Creating a Family Tradition: Dining at Coral Reef About This Page:

[PassPorter News]

by Jill Pekarek, Guest Columnist

Every time we head to Walt Disney World, I vow to experience something new and different when it comes to eating. There are so many wonderful restaurants in the theme parks and resorts that I set a goal for myself and my family to eat at each one. We travel to Walt Disney World quite a bit and have never tired of the astonishing selection of eateries ranging from the quick and inexpensive to the unhurried and exotic.

continued in next post...

[PassPorter News]

Unfortunately, my goal falls by the wayside whenever we consider where to dine at Epcot. Prior to leaving home for our most recent trip, I announced that we would not be eating at Coral Reef on this visit. Raising my voice above the objections and outright hostility, I persuaded everyone involved that we needed to look beyond what is familiar and take pleasure in something new and exciting. There are plenty of fantastic places to eat at Epcot and the variety is limitless.

My 12 year old daughter was not so easily convinced, so I reminded her of San Angel Inn in Mexico. How wonderful it would be to enjoy queso fundido and plato mexicano under a night sky dimly lit with Mexican lanterns. Or we could sample platters of couscous with lamb and chicken at Marrakesh in Morocco while dancers demonstrate the beautiful (and painful looking) art of belly dancing. How about Les Chefs De France, I tell her, hoping to sway her from the traditional to the innovative. She has always expressed the desire to visit Paris and enjoy the fantastic cuisine, not to mention the mouth watering pastries. I explained to her that since jetting off to Paris is not in the near future, she can still enjoy braised beef prepared in a tempting red Burgundy sauce and experience the amazing confections only the French could create.

She reluctantly agreed that maybe it would be reasonable to enjoy some new and exciting restaurants. Since we have been to Coral Reef about five times, we could decide on a different dining encounter. Happy that I have succeeded in convincing my daughter to broaden her horizons, I soon came to realize that I had underestimated the 12 year old mind and their mysterious gift of persuasion.

She began to recall all of the memorable moments we had at Coral Reef starting when she was just six years old. Bringing to mind the beautiful decor and the calming lights that radiate cascading water on the ceiling, I began to drift into the softly lit atmosphere that is exclusive to this enchanting restaurant.

She reminded me of the time she created animals with her peanut butter play-doh dessert (no longer served much to our sadness). Or the time when her Shirley Temple included an overabundance of cherries, not to mention the blue florescent ice cubes. I recalled the fantastic service and cast members, like Scott, Blanca, and Jose, who have made every visit memorable. Or the time my mother-in-law got a little wink from a bus boy. To this very day it still makes us laugh. The moment my daughter's best friend caught the eye of a very large fish who stared at her for half an hour. The time the chef came to our table to talk with us about our meal and we hadn't even asked. All we did was compliment the outstanding food to our waitress and all of a sudden there he was willing to take a few minutes of his time for a guest. Or when my youngest daughter fell sound asleep after being in the restaurants tranquility for just a few short minutes. We had a very peaceful meal that afternoon minus the frustrated whining of a one year old. My son actually ate a complete meal at this restaurant without complaining. That was the first and last full meal in public.

Before I knew it, she had convinced me she was right! For years we had enjoyed Coral Reef with our entire family or quietly by ourselves. I found myself becoming sentimental and thinking of how much I would miss another visit to this cherished restaurant. The fact was that this eatery had become a Walt Disney World tradition for the entire family. Being a mother who would never consider denying her family such a magical custom, I succumbed to the pressures of my charming daughter and agree that Coral Reef is the one restaurant we should never go without. Variety is highly overrated!

[Tara O'Hara]

What a great article! I am also a Coral Reef fan and I think it's wonderful that it has become a family tradition for you guys! I hope you continue to make cherished memories throughout the years there!

[lablady]

What a wonderful article! I have never tried the Coral Reef but I am convinced. My daughter and I will definitely go there in April. Thanks for describing it so clearly that I can almost picture us there.

[Disneynutinlondon]

I love your piece.

Now you've got me wondering. I've just worked out our final plans for our forth coming trip that doesn't include Coral Reef. Having eaten one of our best meals there on our last trip I was sorely tempted to go again this year but, like you I wanted to try places we've not been to. Now you've got me thinking that maybe I've made a mistake. Maybe as we'll be spending a fair bit of time in Epcot - it's DS1 and DS2 favourite park - we go for lunch one day.

[CarolRose]

Thank you for the wonderful article, Jill! We ate for the first time at Coral Reef in December, and I fretted about the decision after hearing negative reviews. It turned out to be one of our favorite meals! We will definitely eat at Coral Reef again--maybe it will become our family tradition, too!

[Diz]

This is truly a magical memory! What a wonderful article!

I totally agree with you and your daughter about revisiting magical spots each trip. For my family it is Cinderella's Royal Table.

Thanks for sharing! Every time we go to CR, we really enjoy it! It sounds like you hold it as such a special place for your family.

[BabieeMelly]

I'd love to try the Coral Reef - maybe we'll go for lunch in July!

[DisneyCast2002]

My tradition is always eating at the Bier Garten in Germany!!! I love it...and two favorites are the pretzled Bread and the warm apple strudel with warm vanilla sauce...mmmmm Also we can't pass up the huge chocolate covered rice krispy square at the Confectioners on Main Street...
Aww man...now I want one...<SIGH>...only 110 days to go...

[Jammers]

As silly as it sounds, our family tradition is Cosmic Rays at MK. We ate there on our first trip together and now it is a must do. Even though the food really isn't anything special, to us it represents the joy and fun of WDW.