Coral Reef Restaurant at EPCOT 101

I had the pleasure of eating at The Coral Reef Restaurant on my recent trip to Orlando. This restaurant is located in the Land and Seas portion of Epcot.  Here is the ENTIRE breakdown of this awesome dining facility.  

Theme:

What I call “under the sea”. From the lighting to the color choices, you immediately feel like you are about to go into a scuba diving adventure from the minute you walk into the restaurant. The hostess desk has octopus lighting fixtures on it and a glass desk top that resembles sea glass. The dining room is the BEST part, and also the biggest part of the restaurant. You will get to dine right next to sting rays and sharks! There are also over 80 different types of fish in the tank, just in case sting rays and sharks aren’t enough!!! There are 3 small levels, for prime viewing experience no matter where you are sat.  There are scuba divers that come in the tanks and they wave to you as they swim by! It has a very elegant, yet casual feel to it.

  

Food:

The menu is very simple. There are plenty of seafood choices, as well as some land choices as well. To start, the calamari was AMAZING! The best calamari I have had in a long time. It was so flavorful and well cooked.  We also enjoyed the crab-spinach fondue which was also awesome! For dinner, we had the pleasure of eating the NY Strip Steak and the Shrimp and Grits. Both entrees were very tasty, and well prepared. All of the food came out in a timely fashion; we didn’t have to wait for a long time between our appetizers and entrees. For desert, we enjoyed the Chocolate Wave. It was a chocolate cake, with a warm fudge center that pours out when you cut it in half! I have nothing bad to say about the food we ate that day. And from what the other customers in the dining room shared, they had the same opinion.

Price:

For the food we ate, and the experience we had the prices are very reasonable. They also accept the dining plan! It is 1 dining plan credit. They also give an Annual Pass discount, as well as Tables in wonderland discount.

Hours and Reservations:

They open at 12:00pm EST for lunch and run that menu until 3:00pm EST. Dinner begins at 4:00pm.  Reservations were relatively easy to obtain. I changed my time twice, one being a week before our arrival to Epcot.

Overall:

I think that this is a great place to dine. It has more of an adult ambiance if you want a place to eat without the kids, but also is a great place to bring the kids! There really isn’t any “Disney” to this dining experience, which could be a nice break from the park craziness! There are a lot of food choices in Epcot, but I think that this is the best choice! Its off the grid, and quiet in the park. Overall, I can’t say anything bad about this place. It was a great experience and I am looking forward to eating here again!!

                                   

 

Let us make your vacation even easier!  We'll help you plan from the start and can advise you and handle your arrangements, including dining, fast passes, room requests, discount application, and celebrations.  We are the same price or less than if you book on your own, and you get us for FREE!  Have an expert on your side at zero cost to you and contact one of our agents today!

Disneyland Tours

After numerous trips to Disneyland and thinking I have seen almost everything there is to see within the parks, I decided to do something different this past trip. I took the time to enjoy two tours offered at the Disneyland Parks. I was lucky enough to get to experience the California Story Tour prior to the ending of this amazing tour as well as experiencing the Walk In Walt's 

 Both tours offered a unique opportunity to see many aspects of the parks through a different lens then the average park visitor would see the parks through. I am sad to see that they took away the California Story Tour as this was an excellent way to learn about all of the small details and thought that went into creating a park that focussed on shaping a story of Walt's life and journey leading up to his success and the opening of Disneyland. This tour gave me a new appreciation for a park that I had previously not been overly impressed with. Details such as the number choices for addresses of buildings along Buena Vista Street, the Walt Disney's Studios Silly Symphony sign found across from the Hyperion Theatre, and the secrets inside of the Carthay Circle Restaurant Building.

Though the California Story Tour is no longer offered the Walk In Walt’s Footsteps Tour is another amazing opportunity and available just steps away in Disneyland Park. This tour shows the original Disneyland park through the eyes of Walt Disney. This tour takes you through the park walking through the parts of the park that Walt Disney himself had the opportunity to see. This includes seeing Mainstream and Walt’s original apartment in the park, the location that was planned to be a larger second apartment for Walt, and some of the most classic attractions including Its a Small World and the Haunted Mansion while learning the story behind there creation

 

Let us make your vacation even easier!  We'll help you plan from the start and can advise you and handle your arrangements, including dining, fast passes, room requests, discount application, and celebrations.  We are the same price or less than if you book on your own, and you get us for FREE!  Have an expert on your side at zero cost to you and contact one of our agents today!

A Review of Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington Summer 2016

This is a fun little review and maybe some navigation tips of Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington.  It is a tourist magnet, but even locals love this place. It has charm, history, entertainment, food, drinks, trinkets, art, photo opportunities, and can be fun for families and well as romantic for couples that are looking to spend some quality time together!

HERE is the information about directions and parking, although currently there is a huge shopping complex being built behind the market on the waterfront, and the parking situation is quite challenging.  Although I recommend following what your GPS tells you and entering the market off First Street for your first visit, drive slowly (pedestrians will be everywhere and won't care a whit that your car is in their way) down the market way to experience the feel of the market.  Roll down your windows!  Then park further down.  There is a park on the left at the end of the market, go to the next street down and make a left, there is a covered parking area (kind of tricky to get into) straight ahead.  If that is full, I wish you luck...you'll find a spot eventually:)  Most parking on the street is a max of two hour parking during the day.  There are pay parking meters in various locations...it requires you to pay ahead, write your license plate on the receipt and display the receipt.  The other parking garages will allow you to stay longer for the most part, but most will require payment in advance as well.

There are two "entrances" that make for great photo opportunities.

Here's the one by the Fish Market.

Here is the one most seen on TV!

One of the most well known bits of fun located at Pike Place Market is Pike Place Fish Market, home of the flying fish!

Lots of people!

Photo Opp! Take a selfie with a monkfish!

There are several levels.  There are outdoor stands, and inside the market there are little nooks and crannies everywhere.

This is a view towards the market, which is on the right.  There are many outdoor stands with merchandise lining the sidewalk.

Exploring is a huge part of the fun here.  There are lower levels that are reminiscent of being on a cruise ship.

 

Shops of all kinds are here are in the lower levels...clothing, jewelry, used bookstores, Asian products, collectibles and even a magic shop!

Stands in the main market area ad across the street in another winding area of shops sell jellies, homemade dry pasta, fruit stands that offer tastes of the yummiest and largest peaches I've ever seen, homemade cider, specialty seasoned nuts, authentic Mexican and Fillipino cuisine and items, and seafood stands with huge lobsters and king crab.

 

I love buying some of the giant shrimp as is displayed here...you can buy different sizes of shrimp cocktail, as well as crab cockail.

There is street entertainment all over.  One group was a quartet of old fashioned instruments. Another gentleman was whaling on a piano with skilled gusto.  Musicians and entertainers stake out areas all over, so keep your ears peeled and enjoy some unique entertainment!  Make sure you throw them a few bucks after you enjoy their talent.

You'll see people in huge lines in a few places...chowder in the little alley across the street from the market is one.

And there was a huge crowd here for fish and chips!

Another popular spot is the Starbucks...it is compulsory to visit a Starbucks while in Seattle, obviously.

We found a cool little grocery towards the end of the strip of shops across from the market, near the park.  There is a bakery nearby with another huge line and mouthwatering smells, but we elected to choose from the cool beverage choices at the grocery to accompany our shrimp cocktail.

Even the water is fun!

To enjoy water views and some characters of Seattle (notice I said characters, not character!) head to the park nearby.  There are benches, tables, or you can spread out on the grass.  You'll find all walks of life here...families, tourists from cruise ships, and local residents, some that call the park "home".  Although I did witness some drug use, it doesn't feel dangerous, it just feels like part of the scene.  You do want to make sure that you secure your belongings on you, because the crowd in general is very tightly packed during nice weather.  Keep an eye on the kids especially, I suggest forming a chain with your hands!  It is easy to get separated here.

crowded market

By the water

We got to see a military vessel being escorted to port which was pretty fun to see, the sailors were out on the deck.

Each visit brings new and fun things to experience and view and taste.  No visit is the same!  If you are visiting Seattle, make Pike Place Market a priority!

Let us make your vacation even easier!  We'll help you plan from the start and can advise you and handle your arrangements, including dining, fast passes, room requests, discount application, and celebrations.  We are the same price or less than if you book on your own, and you get us for FREE!  Have an expert on your side at zero cost to you and contact one of our agents today!