BRAND NEW CORONADO SPRINGS FAQ THREAD w/ PHOTOS (PART IV)

[KatMark]

Part 2 of my CSR Review is up at my blog:

Review: Coronado Springs Resort, Part 2

Next blog post will be a photo blog with more photos from the resort.

What an awesome review. I am so grateful to you for posting it.

I can't wait to see the pictures.

 

[Lizziedog]

I'll be at CSR in 3 days!!

But...I have even more exciting news! As I was laying out clothes to pack for my May 30th trip, I was talking to DMom & DDad. This trip I am going with my friend Alice and I think they both have a touch of Disney envy.

So my DDad asks me:

How would you feel about going to WDW in late July/ early Aug?

OMG! Um I'd feel GREAT!!

You see, my office is moving in late July/early Aug and all employees have been asked to take July 31 - Aug 9th off. Well, I was a bit disgruntled about this as it felt a bit like a waste of vacation days. I am using my other vacation days for Disney trips in May/June, Sept/Oct and Mar 2010.

So he throws a 4th Disney trip in the mix and I am ALL over it!!

So here are our vacation plans

May 30 - June 3rd CSR standard - WDW Trip 1 (AP Rate of $108/night with tax)
July 31 - Aug 5 CSR water - WDW Trip 2 (AP Rate of $172/night with tax and extra adult fee)
Sept 24 - 29 POLY Gardenview Club Level (40% off code $360/night with tax and extra adult fee)
Sept 29 - Oct 3 CSR standard (40% off code $137/night with tax and extra adult fee)
Mar 24 - 29 CSR (Undetermined as of yet)

4 trips in 10 months all of which involve a stay at CSR

Um......I'm totally jealous!!!! You'll have a blast!

 

[Lizziedog]

Part 2 of my CSR Review is up at my blog:

Review: Coronado Springs Resort, Part 2

Next blog post will be a photo blog with more photos from the resort.

Wow what a wonderful review!

 

[ras1121]

Far from an expert but we'll be arriving on Saturday In addition to the room request given during reservations I also faxed a request yesterday.

The Fax # is Fax (407) 939-1001

This is our first trip to Disney so we're getting very excited!

oh man you're going to have a blast! i've been before but never done the fax thing (and never stayed at the CSR), we have request in the system, but i feel like a fax can't hurt...does anyone feel like it makes a difference?

Who do you address the request to? is this number specific to that person/resort (CSR)?

 

[MGNA]

oh man you're going to have a blast! i've been before but never done the fax thing (and never stayed at the CSR), we have request in the system, but i feel like a fax can't hurt...does anyone feel like it makes a difference?

Who do you address the request to? is this number specific to that person/resort (CSR)?

We're very excited! Our DS's are going to flip when they find out it's Star Wars weekend, too. We're keeping that a surprise until we arrive

I addressed our letter to the CSR, ATTN: Room Assignor . The number I posted earlier was the one I had written down as being specific to the CSR.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[SoloFriendly]

First, thanks everyone for the kind words about my review. Is there a blushing emoticon?

I've seen posts about faxing room requests in, how does that work?
How early do you send it? What should you state in the letter?

and what fax # do you send it to?

I see someone else already posted the fax #. I don't think it needs to be anything formal, mine wasn't. I was arriving on a Tuesday and I faxed it the Thursday before, so 5 days before arrival. I put my name, phone number, and confirmation # on it, with the date I was arriving at the top. I can't remember if I actually addressed it to any department (maybe reservations?), I just said that I'd like to "submit a room request for the following". I can't even remember what I said, but I know it was just something I scribbled out and I still got pretty much everything I wanted (everything that mattered, anyway).

In other words, don't sweat what you say, it'll be fine.

 

[PooohBear]

Part 2 of my CSR Review is up at my blog:

Review: Coronado Springs Resort, Part 2

Next blog post will be a photo blog with more photos from the resort.

Wow what an awesome review !!!! I heard the marina was closed, makes me wonder what seasonal is too


Only a week to go for me !!!

 

[aubriee]

Part 2 of my CSR Review is up at my blog:

Review: Coronado Springs Resort, Part 2

Next blog post will be a photo blog with more photos from the resort.

Absolutely loved your review. I'm currently booked at CSR for my Dec trip, but am now considering moving my Sept/Oct solo trip to CSR too. Due to going for free dining, I will not be eligible to use any other code there. The idea of having to pay rack rate is one of the main things holding me back (currently booked at AS Sports). The only time I ever pay rack rate for a room is every year during the free dining period, when I book a value. The rest of the year, I've always been lucky enough to get a good discount code for the resort I want. Considering that I was at PORS this past Sept, was at POFQ just May 9th-16th, and will be at CSR Dec 12th-20th, do you think it'd be worth the extra $600.00 to upgrade from a value to CSR for my Sept/Oct trip? I just can't seem to make my mind up. I love the DDP and am not willing to give that up though.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Just wondering about experiences with DME to CSR. We've twice had great experiences with it from POP and are hoping for more of the same to CSR.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

 

[SoloFriendly]

Considering that I was at PORS this past Sept, was at POFQ just May 9th-16th, and will be at CSR Dec 12th-20th, do you think it'd be worth the extra $600.00 to upgrade from a value to CSR for my Sept/Oct trip? I just can't seem to make my mind up. I love the DDP and am not willing to give that up though.

When it comes to money, I hate to give people advice. I figure you know better than anyone what you think is worth it to you (and how much discretionary money you have). I can tell you I think you'll love CSR once you do stay there.

 

[SoloFriendly]

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

I had a good experience taking DME to CSR. Was there anything in particular you wanted to know?

 

[eag119]

I had a good experience taking DME to CSR. Was there anything in particular you wanted to know?

I had a great experience with DME to CSR and on our return trip from CSR to MCO. I followed the directions... that is key. I saw several guests screaming at CMs about the extra luggage fee charged by their airline. They were ANGRY because they didn't follow directions.

DME leaves a note under your door the day before you leave explaining what time your bus will pick you up for your departure. It also explains that if you are checking luggage you must pre pay with your airline by calling a toll free number. Once you pre pay you will get a confirmation number, you must give this confirmation number to the CMs before you board the bus.

I saw lots and lots of arguments with CMs while we were waiting. People were screaming that this was the worst check in process in the world. I had no problem at all. It was smooth as silk for us.

 

[party-of-five]

Thanks eag119 for the information regarding DME... some more questions though...

1) how much time should we allow for getting from MCO - CSR? (our flights arrive around 11am on a tuesday.) we used DME two years ago to CR and we had to stop at the Poly and WL before we got to the CR. Does CSR share DME with any other resort and if so, do we stop there first?

2) does anyone have experience with GG and DME?... we're two groups of 5 flying to 2 different locations. Our flights are within 30 min of each other. Will we be able to ride DME to MCO together? Who would I talk to to make this request?

Thanks!!!

 

[FINFAN]

Thanks eag119 for the information regarding DME... some more questions though...

1) how much time should we allow for getting from MCO - CSR? (our flights arrive around 11am on a tuesday.) we used DME two years ago to CR and we had to stop at the Poly and WL before we got to the CR. Does CSR share DME with any other resort and if so, do we stop there first?

2) does anyone have experience with GG and DME?... we're two groups of 5 flying to 2 different locations. Our flights are within 30 min of each other. Will we be able to ride DME to MCO together? Who would I talk to to make this request?

Thanks!!!

In answer to #1, it has been our experience to allow 3 hours prior to your flight. That has been what DME sets up ( for us, anyway) I also suggest allowing maybe 15 to this time, so say your DME pick-up is 3 pm for a 6 pm flight, be at your resort at 2:45 pm. It can be a bummer for those used to a car service, becasue you do have to leave earlier than you'd like, but we missed a bus once at the Poly as it departed at 2:58 instead of 3, we were taking a photo by the beach and blew it. Fortunately we were not the only family and another bus was already on it's way...also, if you leave any carry -on bags with bell services, or are using a non-DME airline, you have to allow time to get your items out of Bell Services...so, just allow ample time.
Not sure on question #2, maybe just figure to meet up at MCO, seems less complicated, ans you will have time to kill ( most likely) at MCO after arriving, visit then! Seats are allotted for guests from each resort, so swapping, doubling up, it will throw off another family. If you are all at the same resort, may be easier especially since your flights are so close in time. Call your resort directly, or when you get your DME instructions/liggage tags, I believe there is a number to call on there and see if you can make your arrrangments.

 

[kparc]

To SoloFriendly: GREAT REVIEW! - Thoroughly enjoyed both parts! Buzz2001 would be proud.

Two comments: "One night, some kids were out at the pool at 10:30 screaming their heads off (playing marco polo). Someone finally yelled at them to shut up, and they did, but sheesh. Where the heck were their parents?"

Their rooms were probably on the other side of the away from the pool!

2nd - "I had ordered a case of water to be delivered from Costco (for $7.80). It arrived before I did, and I had to go sign for it at the business center, which is down in the direction of the conference center in El Centro. I had to pay the resort a $10 handling fee, but it still saved me a lot of money."

GREAT TIP! Thank you, thank you very much!


And YES - we have found CSR to be our favorite and plan to always stay there.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Thanks for the info, all, on the DME!

One thing I was wondering about is timing from MCO to CSR and whether the bus goes to any of the other resorts and, if so, is there an set order that is followed? MCO to POP we didn't wait more than a few minutes prior to being whisked of to the resort and I was hoping others have had that experience with CSR. We've raved about DME and this trip my parents are coming with us, so I'm hoping that it will continue to be "magical"! They've never stayed onsite for 8 days before, only the odd day or two and never been sans wheels...this is a bit of a leap of faith for dear old Dad.

We are flying Southwest and are used to making sure we're at the resort well in advance to collect bags and be on the bus prior to departure time, so that shouldn't be any problem.

Again, thanks for the info and any further insights anyone will share!

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Oh, another thought, we don't mind the extra time at MCO waiting for our flight home - we visited the airport Disney store and grabbed a couple last minute items and did our last pin trading, too; DS loves the bookstore. Last trip we used our last CS meals and I had a grocery cold bag to transport it to the airport and we ate there while waiting. That worked out really well and I plan to do that again for this trip!

 

[MGNA]

Doing the happy because we're two days away from arriving at CSR!! Any last minutes tips, "don't miss" suggestions, etc are greatly appreciated!

All of the trip reports, dining reviews, pictures have been very helpful with planning our first trip to Disney. Thanks for taking the time to share!

 

[eag119]

Thanks for the info, all, on the DME!

One thing I was wondering about is timing from MCO to CSR and whether the bus goes to any of the other resorts and, if so, is there an set order that is followed? MCO to POP we didn't wait more than a few minutes prior to being whisked of to the resort and I was hoping others have had that experience with CSR. We've raved about DME and this trip my parents are coming with us, so I'm hoping that it will continue to be "magical"! They've never stayed onsite for 8 days before, only the odd day or two and never been sans wheels...this is a bit of a leap of faith for dear old Dad.

We are flying Southwest and are used to making sure we're at the resort well in advance to collect bags and be on the bus prior to departure time, so that shouldn't be any problem.

Again, thanks for the info and any further insights anyone will share!

On the ride form MCO to CSR we shared the bus with some Animal Kingdom Lodge Guests, but we were the first stop. So that was great!

On the return trip from CSR to MCO we did not share with anyone. I think it depends on the number of guests getting on the bus. The DME bus before ours did stop at AKL.

 

[Peapicker]

Will we have just as good a chance checking in at midnight on our arrival day for the requests we would want to ask for as someone who checks in earlier?

We are looking to be in a renovated room near the main building and close to a bus stop, would that be the Casitas (sp)?

Thanks