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

[TinkerBelle_325]

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!

We're arriving in 2 days too!

I would highly recommend the Laguna Bar (outside El Centro) its a great place to sit and have a drink or snack while taking in the beauty of the resort.

Remember not to go too comando! Its nice to stop and smell the roses, people watch, take in the magic in the details.

Souvenirs like pressed pennies, character autographs etc are fantastic!

Don't miss Captain Jack's Pirate Tutorial. It isn't well advertised and showtimes aren't posted but to my knowledge it occurs once an hour in the Pirates of the Caribbean plaza starting at 10:15am

Last and most important....HAVE FUN!

 

[IckyMickey]

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?


Also, when booking the trip and dinner reservations the operator asks if you have anything special to celebrate... does disney do something special for you? just wondering... THANK YOU for any help you can give!

I faxed mine in on Monday and we were arriving on Thursday. Here's what mine said. Yes, I was a kiss-up.

Coronado Springs Resort
Attn: Front Desk
Fax: 407-939-1001


RE: Name,
Res. #
Arrival 11/20/2008


Hello CSR,

We will be arriving on Thursday, November 20th and are VERY excited! We are hoping that you will be able to accommodate our room request.

We have 2 children and 2 grandparents (seniors) and were hoping to be assigned connecting rooms in the Cabanas 8b building. If that isn’t available, then we would hope there are connecting rooms available in Cabanas 8a or Ranchos 7b.

Also, we would very much appreciate that if the rooms we requested in one of those buildings be ready to check into when we arrive around 12:30 pm. We will be up since 5:00 am and will be attending the MVMCP that evening and would really like to get in some rest before the party.

This is the first time that Grandpa & Grandma will be visiting Disney World and everyone’s first time at CSR, and we are all looking forward to a wonderful vacation at a wonderful resort!

Thank you,


Also, the restaurants may do something special. A card, confetti, cupcake for your birthday or dessert for your anniversary. Some places (or servers) don't do anything. If it's really important you may want to confirm when you check in for your dinner.

 

[Scott MC]

I just booked one night at CSR and requested one of the refurbished rooms. Is it reasonable to think that in late August, the chances of getting a new room are pretty high, since their target finish is in October, and likely, the buildings that are last on the list will be already under construction?

 

[Tinker_Belle]

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.

I love how some people blame others when they make mistakes. That is why I know I could never be a CM.

 

[SoloFriendly]

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.

Ditto to the first statement.

However, we did share a bus on the way back with AKL. It wasn't bad, though. It's really not that long a ride. They have nice fabric seats which are quite comfy.

 

[SoloFriendly]

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

Thanks!

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!

That thought had occurred to me. You're probably exactly right.

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!

Actually, I read that tip myself right here on the DIS Boards. I can't remember which thread. So thanks to whoever posted it a couple of months ago!

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

 

[KatMark]

SoloFriendly, I finally got to read Part 2 of your review. Thank you for such a detailed, thorough and honest review. Please let us know when the pictures are posted...can't wait to see them.



Kathy

 

[Peapicker]

Is the only difference between a regular room and a "water view" room the view, or is there also a difference with relationship to the bus stops and closeness to the main building or main pool? We currently have a standard room view booked. Basically what we are looking to get is close to a bus stop and about half way in between the main pool and the main building, more the main building than the pool. Also seeing as how we are going right at the end of August we will be more likely to get a refurbished room than not.

Thanks

 

[KatMark]

Is the only difference between a regular room and a "water view" room the view, or is there also a difference with relationship to the bus stops and closeness to the main building or main pool? We currently have a standard room view booked. Basically what we are looking to get is close to a bus stop and about half way in between the main pool and the main building, more the main building than the pool. Also seeing as how we are going right at the end of August we will be more likely to get a refurbished room than not.

Thanks

When staying at the CSR, you pay for either: Standard room, water view room or king (bed) room. There is no category for "location." Since you are going the end of August and the rehab is scheduled to be completed October 09 and they are now working on the ninth building (of 13 total) that you will have a very good shot at a rehabbed room.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Is there a listing of the buildings that have been completed? I know I've seen posts that update that one building or another is done. Are all of the Cabanas done at this point in time or have they completed buildings in all areas. TIA!

 

[KatMark]

Is there a listing of the buildings that have been completed? I know I've seen posts that update that one building or another is done. Are all of the Cabanas done at this point in time or have they completed buildings in all areas. TIA!

As of earlier this week, this is what is done:

Cabanas (all four buildings)
Casitas 4 and 5 are complete; Casitas 1, 2 and 3 -- fourth floors are done only
Ranchos 6A and 6B are done

This means that eight buildings of the thirteen buildings are complete.

As of this week, Ranchos 7B is down now for rehab.

 

[RocketCityMama]

Hi everyone, we are on the way back home from a wonderful Disney vacation. I will try to type up a trip report when I get back home (tomorrow) but will post it on Sun/Mon.

 

[lhuggi1]

Can anyone tell me if you do Online Check-In for CSR can you special requests in online rather than faxing it to them?

 

[jlcd]

Can anyone tell me if you do Online Check-In for CSR can you special requests in online rather than faxing it to them?

Unless it has changed since April, the only requests you can make during online check in were for a pack and play and a fridge (which all the rooms have anyway). You will need to call and have any other requests attached to your reservation or fax them in a few days before you leave.

 

[SoloFriendly]

My CSR photo blog just went up:


Coronado Springs Resort Photo Blog

Also, there are more CSR photos in this post:

Back from Disney World

Enjoy!

 

[aubriee]

My CSR photo blog just went up:


Coronado Springs Resort Photo Blog

Also, there are more CSR photos in this post:

Back from Disney World

Enjoy!

Wow! Great photos! Very professional looking!

I am sooo tempted to move my Sept/Oct trip over to CSR.

 

[MGNA]

My CSR photo blog just went up:


Coronado Springs Resort Photo Blog

Also, there are more CSR photos in this post:

Back from Disney World

Thanks for sharing!! We're looking forward to seeing everything in person & will be there this afternoon

 

[KatMark]

Hi everyone, we are on the way back home from a wonderful Disney vacation. I will try to type up a trip report when I get back home (tomorrow) but will post it on Sun/Mon.

Can't wait to read it!

Wow! Great photos! Very professional looking!

I am sooo tempted to move my Sept/Oct trip over to CSR.

Thanks for sharing!! We're looking forward to seeing everything in person & will be there this afternoon

Have a magical vacation.

 

[KatMark]

My CSR photo blog just went up:


Coronado Springs Resort Photo Blog

Also, there are more CSR photos in this post:

Back from Disney World

Enjoy!

Gray, awesome photos! Thank you for sharing. Every time I get "homesick" (which will be often since we aren't going to 2010), I'm just going to go look at your pictures.

 

[avahoneybee]

I was originally booked at CSR but switched to a deluxe. Now I'm considering switching back to CSR.

Does anyone know if going in late August will guarantee a new room? Well, let me rephrase that. Will the remaining buildings be closed for renovation and only new rooms remain? I'm trying to justify spending an extra thousand dollars on a deluxe and I can't help but go back to my frugal nature. Thanks.