Possible for party of 5 to sit by tanks @ Coral Reef?

Eddie512 · Jan 21, 2017

Party of 5, With 4:40 ADR for a Saturday in July. I know that is a busy time! I have never been in the restaurant (just seen pictures) and I don't know how many tables are next to tanks and if any seat 5. Any ideas what my chances would be??

DeanDoug · Jan 21, 2017

I've not been there in a few years, but at minimum there are tables for 4, and I suspect another chair could be accommodated on the end. Have you requested near the aquarium? Disney Dining will be able to tell you if a party of 5 can be accommodated there. Enjoy. It's a magical experience.

DWillowBay · Jan 21, 2017

Just a head's up based on my experience .... Coral Reef often runs behind (in our case, 45 minutes) on their reservations. I don't know what the wait time would be to request a table by the tanks. May be others have done that and can give some insight, but from what I've experienced... I was just happy to finally get a table...anywhere. :fish:

HopperFan · Jan 21, 2017

I would say likely no but could be in a booth just across from the tank. I've only seen tables for 4 or 2 parties of 2 side by side. I would be very surprised if they would place a chair out in the walkway area, just not that big.

http://www.disneytouristblog.com/coral-reef-review/

http://magicalfanaticism.tumblr.com/post/113117120361/coral-reef-restaurant-at-epcot-in-walt-disney

Eddie512 · Jan 21, 2017

It looks like we would have a great view in those booths across the aisle from the tanks, can anyone confirm? Trying to imagine it full of people

. Those pics are awesome, thanks.

Twende · Jan 22, 2017

You are reading my mind. I was wondering if 5 could fit in one of those booths too.

kmb584 · Jan 22, 2017

Twende said:
You are reading my mind. I was wondering if 5 could fit in one of those booths too.

We have fit 5 in those booths -- 4 adults and 1 child. There was not a lot of "extra" space, but we were comfortable enough.

Hopefully · Jan 22, 2017

I agree with @HopperFan, I do not believe they will ever put a chair in an aisle. There isn't room. The pictures show the first set of booths, which is likely where you will be, if you are seated on the lowest tier of tables.

Nancyg56 · Jan 22, 2017

Eddie512 said:
It looks like we would have a great view in those booths across the aisle from the tanks, can anyone confirm? Trying to imagine it full of people . Those pics are awesome, thanks.

They will not place a chair in the aisle. I have sat in a booth when we had a large party of nine, 4 near the tank andthe rest of us in a booth. The view is perfect.

Twende · Jan 22, 2017

kmb584 said:
We have fit 5 in those booths -- 4 adults and 1 child. There was not a lot of "extra" space, but we were comfortable enough.

Nancyg56 said:
They will not place a chair in the aisle. I have sat in a booth when we had a large party of nine, 4 near the tank andthe rest of us in a booth. The view is perfect.

Thank you for the confirmation of size of tables in that location. We will arrive early and request that set up and be ready to wait.

Nancyg56 · Jan 22, 2017

Twende said:
Thank you for the confirmation of size of tables in that location. We will arrive early and request that set up and be ready to wait.

You can request this but remember it may not be granted. You have indicated you have two individual adrs for your party of 9. If a party of nine is on the books they may take priority.

Twende · Jan 22, 2017

Nancyg56 said:
You can request this but remember it may not be granted. You have indicated you have two individual adrs for your party of 9. If a party of nine is on the books they may take priority.

Oh, I understand that. I made my ADR's on the morning of day 180 and the refused to take a party of 9 for Coral Reef. They said I had to split my group up and then ask to be seated near one another when we arrive. The way I was told was they they would never take a party that large without splitting it up. Who knows, it could have just been a pet peeve of the articular CM I spoke to that morning.

I just hope we have a great experience!

KCBelle · Jan 22, 2017

Eddie512 said:
It looks like we would have a great view in those booths across the aisle from the tanks, can anyone confirm? Trying to imagine it full of people . Those pics are awesome, thanks.

We sat in the booths facing the tank and had a great view. We had 4 adults at our table and a 5th would have fit fine.

Eddie512 · Jan 22, 2017

So after studying the handy pics posted above (yes, I do need to get a life...but the Pack is losing!!), I'm wondering if they would let us split our party. I would love to sit my 3 kids at a 4 top right next to the tank, then put us parents at a 2 top nearby. I think my kids would be in heaven. Do they allow these sort of Special Snowflake requests? I don't need to sit right by my kids (lol) provided I can make sure they're behaving.

mrzrich · Jan 22, 2017

Eddie512 said:
So after studying the handy pics posted above (yes, I do need to get a life...but the Pack is losing!!), I'm wondering if they would let us split our party. I would love to sit my 3 kids at a 4 top right next to the tank, then put us parents at a 2 top nearby. I think my kids would be in heaven. Do they allow these sort of Special Snowflake requests? I don't need to sit right by my kids (lol) provided I can make sure they're behaving.

Not likely. They already often run behind time on ADRs. They are not going to use up and extra table that another party could be using for your family to split up

Nancyg56 · Jan 22, 2017

Eddie512 said:
So after studying the handy pics posted above (yes, I do need to get a life...but the Pack is losing!!), I'm wondering if they would let us split our party. I would love to sit my 3 kids at a 4 top right next to the tank, then put us parents at a 2 top nearby. I think my kids would be in heaven. Do they allow these sort of Special Snowflake requests? I don't need to sit right by my kids (lol) provided I can make sure they're behaving.

I doubt it. CR is busy, and when a table is ready that accommodates your group, you take it our you leave it. Honestly, the view of the tank is good no matter wher you sit.

Nancyg56 · Jan 22, 2017

Eddie512 said:
It looks like we would have a great view in those booths across the aisle from the tanks, can anyone confirm? Trying to imagine it full of people . Those pics are awesome, thanks.

I can confirm. The view is very good.

elaine amj · Jan 23, 2017

Eddie512 said:
So after studying the handy pics posted above (yes, I do need to get a life...but the Pack is losing!!), I'm wondering if they would let us split our party. I would love to sit my 3 kids at a 4 top right next to the tank, then put us parents at a 2 top nearby. I think my kids would be in heaven. Do they allow these sort of Special Snowflake requests? I don't need to sit right by my kids (lol) provided I can make sure they're behaving.

I have a group of 7. My plan is to get an ADR for opening (11am?) for lunch instead of dinner and see if they can accommodate us in two sets of table next to the tank. If not, then a table for the kids and the adults at a booth.

Nancyg56 · Jan 23, 2017

elaine amj said:
I have a group of 7. My plan is to get an ADR for opening (11am?) for lunch instead of dinner and see if they can accommodate us in two sets of table next to the tank. If not, then a table for the kids and the adults at a booth.

I would make two separate ADR's if you want two different tables, and I would check in with two ADR's. At that time I would make the request to be seated next to the tank. I cannot imagine that you will be allowed to take up two tables if a table will seat 7. Now I cannot say this would be the case, but depending on what the restaurant has booked, your booth may have already been assigned and the tables for 4 allocated to parties of 4.

I also have to say once again, this is a HUGE aquarium, and the tables are all situated with view in mind. I honestly believe that the best views are from the booths, facing the tank. I would not worry about being seated at those tables that are by the tank, IMO they are not the best spot.

Lisa F · Jan 23, 2017

the booths are kind of reconfigurable I think - you can put two tables together to make a bigger one.

My strategy for tank seating is first lunch seating, show up 15 minutes early. you are virtually guaranteed a seat near the tank.

Possible for party of 5 to sit by tanks @ Coral Reef?

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