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

[ciera321]

Just came back yesterday and wanted to give my 2 cents.

As many people do, we requested the Cabanas- we stayed in 8A last time and loved it. They were unavailable. We were given a room in Casitas 5. It was not a new room. So the next morning I called to see what was available- Cabanas still was not, but the Ranchos 6B were. It was a new room and directly behind the pool (walking along the lake). We LOVED the room! Every day I remarked to DH how quiet the location was and we only saw 1-2 people walking each time we left the room. The bus stop and parking lot are very close. Just wanted to let all of you that are stressing over the Cabanas know that the Ranchos are lovely too!

Friends visited from Port O and could not believe how close we were to the bus/pool etc. And they were very jealous of the room!

Glad you enjoyed CSR. We've stayed in the ranchos before and also found that it was nice and quiet. Most people think it's a terribly long walk to El Centro from there, but it's really only about 8 minutes for us. I've requested a new room for our June trip and plan on asking for ranchos when we arrive. Thanks for your post...

 

[LaurieN]

Hi everyone,
I'm new here and I have a question. We will be staying @ CSR 11/26/09 - 12/4/09 and I requested the RAncho area. I see a lot of people saying how quiet it is. I have 2 boys 7 & 3; should I not stay there because they sure aren't quiet!!! Also, I see a lot of people requesting what floor to stay on. Does it make a difference what floor you are on? I never really gave it much thought, should I have?
Thanks for all the imput... LOVE this site!
Laurie

 

[KatMark]

Hi everyone,
I'm new here and I have a question. We will be staying @ CSR 11/26/09 - 12/4/09 and I requested the RAncho area. I see a lot of people saying how quiet it is. I have 2 boys 7 & 3; should I not stay there because they sure aren't quiet!!! Also, I see a lot of people requesting what floor to stay on. Does it make a difference what floor you are on? I never really gave it much thought, should I have?
Thanks for all the imput... LOVE this site!
Laurie

Personally, we've always stayed in the Casitas, and we have never found it "not quiet." I think when people say the Ranchos are quiet, they are also saying it is more "secluded" as it is set back further. Do not worry about your boys...you and they will be fine.

As for floors, some people have a preference for a first floor or a higher floor. There are certain spots that you can see the fireworks from the top floors of some of the Casitas building; some people prefer not to have "anyone" above them (walking heavy) so they choose an upper floor.

Any other questions...ask away...and we'll try to help.

 

[buffer]

Hi, I have just paid my balance of my trip and am now even more excited to be going in 65 days
I have been looking at the map again and thought maybe Rancho's would be nice and quiet but due to walking difficulties I was wondering how close it would be to get our mugs refilled. Is there a station anywhere near the Rancho's? It also looks quite close to bus stop 3. Can anyone give me distances please. We do not have a car.

 

[KatMark]

Hi, I have just paid my balance of my trip and am now even more excited to be going in 65 days
I have been looking at the map again and thought maybe Rancho's would be nice and quiet but due to walking difficulties I was wondering how close it would be to get our mugs refilled. Is there a station anywhere near the Rancho's? It also looks quite close to bus stop 3. Can anyone give me distances please. We do not have a car.

The closest spot to the Ranchos to get your mug refilled would be the Dig Site pool--but only during the Snack Bar's operating hours (which I believe are 11:00 - 7:00).

See if this helps you:

WALK
The distance around the whole lake is just under a mile (.97 miles).

Walking Distances
From El Centro moving clockwise around the lake path to:
Casitas 3 = .16 miles
Casitas 4 = .24 miles
Casitas 5 = .27 miles
Ranchos = .46 miles

From El Centro to the Dig Site, via the bridge near the Cabanas
= .35 miles

From El Centro moving counterclockwise around the lake to:
Cabanas 9B = .16 miles
Cabanas 9A/8B = .22 miles
Cabanas 8A = .31 miles
Rancho 7b = .35 miles

 

[JamesLynn]

My understanding is that they did ALL of Casitas 4. They are just now doing some paint touch ups and should be done in a few days or so.

Yup. All of it. It's so much easier to do it building by building.

 

[JamesLynn]

Can anyone tell me if the Cabanas section has elevators to the second floor? We're submitting a request, but only want the second floor if they have elevators because of having a stroller we would want to keep in our room.

Thanks!
-Astrid

Yes, they do!

 

[JamesLynn]

We are getting closer and I cannot wait. We have placed a request with our travel agent, but I will fax one also. Do you think it is to much to request Casitas 4 top floor no parking lot view. Also we would like to request to be near my parents. I wonder if this is possible?

I'm going to be honest. That is a little too much to request and there is no guarantee that any of those requests are going to be filled or not. I don't want you to get your hopes up too much to have them squished at check in.
Try not to request more than 2 things or it gets very overwhelming for the room assigners.

Honestly, I would request to be near your parents first off.

Also unless you paid for a water view room, very few of our standard view rooms are not a view of the parking lot.

And keep in mind that Casitas 4 will just be coming back from refurb so those rooms are going to have a paint smell.

Try to decide what is most important when faxing your room request and keep it down to about 2 requests.

 

[JamesLynn]

Hi, I have just paid my balance of my trip and am now even more excited to be going in 65 days
I have been looking at the map again and thought maybe Rancho's would be nice and quiet but due to walking difficulties I was wondering how close it would be to get our mugs refilled. Is there a station anywhere near the Rancho's? It also looks quite close to bus stop 3. Can anyone give me distances please. We do not have a car.

You can refill your mugs at the pool when the little eatry is open.

 

[JamesLynn]

We have decided to book CSR for our next trip. This is our first time at a moderate and I have a BUS question. We are traveling with DM and she will be recovering from a Knee Replacement (about 5 months after surgery). So if we can have the least amount of walking the better. Do the buses take you around the resort or just to the parks. Any suggestions on which buildings we should request. We will want to access the food and bus service mostly. The pool isn't a huge deal because DD will go with DH and DM and DF won't access the pool much. I like the feel of the ranchos but they are the farthest away. Oh and we will have a car if that helps getting around.

When Theme Park Buses come in, they start at Bus Stop 2, then go to 3, then go to 4, and finally to 1 (which is at the main building). If you are trying to get to the Front Desk, Food, or Gift Shop, board any theme park bus and you will be dropped off at Bus Stop 1.

Downtown Disney Buses come in and start at 1, then 2, then 3, then finally 4. If you are at the Main Building and need to get to your room board a Downtown Disney bus and you will be dropped off at your bus stop.

If you really like the feel of Ranchos, try 7B. Bus Stop 4 is right next to it. And it's only a 6 minute walk to the main building. The Main Pool is on the other side of the building. And there are some woods, where you could be Bob, our bobcat.

You can also pick up a wheelchair from us for your mom to use for your stay for free. It's a first come, first serve basis. That mght not be a bad idea. She can always walk behind it if she feels like walking and then sit when she needs to.

 

[buffer]

The closest spot to the Ranchos to get your mug refilled would be the Dig Site pool--but only during the Snack Bar's operating hours (which I believe are 11:00 - 7:00).

See if this helps you:

WALK
The distance around the whole lake is just under a mile (.97 miles).

Walking Distances
From El Centro moving clockwise around the lake path to:
Casitas 3 = .16 miles
Casitas 4 = .24 miles
Casitas 5 = .27 miles
Ranchos = .46 miles

From El Centro to the Dig Site, via the bridge near the Cabanas
= .35 miles

From El Centro moving counterclockwise around the lake to:
Cabanas 9B = .16 miles
Cabanas 9A/8B = .22 miles
Cabanas 8A = .31 miles
Rancho 7b = .35 miles



Thank you Kat, you are always so helpful

 

[buffer]

You can refill your mugs at the pool when the little eatry is open.

thank you JamesLynn.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

JamesLynn (and Kathy),

We are arriving in 24 days! I have a question about room requests. I requested cabanas when I made the reservation so we could hopefully be near the dig site. I also like the sliding doors in the new rooms so I can get ready without waking the kids. Of course, everyone wants a renovated room and many people like the cabanas.

Now the question - is it helpful/useful to fax a request when I have already made one on the reservation, or is it just being difficult or demanding? I had not planned to fax anything since we will truly be happy just to be there and I thought I'd ask at check-in for cabanas, thinking if a room was available, there would be no reason for the check-in CM to not give that room to us. If there isn't one available (and CSR looks pretty full on 5/15 when we arrive), it wouldn't matter if I requested or not if it wasn't there to give. I don't have anything additional to request, except that I would prefer a renovated room if we are not going to be near the Dig Site, but I'd be just as happy in 7B in an old room and be convenient to the pool. I probably wouldn't pick a room far from the Dig Site without the sliding doors if I had a choice, but it won't make or break the trip.

So long post made short, if I have made a request at the time of booking, wouldn't that request be seen at the same time a fax would be seen? I don't want to give the impression that I am expecting cabanas by asking too often or that our trip won't be as great if we don't get it - it would just be the most convenient location for the way we do WDW and I wanted to put it out there at some point. Does that make any sense in my rambling?

Thanks for your help!

 

[KatMark]

JamesLynn (and Kathy),

We are arriving in 24 days! I have a question about room requests. I requested cabanas when I made the reservation so we could hopefully be near the dig site. I also like the sliding doors in the new rooms so I can get ready without waking the kids. Of course, everyone wants a renovated room and many people like the cabanas.

Now the question - is it helpful/useful to fax a request when I have already made one on the reservation, or is it just being difficult or demanding? I had not planned to fax anything since we will truly be happy just to be there and I thought I'd ask at check-in for cabanas, thinking if a room was available, there would be no reason for the check-in CM to not give that room to us. If there isn't one available (and CSR looks pretty full on 5/15 when we arrive), it wouldn't matter if I requested or not if it wasn't there to give. I don't have anything additional to request, except that I would prefer a renovated room if we are not going to be near the Dig Site, but I'd be just as happy in 7B in an old room and be convenient to the pool. I probably wouldn't pick a room far from the Dig Site without the sliding doors if I had a choice, but it won't make or break the trip.

So long post made short, if I have made a request at the time of booking, wouldn't that request be seen at the same time a fax would be seen? I don't want to give the impression that I am expecting cabanas by asking too often or that our trip won't be as great if we don't get it - it would just be the most convenient location for the way we do WDW and I wanted to put it out there at some point. Does that make any sense in my rambling?

Thanks for your help!

You made perfect sense to me. So that either means we are both a little "off" or the rest of the world is.

We always make our request on our initial reservation. And we have always sent in a fax three days before our trip stating what we had indicated on the initial reservation. The way I look at it, it doesn't hurt (and, in fact, it has been mentioned to me when checking in that they noted on "my fax" that I would like so and so.).

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

You made perfect sense to me. So that either means we are both a little "off" or the rest of the world is.

We always make our request on our initial reservation. And we have always sent in a fax three days before our trip stating what we had indicated on the initial reservation. The way I look at it, it doesn't hurt (and, in fact, it has been mentioned to me when checking in that they noted on "my fax" that I would like so and so.).

I totally vote for the rest of the world being off!

Sounds reasonable. It's not a big deal where we are, but if someone asked my preference, then it would be a renovated room close to the Dig Site. Since they're not asking, I don't want to be demanding! We had not planned to be taking this trip, so just being there is a huge bonus for us! Everything else is just sprinkles on a Mickey Bar!

 

[dopeyplanner]

All of this info is SOOOO helpful!

Another quick question....does anyone know approximately how much it would cost to take a cab from CSR to the Boma restaurant at AKLodge?? We are thinking of making an ADR for here on the day we stay at CSR for a "resort day".

Thanks for any help you can lend!

 

[ciera321]

Hi everyone,
I'm new here and I have a question. We will be staying @ CSR 11/26/09 - 12/4/09 and I requested the RAncho area. I see a lot of people saying how quiet it is. I have 2 boys 7 & 3; should I not stay there because they sure aren't quiet!!! Also, I see a lot of people requesting what floor to stay on. Does it make a difference what floor you are on? I never really gave it much thought, should I have?
Thanks for all the imput... LOVE this site!
Laurie

Maybe peaceful would have been a better choice of words. I have 2 boys also and trust me, I know how noisy they can get. I just like the "peacefulness" of the ranchos compared to the other areas. There are kiddos everywhere at Disney, so stay where you want to and have a great trip!

 

[princessmom29]

Hi all, I do not post much here, but am an avid lurker. We will be back at CSR fpr the second time Starting Thanksgiving day. I just had to come and share that I got to extend my trip by one day!!! I found out I am getting to do an extra summer workshop so I am putting a potrion of that money toward extending our trip. My question is this: Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do around the resort with a 6 year old other than the pool? We are southerners and I am afraid it will be too cold for us. There was only one day last year that I would have considered getting in the pool. The others were just too cool for us. I think with 6 park days we will be able to spare some down time this trip.

 

[1stTimeDisneyer]

I'm going to be honest. That is a little too much to request and there is no guarantee that any of those requests are going to be filled or not. I don't want you to get your hopes up too much to have them squished at check in.
Try not to request more than 2 things or it gets very overwhelming for the room assigners.

Honestly, I would request to be near your parents first off.

Also unless you paid for a water view room, very few of our standard view rooms are not a view of the parking lot.

And keep in mind that Casitas 4 will just be coming back from refurb so those rooms are going to have a paint smell.

Try to decide what is most important when faxing your room request and keep it down to about 2 requests.

Thank you! You are the great!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Hi all, I do not post much here, but am an avid lurker. We will be back at CSR fpr the second time Starting Thanksgiving day. I just had to come and share that I got to extend my trip by one day!!! I found out I am getting to do an extra summer workshop so I am putting a potrion of that money toward extending our trip. My question is this: Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do around the resort with a 6 year old other than the pool? We are southerners and I am afraid it will be too cold for us. There was only one day last year that I would have considered getting in the pool. The others were just too cool for us. I think with 6 park days we will be able to spare some down time this trip.

Southerner here too, but my kids (6 and 9 currently) have been swimming at WDW in January when it was about 60 degrees out (I was not swimming ). CSR has a great playground, and my kids love to wander around the resort and look at the fountains, do cartwheels in the grass, etc. It doesn't take much to entertain them, I guess. There is an arcade, but we always avoid those on vacation. I don't know if the marina will be open when you go, but my kids want to rent a surrey bike and have mom and dad pedal them around. I think it will be closed when we are there, though.

On our down days, we love to go to AKL and look at the animals (and eat at Boma). We also love to go to DTD and look at the Lego sculptures and shop. They also like to ride the resort monorail - it is a nice break. But my kids love to swim, so I expect any down time will be spent in the pool when we go next month.