EPCOT is home to some of the best restaurants in all of the Disney World parks, which is why many people make many of their dining reservations for that park specifically. There’s so much food to try at EPCOT that it can be hard to know where to start and where to spend your money.
Coral Reef Coconut Fried Shrimp and Chicken Wings
Not every restaurant is a win, though, even in EPCOT. Coral Reef is one of the roughest restaurants in EPCOT, as many guests (including ourselves) have had not-so-great experiences there (plus, you’re eating fish while STAREING at fish? That feels a little morbid, or uhm, fishy). Overall, we’ve noticed this spot seems inconsistent, and it looks like this issue may be affecting the restaurant, since we just spotted a BIG change in the Coral Reef operating hours.
Something very strange is happening for the month of December at Coral Reef — the ENTIRE month is blocked out for reservations for December. However, the restaurant is still showing regular operating hours, so…what’s happening at this restaurant?
©Disney
Starting on January 4th, 2026, it looks like lunch reservations can no longer able to be made for Coral Reef. Now, on January 3rd, 2026, lunch and dinner reservations are still showing, ranging from 11:30 AM to 7:15 PM.
January 3rd hours
However, on January 4th, only dinner hours are showing from 4-9 PM. Currently, the Walt Disney World calendar goes out through January 15th, 2026, and at this time, lunch is not showing as a reservation option through that entire time.
January 4th Hours
Does this mean it’s possible that we won’t see lunch reservations for 2026 at all? Well, we have no way of knowing that right now since Disney hasn’t announced any changes officially, but it seems like, for the majority of January at least, grabbing a lunch reservation here won’t be possible. If you have your heart set on it, make sure you’re checking back often because it could be a glitch or Disney could open more reservations.
Coral Reef Restaurant
Looking for more recent EPCOT news? Check out our posts below!
More Recent EPCOT News!
- There’s Only One Way To Snag This Exclusive Figment Souvenir At EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays
- These 5 World Showcase Hacks Are Getting Out of Control in EPCOT
- We Were SHOCKED by the Crowds at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival This Weekend
- Why Dining at This EPCOT Restaurant May Get So Much Harder in January
- Exclusive Perk Announced for Disney World Annual Passholders — But It’s Tricky!
Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World news — we’ll keep you updated so you feel prepared before your next trip!
NEWS: Disney Reveals BIG CHANGES at Popular EPCOT Ride
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If you notice most of the Candlelight Processional Dining Package restaurants have December blocked out or no reservation available. I think they are giving the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages priority since they make more money this way.
What a shame, that was one of the best places to have a great meal. No matter where you sat the fish tank could be seen without looking around people. The way the place is set up the noise level is always quiet. Even when little kids were excited about that fish they saw. Never had a bad meal and the service was outstanding. Hope they are not going to close it.
We ate there in 2018 and was so looking forward to it Wait staff not trained or just didn’t care. Food was mediocre At best. Long long waits for everything But still full price. Never again