Just got back from CSR within the last 48 hours after spending 11 days. I am just going to list a few things that I have read people addressing or asking about in the past.
I thought the resort was beautiful. I know a lot of people complain that it is not "Disney" enough and I will admit that you aren't going to run into overlarge Pixar characters and giant bowling pins when you round a corner. But to me, Disney is about the details and this resort is full of details.
The Cast Members were wonderful. Very friendly and helpful. I only had one issue with an older gentleman in the gift shop that reprimanded my sons for removing the luggage from the shelves. He later apologized when he realized that they not only had my permission but they removed them because they were buying them...with their own money. And one very cranky lady omelet maker in Pepper Market. She was downright nasty in her response to a question I asked, so I marked omelets off my breakfast items from then on. Everyone else there was very welcoming and helpful.
Dining-We only ate at the Pepper Market (many ADR's not enough meals or time) so my review will be limited to the Pepper Mkt. I was not thrilled with it. I didn't really care for the choices and was disappointed that there were not more traditional Spanish fare. Also, the food was just not that good, not bad just not really good, except for the eggs with cheese. They were fabulous and I miss them already. The Pistachio Gelato at the Rix thing was worth dying for, btw.
Size of the resort-its huge! It is indeed a walk from the Casitas (where we stayed) to the Dig Site. Heck, sometimes it feels like a hike just to El Centro from Casitas 1. Its not a horrible walk, the beautiful scenery makes it worthwhile. However if you plan on swimming often (or have kids that are in love with the water slide) stay in either Ranchos or Cabanas. Or make sure you have everything you need because a walk back for swimming goggles (twice) is enough to make a grown woman cry. The walk from the bus stops are no short trip either (more on bus stops later) but are not bad unless you have been in 3 parks in one day with not one but two eight year old boys who have not had nearly enough sleep in over a week, then it is similar to a walk though h*ll.
The room-we had a junior suite on the second floor of Casitas 1, rm 1284. Do not stay in this room during the week if you like sleep (see below). The rooms were nice and clean, small but larger than I expected given some of the reviews I read. We chose one with 2 queen beds that were comfortable and clean (I can not stress this enough). It had 2 full bathrooms with the sliding hardwood doors. Plenty of vanity space, one sink each, with lost of storage below. Closets were open and not nearly enough hangers upon check in but housekeeping was quick to bring them when asked. The location of our room, well, sucked. The door from the convention center was about 50 feet from our room and the entire 2100 convention goers must have used it between the hours of 7:30-12:30am, while they were smoking, wearing high heels and dress shoes that clacked loudly, talking on their phones to people who I can only assume were nearly deaf given the volume level of their voices. Seriously, it was noisy and reeked of smoke. Stay anywhere at the resort but Casita 1.
And for those that asked earlier, yes they were smoking in areas that were clearly not designated smoking areas. At one point, we bypassed the elevators because there were a minimum of 30 half smoked cigarette buts sitting on top of the trash can, some still lit. I did complain but was told to be patient, this convention would only last another couple of days and that this was an exceptionally unruly group, not the usual CSR convention goer.
Housekeeping-great except for the second day when they decided to bypass our room when cleaning. This is the day I lost my cool. I had been unable to sleep the two previous nights due to the clacking convention goers. We came back to our room at 3:45 to get some much need rest before an 8:15 ADR, only to discover that the room had not been cleaned. I personally went downstairs to the registration desk and let them know my frustration with everything. I dont know what Disney pays the CM and supervisor I talked to but it is surely not enough. They were nothing short of miracle workers because I left there happy as a clam, taking 2 cranky kids to the pool while mousekeeping did their thing, with a nice little credit to my room account.
Transportation-I dont even want to type this, it was that bad. At one point, we waited 86 minutes for a bus to Epcot. My advice is if you are staying anywhere in the resort, walk to bus stop 2 or 3. Your feet may hate you but your humor and sanity will appreciate it.
Overall thoughts if anyone is still reading-loved the resort, hated our room location. Overall I would stay here again if I received a good enough deal, otherwise I am sticking to the deluxe resorts.
Even a folding chair would be fine.
. Did the refurb schedule change?
IMGP7111 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr
IMGP7123 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr
IMGP7053 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr
IMGP7051 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr
C-DSCN0084 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr
IMGP0490 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr
IMGP7054 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr
IMGP7049 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr
IMGP7108 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr
C-DSCN0798 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr
C-DSCN0635 by Ilivetogo toFL, on Flickr
