BRAND NEW CORONADO SPRINGS FAQ THREAD w/ PHOTOS (PART IV)

[keekeeb]

Thank you so much!

 

[vicb]

Hello,

we stayed at CSR for the 1st time for the week of 3-26 thru 4-2

My overall impression (out of 4)

Our arrival: went smooth, I was unable to pre-check in online before we arrived but had a shared ressie w/ my mother and she did. So the CM had her stuff all pre-prepared in an envelope easy breezy...and I was able to check-in w/ her and it only took a few minutes for the whole process.

All our requests were met from my inital ressie (at the time I was unaware of the remoldled rooms so didn't ask and never changed it, thought I'd ask down there when we arrived if neccesary) we requested connecting rooms, ground floor (no preferred view) and near the restaurant.

Rooms:

We had rooms 1167 and 8 in Casitas 1 (non-remodled) so I was bummed (but wouldn't have known any better if I didn't know before)

our proximity to the Pepper Market and Cafe Rix and El Centro bus stop 1 was great.

I found the rooms a bit dated and a little dingy, but everything was neat, in working order and clean. What more can you ask. After staying at the POLY though last summer it did feel like a step down in regard only to the room.

Our rooms were ready at check-in so I didn't ask to be moved. We arrived at CSR about 2 pm if not a little earlier. that was greatly unexpectated and welcomed surprise

One negative note though regarding the rooms is the carpet must have been freshly shampooed and was still wet. I also noticed we did not have a no-smoking sign by our door...I never noticed any after smell....but reminds to double check that for furture ressies....I thought maybe.. wrong but that all disney rooms were non-smoking

room temp was a bit funny, but I think mainly for my DH & I we were cold when we first went to bed then hot in the middle of night....


lastly a few times the outside noise and room to room noise was a bit noticible, but it has been 4 years since we stayed in an exterier room (in comparrison to POLY internal room/hallways)

Food service:

we ate at the Pepper Market once for sit down breakfast, and 5 times for a combo of lunch & dinner. Our first visit was lunch on the first day and it was basically empty. We were a bit confused at the ordering process at first...but had it down by the last day. I found the kid choices ok as you can get...but it pleased my 3 older kids. and 1 night the manger allowed my DD (9) to get a house salad as her kid meal choice which was nice.

We had some great and some blah servers but everyone was nice and for the most part quick return on your orders. We brought our mugs w/ just about everytime and we had them labled w/ our names most servers filled them up for us in the right cups we were impressed.

The prices are high so I don't think I'd dine there regualrly if not on the QSDDP.

My parents ate at Maya Grill once and thought the place was very nice, they really like their server and the food was good.

We also got pizza a few times from Cafe Rix, my parents got coffee many mornings in their mugs. the downside here was so few snack credits. We got muffins twice.

Panchitos:

I thought the store was great lots to choose from we bought quite a few things. Package retrival was always quick and easy. we also bought milk here for our room which was only a large milk CHUG not an actuall quart but it ended up being enough the milk cost us 2.44 w/ tax so that is steep! we also on the 2nd to last day picked up a bunch of the small Chip & Dale snack co snacks as snack credits for snacks the next day at the airport.

The Pools:

we used the main pool (Dig Site) twice and the Casitas quiet pool once. Our
1st visit to the DS was good except that we walked the wrong way around the lake (opposite of El Centro) and it was long the 2nd time we walked the other way and it was better even my 28 mo old could handle the walk.

we enjoyed the pool, the older kids loved the slide and my youngest liked the kiddie pool too. Several in my group sat in the hot tub a few times too. and we did use the swim vest for my youngest which was good.

We checked out the playground but didn't really use it and we went to the arcade once.

Buses: was actually great

we waited at El Centro for all our pick-ups and only a few times waited more than 15 minutes as we just missed the previous bus....for the most part we always left for our destination straight from there.

Coming back the stops [ at the parks] were generally the 1st ones at the park which was nice and we barely waited, most times a bus was there or just arriving. I think only twice we waited more than 10 minutes to go back to CSR and it was directly back. sometimes we got dropped at El Centro first and others at Stop 2 when that happend twice we rode around and twice we got off and walked just a little further to our room

The only exceptions [longer travel and extra stops] were traveling to DTD and I think one other time have to check my notes.

Would we stay again or would I reccommend it?

Stay again? proabably not and it isn't because we didn't like it, but we've outgrown the base disney rooms as a family of 6 so we decided to buy into DVC and BLT.

Recommend? yes if you are thinking moderate why not stay here it's practically a deluxe especially the remodled rooms and it will be all done soon and if you are going to eat here alot be on the DDP though.

well that's my review. Thanks for all the tips ahead of time we had a great stay at CSR and WDW!

Thank you for the detailed review, I really appreciate the info.

 

[vicb]

We are planning our family vacation next year to WDW (yea! it will have been 4 years by then!!) and staying first time at CSR. Wondering when do you think I should make the room ressie, going the week AFTER Pres. Day week and needing 2 rooms. Since for room only I have to pay for first night each room at time of ressie hoping to put it off just a bit longer but don't want to get left out in the cold either. Thoughts?

 

[keekeeb]

Are we able to bring our own cooler of drinks to the dig site (beer, water, pop)? Trying to save as much money as possible!

 

[disneynuts777]

They are delivered to the package center as they always have been.
If you send via UPS, FEDEX, DHL, and sometimes even USPS(depending on the size), they are going to go to the package center. It does not matter if it is being delivered to a guest or not, those companies are required to make their delivers there.
You will have to wait until the business center is open to get your package as we at the desk no longer have axcess to it.

What is the additional fee? Trying to figure out if it's worth having a case of water shipped to me....

I know that I read it on here somewhere.....I just cannot find the page to quote it...
the person who replied said that it was $10 per package charged by the outsourced company. It is still less expensive than $2.50 a bottle at the park...but that is quite the charge per case of water

 

[Ela1972]

We are doing the countdown chain too. Really helps DD 5 to grasp the concept of time. We've been telling her we had plans for the weekend, movie shopping etc. and she would just smile and say 'then are we going to Disney?'
Also staying at CSR for the first time, looking forward to it!

The look on their faces when you get to the end of the chain is priceless also if you haven't already head over to the families board and sign up for the fairy godmailer - when your kids think Mickey has sent them a card you cannot get a better feeling.

My DD4 loved the CSR and would have spent all day either in the pools or playing in the sand over by the cabanas.

Have a great trip

 

[BadgerBruce]

Returned 2 weeks ago from our 8th stay at CSR!

We wanted a Cabana room, but when we arrived nothing was available & nothing was going to be in that section. They did locate us in a new room in Casitas 2, but we were really not happy with that location. Fourth floor, I think, facing the parking lot. In fact, it was a corner room and the window mostly faced an outdoor wall. Very remote. Called the front desk & they did bend over backwards to find us a room in Ranchos 7B, overlooking the quiet pool. Not a king or new refurbished--but we were much happier in this location. The queen bed was very comfy. Actually, very happy to spend one last trip with the old room decor we've loved so much!

Used the Dig Site & our quiet pool a lot, and spent some quality time in some hammocks in the Cabana section. Since we had some arcade minutes with our package, we even played some games in there this trip. Bus service was great as always.

We really like the food at Siesta's, especially the loaded nachos & the chicken caesar wrap. We had a delicious, fresh-made pizza at the Pepper Market. Biggest disappointment of our trip was the change in french fries at both locations. They used to have the best at WDW--large, thick steak fries. Now they are cut thin, with maybe 1/10th the flavor of the old ones. Also, the PM no longer had baked potatoes or some of our other favorites. If this is the direction they are heading, I withdraw my objection to the rumored buffet going in there.

All in all, another great stay. The CM's, housekeeping, transportation, beautiful landscaping & lighting, great pools, & Siesta's will keep us coming back to CSR--even w/o those great fries!!!

 

[TINKB72]

First, congratulations on your upcoming wedding. And I'm so glad you are spending your honeymoon at the CSR (my DH and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary at CSR this past September--it is our favorite Disney resort). We have a particular fondness for the Casitas section. We like the courtyards and the fountains in the courtyards. We find it very romantic when the sun has gone down and the lights are reflecting off the fountains--it is breathtaking (you can see some of the pictures in the CSR photo thread). We prefer Casitas 4 or 5 as they are both close to the fitness center/spa and the quiet pool. We were upgraded to a suite in Casitas 3 in September for our anniversary and we had a lovely view of the lake.

Thanks KatMark!

We're really psyched to be staying at CSR. We've always usually stayed at ASM or POP so we're really excited for our first moderate hotel!

How close are the casitas to the main building/ food court area? Not that we mind walking, just curious.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the upgrade factor. I had our travel agent note on our ressie that it was our honeymoon and I will definitely drop that clue when we check in Here's hoping!

 

[KatMark]

Returned 2 weeks ago from our 8th stay at CSR!

We wanted a Cabana room, but when we arrived nothing was available & nothing was going to be in that section. They did locate us in a new room in Casitas 2, but we were really not happy with that location. Fourth floor, I think, facing the parking lot. In fact, it was a corner room and the window mostly faced an outdoor wall. Very remote. Called the front desk & they did bend over backwards to find us a room in Ranchos 7B, overlooking the quiet pool. Not a king or new refurbished--but we were much happier in this location. The queen bed was very comfy. Actually, very happy to spend one last trip with the old room decor we've loved so much!

Used the Dig Site & our quiet pool a lot, and spent some quality time in some hammocks in the Cabana section. Since we had some arcade minutes with our package, we even played some games in there this trip. Bus service was great as always.

We really like the food at Siesta's, especially the loaded nachos & the chicken caesar wrap. We had a delicious, fresh-made pizza at the Pepper Market. Biggest disappointment of our trip was the change in french fries at both locations. They used to have the best at WDW--large, thick steak fries. Now they are cut thin, with maybe 1/10th the flavor of the old ones. Also, the PM no longer had baked potatoes or some of our other favorites. If this is the direction they are heading, I withdraw my objection to the rumored buffet going in there.

All in all, another great stay. The CM's, housekeeping, transportation, beautiful landscaping & lighting, great pools, & Siesta's will keep us coming back to CSR--even w/o those great fries!!!

Welcome back. So glad you had another great stay at CSR. I'm hearing more and more unhappy people with things that the Pepper Market has dropped. I think when we go we'll stick to the food at the Cafe Rix (we usally only eat two meals at the resort anyway). Time to book your next trip!

Thanks KatMark!

We're really psyched to be staying at CSR. We've always usually stayed at ASM or POP so we're really excited for our first moderate hotel!

How close are the casitas to the main building/ food court area? Not that we mind walking, just curious.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the upgrade factor. I had our travel agent note on our ressie that it was our honeymoon and I will definitely drop that clue when we check in Here's hoping!

It depends on which Casitas you are in. 1, 2 and 3 are very close to the main building/food court area. Where we stay, usually Casitas 4 or 5, it takes me five minutes to walk to the main building. If you have young kids with little legs it might take a couple of minutes longer.

 

[SoloFriendly]

I know that I read it on here somewhere.....I just cannot find the page to quote it...
the person who replied said that it was $10 per package charged by the outsourced company. It is still less expensive than $2.50 a bottle at the park...but that is quite the charge per case of water

Thanks very much for the info! You're right, it's still less expensive.

 

[katypop]

We will be here soon. I have never stayed in this hotel before, I'm a little bit worried about it's size but really looking forward to staying here and being in Disney again

Kathe - We get there the day after you!

Have you made any special requests for the section you'd prefer? I don't think you'll worry once you're there about the size. It is all so beautiful! I love strolling around this resort!

We called this morning and had them note a request for Cabana 8a or 8b on our ressie, I want to be close to the pool. I don't mind so much being far from the food court because I don't see us using it all that much, it's pretty $$ for my taste and we're not on the dining plan this time. I hope we get our request, I'll also be faxing it in 3/4 days ahead of our arrival too. I'm so excited!!

Hope you get your request You will enjoy though, wherever you end up!

Returned 2 weeks ago from our 8th stay at CSR!

We wanted a Cabana room, but when we arrived nothing was available & nothing was going to be in that section. They did locate us in a new room in Casitas 2, but we were really not happy with that location. Fourth floor, I think, facing the parking lot. In fact, it was a corner room and the window mostly faced an outdoor wall. Very remote. Called the front desk & they did bend over backwards to find us a room in Ranchos 7B, overlooking the quiet pool. Not a king or new refurbished--but we were much happier in this location. The queen bed was very comfy. Actually, very happy to spend one last trip with the old room decor we've loved so much!

Used the Dig Site & our quiet pool a lot, and spent some quality time in some hammocks in the Cabana section. Since we had some arcade minutes with our package, we even played some games in there this trip. Bus service was great as always.

We really like the food at Siesta's, especially the loaded nachos & the chicken caesar wrap. We had a delicious, fresh-made pizza at the Pepper Market. Biggest disappointment of our trip was the change in french fries at both locations. They used to have the best at WDW--large, thick steak fries. Now they are cut thin, with maybe 1/10th the flavor of the old ones. Also, the PM no longer had baked potatoes or some of our other favorites. If this is the direction they are heading, I withdraw my objection to the rumored buffet going in there.

All in all, another great stay. The CM's, housekeeping, transportation, beautiful landscaping & lighting, great pools, & Siesta's will keep us coming back to CSR--even w/o those great fries!!!

Glad you had a good trip. Glad the biggest dissapointment was only french fries Sorry you didn't get to be exactly where you wanted. I do find they try pretty hard there to give requests whenever possible. I've requested the Casitas which is my favourite. I've really wondered if I shouldn't change my request to the Cabanas in order to have more of a chance at a refurbished room, but I've decided it just isn't that important to me. Of course, I might end up in the Cabanas anyway, you never know. My parents were at this resort in Feb in the Cabanas and loved it. They had requested the Casitas but did not get their request. They ended up loving their new room though!

Kathe

 

[Pugrpooh]

DH just ok'd another trip to WDW for free dining! I'm considering Coronado Springs for our stay first week in Oct. I've just had time to read a few pages back in this thread and saw that CS was being refurbished.

Will it be finished completely by Oct.? If not, which sections have been rehabbed?

We've stayed at all the other moderates, AK, Pop, CR, and FW cabins. I like AK best, but we like to try the different resorts. Coronado sounds really nice. DD7 will be with us and I'd like to spend a bit more time at the resort for swimming, etc.

 

[KatMark]

DH just ok'd another trip to WDW for free dining! I'm considering Coronado Springs for our stay first week in Oct. I've just had time to read a few pages back in this thread and saw that CS was being refurbished.

Will it be finished completely by Oct.? If not, which sections have been rehabbed?

We've stayed at all the other moderates, AK, Pop, CR, and FW cabins. I like AK best, but we like to try the different resorts. Coronado sounds really nice. DD7 will be with us and I'd like to spend a bit more time at the resort for swimming, etc.

The rehab is scheduled to be completed by October 09. They started this past October. They have all four buildings in the Cabanas done, two buildings in the Ranchos and portions of the Casitas. They started Casitas 4 this week.

 

[Pugrpooh]

The rehab is scheduled to be completed by October 09. They started this past October. They have all four buildings in the Cabanas done, two buildings in the Ranchos and portions of the Casitas. They started Casitas 4 this week.

Thanks! I'll probably book tomorrow. I had first thought we would book POFQ. We stayed there 3 years ago and at POR in Nov. and DD loved the dragon slide at POFQ.

I'll have to go back and read through this thread. I've never paid much attention to CSR before so I've got a lot to learn!

 

[KatMark]

Thanks! I'll probably book tomorrow. I had first thought we would book POFQ. We stayed there 3 years ago and at POR in Nov. and DD loved the dragon slide at POFQ.

I'll have to go back and read through this thread. I've never paid much attention to CSR before so I've got a lot to learn!

No problem. We're here if you need us. I'm sure your DD will love the Jaguar Slide (123 feet long!).

 

[arbolita]

Hi everyone!

My DF and I will be staying at CSR for the first time for our honeymoon 9/27-10/3. This is a great thread and very informative about CSR. Is there a particular area maybe I should try to request? I told our travel agent it was our honeymoon but other than that I'm not sure

We're going to be there on our honeymoon the same time as you!!

We're arriving 9/22 and leaving 9/29 =)

 

[aubriee]

I booked CSR for Dec 12th-20th. I wonder how crowded they'll be for that week. Are there any conventions going on that week? My main doubt about booking this resort is that I am traveling solo (at the moment, at least) and am concerned about being stuck way out in the Ranchos (too far from the food court and plus I think they are ugly). I'm thinking about requesting Casitas 1 or 3 or maybe Cabanas 9 A or B. What would be my best way of avoiding the Ranchos? Would it help to request a water view room. I'd hate to pay for a waterview room though and then be stuck with a view of a quiet pool. If I pay for a water view, I'd want to be facing the lake.

I stayed at CSR once before and did not have a great trip. A cart ran my elderly mom and I off the sidewalk, we both fell to our knees, then we ran into some very unfriendly CMs in the Pepper Market, then to top it off we had some drunk conventioneers for neighbors that I swear stayed drunk and disorderly all week, then one night in the quiet pool, they started hasseling some young girls in their early 20's. We followed the girls back to their room, as they were scared to death, then had to call security to remove one of the drunks from the girls door. I'm hoping for a better trip this time. The one good thing about the trip was that we got upgraded to a great waterview room in Casistas 1.

 

[lindsroc]

We have a standard room, water view...what section are they most likely to put us in? I did request Cabanas so I reallllly hope that they can meet that request. But if not, where do you think they might put us?
Thanks!

 

[steveq]

Kids getting older and some great deals have our family returning for the first time since 2001. We will be coming Aug 20th - 27th a little nervous about weather (heat, rain, hurricane potential) But 3 deals made it an offer we couldn't refuse

1. Non-stop round trip air to Sanford $140
2. Weekly Car rental $210
3. Free Disney Dine Plus Package

My boys are now 13 and 16. Trying to decide best location to request. I'm thinking Cabanas based on other posts but would like opinions based on my sons ages. Other questions I have or have seen unanswered on other posts:

1. Other than soap and shampoo what other toiletries are supplied? Trying to avoid airport carryon restrictions
2. anyone use the "jogging trail" or tredmills in the fitness center? My 16 yr old is captain of his high school XC team and will need to run while at CSR
3. Are you allowed to bring a small cooler to the pool area? Mostly waters but maybe a beer or 2
4. Any thoughts experiences on water craft rental?

Sorry to ask so much...kind of anal but I like to know what to expect now rather than figure out on the fly after we arrive.

 

[caribear]

Looking forward to our 5 night stay in May! Does anyone know the hours that the pool slide is usually open? We were hoping to be able to rent a surrey bike, but it looks like the marina is closed in May?? We have a waterview room booked and requested Cabanas 9A or 8B, but I am thinking of changing that to 8A or 8B as I prefer a view of the beach/water as opposed to the quiet pool. Thanks in advance for your reply!