Hi Carrie!
To enjoy a restaurant located in a Walt Disney World Resort theme park you need valid theme park admission. So unfortunately, you would need a theme park ticket for Epcot in order to eat at
Coral Reef Restaurant. You have a few options for how you can enjoy a fantastic seafood meal during your trip. You could add the Park Hopper Option to your base theme park tickets, allowing you entry to multiple theme parks each day. So you could start your day at the theme park of your choice and then head to Epcot for a fabulous seafood dinner with an amazing view of the coral reef. My sons enjoy many of the attractions in Epcot's Future World, such as The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Living with the Land and Spaceship Earth. You could catch those during your time at Epcot along with Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, one of my favorite nighttime shows at Walt Disney World Resort!
There are several other excellent seafood restaurants located throughout Walt Disney World Resort that you and your family could enjoy outside of the theme parks. My family had the pleasure of dining at
Narcoosee's for the first time on our last trip and it was an amazing experience! Located right on Seven Seas Lagoon, the restaurant has beautiful views of the monorail resorts and Magic Kingdom. (And the almond-crusted cheesecake is fantastic!) My other favorite seafood restaurant is
The BOATHOUSE. With beautiful views, a fun atmosphere and incredible food, this restaurant is a great addition to your Walt Disney World Resort plans. Plus, since it is located in the heart of Disney Springs, you will be able to explore all of the new additions to the area during your visit!
T-T-F-N, ta ta for now!
~Crystal B.