Just back from Coronado Springs

[Anonomom]

(if this review looks familiar, it's because I moved it from the CSR FAQ thread).

Hi all,

We just got back from four nights at CSR tlast night. Thought y'all would like a run down of the goods and bads. In short, we had a bad first impression that later got turned around, and we ended up having a lovely time.

Bads first (so I can end happy):

Arrived via ME at around noon on Sunday. Went straight to the online check-in key pickup, and was disappointed to see that not only was that line at least twice as long as normal check in, but it was also veeeery slow moving. Took at least 15 minutes to get my docs. Room wasn't ready yet, but that's not a negative since we couldn't have expected it to be ready 4 hours ahead of time.

Went over to bell services to drop off some bags before we headed to the park, waited there again for a good five minutes, only to be told (rudely, I might add) that bell services doesn't handle holding luggage. I was kind of annoyed, since when I called the hotel on Saturday, I was told that bell services was the place to take bags to be held. Found the outdoor luggage check area and waited. And waited. And waited. A full 10 minutes before someone finally came and helped with our bags. By now, it had actually taken longer to complete the check-in process than it did to travel to the resort from the airport, all of the CMs we'd met so far were bordering on surly, and I was definitely not feeling any magic.

But onward, to the bus stop. Where we waited. And waited. And waited. 25 minutes for an MK bus.

We got the text that the room was ready around 2 pm, but didn't actually return to the resort until 7. From the outside (that is, seen from the bus stops), the grounds are distinctly unimpressive. Just very institutional looking.

Got to the room, only to find that the crib I'd requested (both when I made the reservation and when I did online checkin) wasn't there. It took them a full two hours to deliver it, by which time we were all exhausted and cranky.

The rooms do not have tables in them, just a desk and one chair. This didn't bother me much, but it bugged DH that there was no place to sit and eat in the room.

In general, with the exception of the people in Panchito's, I was not impressed by the CMs here. They just didn't seem all that interested in helping out -- more often, I got blank stares or simple "I can't help"s when I asked for even the simplest help. One concierge didn't even know what time the gift shop opened (8 am, fyi). And when we went to use our arcade voucher this afternoon, nobody would help. The bartender at the pool bar told me to ask the lifeguard for help, the lifeguard told me that "there isn't anyone available to help you with that," and walked away.

Luckily, that's it for the bad. And now on to the good:

LOCATION!!! We had requested Cabanas and/or close to food, and were placed in Casitas 3 (room 3224, to be exact). It wasn't even a two-minute walk from El Centro, along a covered walkway. It was incredibly nice to be able to pop over to Cafe Rix for coffee in the morning or to refill our mugs. I think we also may have been upgraded, because our room faced the lake.

The renovated rooms are lovely, and ours was immaculate. The beds were comfortable, there was plenty of storage space, and the doors to the bathroom area were great.

Mousekeeping was good (though no towel animals).

We tried pepper market once, and enjoyed it quite a bit. I liked that the food available went far beyond hamburgers.

Panchito's employees were very sweet and helpful. My daughter came down with a cold the first night, and when I went to buy her some Benadryl, they gave me several suggestions to help her feel better (lime helps a sore throat -- who knew?)

Once you're inside the resort grounds, it's simply gorgeous. The landscaping is lush and beautiful, with tons of color and variety. The walk from the Casitas to El Centro looks out over the lake and I can't adequately describe how nice and peaceful it is. Let me put it this way -- I made that walk one time the night we arrived and forgot all about the inauspicious beginning we had. Even now, the memory of that view makes every negative fade into oblivion.

Aside from that one wait the first day, the buses were great! I didn't stand once the entire trip, and DH only had to stand up twice. Wait times were generally quite short, too. Plus, they provided toys for the kids at the El Centro bus stop in the mornings, which was nice.

Bell services ysterday was very responsive. I called at 8:20 am for luggage pickup, and was told they could be there in 5 minutes. I asked instead that they come at 8:45, and they were there on the dot.

That's all I can think of right now. Overall, I'd say I was very happy with the resort -- honestly, until I began writing this post, I'd kind of forgotten the negatives even existed. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

[KatMark]

Thanks for the awesome, detailed and honest review. Truly appreciate it.

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Sorry you had a bad start, but I'm glad you ended your trip on a positive note!

[TennHokies]

Thank you for posting you're review - it's nice to get the good with the bad and know I'm reading about you're actual experience. We just got back this past Sunday night from a week at ASMo and had the same on-line "express" experience where I noticied the reguarl line was shortly but mostly just faster. I will say for me the 15-20 minute wait was tollerable and I attrubite the long wait to slow guest not CMs in front of us.

We are considering CSR for our free dining bounce back location (although we're currently booked at POP) so I really do appreciate you're posting. Good to hear about the buses, great atmosphere, and nice rooms.

[cottontail]

Hi. Happy your trip worked out for you. Can you tell me at the end of the room near the sink is there a curtain or are they the bathroom doors you mentioned for privacy outside the actual bathroom.

Deb.

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Originally Posted by cottontail

Hi. Happy your trip worked out for you. Can you tell me at the end of the room near the sink is there a curtain or are they the bathroom doors you mentioned for privacy outside the actual bathroom.

Deb.

There are two sliding wooden doors that separate the sink and bathroom area from the room. They work great for blocking out light and sound from the bathroom (or the other way around if you have a little one in a pack and play in the sink area).