Coronado Springs Resort - New Unofficial FAQ Thread - November 2011

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

The previous CSR FAQ thread by KatMark can be found here.

Welcome CSR lovers, lurkers and newcomers to the CSR FAQ thread! If you see any errors or have any suggestions, please send me a PM and I will try to include them. Any and all pictures of the CSR are welcome! Thanks for your support.



Address of the Coronado Springs Resort:
1000 West Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-1000
Telephone number: (407) 939-1000
Fax number: (407) 939-1001
Category: Moderate


El Centro: As you arrive at Coronado Springs your first stop will be El Centro, the main building that contains registration, guest services, Panchitos gift shop, Café Rix, Rix Lounge, the Pepper Market and the Maya Grill. This building also connects to the Convention Center.

The most striking feature of El Centro is the fountain and frescoed domed ceiling in the main lobby. The registration area also features impressive high ceilings with exposed beams. Guest services can assist you with booking dining reservations (though we all know that most should be made 180 days in advance!) and theme park passes. Beside guest services is a DVC information booth.

Registration:









Waiting area:



Children's area:





Ceiling:



Fountain in lobby:



Panchitos: The gift shop at Coronado Springs is called Panchitos, and it is located in El Centro. It features a sampling of WDW merchandise, some beautiful Mexican pottery and jewelry, and a small grocery section, including personal items, non-prescription drugs, batteries, etc.

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Rooms: 1,917 rooms available; there are junior suites and executive suites available. Regular rooms are 314 square feet.

Room Breakdown:

All rooms are now non-smoking
There are 224 king bed rooms
99 disabled accessible rooms
70 Club Level rooms (Club level amenities are available only for convention guests and only if the convention pays for those services. Non-convention guests cannot book a club level room.)
31 junior suites (1 accessible for the disabled)
10 VIP suites (one bedroom suites)
5 Executive Suites


***Also, there is now a "preferred" category at the CSR where you can pay extra per night to be in one of the preferred buildings. These buildings are Casitas 1, 2 and 3 (all near El Centro--registration, food, lounge and gift shop).

All rooms come with the following: either two queen beds or one king-size bed, flat screen television, high-speed internet access, telephone with separate data port, work desk and chair, two ottomans, vanity area with wood sliding door, refrigerator, coffee maker, in-room safe, ceiling fan, hair dryer, iron and ironing board. King rooms are a separate booking category – they are not by request. King rooms are located throughout the resort.

Waterview rooms are also a separate booking category. Waterview rooms may face the lake, quiet pools, or the fountains. There are no rooms with a view of the Dig Site pool.

Fridge:



The coffee pot is now a Cuisinart pod coffee machine (photo courtesy of Merlin123):




Open safe (it comes with a key):



The CSR has Central Air (not wall units). To adjust the temperature, follow these instructions: On the thermostat, push the power button and the down arrow (button that adjusts the temp) at the exact same time. If you do this correctly, you will see the letters "bp" where the temp normally shows. You are now bypassing the sensors in the room. You can then set the temp to whatever you want and it keeps the room that cold whether you are in it or not. You might have to do this once a day as the thermostat tends to go back to sensor mode after 24 hours.



A few pictures of the rooms as rehabbed in 2008/2009:

















Suites: CSR has 3 types of suites and they are costly. There are 31 Jr suites, 10 VIP suites and 6 executive suites. All the suites are located in the casitas with the exception of 2 jr suites located in the cabanas, one in 8b and one in 9b. A Jr suite is two rooms together, the VIP is 3 regular rooms together, and the executive is 5 rooms together.

* The resort has 31 junior suites, which are basically two connecting standard rooms. The bedroom includes either one king bed or two queen beds and the second room is set up as a living room with a sleeper sofa. There are two bathrooms. The occupancy of a junior suite is six people for the queen junior suites and four people for the king junior suites. The junior suites cost more than 2 standard rooms.

* There are also 10 "VIP" one-bedroom suites. These are equivalent in space to 3 standard rooms knocked together. There is a standard bedroom with one king bed or two queen beds, plus a full bath. The living room is equivalent in size to two standard rooms and includes two seating areas, a wet bar with small refrigerator, a full bathroom and a dining table for four people. The living room has a sleeper sofa, bringing the occupancy to 4 or 6 people. The VIP suites are set up primarily for entertaining and are generally used by senior managers staying at the resort for conventions. VIP suites are priced at more than 4 times the cost of a standard room.

* Finally, there are 5 "Executive" two-bedroom suites. These are equivalent in space to 5 standard rooms knocked together. The first bedroom has a king bed plus a full bath with whirlpool tub. The second bedroom has two queen beds plus a full bath. The large living room offers two seating areas, a half-bath, a free-standing wet bar with small refrigerator and a dining table for six people. The living room includes a sleeper sofa, bringing the occupancy to 8 people. The Executive suites are set up primarily for entertaining and are generally used by executives staying at the resort for conventions. Executive suites are priced at more than 6 times the cost of a standard room.

Junior Suite pictures:













SUITE PHOTOS COURTESEY OF tinkerbelle_325

The rooms are located in three different themed areas of the Coronado. You can request a specific area when booking but there is no guarantee you'll get your request. Also, as of January 1, 2011, you will be able to pay for a "preferred room" at the Coronado. Preferred buildings are casitas 1, 2 and 3.

The Spanish-style Casitas at Coronado Springs are very peaceful, with courtyards featuring tiled fountains. Casitas Buildings 1, 3 and 2 (in that order) are the closest to the restaurants and services. Casita 2 does not have an elevator. Casitas Building 4 contains the salon and health club, if those are important to you. Casitas Building 5 is closest to the Ranchos and the Dig Site.

The Cabanas at Coronado Springs have a relaxed beach feeling. Cabanas Building 8A & 8B are very close to the feature pool, which may be a blessing (convenience) or a curse (noise, light). Cabanas Building 9B is closest to the marina and relatively convenient to the restaurants and services. Cabanas Building 9A is closest to the quiet pool.

The Ranchos at Coronado Springs feel quiet and secluded -- some would say isolated -- and feature desert landscaping and pueblo-style architecture. They look closest to the main pool on a map, but in actuality they are separated from the rest of the property by a swamp, so it can be a fairly long walk from these buildings to the pool, and a very long walk to the restaurants (10-15 minutes, depending on pace).

There is laundry service in each section. Washers are $2.00 as are the dryers (the dryers go for 30 minutes).

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Casitas:















Casitas Quiet Pool:





Hammock near Casitas 5:



***These pictures furnished by Brookelizabeth and Allan Renfroe


Cabanas:














Cabanas Quiet Pool:




Ranchos:















Ranchos Quiet Pool:



Thanks to lovethattink for some of these Ranchos photos

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Room locations:

Cabanas 9B is now Club Service for convention guests. When there is no convention being held at the CSR or the convention does not offer Club Level rooms, the rooms in Cabanas 9B are available to regular resort guests (however, they do not receive Club Level services).

For conventioneers the Casitas 1 or 3 are good locations. However, they are a longer walk to the Dig Site Pool. Both casita 1 and casita 3 are preferred buildings

For adult couples, especially honeymooners or those celebrating anniversaries, Casitas 4 or 5 with a water view is a perfect location. Casita 4 has the quiet pool, fitness center, spa, salon, and both are near bus stop #2.

For leisure guests with children here are some great locations; Cabana 8a, Rancho 7b, Cabana 8b, 9a, Rancho 6b, and 6a...in that order. Nearness to El Centro is usually of no importance to many guests. It's much more important to be close to the park bus stops and the Dig Site. Leisure guests may come to El Centro once or twice; but they will be at the buses twice a day (at least) and the pool often when they are at the resort.

For adults or large families who wish to be close to a park bus stop and to a quieter pool but are not interested in the theme pool, building 7a is great and has close proximity to parking.

Casita 2 also is close to parking and usually one of the quietest buildings, especially from the 4th floor. The fourth floor of building actually includes part of the upper floors of building 3 and has easy access to the convention center by way of the elevator courtyard of building 1. Casita 2 is a preferred building and does not have its own elevator.

Cabana 9b is close to bus stop 1 and the main building with a short walk to the Dig Site (main pool) over the wooden bridge.

Cabana 8a is close to the Dig Site (and playground) and bus stop 4 with a short walk to the main building (closest to the pool).

Cabana 8b and 9a are in between the 2 above (9a has a quiet pool).

Ranchos 7b has a quiet pool, is close to the Dig Site and bus stop 4 with a bit longer walk to the main building. 7b is behind cabana 8a.

Casita 1 is attached to the main building and is very close to the restaurants (preferred building).

Casita 3 has great courtyard and fountain views (preferred building).

Casita 5 has some nice fountain and lake views and is close to the Dig Site but farther from the main building. Close to bus stop #2.

SHIPPING TO RESORT:

I have never shipped anything to CSR, but this is what has been reported:

If you send a package down ahead of your arrival via Fed EX or UPS, it will end up at the Business Center and will incur a charge.

If you send it via USPS, it will end up at CSR Operations behind the check in desk.

My guess is that you should check with whomever you are using (Costco, Wal-Mart, etc.) to see which shipper they use so you know if you'll have an additional charge at the CSR end.

BUSES:



CSR has 4 conveniently located bus stops, one in each of the villages and one at the main building. None of the buildings is far from a bus stop.

The ranchos are the furthest from the main building (about a 10-15 minute walk). Theme park buses stop last at the main building, so Ranchos guests can get on any theme park bus and exit at the main building. DTD buses stop at El Centro first, so this tactic does not work with DTD buses.

WALK:

The distance around the whole lake is just under a mile (.97 miles).

Walking Distances
From El Centro moving clockwise around the lake path to:
Casitas 3 = .16 miles
Casitas 4 = .24 miles
Casitas 5 = .27 miles
Ranchos = .46 miles

From El Centro to the Dig Site, via the bridge near the Cabanas
= .35 miles

From El Centro moving counterclockwise around the lake to:
Cabanas 9B = .16 miles
Cabanas 9A/8B = .22 miles
Cabanas 8A = .31 miles
Rancho 7b = .35 miles


Theme park bus stops go in this order:

The bus stops are:
Bus Stop 2: Casitas
Bus Stop 3: Ranchos
Bus Stop 4: Ranchos and Cabanas
Bus Stop 1: El Centro

DTD and Exit buses

The bus stops are:
Bus Stop 1: El Centro
Bus Stop 2: Casitas
Bus Stop 3: Ranchos
Bus Stop 4: Ranchos and Cabanas

They go in this order to assist guests in getting to the main building and back to their village.



The CSR is situated around a 15 acre lake. At night, it's a beautiful place for a romantic walk around the Lago Dorado over the lighted bridge to relax in a hammock on the white sandy beach of the Cabanas section or among the courtyards in the Casitas section of the resort.



CSR Proximity to Parks (updated by Buzz 11/9/11):

Hollywood Studios - Bus Stop 6 (1st bus stop in row at DHS) - 6 min ride once leaving resort
AK - Bus Stop 8 (middle of the row) - 6 min ride once leaving resort
MK - Bus Stop 15 (on the right, a few stops down from the beginning) - 10 min ride once leaving resort
Epcot - Bus Stop 7 (2nd bus stop in row at Epcot) - 7 min ride once leaving resort
BB - Bus Stop 6 (middle of the row) - 3 min ride once leaving resort


CSR MAP:




CONVENTION SCHEDULE (updated 10/20/12)

I have listed anything I have been able to verify online. These meetings vary in size - some are local, while others are regional or national. If a convention falls during your dates, you might want to Google the name I have listed to find out more information. In some cases, CSR is the host hotel, but activities occur elsewhere (like the soccer tournament).

2012


July 3-6 Dance America National Finals
July 13-14 - US Open Karate
July 15-21 Disney Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament
July 19-22, USA Gymnastics for All Nationals
July 21-26, Ion Mobility Spectrometry Short Course (website says it is held at the Boardwalk Hotel in Disney's Coronado Springs Resort - not sure about this one?)
July 21-25, Assembly on Education Symposium
July 26-28, AHIMA - Building Expert Trainers (affiliated with Education Symposium)
July 27-29, 2012 American Celtic Irish Dance Festival

August 6-11 - National Association of EMS Educators Symposium and Trade Show
August 25-27 Florida Police Athletic League Membership Training and Board of Directors Meeting
August 26-31, Florida Tea Party (might be canceled? Can't find link online anymore.)
August 31-September 2 - 2012 National Conservative Film Festival

September 6-9, Tony Horton Fitness Weekend (held at WWOS, CSR is host hotel)
September 19-21, Children's Miracle Network Convention
September 30 - October 3, International Conference on Image Processing 2012

October 11-13 - HENAAC 2012 Conference
October 14-18, FAA Managers Association Gathering of Eagles

November 11-14, NextGen Users Group (also at Contemporary and Yacht Club)

December 1-9, Pop Warner (CSR is one of host hotels, along with CBR and the All Stars)
December 27-30, USA Gymnastics New Year's Invitational


2013

January 6-9, Generac Dealer Conference
January 16-19, Children's Pastors Conference

February 7-9, NABE Conference
February 9-14, SPIE Medical Imaging
February 18-20, Training Magazine 2013 Conference and Expo
February 20-23, World Family Therapy Congress
February 27-28, Trinovus Compliance Knowledgeshare

March 6-9, Appliance Service Training Institute
March 9-13, International Dance championships - the Groove Experience
March 17-20, Spring World 2013 (Disaster Recovery Journal)

April 4-7, HOSA Leadership Conference
April 9-12, Ideas to Impact
April 14-17, AAPC 2013 National Conference

May 19-23, Fusion el Carnaval (Financial Ops)

June 27-29, Close To My Heart Convention

July 8-14, Children with Diabetes: Friends For Life Annual Conference

August 30-September 1, Mustang at the Mickyard (CSR is host hotel)

December 13-15, National Scholastic K-12 Chess Championship

2014

June 25-28, HOSA National Leadership Conference

September 19-22, Association of School Business Officials Annual Meeting

2015

(Proposed) September 2-6, Orlando 2015 Worldcon


This is not a "FULL" list. This list consists from research on the web and information passed on from fellow CSR lovers. Please post any conventions/meetings that you find.

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Dining Options:

MAYA GRILL: A table service restaurant with a wine menu, dinner offerings which include steaks, seafood and chicken with choices of signature desserts. Hours of operation are: Dinner -- 5-11 p.m.
Maya Grill’s menus can be found here on the DIS (updated November 2011):

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dinin...ant.ID=45#menu


PEPPER MARKET: A color-filled food market. There are 420-seats in the Pepper Market Food Court. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Breakfast and lunch buffets are currently being tested (began December 2011).

Dinner is still a la carte. You will be seated by a CM who will take your drink order and bring you a “ticket” for stamping when you go to the station where you wish to order your food. You choose your meals by choosing from one of the many stations and ordering your food with the chef. Your ticket will be stamped for each item you get (each guest receives their own card). At the end of the meal, you present your ticket(s) to a CM and pay as you leave. 10% gratuity is automatically charged to your bill at the Pepper Market during dinner only. If you would like to avoid the 10% gratuity, ask for a “to go” ticket and take your food to your room or one of the great tables surrounding the Lake.

The breakfast and lunch buffets cannot be taken To Go.

The Pepper Market's hours are:

Breakfast -- 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Lunch -- 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dinner -- 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Pepper Market Menus can be found here on the DIS (updated December 2011):

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dinin...taurant.ID=492





Sign outside of Pepper Market



Chef Station





Market Station





Pizza and Pasta Station





Just for Kids Station



From the Grill Station





Sandwich Station





Dessert Station





Thanks to lovethattink for the Pepper Market photos. More photos can be found at post #604 (page 41) here.


CAFÉ RIX: Cafe Rix is the CSR’s new “Grab and Go” area. They have everything from sandwiches, paninis, salads, pizza slices, cereal, danishes, pastries, etc. You can refill your “Refillable Mug” here. Cafe Rix also offers wonderful gelato. Café Rix is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 6:30 am until midnight.

Café Rix menus can be found here on the DIS (updated October 2011):

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dinin...taurant.ID=484









CSR Room Service: The CSR is the only moderate to offer a full dining menu for room service. Breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and all day dining is available from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
All Ears lists this menu for CSR In Room Dining (August 2010):

http://allears.net/menu/menu_csr.htm


LOUNGES:

The CSR has three bars to choose from:

CSR’s newest addition to adult relaxation, The Rix Lounge, is an upscale lounge offering specialty drinks, appetizers and a DJ on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 9:00 p.m. The Rix is open Tuesdays- Saturdays, from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. After 9:00 p.m., no children are allowed. No sneakers or tank tops are allowed. Here is a link to the Rix for up to date information: http://rix-lounge.com/

Next is Siesta’s. The pool bar is located at the Dig Site and offers standard fast food, including hot dogs, burgers, salads, nachos, etc. Siesta’s orders an array of tropical drinks and beer. You can also refill your refillable mugs here. Hours of operation are: the Bar – 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the food section is open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Be sure to say hi to Francisco – he is the BEST!










Last is the Laguna Bar. The Laguna Bar is lakeside at the CSR with tropical drinks, beer, etc. You can also order food at The Laguna Bar.





The menu for the Laguna Bar (Served from 11:00am to 10:00pm):

Smoked Turkey and Cheddar Cheese Panini $9.95

Capicola Ham and Cheese Panini $9.95

Cheese Pizza $9.75

Pepperoni Pizza $9.95

Vegetable Pizza $9.75

Ham and Cheese Sandwich $8.95

Turkey and Provolone Sandwich $8.95

Fried Coconut Shrimp and Tropical Chutney $9.95

Chips and Salsa $3.95

Kids Pick
Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich - Served with cookie and juice box or milk $4.29

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

POOL:

The CSR has one of the best pools of all of Disney resorts. The entire complex is known as The Dig Site and the pool itself is the “Lost City of Cibola”. With a 123-foot Jaguar slide and a Mayan Temple, the pool is a crowd pleaser. Near the Dig Site is an arcade, a sand volleyball court and a large playground.











Kids participate in the pool opening water ceremony each morning at the pool. They chant to bring the water gods to life. It’s a cute little activity they do with the kids along with other water games that they play during the day. Guests are only allowed to climb as high as the first set of large vines crossing the pyramid.

In the evenings, CSR has a poolside campfire and shows movies (times vary due to time of year – you should receive a schedule at check-in).



Opening Ceremony:








Jaguar Slide:









Kiddie Pool:



CSR Hot Tub:



Arcade:



Playground:

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Fitness Activities

Jogging Information




Fitness Center Photos









Massage Rooms







Tanning Bed



CSR Marina

The marina at CSR will only be open on a seasonal basis. We are assuming this is due to lack of use and saving costs.



Unfortunately, the marina has not been open in a long time and not sure if it coming back.

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Some miscellaneous shots of the CSR from CSR guests and friends:


































And some new pictures, courtesy of dwsandy from their visit to the CSR:

[KatMark]

Save for additional photos

[KatMark]

First, I will get the rest of the photos updated over the weekend. I am having major problems with Photobucket kicking me off right now and I'm getting angry with the darn thing.

Second, but most important, I would like to thank StitchandPooh'sMom for taking over the CSR thread at my request.

Unfortunately, due to some things going on at home and work, I just don't have the time to devote to it like I have in the past. Mary has graciously agreed to handle the thread now.

I will still be around and will chime in when I see a question and someone hasn't answered or a more detailed answer is required, etc.

In the meantime, I thank ALL of you who have supported me while I ran the CSR thread and for your kindness and good wishes. But I thank you most for the many friends I have met through either your love of the CSR or your wanting to know more about it.

To those who are going to Disney and the CSR soon, I hope you have a wonderful stay at our home away from home.

[aubriee]

Aaaah! Sorry to see you give up the thread Kathy. You have done such a fantastic job and will be missed. I still say CSR should have provided you and Mark with free trips considering all the business you send their way. If not for you and Kat3668 I would have never given CSR another try.

Thanks, Mary for taking over though and look forward to seeing you more on the boards. CSR is such a great resort, I'd hate to see this thread die.

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Originally Posted by aubriee

Aaaah! Sorry to see you give up the thread Kathy. You have done such a fantastic job and will be missed. I still say CSR should have provided you and Mark with free trips considering all the business you send their way. If not for you and Kat3668 I would have never given CSR another try.

Thanks, Mary for taking over though and look forward to seeing you more on the boards. CSR is such a great resort, I'd hate to see this thread die.

As far as I am concerned, this is and always will be Kathy's thread. I will try to take good care of it during her hiatus, but it is all her work that made it possible in the first place. Whenever she wants it back, it is hers.

My knowledge of CSR is not nearly as extensive as Kathy's, so I'm very thankful for all the CSR regulars who post and answer questions as well. I hope it continues to be a group effort.

[flortlebap]

Nice to see a new thread! Wish I'd seen that before starting a new question on this resort

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Originally Posted by flortlebap

Nice to see a new thread! Wish I'd seen that before starting a new question on this resort

That's OK! I answered you on the other thread and linked you here for pictures, so you would have gotten here anyway.

[rocg]

The torch passes on Buzz,Kathy,Stitch...Good job and good luck..