Coral Reef, A Unique Dining Experience

Photo from Google Images via Flikr 

Coral Reef

 Epcot

Location: The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion, Epcot

Cusine: Seafood 

Lunch & Dinner

Expereince: Dining Event

Price:$36.99-$59.99 

Disney Dining Plan accepted

Tucked away in the Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion, lies a romantic restaurant where you can dine in one of the most unique atmospheres on Walt Disney World property. From dim lighting to the 8 foot tall aquariums, your unique dining experience begins from the moment you step foot in Epcot's Coral Reef restaurant.

The Ambiance....

Tranquil shades of blue and green greet you when you enter the Coral Reef. The dining theme is "under the sea" as you dine with Nemo & Friends in front of 8 foot high windows which offer stunning views of the Living Seas.  The seating is tiered to allow all patrons to view the aquarium equally. So sit back relax and enjoy your unique dining experience.

Photo from orlando.about.com via Google Images 

The Eats....

Before your food arrives your server will bring out warm rolls and whipped butter. We always ask for seconds on the bread...it is oh so yummy!!! While my family takes full advantage of the Disney Dining Plan this means that we do not order anything that would veer from the plan, that is unless we are eating at Coral Reef. We just LOVE the Lobster Cream soup!! In my opinion it is a must do on every Disney trip!! On our most recent trip to WDW, my 6 year old son shared with the waiter how much he loves the soup and that he has waited all year to have it. So when the waiter returned with Logan's cup of soup, attached to the bowl was the recipe, you have to love the pixie dust!!!

Some recommendations from my family and I:

Roasted Scottish Salmon - with Russian fingerling potatoes and wilted spinach, in a Dijon cream with black mustard seed.

Mushroom Phyllo Crisp - roasted mushrooms, wilted Arugula, aged cheeses, rustic tomato ragout.

Grilled New York Strip Steak - served with horseradish smashed potatoes, and market fresh vegetables.

If you are traveling with little ones they will enjoy a choice of chicken, macaroni or fish of the day. My middle son enjoyed the Mahi Mahi. The meal would not be complete without an ice cream sundae…yummy!!!

Would you like a sweet treat?

The best part of dinner at Disney is always the dessert! Coral Reef has some decadent dessert options that are sure to please just about anyone. 

Baileys and Jack Daniel's Mousse - topped with a ganache and chocolate cigar.

One of the most famous desserts on WDW property is.....

The Chocolate Wave- A warm dark cake with a white chocolate grand marnier center with chocolate gnache and white chocolate ice cream.

Chocolate Wave Photo from Google Images 

While many reviews of Coral Reef are mixed I do have to say that each and every time I personally have dinned there, we have had a wonderful experience.  While in all honesty I would not put the food up there at a 10, I would say the food deserves a solid 7. As for Disney experience and service a 9.  


Don't forget to enter our contest to win a free $10 Disney Gift Card. 

See ya real soon!

Kelly 

Tuesday's top 10 things I learned while at Disney World

The beauty of Disney is that there is so much to see and do, you could not possibly do everything all in one trip. Every time we visit, we learn new things. Check out what made my list of top 10 things that I learned on my most recent trip to Disney World.

10. You do not need to sit through the animation show,  “Drawn to Animation”  located in The Magic of Disney Animation  building  in order to get to the character greeting area in the back of the building.  Not that we do not enjoy this show but our younger son just does not sit well through these types of shows. It was nice to know that we could go through the animation store and enter the character meet and greet area though there.

9.  We need to make more pool time for our kids. We find that we become park commandos when really sometimes it is ok to just stay back and relax for a half of a day.

8.  That I actually need a mid-day break. I never thought that I would say that. Maybe I am getting old…..lol. I am only 31. :0)

7. I learned that Disney is the only place you will catch me in matching T-Shirts, Crocs and Mickey Ears and actually feel cool.

6.  I just love Biergarten in Germany!!! This was our first time eating there…our children had so much fun watching the show while we dined. In addition, we love that our kids were able to try some new foods and us some new beer. :0)

5.  I learned that when Mousekeeping cleans your room they have to enter in a code on your room phone. If that code is not entered their boss will come and check to see if your room was cleaned, if not if will be done immediately. 

4. Did you know that Pop Century food court has a bakery that carries cappuccino and lattes. Not that it was the best cup of coffee I have ever had but it gave me a good boost of caffeine…much better than the stuff you fill in your resort mug, no offense but yuck!

3.  I found it amazing that when my 5 year old son raved about the lobster cream soup at Coral Reef the waiter handed him the recipe.  The waiter then proceeded to explain that when Logan (my son) was missing Disney and craving that soup he could help me make it at home. That was a magical Disney moment.  By the way….you can ask for recipes at any of the Disney restaurants on property.

2. Well it finally happened to me…..we lost a Key to the World Card. Now before getting upset, I should have taken a moment to realize that I am at Disney and that no CM could ever let me feel hopeless in this situation.  We went to the front gate at Animal Kingdom and let them know we lost our key…within 3 minutes we had a new one. The CM did let us know that if we found the old one we were not to use it. I guess the key was coded as stolen.  Lesson learned do not panic and report asap to cancel the key and charging privileges.  FYI….the key was never found.

1. I am getting much better at this but with each and every trip I am slowing down…and in a good way. I am learning to stop and smell the roses. I want to see all of the magic and detail that was put into creating the most magical place on earth.

See ya real soon!

Kelly