Coronado Springs Resort - New Unofficial FAQ Thread - November 2012

[E&As Mom]

Hi everyone. We're looking at an Oct 5 - 12 trip later this year and I'm trying to figure out where to stay. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it but are considering risking a change of scenery this year. Two adults. No kids. And we will more than likely end up doing the Tower of Terror 10 mile run on Oct 5th.

Have any of you stayed at both? Any likes, dislikes, preferences between the two, etc. you could share would be greatly appreciated!

Hi there! We stayed at POR in 2008 (2 adults, 2 kids), CBR in 2010, and at CSR in 2011. We are planning for a trip back to CSR in September this year. In our semi-limited experience in staying on property, CSR is without a doubt our favorite resort, with POR a close 2nd. We loved the layout and the fact that the resort was spread out. Seem like a lot of people hate that about the mods, but we feel that it adds to the charm of a resort... makes it seem relaxing and quiet. The theming was beautiful to us (we actually requested and stayed back in the Ranchos section) and while a lot of folks complain about CSR being a convention resort and not "screaming" with Disney theming, we enjoy it. The bus transportation @ CSR has been the best we experienced, and we love that it's so close to EPCOT and DHS. Being tall, the queen sized beds are much appreciated, and I like the fact that the room and bathroom are separated by sliding doors instead of just a curtain... gave me a little privacy to get ready in the mornings and allowed my girls to sleep in a little while I made lots of noise. The main pool is great, too.

The only thing that does stand out to me in regards to POR is the boat to DTD... it's a nice perk. But aside from that, CSR is much more appealing to us and we can't wait to go back!

Good luck choosing!
~Kelly

 

[princessallegra]

Hi everyone. We're looking at an Oct 5 - 12 trip later this year and I'm trying to figure out where to stay. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it but are considering risking a change of scenery this year. Two adults. No kids. And we will more than likely end up doing the Tower of Terror 10 mile run on Oct 5th.

Have any of you stayed at both? Any likes, dislikes, preferences between the two, etc. you could share would be greatly appreciated!

We did the ToT race this past sept/oct and stayed at CSR as well! We also stayed at POR in Feb '12 for the Princess Half. We really liked POR a lot, but CSR is our fave for many reasons. Right off the bat, the queen size beds are amazing. Best beds ever! We get a King room now bc of the giant bed and extra space to stretch and foam roll lol. The theming at CSR is really luxurious and upscale for a mod. There is a 24 fitness center that is open to guests, and they also have spa and salon services. We arent huge fans of the food court but lots of people love it. We generally get breakfast foods for the room and then eat at the parks and other resorts. Cant speak to the buses because we rent a car, but we've only heard good things about them. The main pool is a really cool mayan temple theme, and there is also a smaller pool by Casitas.

 

[RachelTori]

I am posting this from CSR! Just wanted to add to the last post. There are also quiet pools at Ranchos and Cabanas.

I have walked this property several times this trip: so beautiful, calm, relaxing.

I am staying Business Class and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I leave tomorrow and will post my thoughts and pictures this weekend. (This is my 6th or 7th stay at CSR, but my first Business Class.)

 

[goofy4prez]

I am posting this from CSR! Just wanted to add to the last post. There are also quiet pools at Ranchos and Cabanas.

I have walked this property several times this trip: so beautiful, calm, relaxing.

I am staying Business Class and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I leave tomorrow and will post my thoughts and pictures this weekend. (This is my 6th or 7th stay at CSR, but my first Business Class.)

I'm glad to hear you had a great time... I look forward to reading about your visit and can't wait to hear about business class.

 

[dminnie]

The CM's at the Pepper Market have had good reviews and bad reviews. Truthfully, all they do is bring you your drinks and silverware and refill your glasses.

Other than that, the food is good and it's a great deal on the dining plan.

So, they bring you drinks and silverware and you have to pay a 10% extra fee for that? Do you also tip them? I thought they brought you the food as well.

Reviews seem kind of hard to figure out on this since most are from when it was a buffet. What is it like since they dropped the buffet?

We are not on the dining plan. Is is overpriced compared to other food courts if you're paying OOP? I'm starting to wonder if I need to plan to avoid having any meals at the resort.

 

[MADnNOLA]

So, they bring you drinks and silverware and you have to pay a 10% extra fee for that? Do you also tip them? I thought they brought you the food as well.

Reviews seem kind of hard to figure out on this since most are from when it was a buffet. What is it like since they dropped the buffet?

We are not on the dining plan. Is is overpriced compared to other food courts if you're paying OOP? I'm starting to wonder if I need to plan to avoid having any meals at the resort.

Disney calls the Pepper Market as an "interactive" food court. You are given a ticket by the host/hostess and take that with you to the different food preparation stations. When you order, the chefs stamp that ticket with your order. After eating, you take the ticket to the cashier and pay for your meal.

The 10% is the gratuity for the table service of refilling drinks, clearing plates and cleaning. You have the option to give more or not. If you order the items "to go" the 10% is not added to your ticket.

Prices for breakfast are $1.29 (cup of fruit) to $9.99 (full plate breakfast). Lunch and dinner run $2.99 (cup of soup) to $16.99 (14" Pizza), with an average of $9.99.

 

[iheartdisney]

Disney calls the Pepper Market as an "interactive" food court. You are given a ticket by the host/hostess and take that with you to the different food preparation stations. When you order, the chefs stamp that ticket with your order. After eating, you take the ticket to the cashier and pay for your meal.

The 10% is the gratuity for the table service of refilling drinks, clearing plates and cleaning. You have the option to give more or not. If you order the items "to go" the 10% is not added to your ticket.

Prices for breakfast are $1.29 (cup of fruit) to $9.99 (full plate breakfast). Lunch and dinner run $2.99 (cup of soup) to $16.99 (14" Pizza), with an average of $9.99.

If we are on the dining plan, we are charged the gratuity?

 

[dansdad]

If we are on the dining plan, we are charged the gratuity?

Yes. The dining plan does not cover any gratuities.

 

[jbm02]

Just made reservations for Feb 18-22. Time to go back and read all the pages ...

 

[dandelion]

We're checking in Feb. 19. First time at CSR, and first time onsite in 8 years.

My question is about the refillable mugs. I'll probably get one for my soda-loving son, and I know there are a few spots where he can get a fill-up. Is the mug a good idea for morning coffee? More specifically, is there anything but Nescafe available?

We'll only have 4 mornings at CSR, and since it is a busy week, will be trying to get to the parks as early as possible.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[MADnNOLA]

We're checking in Feb. 19. First time at CSR, and first time onsite in 8 years.

My question is about the refillable mugs. I'll probably get one for my soda-loving son, and I know there are a few spots where he can get a fill-up. Is the mug a good idea for morning coffee? More specifically, is there anything but Nescafe available?

We'll only have 4 mornings at CSR, and since it is a busy week, will be trying to get to the parks as early as possible.

Thanks for any suggestions.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/General_Disney_News/Joffrey_s_Coffee_replacing_Nescafe_at_Disney.htm

 

[kapoof]

a quick question for the csr experts. we are thinking of staying at csr in late april early may. it is the time when the dance/cheer event is also. now the mod of choice is over is at cbr. what chance is that we have a spill over to csr as well? we are thinking of staying at the ranchos section or the cabanas cl. any input about those two sections would be great! thanks so much.

 

[Dis_Dreamin]

a quick question for the csr experts. we are thinking of staying at csr in late april early may. it is the time when the dance/cheer event is also. now the mod of choice is over is at cbr. what chance is that we have a spill over to csr as well? we are thinking of staying at the ranchos section or the cabanas cl. any input about those two sections would be great! thanks so much.

That's one of the reasons we moved to CSR. Our first preference for a Mod is CBR and given that's one of the two primary resorts, we moved our plans to CSR. The other is that POFQ, where we were planning to try out for a second time, wasn't included in discounted prices when the last offer came out. Since CBR was the main Moderate that was for the cheerleading event, we opted to try CSR for the first time. I don't think there will be much to worry about with spill over. CBR is huge, and then the value resort for them is cheaper.

 

[kapoof]

Thanks dis dreamin! We are thinking between akl and csr. Csr looks so nice and we could even go all out and try the cl.

 

[auntfrannie]

I asked this earlier but I think my question got lost among other questions & answers.

Do they sell pool noodles at the resort gift shop or near the Dig Site pool?
Thanks!

 

[5terre]

We land at MCO at 9pm. It will be President's Day weekend. I am concerned that when we finally get to CSR there will be slim pickings as far as rooms go. My only preference is that we would like to stay in the Cabanas; we stayed in 8B before loved the proximity to the Dig Site and El Centro. Casitas and Ranchos seem to be farther, plus I am not as thrilled with the the theming in Ranchos. So checking in after 10pm, will I pretty much get whatever is left over? Should I put in a request for Cabanas now? I don't care which building, which floor, what view, etc, I would just like to be in Cabanas.

Also, would it be best to collect our own bags at MCO, since it will be late? Could I check them with the yellow tags, and then decide at MCO if I want to get them myself or not? I figure if the airport feels quiet, we might just grab them ourselves. We will want to sleep when we get to the room, and don't want a knock at the door after we are sleeping, yet I wouldn't want to have to wait around in the morning for our bags.

 

[maxiesmom]

We land at MCO at 9pm. It will be President's Day weekend. I am concerned that when we finally get to CSR there will be slim pickings as far as rooms go. My only preference is that we would like to stay in the Cabanas; we stayed in 8B before loved the proximity to the Dig Site and El Centro. Casitas and Ranchos seem to be farther, plus I am not as thrilled with the the theming in Ranchos. So checking in after 10pm, will I pretty much get whatever is left over? Should I put in a request for Cabanas now? I don't care which building, which floor, what view, etc, I would just like to be in Cabanas.

Also, would it be best to collect our own bags at MCO, since it will be late? Could I check them with the yellow tags, and then decide at MCO if I want to get them myself or not? I figure if the airport feels quiet, we might just grab them ourselves. We will want to sleep when we get to the room, and don't want a knock at the door after we are sleeping, yet I wouldn't want to have to wait around in the morning for our bags.

#1 I would do on line check in in your case, make your request for cabanas ahead of time (call and have it noted on your reservation) and keep your fingers crossed.

#2 You have to decide ahead of time if you are going to have DME get your luggage or not. You can't put the yellow tags on and then decide you want your bags. They will see the yellow tags and pull your bags before they hit the luggage carousel.

I would let DME handle your bags for you. It is always smart to pack for 24 hours in your carry-on anyway. So put your pjs in your carry-on, along with a toothbrush and whatever else you will need right away. Tell the desk to hold your bags when they come, and put the Privacy Please tag in the door. When you wake up the next morning a quick call will have your bags delivered to your room in no time.

 

[cmwade77]

Yes. The dining plan does not cover any gratuities.

This was not our experience when we were there. The gratuity is not added to the dinning plan and you have no option of adding it. But those that were charged it had the option of adding extra.

 

[RachelTori]

Pictures and comments about CSR Business Class:

I love CSR (even when I've been in Ranchos! ), but having Lounge access (and a room in 9B that was very convenient to everything) was well worth the extra money to me! My room (2 queens) was on the first floor, just around the corner from the lounge. The room was in very good shape and came complete with 2 bathrobes (something I wouldn't use, but thought was a nice touch!)

First, the Lounge CMs: Wonderful!

The atmosphere: very warm and inviting!

The Lounge is open from 7 to 10am mornings; then closed and locked up until it opens again from 5 to 10pm.

Breakfast (7-10am): Cold cereals, bagels, fresh fruits, and either muffins, cinnamon rolls, or danish (they alternate those). The coffee machine makes espresso and lattes; they have regular and decaf coffee, a nice selection of teas, milk and juice.

Evening Service (5-10pm): Soft drinks, bottled water, Perrier, beer, wine, sangria (both red & white!). Crackers, cheeses, veggies, hummus and several dips. Tortilla chips, potato chips and veggie chips. At 7pm they bring out chocolate covered pretzels and a spicy nut mix. (I didn't photograph the pretzels or nut mix. )

My next post will be photos of the Lounge.

 

[RachelTori]

The Lounge:

I tried taking photos again on my last morning!

My photos definitely don't do the Lounge justice! I think there are 3 TVs. Isn't that ridiculous? I've only been home 24 hours and I forget already!!

The date stamp is correct on the photos, but the time is 1 hour later than it actually was -- I didn't "fall back" last autumn!