Journey of Water featuring Moana coming to Epcot

[Animaniac93-98]

I think Coral Reef was always a moderately popular restaurant pre-DDP, but then that made it harder to book as DDP visitors were not interested in most other EPCOT locations and figured the seafood place was a safe choice.

 

[James Alucobond]

I've always found it at least decent if you know what to get, sometimes very good. The atmosphere is also wonderful, though the carpet and some other surfaces/furnishings were in need of a refresh the last time I was there.

 

[Incomudro]

Coral Reef is our one must do restaurant.
We made it our regular thing when we were making annual WDW trips.
Sadly, our last trip was 5 years ago - partially due to covid which caused us to postpone our 2020 trip.
Well, we're finally going back this March!
I did notice a decline in Coral Reefs food, from real restaurant good - just pretty good the last perhaps two times I went.
Then again, I can say that I noticed a similar decline in many of the other places we've eaten in at WDW as well.

 

[TikibirdLand]

thats what I was going to say. Is it any good?

Probably would have heard about it if it was called Nemo’s Grill.

Uh, no. That's my summary. If you want details, Yelp has reviews. 4 of 5 stars from them though.

Would Nemo be the chef at Nemo's Grill? Or, would he be one of the dishes?

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I've heard it's not very good now, but it used to be one of Disney's higher end restaurants.

I bet a bunch of people don't know it's there. It's pretty hidden around the side of the pavilion.

That has always been my impression. I remember going there on my very first trip to WDW in 1994 and it was both quite good and hyped as one of WDW's top restaurants.

Since then, it seems to have kind of faded away.

 

[Patcheslee]

Uh, no. That's my summary. If you want details, Yelp has reviews. 4 of 5 stars from them though.

Would Nemo be the chef at Nemo's Grill? Or, would he be one of the dishes?

Conflict of interest with the whole "Fish are friends not food" thing

 

[Mac Tonight]

We ate there last November and enjoyed ourselves. It could have been the fact that it was the first day of our trip, so we were on an excitement high, or just the overall ambience, which can't be beat (we were seated up against the tank).

Now that time has passed, I can say that the food wasn't as exquisite as one would find in a higher class restaurant, but it also wasn't terrible by any stretch.

Food: 7.5/10
Atmosphere: 10/10

 

[DCBaker]

 

[dreday3]

Is this still supposed to be open in 2023? Probably late 2023?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Is this still supposed to be open in 2023? Probably late 2023?

As far as some insiders say, that is likely. Especially since we now see the plumbing being installed.

But... things can change.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Is this still supposed to be open in 2023? Probably late 2023?

As far as some insiders say, that is likely. Especially since we now see the plumbing being installed.

But... things can change.

Wait seriously? Late 2023 is the optimistic timeline for this WATER FEATURE!?

 

[dreday3]

Wait seriously? Late 2023 is the optimistic timeline for this WATER FEATURE!?

Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous. We are planning April 2023 and my guy asked if the walls would be down in Epcot, at least some. I'm like, I think it will look almost exactly the same as October 2021.

 

[Haymarket2008]

The fact that this thing might not be open by late Summer 2022 is frustrating.

 

[James Alucobond]

I will be truly disappointed if this doesn't move more quickly than that. They should be pushing really hard to open the center of the park in quarters, with Connections + Starbucks next, Moana after that, and the festival area after that. Considering they've promised this will wrap up in 2023, I would hope they're down to just the festival area by late 2023. The sooner they can revert previously backstage areas to backstage the better.

 

[Nunu]

For the time this project is taking to be completed, it better be worth it, but at this point, I just want those darn walls finally gone, tbh.

 

[James Alucobond]

For the time this project is taking to be completed, it better be worth it, but at this point, I just want those darn walls finally gone, tbh.

I don't really think there's much chance of it being "worth it", generally speaking. Even as originally envisioned, it's mostly just a shifting around of pre-existing functionality. I do look forward the walls being gone and hope it's attractive, though.

 

[Patcheslee]

The fact that this thing might not be open by late Summer 2022 is frustrating.

Looking at the current walkpaths, come GotG opening there will be alot more congestion getting to and from that ride alone. The sooner they open this area the better.

 

[RSoxNo1]

If anyone is expecting anything beyond a nice walking path, they will be disappointed.

 

[Nunu]

I don't really think there's much chance of it being "worth it", generally speaking. Even as originally envisioned, it's mostly just a shifting around of pre-existing functionality. I do look forward the walls being gone and hope it's attractive, though.

Should've said "worth it to those excited about this". Hope it's attractive, too.

 

[James Alucobond]

Should've said "worth it to those excited about this". Hope it's attractive, too.

I'm excited to see it and do look forward to it. I just mean that there's very little chance of it being worth the financial investment to the average guest when the result, while shiny and new, doesn't really increase the number of attractions in the park or fix anything that was inherently broken.