Coronado Springs v. All Star Sports: Worth an Extra $800

[Don'tYouKnowNothing?]

Hi everyone, I'm going to WDW in August, and I have a reservation at All Star Sports. The food court is going to be out of service, so I'm considering changing my reservation. I don't want to do another All Star, because I'm concerned that the other All Stars will have more people in the food courts.

My other option, Coronado Springs, is $800 (total) more (I'm staying 7 nights). Do you think it's worth it to spend the extra $800 to change resorts? Thanks so much!!

 

[smcabee]

Im assuming you chose All Stars to save some money? If so why not look into Pop if you dont want to book the other All star resorts. I think an extra $800 can be put to better use in the parks or for a future trip but thats just me. If we are not staying in our DVC on points, I always book the All Stars, no point imo to pay for amenities Im not going to use ie..We need a place to sleep and a bathroom/shower.

 

[Megs114]

We've stayed at All Star Sports twice (I've stayed 3 times). It's not bad. I prefer to stay there over the other two All Stars because its the first stop for the buses to pick you up and drop you off. The only thing that was annoying from our last trip was that we were upgraded to a preferred room. It was handicap accessible so there was just a walk in shower which made the floor soaking wet the entire time. No matter what we did, it just wouldn't stop the entire bathroom floor from being soaked. Other than that, we do like it. I know that with the food court out of commission, it will make eating a hassle but if you can get into the baseball section, it's not a far walk to music. Good luck!

 

[pieface]

I stayed at Coronado springs and its not worth $800 more. The food court is awful and it tends to be more for business or convention traveller. I would say it is quieter but the last two nights I had to listen to the drunk convention people outside running their mouths. Pop would be a good option or Caribean beach won't be going back to Coronado springs.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I've never stayed at any of the All Stars resorts, but I have stayed at Pop and Coronado Springs. While we really enjoyed the surroundings at CSR, we really loved Pop.

If my initial plans included All Stars, I wouldn't hesitate to go to Pop and save the money.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We are big CSR fans and would pay 800.00 more. We do not care for the All Stars at all but have enjoyed POP. If the money is a huge deal, choose POP, if not spring for CSR. We find Pepper Market food to be quite good, thought the smaller self service area is over crowded. The pool is amazing and the lake is beautiful. We find the staff top notch, and the rooms are much nicer than a value. We love having queen beds and the large charging area for all our electronics was extra nice too.

 

[capegirl]

We are big CSR fans and would pay 800.00 more. We do not care for the All Stars at all but have enjoyed POP. If the money is a huge deal, choose POP, if not spring for CSR. We find Pepper Market food to be quite good, thought the smaller self service area is over crowded. The pool is amazing and the lake is beautiful. We find the staff top notch, and the rooms are much nicer than a value. We love having queen beds and the large charging area for all our electronics was extra nice too.

Out of all the Disney resorts, CSR has THE best bus service, and the largest hot tub; The bus stops are scattered about the property, so you will not have to walk far, and you can also request a room in a location closer to El Centro. If you are someone who would enjoy a little relaxation at the resort, then spend the $800.00.

 

[wdwjeffc37]

If you are happy staying at a Value Resort then stay there. If you are looking for a little more (amenities) then upgrade. Only you can tell if it is worth it to you. If it's about the money then Value all the way. We have stayed at the Values and had a great time. We have also stayed at the Mods and we have found that CSR offers just what we are looking for. We have stayed there several times. We just budget for the Mod when we plan. I don't think you can go wrong with any on-site Disney resort. So I guess I would say for us, yes it is worth the extra.

 

[saskdw]

For me this would be a no brainer. We love CSR and wouldn't stay at a value. I really believe that CSR is the best bang for your buck at WDW. It has almost all the Deluxe amenities at the Mod price.

The question for you is do any of the extra things CSR offers interest you and how much would YOU pay for them?

Much quieter resort, Queen Beds, bigger rooms, awesome pool (generally considered 2nd best at WDW next to Beach Club), longest pool slide at WDW, largest hot tub on WDW property, Table service restaurant, fitness center, Spa, Salon, night club style lounge, also 2 other outdoor lounges, arguably the best bus service at WDW.

The resort is very spread out. Some people don't like that. Personally I love the layout. We've been there when all 2000 rooms are full at Christmas time and it was never a problem to find a quiet place to relax. Our stays there total 28 nights and I have barely ever noticed any of the conventioners. My only advice would be don't eat at the "normal" eating times. We always eat at off times at WDW and its never busy.

 

[Don'tYouKnowNothing?]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions and info! I think we're going to try Pop this trip and we'll see how it goes. You folks are the best.

 

[KELLY]

I say no. For our trip to upgrade for the 12 days is 900.00. GRanted in our case we would get the regular dining plan. But we prefer the QSDP anyway. I have stayed at all levels and just would rather save the money for the next trip. Maybe when my kids get older but right now pop serves it purpose.

 

[cindymindy]

We had a similar decision to make for our upcoming trip. We decided to go with a value resort (Pop) and save the money because our trips are so park heavy. We might use the pool once, we only eat breakfast in the food court, and we are never in our room. Good luck on your decision! Remember, no matter what you will be at Disney!!

 

[Minnesota!]

I stayed at Coronado springs and its not worth $800 more. The food court is awful and it tends to be more for business or convention traveller. I would say it is quieter but the last two nights I had to listen to the drunk convention people outside running their mouths. Pop would be a good option or Caribean beach won't be going back to Coronado springs.

I could have written this. CSR is last on our list. We will likely never return there...

Out of all the Disney resorts, CSR has THE best bus service, and the largest hot tub; The bus stops are scattered about the property, so you will not have to walk far, and you can also request a room in a location closer to El Centro. If you are someone who would enjoy a little relaxation at the resort, then spend the $800.00.

See, for all the resorts we have stayed at, CSR had the WORST bus service. And the bus stops are a LONG hike from a lot of rooms. We really did not like it at all (either time that we stayed there...).

OP - last summer we did just what you are pondering - went with $$$ CSR over Pop. We were very sad at the end that we did. Pop is great. It's fun, compact, great bus service, great food court, love the pools, the staff, etc. CSR was the opposite. Crappy food, awful bus service, awful, dirty room. Etc. We asked to be moved to Pop after the 2nd night - no availability. So they upgraded us to a jr suite and while THAT was nice, we would still never stay at CSR again.

 

[saskdw]

I could have written this. CSR is last on our list. We will likely never return there...



See, for all the resorts we have stayed at, CSR had the WORST bus service. And the bus stops are a LONG hike from a lot of rooms. We really did not like it at all (either time that we stayed there...).

There is hundreds of posts on this board praising the bus service at CSR. I stand by my earlier comment that it has arguably the best overall bus service at WDW. Sorry your experience was different, but you are in the minority.

 

[NewmanFamily6]

I agree with the other posters. Instead of spending another $800 why not try to stay at another Value?

 

[capegirl]

I could have written this. CSR is last on our list. We will likely never return there...



See, for all the resorts we have stayed at, CSR had the WORST bus service. And the bus stops are a LONG hike from a lot of rooms. We really did not like it at all (either time that we stayed there...).

OP - last summer we did just what you are pondering - went with $$$ CSR over Pop. We were very sad at the end that we did. Pop is great. It's fun, compact, great bus service, great food court, love the pools, the staff, etc. CSR was the opposite. Crappy food, awful bus service, awful, dirty room. Etc. We asked to be moved to Pop after the 2nd night - no availability. So they upgraded us to a jr suite and while THAT was nice, we would still never stay at CSR again.

Sorry, but I strongly disagree. We have stayed at all of Disney's resorts, from value to deluxe, and CSR's bus service is unsurpassed. I would like to add that I am very picky when it comes to hotel rooms, and in defense of CSR, in all my stays I have never experienced a 'dirty' room.

 

[disd55]

OP - last summer we did just what you are pondering - went with $$$ CSR over Pop. We were very sad at the end that we did. Pop is great. It's fun, compact, great bus service, great food court, love the pools, the staff, etc. CSR was the opposite. Crappy food, awful bus service, awful, dirty room. Etc. We asked to be moved to Pop after the 2nd night - no availability. So they upgraded us to a jr suite and while THAT was nice, we would still never stay at CSR again.

I totally agree with Minnesota! We had the same experience. We did a split stay (CSR/BWI) and couldn't wait to get to BWI. CSR was a failure in comparison. I don't see why people say it is closest to a deluxe. CBR has all the same amenities as CSR. We also had terrible bus service, far walks to any bus stop. We were on the far side of Casitas 2 and even though it was considered preferred it in no way seemed like a preferred room. All the Deluxe's we've stayed at had better bus service than CSR.

 

[kirby428]

Sorry, but I strongly disagree. We have stayed at all of Disney's resorts, from value to deluxe, and CSR's bus service is unsurpassed. I would like to add that I am very picky when it comes to hotel rooms, and in defense of CSR, in all my stays I have never experienced a 'dirty' room.

No matter what the Disney Resort being discussed, the bus system has too many variables to use it as point to favor one resort over another. It is possible for two guests to have opposite opinions based on two completely opposite bus experiences. Ditto about walking distances. A pleasant stroll for one is a marathon hike for another over the same distance. It is also unfair to blame a resort based on the behaviors of its guests. Hey when I stayed at that room my next door guests were not like the ones you had and if you stay there again you will have a completely new set. Want a good reason to pay extra for a resort? Pay attention to how hard the door hits your knees while you sit on the toilet...to dry off your toes. Sheesh! Bathroom size and layout matches room cost. Listen to your knee.

 

[maryj11]

There are discounts for in August, have you gotten that already ? Just checking to make sure you knew about it. Hmmm 800.00 more for CSR, if it were POR I would say yes. I have stayed at CSR and I liked it but the walking to the food court every day and night wore me out. The bus service was super quick but we were there in September low crowd season. I wouldnt pay 800.00 more though. I might if it was one of my favorites.

 

[capegirl]

Want a good reason to pay extra for a resort? Pay attention to how hard the door hits your knees while you sit on the toilet...to dry off your toes. Sheesh! Bathroom size and layout matches room cost. Listen to your knee.

Since I don't spend my vacation in the bathroom, I rarely pay attention to my knees. If my knees did complain I would stay at SOG...ginormous bathrooms, and rooms over there. For me it's not about the room size, it's about the total resort experience.