I'm glad you wrote back! As an update to your question
HERE, we still don't have a pdf for the 2009 dining plan. But I can now link you
HERE to the 2009 package information. Allearsnet.com has a summary on their site as well. Search for an article called "Walt Disney World Packages" and scroll down to the 2009 info.
To your current question: Coral Reef has that "wow" factor of the aquarium wall. Guest are always ooohing and aaahing about the marine life.There are often divers in the tank that have messages for the guests.This is very fun to watch. Another selling point for the Coral Reef for kids is that there is no dress code. At California Grill they would have to fancy up. I must confess that I am not a fan of the food at the Coral Reef. I had two very mediocre meals there three years ago and have not been back since. I hope that things have improved since then, perhaps I should give it another shot. In any event, my guess is that children would not notice anything amiss with the food and would be much more concentrated on the tank.
The California Grill has incredible food and a great wine list. The service is top-notch. Children are certainly welcome here (I brought my own kids more than once), but since it is a signature dining restaurant there are fewer children in the room and a generally calmer atmosphere. If you can arrange to be in the restaurant during the fireworks, there is that for entertainment, but otherwise there's not much for kids to do or look at. There is a higher risk of boredom factor here.
The deciding factor would be whether the meal is for you or for the kids. If you've already had a zillion character meals during your trip, then maybe this would be the time to treat yourself to something special.