Finding an affordable and tasty restaurant at Walt Disney World is a regular challenge for park visitors. With the rising cost of park tickets, souvenirs and snacks, a sit-down meal has become a luxury that most can’t afford. So when park goers indulge, they want more bang for their buck, and it seems this one restaurant isn’t the one.

It has long been a contentious fact among park visitors that the Coral Reef Restaurant in EPCOT has lost its luster. According to the Disney Dining website, the Coral Reef Restaurant continues to face criticism. Some have even gone so far as to call the restaurant one of the least desirable options at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT.

The restaurant opened in 1986 and was popular at the time for its marine design and huge aquarium. Getting a table next to the massive aquarium was one of the hardest reservations to secure in the park. And like any new attraction, the coral reef became a popular destination for families who loved the fish to entertain their children after a long day at the park.

According to Walt Disney World, the aquarium, called The Seas, is “one of the largest man-made marine environments on the planet, holding enough water to fill 54 Olympic-sized swimming pools.” The habitat was designed by marine scientists and is home to around 2,000 marine creatures and over 60 different aquatic species.

However, with all of the newer and more modern dining options that Walt Disney World offers, Coral Reef has grown in popularity. Disney Dining says guests have been annoyed by the overall dated look and feel, calling the restaurant gloomy and the menu uninspiring.

What are the biggest problems with the Coral Reef Restaurant according to park visitors?

The Coral Reef Restaurant holds a special place in the hearts of Disney park visitors as it has a rich history of creating family memories. It is also becoming increasingly popular among Generation Z, featuring prominently in the iconic episodes “Full House” and “Boy Meets World.”

However, if you don’t have nostalgia for the restaurant, you might not feel the same way. The website All Ears wrote: “Out of 129 reviews, our readers gave Coral Reef a 6.96/10, and 71% of reviewers recommend dining at this controversial restaurant.”

One reviewer called the food “mediocre” and found the atmosphere “tiring,” but noted that “the aquarium helped offset some of its low points.” Some guests praised the ambience, particularly parents of children who might be amazed by the aquatic animals.

The biggest complaint that guests seemed to have overall at Coral Reef Restaurant in EPCOT was the inconsistent nature of the food. Some park visitors thought their orders were fabulous, while others said they weren’t that good. Since the typical price at Coral Reef is around $30 per person, it would help the reviews if the quality of the food was consistent.

Additionally, Disney Dining pointed out that the menu itself is rather limited and “with only a handful of entrée and entree options, guests often feel limited in their meal choices.” Because EPCOT offers such a wide variety of dining options, Coral stands Reef often in the shade looking for variety.

Ultimately, whether the Coral Reef restaurant is popular with park visitors or not is a matter of opinion. For those who enjoy the water life or have smaller children, the restaurant will likely still be a hit.