Just got back from CSR-loved it!

[LaniesMom]

We just returned from a six night stay at CSR and I am having serious Disney withdrawal, so I had to come post here.
We loved the resort, the crowds were non-existent and the weather was gorgeous!
We did online check-in and breezed through the check in process upon our arrival. Our order from Garden Grocer was waiting for us when we arrived and we were lucky to get a cart ride from El Centro right to our door.

We stayed in Casitas 3193. I had originally requested a Cabanas location, and was disappointed when we initally got our room assignment, but that disappointment turned to joy quickly when I found out our room was steps away from the quiet pool and health club. The location was perfect for us and bus stop 2 was a quick walk across the parking lot. It was a quick walk to El Centro/Pepper Market and the Dig site was a brisk walk away, but nothing felt too far. The resort is big, but to be honest it doesn't feel any bigger than any other resort I've been at. It was most definitely my favorite of all the resorts I've stayed at.
There were conventioneers at the resort, but they didn't stand out any more than us vacationing folk.
We ate at Pepper Market once for lunch and twice for breakfast. We found the food to be standard. Happily, service was efficient and pleasant. Olga was especially terrific & attentive. My brother & I both loved the chicken quesadilla.
We got snacks from Rix Cafe a few times and had our only "bad" experiences at the resort there--employees using inappropriately vulgar language.
We ate at Maya Grill for dinner on our arrival night because we were too tired to go anywhere else. Our server, Javier, was excellent and everyone enjoyed their meals. Most of us had some sort of steak dish and were pleasantly surprised with how good the food was considering the bad reviews it's gotten here.
The only issue I had was with Mousekeeping--they were not good at all, but that can happen at any resort; and from what I've been seeing lately, it's an issue everywhere. We had to ask on two separate days for our room to be cleaned--if we hadn't asked, I don't think our room would've been cleaned at all in the six nights that we were there. Same for my parents and my brother's rooms.
That being said, I would go back to CSR in a heartbeat, and I would request the Casitas again. We enjoyed coming "home" to CSR and the relaxed feel & renovated rooms were perfect for our family. The baby slept like an angel in the pack 'n' play, and she's not a good sleeper! Every single cast member went out of their way to greet us--the Disney magic was alive and well at CSR this past week. I have enough Mickey stickers for my daughter to last a few years!
I can tell you the crowds were slim to none, and they only started to pick up today as we were leaving. If you can believe this--my husband & I were in the standby line for Toy Story Mania on Wednesday afternoon for only 20 minutes! We WALKED on to EVERY ride except for Peter Pan, Dumbo and Soarin'. The waits for those rides were only 10 minutes or so.

If anybody has any questions, feel free to ask or PM me and I will answer them honestly.

Now I'm going to try and figure out this photobucket thing.....

hope everyone has a magical time like our family did.

[FSUSammy]

Glad you had a great time. We will be there on Wednesday!

[LaniesMom]

Originally Posted by FSUSammy

Glad you had a great time. We will be there on Wednesday!

Have a great time & Happy Thanksgiving!

[KatMark]

Thanks for the review. I'm so glad that you fell in love with CSR. That put a smile on my face after a long day. Can't wait until you post some pictures.

[disneytunes]

OP, looks like we were there at the same time! We were in the Cabanas right next to bus stop 1. The resort was awesome and the rooms were nice and clean! I LOVED those sliding doors they had so when I got up first to take a shower, I didn't wake Dh and the kids

My only regret is that we didn't get to experience the resort more...DH and DD went to the pool only 1 afternoon while I stayed with DS while he napped. Other than that, we were at the parks all day long. Hopefully next time we will be able to.

And I too only stood in lines for the rides you mentioned. It was awesome getting to a ride and just getting right on! No lines and beautiful weather!!

[Echo queen]

Thanks for the reviews, looking forward to my first CSR experience next month.

[Micca]

We also think CSR is a terrific resort. I hope your review will influence others to try it out

[arihillfarm]

We're heading to CSR next Sat. and I'm working on my packing list. Can you tell me what was included for morning coffee in the room? How big are the coffee makers and do they provide cups and spoons, creamer, etc.? We're planning to bring some extra filters and coffee but didn't want to pack cups and spoons if they are provided.

Thanks!
-Astrid

[LaniesMom]

Originally Posted by arihillfarm

We're heading to CSR next Sat. and I'm working on my packing list. Can you tell me what was included for morning coffee in the room? How big are the coffee makers and do they provide cups and spoons, creamer, etc.? We're planning to bring some extra filters and coffee but didn't want to pack cups and spoons if they are provided.

Thanks!
-Astrid

Astrid,
The coffee makers are 4-cup coffee makers. They provide little plastic mugs (which were small, so we used them for my daughter's cheerios instead!) No creamer or spoons were in our rooms.
On a side note, I highly suggest you bring your own coffee, as the stuff they provide "isn't much more flavorful than cardboard", according to my parents review. They tried it the first day, promptly dismissed it and used the "backup" coffee I had ordered from Garden Grocer. I completely ditched the coffee maker and got myself some yummy cappucino on a couple mornings from the Rix Cafe window at El Centro. It was some of the best I've ever had! I was on vacation and didn't want to be bothered with making coffee for myself (my husband is not a coffee drinker). I highly recommend the hazelnut
Safe travels & enjoy!

[LaniesMom]

Originally Posted by disneytunes

OP, looks like we were there at the same time! We were in the Cabanas right next to bus stop 1. The resort was awesome and the rooms were nice and clean! I LOVED those sliding doors they had so when I got up first to take a shower, I didn't wake Dh and the kids

My only regret is that we didn't get to experience the resort more...DH and DD went to the pool only 1 afternoon while I stayed with DS while he napped. Other than that, we were at the parks all day long. Hopefully next time we will be able to.

And I too only stood in lines for the rides you mentioned. It was awesome getting to a ride and just getting right on! No lines and beautiful weather!!

I hope you got to enjoy the Dig Site, the water temp was absolutely perfect! Like you, I think I would have been happy spending more time in the pools.
We've decided next time we will only go to one park per day and spend the mornings at the resort enjoying the pools and quiet.
My brother loved the Casitas quiet pool, it was perfect for doing laps (a little cool for the baby).
I was so grateful for those sliding doors, too--we put the pack 'n' play in the corner and the baby slept perfectly while we unwound on those beautiful beds in front of the flat screen. It was perfect for us!
We've visited in previous years the week before Thanksgiving and experienced low crowds, but it was nothing like last week. So spoiled! It was great, we had such fun. All of the restaurants, except for LeCellier, had empty tables too. It was a nice pace.

[LaniesMom]

Originally Posted by Micca

We also think CSR is a terrific resort. I hope your review will influence others to try it out

I'm hoping others will try it too, but hopefully not like it as much so we can keep our little secret to ourselves.

Thank you KatMark, for all of your help. You've got another CSR convert!

But, one of these days, I WILL get to stay at the Poly....my dream resort.....
if I start saving now, maybe I'll have enough for a couple days for our next trip in 2-3 years.....

[KatMark]

Originally Posted by disneytunes

OP, looks like we were there at the same time! We were in the Cabanas right next to bus stop 1. The resort was awesome and the rooms were nice and clean! I LOVED those sliding doors they had so when I got up first to take a shower, I didn't wake Dh and the kids

My only regret is that we didn't get to experience the resort more...DH and DD went to the pool only 1 afternoon while I stayed with DS while he napped. Other than that, we were at the parks all day long. Hopefully next time we will be able to.

And I too only stood in lines for the rides you mentioned. It was awesome getting to a ride and just getting right on! No lines and beautiful weather!!

Glad you enjoyed your stay at CSR too. It's always great to hear of someone new enjoying CSR as much as us.

[Cafeen]

Originally Posted by LaniesMom

We ate at Maya Grill for dinner on our arrival night because we were too tired to go anywhere else. Our server, Javier, was excellent and everyone enjoyed their meals. Most of us had some sort of steak dish and were pleasantly surprised with how good the food was considering the bad reviews it's gotten here.

We loved MG when we went in Sept. We actually ate there twice, once on arrival night and then once as a walk-up later in the week. It's a nice little hidden gem (10min wait, for walk-up, at 6:30ish pm, during free dining?). Javier was our server on our first night, and I agree that he was great. Marco (I think?) was our server the second night, and he too was very good.

I'll be heading back there in Feb, I was torn between trying a "new" place and going back to CSR. Going back won out (and you simply can't beat the bus stop locations at all 4 parks ).

I also think that the layout of the paths keeps the walking down a bit, most specifically, the "shortcut" bridge in front of Ranchos leading between (almost) El Centro and the Dig Site. (You may not have seen that, as it was across the lake from Castias) It makes the size not quite as intimidating (unless you're walking from Ranchos to El Centro a couple of times a day..).

[antmaril]

Thank you for your review. I'm glad to hear you liked CSR. My friend and I will be there December 1st. I've been second guessing my decision because I have a good friend who told me she didn't care for it at all. I've stayed at all of the other moderates, Pop Century, Beach Club and The Boardwalk Inn. I want to experience CSR for myself and form my own opinion.

It sounds like you had a great trip!

[arihillfarm]

Originally Posted by LaniesMom

Astrid,
The coffee makers are 4-cup coffee makers. They provide little plastic mugs (which were small, so we used them for my daughter's cheerios instead!) No creamer or spoons were in our rooms.
On a side note, I highly suggest you bring your own coffee, as the stuff they provide "isn't much more flavorful than cardboard", according to my parents review. They tried it the first day, promptly dismissed it and used the "backup" coffee I had ordered from Garden Grocer. I completely ditched the coffee maker and got myself some yummy cappucino on a couple mornings from the Rix Cafe window at El Centro. It was some of the best I've ever had! I was on vacation and didn't want to be bothered with making coffee for myself (my husband is not a coffee drinker). I highly recommend the hazelnut
Safe travels & enjoy!

Thanks for the info. on the coffee makers. I'm also a flavored coffee creamer snob, so maybe we'll try the coffees from the Rix Cafe.

-Astrid