Coronado Springs Resort - New Unofficial FAQ Thread - November 2011

[danceteachermom]

We just returned from a great trip and of course we wil return to CSR again. that being said I was very disappointed with three things this trip. First I did online check in and then called the resort directly to request a first floor room is either Cabanas or Casitas. Arrived and was assigned to Ranchos 7B. Never agin will I dismiss anyone's concts about these buildings. I love walking at the Coronado but the Ranchos are simply too far from everything and during 1/2 our visit the walkway to the pool from the Ranchos area was closed for refurbishment.

I also felt the resort did a very poor job of being well staffed and stocked for the busy spring break/Easter week. Cafe Rix was horrible and we felt so bad for the staff at Siestas who seemed overwhelmed with the crowds. Lines for food at the pool typically took 30-40 minutes during mid day to late afternoon.

Mouse keeping was just ok. Tipped daily but the bathroom was not cleaned well and room was not restocked with coffee and hair products.

I was amazed that during one of the busiest weeks of the year that they would do painting jobs and close walkways.

All that being said...can't wait to get back. We love the beautiful resort, great beds, Dig Site, Maya Grill and so much more. I doubt we will ever elect to go the week before Easter. The crowds were crazy and bus service was inconsistent.

I took pics of the new menu which made it's debut at Siesta's on our second day. I will try and figure out how to post. We did not try the buffet but did eat at Pepper Market for dinner twice.

We were surprised that the resort seemed all families and little convention goers. That is not the case when we go in January. Looking forward to a return trip in January of 2013.

 

[aubriee]

Believe me I would be making that same squeal because I too loathe the ranchos. It just doesn't float my boat whatsoever. I just totally fell in love with our room location last time, so quiet facing the walkway between the cabanas and ranchos, 30 second stroll to the bus stop, 1 minute to the pool. It was perfection.

I've been in that exact area-back side of Cabanas 8A facing that little walkway between the Cabanas and Rancho. I was in a first floor corner room, right under the stairs and loved it. I've also been on the front side of Cabanas 8A in the very first corner room as you are coming from the parking lot. That was a great location too. I was with a friend who had a rental car. Walking straight out of our room, you were facing the lake, but just a glance to the left and you could see the rental car. If we had been using the buses we would have been maybe 30 seconds from the bus stop, but were still in a first floor room facing the lake and just a minute or two to the main pool or the Cabanas quiet pool. Walking from the parking lot and walking between Cabanas 8A and 8B, we were the very first room on the right. I'd love to get that room when I check in next month (just 31 days from now).

 

[serene56]

I asked before and it was not answered so asking before:

when you check in and they give you a room assignment you are not happy with can it be refused?

 

[Bob NC]

. Tipped daily but the bathroom was not cleaned well and room was not restocked with coffee and hair products.

Just curious why you would tip daily when you aren't getting adequate cleaning or restocking?

 

[Bob NC]

. Tipped daily but the bathroom was not cleaned well and room was not restocked with coffee and hair products.

Just curious why you would tip daily when you aren't getting adequate cleaning or restocking?

 

[familyfirsttimer]

confusion re: Garden Grocer

In 2009, we had delivery and it was held in bell services and refrig. items were kept cold. We arrive next week and I made the delivery time for @the same time we land so by the time we get there, they will be delivered.

Is there a change @CSR? I read on another board that they will not refrigerate or hold @Bell Services, that you have to be there like for a Pizza Dlivery

Can someone with recent experience, please let me know how you handled? If I need to change my delivery window, I need to call soon, we leave in 6 days

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

I asked before and it was not answered so asking before:

when you check in and they give you a room assignment you are not happy with can it be refused?

I don't know about refusing it. Ultimately you booked a room in a certain category not section so CSR is meeting their end of the contract. Requests are not guaranteed. That said, when we've had requests that weren't met at check in, we've had a lot of success with asking nicely if our request could be met. If there's availability the CM's will make it happen.

 

[lovethattink]

Strange! I just went and checked both the emails they sent me for my upcoming May and Sept trips and also checked them on the WDW site. My email for the May CSR trip says 'Ground floor requested--not guaranteed' then just below that it says 'Req Cabanas if available'. The one for my Sept trip at POFQ says 'Ground floor requested--not guaranteed' and just below that it says 'Req Bld 5 or 2'. When I checked both reservations under 'My Reservations' on the WDW site both just say 'Ground floor requested' and nothing is mentioned about any specific area. Requests are noted in both places though.

Oh no, if I'm stuck out in those Ranchos you'll probably hear me squeal all the way from Florida to Texas. Not really, just kidding (sort of). For some reason I have an absolute horror of being placed out there, I like the Casitas, love the Cabanas, but absolutely loathe the Ranchos.

On our last few trips, I noticed that too, and it was even differently marked for the online check in process.

We got "stuck" in the Ranchos last trip. I was hoping for 7B if I got stuck there, but we got 7A. It was a nice quiet location. Not too much further to the digsite. However, we were wimpy and drove to El Centro if we needed to go. Once we walked, but drove all other times. I wouldn't not want to be "stuck" there if I didn't have a car with me or I would feel STUCK!!!

Does anyone know if Panchito's sells cases of water? DH and I are debating placing an order with Garden Grocer vs. just buying supplies at the resort. If I have Garden Grocer deliver prior to our check-in will there be a charge by the resort? I swear I read somewhere that there was but now I can't remember where I saw it...

When we stayed at CSR last, they had cases, but it was sold per water bottle, no price break for a case.

We just returned from a great trip and of course we wil return to CSR again. that being said I was very disappointed with three things this trip. First I did online check in and then called the resort directly to request a first floor room is either Cabanas or Casitas. Arrived and was assigned to Ranchos 7B. Never agin will I dismiss anyone's concts about these buildings. I love walking at the Coronado but the Ranchos are simply too far from everything and during 1/2 our visit the walkway to the pool from the Ranchos area was closed for refurbishment.

I also felt the resort did a very poor job of being well staffed and stocked for the busy spring break/Easter week. Cafe Rix was horrible and we felt so bad for the staff at Siestas who seemed overwhelmed with the crowds. Lines for food at the pool typically took 30-40 minutes during mid day to late afternoon.

Mouse keeping was just ok. Tipped daily but the bathroom was not cleaned well and room was not restocked with coffee and hair products.

I was amazed that during one of the busiest weeks of the year that they would do painting jobs and close walkways.

All that being said...can't wait to get back. We love the beautiful resort, great beds, Dig Site, Maya Grill and so much more. I doubt we will ever elect to go the week before Easter. The crowds were crazy and bus service was inconsistent.

I took pics of the new menu which made it's debut at Siesta's on our second day. I will try and figure out how to post. We did not try the buffet but did eat at Pepper Market for dinner twice.

We were surprised that the resort seemed all families and little convention goers. That is not the case when we go in January. Looking forward to a return trip in January of 2013.

Oh my goodness, if that walkway was closed, you had to go all the way around towards the Casitas to get to the pool or El Centro!?

I hope the crowds decrease quite a bit in the begining of May! How was the Pepper Market crowds?

I asked before and it was not answered so asking before:

when you check in and they give you a room assignment you are not happy with can it be refused?

If you are not happy, ask if the building you are looking for has any rooms available. Some times the resort is booked to the max and there is no way to accomodate a room change, but other times it's no problem at check-in to get switched.

 

[danceteachermom]

Just curious why you would tip daily when you aren't getting adequate cleaning or restocking?

I guess I was hopeful that the tips would eventually make it better. In retrospect I wish I had not tipped but it just does not feel right. Other than the bathroom, the room was otherwise well cleaned. I never asked for more products or coffee...we just made due. We always try to focus on the wonderful parts of vacation and just let small disappointments slide.

I know the resort was booked solid and each and every area seemed under staffed (except Pepper Market and Maya Grill). I assume the workload of mouse keeping was significant. Just cutting them a break.

 

[danceteachermom]

Oh my goodness, if that walkway was closed, you had to go all the way around towards the Casitas to get to the pool or El Centro!?

I hope the crowds decrease quite a bit in the begining of May! How was the Pepper Market crowds?





Yes with the walkway closed it added quite a bit of walk to get in to the dig site. We love walking but the little legs in our party not so much. Going back and forth between the room and Dig Site to take breaks from the heat or grab supplies was harder with the walkway closed. It also made the trip to the hot tub more taxing. But we still loved the Dig Site. It was annoying but really a minor inconvenience I suppose.

We did a few dinners at PM...crowds at dinner time were manageable. No wait to get seats but some longer waits at stations...particularly the kids station which had some serious problems filling orders quickly. We loved the items from the center station...nachos, fajitas, etc. I got the roasted chicken and vegetables one evening. The guy plopped about half a plate of gross fries on my plate even after I told him I did not want fries. The veggies were yummy but the chicken was very fatty and slightly undercooked. My favorite meal at the PM was the chicken nachos. I also loved the strawberry cake dessert. I wish we would have done a buffet but my husband refused to pay those prices when our kids eat so little and I understood his concern. Waitstaff at PM was very attentive and friendly.

 

[aladams2]

Does Cafe Rix offer any Snack credit food for breakfast? Might not want, or have time to eat at PM some days.

 

[smidgy]

I just wanted to post to say: we almost never take the first room offered us.

they try to fit your request, and they are not guaranteed. that being said, they first try to put you a room that is ready... good for them and for you. hubby and I have no kids with us, so we don't mind waiting for a room we like better.

also, we all know there are some rooms that are ..um.. better than others. just like in a restaurant. someone has to sit at the table by the door, or that table by the kitchen,, or the restrooms. same with rooms at a resort. a lot of people will not say anything. not even ask the check in clerk to see where the room is. so they will try to give the not-so-good rooms (overlooking the generator, parking lot view, furthest away, etc) first. better to keep the "better" rooms for those who do care,; less complaining.

we have been extremely lucky!!! before there were preferred rooms, we had requested casitas 3. they told us all they could give us was ground floor. and it would be a wait. we waited a couple hours, on my 3rd call to see if it was ready, the CM said, "no, but do you want a room that's ready now?" me, "what is it?" him" building 3, 3rd floor, lagoon view! " how great was that????!!!! it was beautiful.

can you believe for this trip next month, hubby is requesting ranchos, 7B? (aarrghh!). he really likes the theming, and he loves the look of the quiet pool. and it's close to the dig site, which he likes to get to early in the morning, when it's quiet. so all of you there the first week of may who DON'T want the Ranchos, you can thank us!!

actually, we have been once in the cabanas.. extremely convenient.. and twice in the casitas. the other time was building 5, which was kind of a hike to anywhere..

my only regret with our choice is we probably won't be walking THROUGHthe casitas often.. just once or twice, if we make a point of it. it is just SO pretty to walke through them (not along the promenade) the reflecting pools, fountains, rotunda, lights.

anyway, yes, you can always nicel ask the check in CM, "um, what else have you got?"

 

[emcclay]

my only regret with our choice is we probably won't be walking THROUGHthe casitas often.. just once or twice, if we make a point of it. it is just SO pretty to walke through them (not along the promenade) the reflecting pools, fountains, rotunda, lights.

This. I had to walk through the Casitas one night last week. Honestly, I was gone for so long my friend texted me asking if I was alright! The theme of the Ranchos is nice. But, I missed the Casitas!

 

[LBYC-19]

confusion re: Garden Grocer

In 2009, we had delivery and it was held in bell services and refrig. items were kept cold. We arrive next week and I made the delivery time for @the same time we land so by the time we get there, they will be delivered.

Is there a change @CSR? I read on another board that they will not refrigerate or hold @Bell Services, that you have to be there like for a Pizza Dlivery

Can someone with recent experience, please let me know how you handled? If I need to change my delivery window, I need to call soon, we leave in 6 days

We were there over Veteran's weekend, and although Garden Grocer delivered early afternoon (they called my cell, plus sent a text that it arrived), our plane was delayed due to weather and we didn't arrive until around 3 a.m. Upon check in, I asked about groceries, and Bell Services went and got them (including cold items) and put the groceries, along with our luggage, onto the little tram that took us to our room. It was a Godsend, especially that late at night. Have a great trip!

 

[hedgehog2owl]

can you believe for this trip next month, hubby is requesting ranchos, 7B? (aarrghh!). he really likes the theming, and he loves the look of the quiet pool. and it's close to the dig site, which he likes to get to early in the morning, when it's quiet. so all of you there the first week of may who DON'T want the Ranchos, you can thank us!!

Thank you!

 

[Mom2OandElle]

So is the walkway open now? Someone mentioned that it was closed for 1/2 their visit; but I was wondering which half!

 

[saskdw]

confusion re: Garden Grocer

In 2009, we had delivery and it was held in bell services and refrig. items were kept cold. We arrive next week and I made the delivery time for @the same time we land so by the time we get there, they will be delivered.

Is there a change @CSR? I read on another board that they will not refrigerate or hold @Bell Services, that you have to be there like for a Pizza Dlivery

Can someone with recent experience, please let me know how you handled? If I need to change my delivery window, I need to call soon, we leave in 6 days

We were there in Dec and our order was held at Bell services no problem just like previous trips.

 

[saskdw]

I just wanted to post to say: we almost never take the first room offered us.

they try to fit your request, and they are not guaranteed. that being said, they first try to put you a room that is ready... good for them and for you. hubby and I have no kids with us, so we don't mind waiting for a room we like better.

also, we all know there are some rooms that are ..um.. better than others. just like in a restaurant. someone has to sit at the table by the door, or that table by the kitchen,, or the restrooms. same with rooms at a resort. a lot of people will not say anything. not even ask the check in clerk to see where the room is. so they will try to give the not-so-good rooms (overlooking the generator, parking lot view, furthest away, etc) first. better to keep the "better" rooms for those who do care,; less complaining.

we have been extremely lucky!!! before there were preferred rooms, we had requested casitas 3. they told us all they could give us was ground floor. and it would be a wait. we waited a couple hours, on my 3rd call to see if it was ready, the CM said, "no, but do you want a room that's ready now?" me, "what is it?" him" building 3, 3rd floor, lagoon view! " how great was that????!!!! it was beautiful.

can you believe for this trip next month, hubby is requesting ranchos, 7B? (aarrghh!). he really likes the theming, and he loves the look of the quiet pool. and it's close to the dig site, which he likes to get to early in the morning, when it's quiet. so all of you there the first week of may who DON'T want the Ranchos, you can thank us!!

actually, we have been once in the cabanas.. extremely convenient.. and twice in the casitas. the other time was building 5, which was kind of a hike to anywhere..

my only regret with our choice is we probably won't be walking THROUGHthe casitas often.. just once or twice, if we make a point of it. it is just SO pretty to walke through them (not along the promenade) the reflecting pools, fountains, rotunda, lights.

anyway, yes, you can always nicel ask the check in CM, "um, what else have you got?"

We had a room by the quiet pool in 7B Dec 2010 and loved it. Beautiful scenery and good location. The walk to El Centro is greatly exaggerated by most people on here. It never took me more than 5 minutes unless I was intentionally walking at a leisurely pace.

 

[LJSquishy]

Does Cafe Rix offer any Snack credit food for breakfast? Might not want, or have time to eat at PM some days.

Yes, they do. For a snack credit, you can get a Yogurt Parfait (HUGE and very filling!) that consists of strawberries & blueberries, granola, and yogurt. They also have various pastries like danishes, cinnamon rolls (not the huge ones at Main St Bakery) and muffins. You can also get a whole single piece of fruit with a snack credit which would be a poor use of a credit but it's available. I think I remember there being a fresh fruit cup but I can't remember for sure. And, they do have the little dry cereal cups but if you want milk that is an additional snack credit (or you could buy a half gallon at Panchito's and keep it in your room).

 

[Stitch123]

We'll stay at CSR for the first time at the end of the month. Found this thread very informative. I requested Cabanas when I booked but would be fine with Casitas. I'll stoutly refuse if they try to put us in Ranchos!

Question about Pepper Market: Is the breakfast buffet any good and worth the money? We pay OOP.