Coronado Springs Resort - New Unofficial FAQ Thread - November 2012

[cceandme]

is there a taxi that the hotel uses most?

 

[Andrea817]

Hello all! I know this thread has discussed this bus thing at length, but I have a slightly different perspective. My DH has severe arthritis and uses an ECV at WDW. It worked great last time with bus transportation at AKL. Unfortunately we can't afford to stay there again. We were thinking Pop for the 1st week of December due to its price, small size and single bus stop. But I was just running prices using the current free dining promo since historically the promo for Dec 1-7 is the same as this one (higher reg rates though). I realized that assuming free dining and upgrading to the 1QS/1TS dining plan, CSR would be only $163 more! I think CSR is a gorgeous adult friendly resort and the perfect place to celebrate 5 years of marriage and 100 lb weight loss (we still have 31 lbs to go jointly). Also we both love Mexican food so if we eat at the resort I think we'd like the options.

My only reservation is the 4 bus stops and large resort size. I know the ECV adds to load time so if anything I hate making people move for him or just adding to an already long bus ride. However if my research is right CSR is closer to the parks than others...so maybe it would even out? The size thing is mainly for me...I hurt so bad last time with all the walking in the parks, but since I will be over 50 lbs lighter maybe it will be easier. DH can zip around on his ECV really well so I am not really worried about the size of the resort for him. But we also can't just hop a bus to the main building either since loading him is a pain. So that means more walking for me!

So my question is, what is everyone's opinions on CSR buses with an ECV vs. Pop in regard to overall travel time/convenience?? Also any suggestions for which area would be 'best' for us? A good combo of me being close to food but us not being on the LAST bus stop and making everyone move or having to wait for another bus?

Thanks in advance I am so sorry for bringing up a such common topic.

Though I have not stayed at POP, I'm under the impression they have only ONE bus stop wait area which is in the front of the hotel, which means everyone must travel to that one bus stop to wait for transportation making it much busier. At CSR there is multiple! It's very helpful because basically anywhere you are on resort property, you are close by transportation. If your in El Centro eating breakfast, just go to bus stop 1! If you are in your room and ready to hit the parks, there will be a bus stop close by your building! Personally, I find it very convenient and it's a huge reason we just recently upgraded our reservations from POP to CSR!

 

[RachelTori]

is there a taxi that the hotel uses most?

My understanding is that Checker cabs is affiliated with Mears and that they are the only "authorized" taxi company on WDW property.

I use them every trip and have never had a problem.

 

[Ilivetogo]

is there a taxi that the hotel uses most?

I went to Walgreen's (twice) while there last April. When you step out front of the entrance, the CMs will wave over a taxi (they sit in the parking area right there and wait) and they drive right up immediately. They are vans - not cars.


IMGP7839 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr

.

 

[auntfrannie]

I'm just finishing my 10 day stay at Coronado Springs in the business class. This has been a wonderful stay! This was my first time at CS and I am very impressed with how beautiful the grounds are. I am in room 9530 in Cabanas 9B. Looking out my window now I have a wonderful view of the front lake.

The CMs in the lounge have been so friendly and willing to help in any way. Their morning offerings are perfect for a quick breakfast before heading to the parks.

I can understand why so many people say this is their favorite moderate.

 

[MrsDopey]

Does anyone know how "deep" the water in the kiddie pool is?
Its hard to tell from the pictures- it looks more like a splash pad than a pool!

 

[Ilivetogo]

Does anyone know how "deep" the water in the kiddie pool is?
Its hard to tell from the pictures- it looks more like a splash pad than a pool!

I think you might be right .... just a splash pad.


IMGP0549 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr

.

 

[MrsDopey]

Thank you! it is so hard to find a good pic/description of this area.

We are rounding up the Mods by staying at CSR for a convention in June!
Will be nice to have a place for my 11 month old to cool off and play!

 

[Ilivetogo]

Thank you! it is so hard to find a good pic/description of this area.

We are rounding up the Mods by staying at CSR for a convention in June!
Will be nice to have a place for my 11 month old to cool off and play!

Looks like a perfect area for that age!! Have fun!

.

 

[javail]

Thank you! it is so hard to find a good pic/description of this area.

We are rounding up the Mods by staying at CSR for a convention in June!
Will be nice to have a place for my 11 month old to cool off and play!

It is just a few inches deep with some water fountain/jets in the middle. Perfect for the little one!

 

[vikster1]

I'm just finishing my 10 day stay at Coronado Springs in the business class. This has been a wonderful stay! This was my first time at CS and I am very impressed with how beautiful the grounds are. I am in room 9530 in Cabanas 9B. Looking out my window now I have a wonderful view of the front lake.

The CMs in the lounge have been so friendly and willing to help in any way. Their morning offerings are perfect for a quick breakfast before heading to the parks.

I can understand why so many people say this is their favorite moderate.

I stayed in 9530 in early april. I loved the location and the view of the lake.

 

[klc318]

I've finally made it through this entire thread! It only took me four days!

I have been going back and forth between POR, FQ and CSR and you have all convinced me to stay at CSR this fall. DD8 is very excited about the dig site! We have done POP mostly in the past. We wanted to upgrade this year to a mod and we definitely wanted queen beds, better buses (hopefully). I know busing can be unpredictable, but from most reviews CSR is great.

My main concern is PM, especially b/c DD has severe food allergies(tree nuts and dairy are the main ones, she also has reactions to fruit so her options are very limited). We don't usually eat too much at the resort so this isn't a deal breaker. DS will be 1 when we go and the splash area/kiddie pool looks like fun for him, although he'll probably be napping when we hit the pool most days.

So I have a few questions.
1. Should I be concerned that all preferred rooms are unavailable at the resort for my dates? There is a convention scheduled for the last few days of the trip. The only rooms available are standard, water view and BC. Which is fine I would have booked standard anyway. POR has preferred available. Just worried about crowds on the buses. This is one of the main reasons I'm going with CSR.

2. Has anyone dealt with food allergies at CSR? What kind of experience did you have? I've been to the disAbilities board and read a few reports there too. It seems like Disney has gone downhill a bit in regards to allergy accommodations.

3. Pop was always so crowded, busy and noisy, bus stops crazy especially at night. Trying to get away from most of that. How do they compare in this way?

Thanks! Getting very excited!

 

[Ilivetogo]

I've finally made it through this entire thread! It only took me four days!

I have been going back and forth between POR, FQ and CSR and you have all convinced me to stay at CSR this fall. DD8 is very excited about the dig site! We have done POP mostly in the past. We wanted to upgrade this year to a mod and we definitely wanted queen beds, better buses (hopefully). I know busing can be unpredictable, but from most reviews CSR is great.

My main concern is PM, especially b/c DD has severe food allergies(tree nuts and dairy are the main ones, she also has reactions to fruit so her options are very limited). We don't usually eat too much at the resort so this isn't a deal breaker. DS will be 1 when we go and the splash area/kiddie pool looks like fun for him, although he'll probably be napping when we hit the pool most days.

So I have a few questions.
1. Should I be concerned that all preferred rooms are unavailable at the resort for my dates? There is a convention scheduled for the last few days of the trip. The only rooms available are standard, water view and BC. Which is fine I would have booked standard anyway. POR has preferred available. Just worried about crowds on the buses. This is one of the main reasons I'm going with CSR.

2. Has anyone dealt with food allergies at CSR? What kind of experience did you have? I've been to the disAbilities board and read a few reports there too. It seems like Disney has gone downhill a bit in regards to allergy accommodations.

3. Pop was always so crowded, busy and noisy, bus stops crazy especially at night. Trying to get away from most of that. How do they compare in this way?

Thanks! Getting very excited!

1. You probably won't even notice conventionears there very much. There were two different conventions going on all but one day of our week-long stay and I actually "saw" some of them ONCE. I never saw them on the buses.

2. I have much of the same allergies as your DD. (Fruit, nuts) I have never had any trouble at WDW. There are plenty of options. Whenever we eat out at the Disney restaurants, just mention allergies and the chef will come out and walk you through the entire menu or buffet to advise what food items contain what allergens, i.e., what to stay away from and what you can eat. It's very helpful.

3. My experience of the buses "at night" was mostly returning from the parks. Even the buses to CSR after the closing of a park was pretty crowded. But we found that they generally came pretty quickly and it wasn't that big a deal. The rest of the time we had zero issues with the buses.

.

 

[diskids2]

I'm just finishing my 10 day stay at Coronado Springs in the business class. This has been a wonderful stay! This was my first time at CS and I am very impressed with how beautiful the grounds are. I am in room 9530 in Cabanas 9B. Looking out my window now I have a wonderful view of the front lake.

The CMs in the lounge have been so friendly and willing to help in any way. Their morning offerings are perfect for a quick breakfast before heading to the parks.

I can understand why so many people say this is their favorite moderate.

We are considering a stay at CSR next year. I am going back and forth between a preferred room and business class. We have stayed at CBR in preferred rooms. I like the proximity to the "food court". Traveling on the bus doesn't bother me, but a full bus and having to wait for a second bus does.

Do you (or anyone for that matter ) think we may be better off in a preferred location for bus #2 vs. business class?

 

[Marsheliz]

I am glad that OP posted about this splash pad.. Didn't even realize they had it... What about the big pool? is that more for older kids?
Right now I am trying to decide between CSR and CBR.. Love the theming of CSR rooms and overall theme but CBR's pirate water area is really tempting me....

 

[klc318]

Thanks for the reply! We've always had great experiences with her allergies at WDW. The chefs are great and always had something for her. From what I've been reading, though, they have changed some of the vendors and don't carry divvies anymore or some of the other dairy/nut free products like the hamburger rolls. Mostly just gluten free now. So I'm just a little concerned. I know PM isn't Disney owned so that's what made me hesitate there.

I'm sure Disney will come through for us as always! I will be emailing about her allergies prior to check-in so I hope to receive some assurances then.

I ended up booking CSR this morning anyway! YAY!!!!! Can't wait!!!!!!!

Thanks again.

 

[Ilivetogo]

I am glad that OP posted about this splash pad.. Didn't even realize they had it... What about the big pool? is that more for older kids?
Right now I am trying to decide between CSR and CBR.. Love the theming of CSR rooms and overall theme but CBR's pirate water area is really tempting me....

The CSR pool area (The Dig Site) is an awesome pool!! This pool is for ANYONE! I saw quite a few little kids at The Dig Site. They also have the life jackets you can use if you want. The little 3 y/o's were going down the slide like nobody's business!! Very fun!

And don't forget that CSR has queen beds!!


IMGP0548 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr


IMGP0498 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr


IMGP7132 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr


IMGP0512 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr


IMGP7135 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr


IMGP7093 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr


IMGP7034 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr

.

 

[cceandme]

Thanks for the great pics!!

 

[Ilivetogo]

thanks for the great pics!!

.

 

[PR-DISNEY]

Can someone tell me if a half gallon of milk will fit in the fridge? Can I take the shelves out? We are ordering from Garden Grocer and not sure what will fit. Any help would be appreciated. Also first time using Garden Grocer but have read many nice reviews of them. Can't wait to get to CSR! 22 days and counting!