We spent 7 nights at CSR with DH, me, DS10 & DS13 July 4-11. To understand our WDW history, we've always stayed offsite when the kids have been with us at a condo or townhome with multiple bedrooms/bathrooms & a kitchen. DH & I have stayed at Port Orleans, Pop Century, All Star Music, and the Dolphin on trips alone without the kids. We really weren't sure how we'd all do in a single hotel room but the buy 4, get 3 special convinced us to give it a try. It was the queen beds at CSR that were our main reason for choosing it as DH & I absolutely cannot share a double bed (& we won't sleep with the kids), and we couldn't justify the cost of a deluxe resort.
We requested Casitas building 5 upper floor, and did online check-in. We arrived at the resort about 8:30 in the morning, and we were assigned exactly what we requested, but found that it was right by the elevator when I asked about specific location. We had a horrible night at Pop Century in June when DH & I were right by the elevator and we heard noise outside all night long and fortunately switched rooms after the first night. I explained our past experience to the CM checkin us in and he was very kind to search for another room. He found a room in Casitas 5 that was away from the elevator on the 2nd floor, so we said we't take that! Room wasn't ready, but they took our cell number and called with a message with the room # later.
We were in room 5255 which was a wonderful location for us! We drove ourselves to every park except MK and we could park at the very end of the parking lot right next to stairs and easily walk up to 2nd floor to our room. It was the room next to the corner room and although view didn't matter at all to me and I would have been content with a parking lot view, we had a nice view of a courtyard fountain as well as the lake. It was obscured by trees, so I don't know if it was oficially a water-view or not (we booked standard).
We visited the main pool several times and the DS's really enjoyed their time there. We never visited the main building after checking in, but we did get to see Glenn the gator while we were there which thrilled my boys! We were not on the dining plan and kept milk, juice, and breakfast food in our room, which worked out OK. The dresser space was pretty full and cluttered with our food stuff, but it worked out OK. DH actually removed the cabinet door where the mini-frig was because I'd read that you had to keep it open in order for the frig to cool adequately, and it was really in the way with it open. We always pack a small tool kit and it only took him a few minutes to remove it and put it back on before we left.
The sliding doors between the bathroom and bedroom really helped so that DH & I could get ready in the morning without waking the boys until a little later.
Our overall assessment was favorable and we would definitely stay at CSR in the future if we could get a good deal again! I certainly wouldn't pay Disney's rack rates because we'd stay at our usual 3 bedroom townhome for under $100 a night before I'd do that. We have AP's now, but purchased 10 day non-expiring tickets with plus options with the Disney package and we'll use those tickets in the future. With the buy 4, get 3 special on those tickets, our room rate worked out to be about $85 a night which was less than I could get a townhome/condo for this trip. In the future, I might pay slightly more to stay at CSR than a townhome for a trip with the 4 of us, but it would have to be a pretty good special offered by Disney.
Let me know of any questions, and I'm glad to share info about our stay!