A great big pickle...sigh.

[LuvvsMickey]

Well, you asked the million dollar question! CSR is either loved or hated around these here parts.

Oooh Oooh what do I win?!?! I never win anything.

I've read through the CSR thread. All 6847841 pages of it. Yup. I am on a mission. I told you this is a huge pickle for me! I just looked online and it looks like they only have King rooms left. Well, if that's the case, it's going to cost me the same as if I booked CBR. So that kind of stinks...was hoping to save the $253 having queen beds.

Soooooo, I need to decide between CSR, CBR or AKL with a very high chance of looking at a dumpster view. The pressure! Tomorrow I'll be doing my happy dance. Wee hoo!

 

[LuvvsMickey]

LOVE IT!!!

CSR is our favorite resort. Rooms are comfy, queen-size beds, quiet, excellent bus service, mexican themed music throughout the resort, gorgeous pool and HUGE hot tub, strolling around the lake by lamplight. We have had standard views both times, and were looking out over the courtyards. The resort is very quiet. We like the Ranchos section, but I think we are in the minority according to the boards. Oh, well! Just makes it quieter for us!

Pepper Market: We love it there. Always eat there at least twice per trip. Their quesadillas are my favorite! Unless it has changed for this year, tip is included. I love that they seat you and serve your drinks... none of that walking around with a full tray of food looking for a table crap! Worth the tip to me! On DDP, PM is the best QS on property. Huge portions and freshly cooked!

YAY! One vote for CSR. I think I would like the casitas section. Is that the one with the fountains? If so, then yeah, that's what I would request. OMG....I wonder if there is a convention when we are going. Ack!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Geesh!! I just rec'd a 40% pin code, but it misses my BD by ONE DAY!!!! Is that fair????

 

[LuvvsMickey]

Oh man. That is a total bummer. Almost illegal even! So. Where are ya staying?

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

After reading thru this whole pickle opera....I vote for CSR! Those new rooms are SMOKIN' HOT! S_E_X_Y The atmosphere is a little more adult and those nightime pics with the fountains and lights are very romantic. When using the QS plan, you can't get a better deal than the Pepper Market. Just get your food "to go" and eat next to the water under an umbrella. Sweet! AND---if they screw up and don't have a king size room for you, it will at least be 2 queens.

Save money, be guaranteed a king or queen, best food options on the QS plan, romantic lighting--

 

[LuvvsMickey]

After reading thru this whole pickle opera....I vote for CSR! Those new rooms are SMOKIN' HOT! S_E_X_Y The atmosphere is a little more adult and those nightime pics with the fountains and lights are very romantic. When using the QS plan, you can't get a better deal than the Pepper Market. Just get your food "to go" and eat next to the water under an umbrella. Sweet! AND---if they screw up and don't have a king size room for you, it will at least be 2 queens.

Save money, be guaranteed a king or queen, best food options on the QS plan, romantic lighting--

Hee! Well a cookie for you too for wading through all this rigamarole. It's quite the pickle, eh?

I just looked at the pics that Minnie&Nana posted a link to and OMG...LOVE IT!!! The fountains at night are beeyootiful.

I can't stop thinking of the two giraffes in love at AKL though. What IF we got upgraded to a savannah view and got to see that? Huh huh? Hoo wee, that would be amazin'! Moderate. Deluxe. Moderate. Deluxe. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

If this comes down to putting names in a hat...I will shove a fork in my eye! I swear.

 

[karibritt01]

Oooh Oooh what do I win?!?!

Another migraine! YAY!

YAY! One vote for CSR. I think I would like the casitas section. Is that the one with the fountains? If so, then yeah, that's what I would request. OMG....I wonder if there is a convention when we are going. Ack!

Yes, Casitas has the fountains. It is furthest 5-8 min stroll) from the main pool, but does have a quiet pool. It is closest to Pepper Market and bus stop #2.

Casitas also tends to house more of the conventioners because it is closest to the convention hall. BUT... I promise that you will hardly notice they are there! I know there was a karate convention and one for the hearing impaired while we were there. I only know this because we saw the karate guys going into Pepper Market while we were coming out one day, and saw signs around the resort for the hearing impaired. And the DTD buses will be more crowded in the evenings, but not horridly so. (And actually, that was before they closed all the bars in DTD, so I don't know what it will be like now.)

CSR is gorgeous, and you will love it!

 

[LuvvsMickey]

Another migraine?! Oh dear. What have I done? Ya, I don't doubt that one bit!

I can tell you're just a wee bit partial to CSR... Wait. Casitas are renovated, right? Ack! What if I didn't get a renovated room? Does that mean I'll be ♫♪ eatin' crackers in a double bed?♫♪

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Oh man. That is a total bummer. Almost illegal even! So. Where are ya staying?

Nowhere so far. No one I know ( 2 friends who like Disney) can go with me and my first grandbaby is too darn young. We don't take munchkins until they are at least 3 or 4 - she is 9 mos - a few years short.

DD cannot go b/c who would take care of the baby...and the doglets...we tend not to travel together so one of us can care for the pups since they are elderly little things.

Not a WDW solo traveler - just don't get the fun in that....so is this the saddest story you've heard lately? a pin code that cannot be used.

Say yes and you get the whole cake, never mind a cookie.

On to your trip - I think it was just posted today about which areas are finished..Casitas were being worked on...you can easily request a renovated room in Casitas and if not assigned see what the CM can do at check-in. It's amazing what they seem to find!

It would still be hard to pass up AKL...wishes do come true, ya know!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

CSR 2009 Convention List

June 5-7, Annual Family Cafe Conference
Jun 15 - 20, Wester CPE CPA Conference

Jul 3 - 4, 2009 US Open Karate Championship
Jul 7 - 12, Friends for Life Annual Conference
Jul 16 - 18, TOPS IRD
Jul 21-23, D.A.R.E. International Training Conference
Jul 21-23, NACS Leadership Advancement Program at the Disney Institute

Aug 24 - 29, Florida Recreation & Park Association

Sept 30 - Oct 4, Society of American Foresters National Convention

Oct 20-24, World Waterpark Association 29th Annual Symposium & Trade Show
Oct 31 - Nov 2, 2009, HACU 23rd Annual Conference

Nov 30 - Dec 3, 28th Annual Disney World Anesthesia Meeting

Dec 5 - 12, Pop Warner Football

KatMark posted:
...they are done with 8 of the 13 buildings (almost nine buildings...they are more than halfway done with Ranchos 7B). Plus the rehab is scheduled to be done by October 09. Once they finish 7B, they have 7A and the three floors (1, 2 and 3) of Casitas 1, 2 and 3 left. All the rooms that are getting queen beds have gotten them. There are maybe somewhere around 40 rooms that still have the double beds and these rooms will be getting a new king bed.

 

[karibritt01]

I asked a friend (KatMark) to pop over and answer questions about CSR for you. Hopefully that will solve your pickle. Gotta wrap up this soap opera before somebody gets bumped off!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I asked a friend (KatMark) to pop over and answer questions about CSR for you. Hopefully that will solve your pickle. Gotta wrap up this soap opera before somebody gets bumped off!

LOL...we have friends in the same circle! I just quoted Kathy and asked her for the photo posts earlier! She's terrific!

 

[karibritt01]

Us CSR fans are a tight group!

 

[KatMark]

Here I am. I'm not sure if there was one more question (I just literally walked in the door from work). But here is the standing on the renovations. If there are other questions, let me know and I'm happy to answer them. And, by the way, CSR is our FAVORITE resort (and we've stayed at the CR and the Poly in the past). DH and I love it. He offered me Poly for our 25th anniversary last year and I wanted our beloved CSR.

The renovation update: All of the Cabanas are done; Ranchos 6A and 6B are completed; Ranchos 7B is currently shut down and about half way done and then 7A will be done next. Casitas 4 and 5 are completely done; Casitas 1, 2 and 3's fourth floors are done leaving just the bottom three floors. There are around 40 rooms (maybe less by now) that still have two double beds but they are getting a new king bed. All rooms that are getting queen beds have them. The rehab is scheduled to be done by October 09. As of now, they have eight of the buildings done--almost nine. They are 3/4 of the way there!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Kathy, you are the BEST!!!! Thank you!! you covered the questions perfectly (and almost exactly as my quote of yours. )

Us CSR fans are a tight group!

Ain't it the truth!!! I'm sorry you had to cancel this year...this economy is the pits....but it's fun to be an armchair guest while others plan.

 

[KatMark]

Us CSR fans are a tight group!

And the greatest group of people I've ever known!

 

[LuvvsMickey]

I asked a friend (KatMark) to pop over and answer questions about CSR for you. Hopefully that will solve your pickle. Gotta wrap up this soap opera before somebody gets bumped off!

"before someone gets bumped off." Heeee. I love it!! I think KatMark actually was here for a visit already...

 

[LuvvsMickey]

Awww. Group hug everybody! It's nice to see the comraderie on the boards. Everyone here has been so willing to help with advice, suggestions, giving me things to consider, etc., and I am so happy I decided to ask for some input.

I have narrowed my choices down to AKL and CSR. Two things have me stressing out.

1. A crappy standard view at AKL an having to get TSD just so we can eat at Boma. I really want QSD!!!

2. Not getting a renovated room at CSR and hating the Pepper Market.



Oh...and the big black snakes!

 

[LuvvsMickey]

Nowhere so far. No one I know ( 2 friends who like Disney) can go with me and my first grandbaby is too darn young. We don't take munchkins until they are at least 3 or 4 - she is 9 mos - a few years short.

DD cannot go b/c who would take care of the baby...and the doglets...we tend not to travel together so one of us can care for the pups since they are elderly little things.

Not a WDW solo traveler - just don't get the fun in that....so is this the saddest story you've heard lately? a pin code that cannot be used.

Say yes and you get the whole cake, never mind a cookie.

On to your trip - I think it was just posted today about which areas are finished..Casitas were being worked on...you can easily request a renovated room in Casitas and if not assigned see what the CM can do at check-in. It's amazing what they seem to find!

It would still be hard to pass up AKL...wishes do come true, ya know!

Oh my goodness. That is awful. I do hope you can find someone to go with. That is an amazing deal to have to pass up. My heart breaks for you. Lady luck sure can have some rotten timing. Pooh. That truly stinks!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Aww, thanks! Not looking good. I'll survive.

have narrowed my choices down to AKL and CSR. Two things have me stressing out.

1. A crappy standard view at AKL an having to get TSD just so we can eat at Boma. I really want QSD!!!

2. Not getting a renovated room at CSR and hating the Pepper Market.

TSD just for BOMA?? Forget it...lol...that's more $$$$

I think your chances of a renovated room at CSR are very good - the majority of DIS'ers who have posted recent reviews have had a refurbished room...and just in case you don't (but I think you will) you can always ask if one will be available the next morning -that usually works out great.

Pepper Market - maybe you'll be guests who like it!! But is it an absolute to eat there? It's so much more fun in the parks...but certainly get your QS money's worth at the Pepper Market (or so I've read since we haven't used it there b/c I'm one who felt confused and overwhelmed - didn't give it a chance really). And if it's not too hot there is beautiful outdoor seating over looking the lake.

Hey, and you can even have a view of animals at CSR - darn..forgot his name lol...but there is an alligator and some babies, I think!! Everyone looks for Hank (?)