Hi Shawna!
Thanks for swimming over to planDisney with your question. I'm excited to hear about your upcoming visit and happy to help ensure calm waters for your crew.
I've yet to dine at
Coral Reef Restaurant, but as a fan of
The Seas with Nemo & Friends (and the 60+ beautiful aquatic species that call it home), I think you're in for a lovely dining experience. As a mom of two, I've had my fair share of struggles over the years when it comes to pleasing everyone's palate, so I can certainly understand your concerns about finding something your son will enjoy on this
seafood-heavy menu.
In my experience, many Table Service restaurants often have additional items not listed on the regular menu that might be more palatable for your child. The kitchens are also usually pretty great at handling modifications and substitutions for food allergies or dietary needs. If your son is firmly in the camp of "fish are friends, not food," as
Finding Nemo's Bruce tries to convince himself, I recommend speaking with your server upon arrival to see if they can help reel in other options.
That being said, Coral Reef is an à la carte dining experience, so your child should be able to accompany you with their own meal or snack in tow. I
researched a question like this for another guest recently, and Cast Members confirmed that everyone would be charged at All You Care to Enjoy or Family-style meals like Character dining at Chef Mickey's or buffets like Boma- Flavors of Africa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, but this is typically not the practice at à la carte experiences. Your little guppy might prefer to skip straight to dessert while you enjoy an appetizer or entree, or forgo an order altogether and simply admire the underwater views while the rest of your family eats.
Shawna, I hope this puts you at ease as you prepare for your visit this weekend. If there's anything else we can help with, please come right back to planDisney and let us know. We're always eager to dive in and help!
Just keep swimming,
Amy