Coronado Springs Resort -- New Unofficial FAQ Thread -- July 2009

[KatMark]

CORONADO SPRINGS RESORT
THE NEW UNOFFICIAL FAQ THREAD
JULY 2009





Welcome. I am new to this “creating a FAQ thread” so please bear with me as I start this new chapter for my fellow CSR lovers, lurkers and newcomers to the CSR. 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





Opening Date: August 1, 1997
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 90 days in advance!) and theme park passes. Beside guest services is a DVC information booth.









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.

[KatMark]

Rooms: 1,921 rooms available; there are junior suites and executive suites available

Room Breakdown:

All rooms are now non-smoking
Approximately 160 king bed rooms
99 disabled accessible rooms
30 junior suites (1 accessible for the disabled)
10 VIP suites
6 Executive Suites

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





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.



CSR just completed a one-year rehab last month. Two queen beds have been put into most rooms, with 100 rooms to get new king beds. There are new furnishings: beds, dresser, sliding doors between bath area/bedroom, flat screen televisions, new carpet, new drapers, new paint/wallpaper.

A few pictures of the new rooms:

[KatMark]

Suites: CSR has 3 types of suites and they are costly. There are 30 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. The queen bed jr suite would fit six because the wall unit in the second room is a murphy bed. A Jr suite is two rooms together, the VIP is 3 regular rooms together, and the executive is 5 rooms together.

* The resort has about 30 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 or Murphy (Sico) bed. There are two bathrooms. Junior suites have an occupancy of 4 or 6 people and 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. It has either a sleeper sofa or a Murphy (Sico) bed, 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 a 6 "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 double 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 either a sleeper sofa or a Murphy (Sico) bed, bringing the occupancy to 6 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.

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.

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. 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.









Kathy's hammock....oops...I mean the hammock outside Casitas 5:




Castias Quiet Pool:



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.







Cabanas 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.














Ranchos Quiet Pool:

[scrdofbugs]

We leave in 69 days!!! I can't wait to see the new rooms in person.

[KatMark]

Room locations:

Cabanas 9B is now “Club Service” for convention guests. When there is no convention being held at the CSR, the rooms in Cabanas 9B are available to regular resort guests (however, they do not have use of the Club Level services).

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

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 to 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.

Building 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

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.

Casita 3 has great courtyard and fountain views.

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:

This is the latest information I have been able to find out on shipping to your resort (I've never done this so I had someone ask for me):

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 and 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 whoever you are using (Costco, Wal-Mart...whoever) to see which way they ship so you know if you'll have an additional charge at the CSR end.

[KatMark]

Buses:



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

The ranchos are the furthest from the main building so getting to the restaurants and lobby are far but there are 3 options. Use the Internal Shuttle System, take a bus to the main building or walk.

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:

Hollywood Studios - Bus Stop 6 (1st stop) - 6 min ride once leaving resort
AK - Bus Stop 8 (middle) - 6 min ride once leaving resort
MK - Bus Stop 10 (1st) - 10 min ride once leaving resort
Epcot - Bus Stop 7 (2nd) - 7 min ride once leaving resort
BB - Bus Stop 6 (middle) - 3 min ride once leaving resort

(Now, we always drive, but these times are very close to what it takes when we drive…but we’ve been driving every visit, so we know shortcuts and we know our way).

CSR Map:

[KatMark]

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. Maya Grill also offers a daily breakfast buffet. Hours of operation are: Breakfast -- 7-11 a.m. and Dinner -- 5-11 p.m..



PEPPER MARKET: A color-filled food market. There are 420-seats in the Pepper Market Food Court. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. You choose your meals by choosing from one of the many stations and ordering your food with the chef.
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. 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. 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 Pepper Market’s hours of operation are 6:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.





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.









CSR Room Serivce: 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.
For menus for all of the above, check the menu page here on the DIS.

[KatMark]

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.

[KatMark]

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.

Opening Ceremony









Jaguar Slide:









Kiddie Pool:




CSR Hot Tub:




Arcade:




Playground:

[Disneys#1fan]

Thanks for the great information! I will be happy to contribute after our trip to CSR in late September.

[KatMark]

Fitness Activities:

Jogging Information




Fitness Center Photos:









Massage Rooms:







Tanning Bed:

[KatMark]

CSR Marina:

The marina at CSR will only be open on a seasonal basis. Here are the dates through summer of 2009.

February 15-21, 2009
April 5-18, 2009
June 1 - Sept 7, 2009

[KatMark]

The CSR even has it's own resident friend, Glen, who has been around for a couple of months:

[KatMark]

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

[KatMark]

Thank you for all your patience while I got this up. Thanks to all who sent me pictures. Special thanks to Megan (TinkerBelle 325) who heled me put the FAQ thread together...editing, revising, etc. And thanks to an old friend who allowed me to copy a lot of info.

This is a work in progress and we will add info as we get it.

Please feel free to add pictures, questions, reviews, etc. to our updated thread.

Kathy