at HDDR! That looked like such a good time. Funny that you wonder about what your older son did during grad nights! Maybe it's best that you don't know!!! Your dinner at Coral Reef looked good too, despite the ways of your server. Great updates, keep 'em comin!!! (and I'll try to keep up too)
It was great getting some time alone, just me & DH!! Last trip, Nathan was 12 so we stuck together like glue! It was funny how little Logan had done on his '06 trip.....I guess he found other things to do! Next update coming right up!!
I'm sorry you had a rushed experience at Coral Reef, we've found that a lot of the in park restaurants have a "Turn and Burn" philosophy --as many people in and out as quickly as possible. We still enjoy the food at some of these restaurants so we've learned to take our time ordering. Order an app first,then when it arrives order the entree. It will give you more time to enjoy your meal--and then of course be sure to let your waitstaff know that you are not in a hurry.
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Pixie Dust
Susan
for your review of Coral Review. All your food looks very delicious. 
Deb
PassPorter Guide Author
We last ate there a few years ago and didn't have the greatest meal, but I do keep thinking about going back, so it's good to read up to date reviews. 
Someday! The sign is right out front, unless there is a back entrance as well. 
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