Which One?

[goreesha]

Okay, putting together dining plans for our November trip. I need to ask a question from those who have eaten at both of these places.

Which is better?

Coral Reef
or
Garden Grill

Bear in mind it will be:

Me (eclectic tastes, loves seafood)
DW (won't eat anything that came from the water)
DS 5 (loves seafood)
DD 2 (finicky! Hates everything but ketchup and apples, literally.)

The things is, my DD won't eat much at either place, but she loves seeing the characters, and she also loves watching the fish at the Seas. Now, the thing is, I have always wanted to eat at Coral Reef restaurant since I first found out about it as a teen back in 1991, but I have also heard that the quality has somewhat declined. The Garden Grill, I know little about, except that it has characters and is family style.

So, which one?

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Okay, putting together dining plans for our November trip. I need to ask a question from those who have eaten at both of these places.

Which is better?

Coral Reef
or
Garden Grill

Bear in mind it will be:

Me (eclectic tastes, loves seafood)
DW (won't eat anything that came from the water)
DS 5 (loves seafood)
DD 2 (finicky! Hates everything but ketchup and apples, literally.)

The things is, my DD won't eat much at either place, but she loves seeing the characters, and she also loves watching the fish at the Seas. Now, the thing is, I have always wanted to eat at Coral Reef restaurant since I first found out about it as a teen back in 1991, but I have also heard that the quality has somewhat declined. The Garden Grill, I know little about, except that it has characters and is family style.

So, which one?

Haha...I cracked up when I read the part I bolded.

Hmm keep in mind that CR does have non-seafood options. I'm not sure how many or how good they are for a child though.
Sounds like you'd be better off at Garden Grill IMO. For children, buffets or family style restaurants are probably always a good option because of the variety of food choices.

Good luck!

 

[bennyw01]

both have there perks, best thing would be to do is sit the family down and level with them:

1. a seafood place but you get to see some cool fish and there is non seafood options,
2. home cookin in a revolving diner that overlooks living with the land with usually chip and dale, and the mouse man!

but tbh if you love fish and wanted to do it since 1991 id do the coral reef, chances are your the bread winner treat your self :slurp:

 

[rsoxguy]

Garden Grill:

*Pros- Characters during the meal and general atmosphere make it more whimsical for the kids. No seafood for your wife.

*Cons- Very limited "family style" menu. Mediocre food quality.


Coral Reef:

*Pros- Larger menu selection. Better quality of food choice and taste. Beautiful view of the huge fish tank with occasional divers.

*Cons- Seafood menu for your wife. Much more "formal" atmosphere for your kids. Very expensive meal. (Although Garden Grill isn't exactly cheap for what you get)

I hope that this helps with our decision. Best wishes for your trip.

 

[SweetMagic]

I've gotta say, that I actually prefer the quality of the food at Garden Grill. It's limited, definitely. You get what you get. But I've always found it to be very, very good.

My Coral Reef experience is that it was once a very good choice, but the last two times I gave it a chance, it was loud as all get-out, and the food was not up to par anymore. I just can't see spending the money there anymore.

That being said, if you haven't been, it is something you should try once, especially if you have always wanted to.

Any chance you could have an early lunch at Coral Reef and still do dinner at Garden Grill? :lol::slurp:

 

[goreesha]

but tbh if you love fish and wanted to do it since 1991 id do the coral reef, chances are your the bread winner treat your self :slurp:

Yes, lol, I am the bread winner, and, the truth is, the family will trust my judgment, whichever one I pick. I think I would be fine with either place, really, I just have to decide, and I want it to be something everyone will enjoy (or, in the case of the 2 year old, a place with something interesting like characters or fish to look at while she is busy dipping her finger in the ketchup and refusing to eat). We can't do both, because all our other table service meals are taken with places that we know we want to go.

I should have mentioned, we are on the dining plan, so the cost is not really an option.

 

[KristieLC]

With the kids - go for Garden Grill. Lots to look at and the character interaction is wonderful. While it wasn't my personal favorite on our last trip, it was my 4 year old son's favorite. The kids get to decorate their own cupcake too, which was fun. The food wasn't bad. My husband really enjoyed the steak and I liked the catfish.

 

[rkelly42]

CORAL REEF, it is as simple as that:slurp:

 

[brent2124]

Coral Reef! Hands Down!

 

[want2betink]

Okay. I'm going against the majority here. I have never been to Garden Grill. Going this trip for our first time. BUT, hated Coral Reef. The best part was desert. The menu is limited, and you have to be very lucky to get close to the fish tanks.

 

[goreesha]

Okay. I'm going against the majority here. I have never been to Garden Grill. Going this trip for our first time. BUT, hated Coral Reef. The best part was desert. The menu is limited, and you have to be very lucky to get close to the fish tanks.

So is the view of the aquarium pretty limited there? Because they make it sound like most of the restaurant has a pretty good view of it.

 

[Space Ranger]

Views are very good. One wall of the restaurant is a huge wall of very large windows for the aquarium. It's sort of a very open stadium style table layout with about 3 different levels so even if you don't have a table next to the glass - and most of them are not - you still have a good view.

I am not a huge seafood fan, but have been very pleased by the steaks at the CR. My wife enjoys seafood and has been pleased by the seafood offerings. If you a very picky eater you may be somewhat under impressed by the CR, but if that is the case you would probably like the Garden Grill even less - fewer selections, family style. My wife and I are not too picky and have been fairly impressed by the CR - added the CR to our must do list when we go. We also like the Garden Grill but would chose CR over the Garden Grill.

Also my DS 2 was very entertained by the fish and divers last summer at the CR.

 

[blackthidot]

Id go with Coral Reef. You can get fish, and steak there. The tank will keep the kids calm or it will rile them up wanting to go up to it the whole time. I ate at Garden Grill and the only thing I liked was the ranch dressing?

 

[accord99cutie]

Id go with the Garden Grill, in fact, thats where Im going with my hubby and 3 1/2 year old in April

 

[goreesha]

So it sounds like Garden Grill has it fans and Coral Reef has its fan. All opinions have been weighed in the balance, and my decision is.......mmmm........Coral Reef! I have to live the Dream of '91. Fishes will entertain the 2 year old, wife can have tasty steak, and I can eat tender meats from the sea. Plus, kids can have their character meal on another day at Crystal Palace. Everybody wins! But I win the most lol! :sohappy:

 

[goreesha]

Also, I showed my wife this pic and it did the trick. She is all about the Coral Reef now: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showpost.php?p=3419465&postcount=424

 

[blackthidot]

Hahaha youre welcome! Dont forget to add a side of palenta.

Thats that yellow stuff. It tastes like corn bread...SOOOOOOO GOOD!

 

[epcotWSC]

I'm also considering Coral Reef as one of my options for my summer trip. It seems that it's getting mixed reviews on this site. Some love it, others hate it. To those on either side, did you eat sea food or other stuff (pork, steak, etc.)? If I'd go, I'd go for the seafood, not steak (which I could get at LeCellier).

 

[blackthidot]

Ive only gotten steak.

A friend got Muai Muai and I tried it, and it was good.

The only rip on CR I have is its small quantity and high price.