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

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Hi everyone,
I'm Laurie and I have a question about room requests. When I booked our trip for 11/26/09-12/4/09 I thought I wanted to stay in the Rancho section. It looks so beautiful to me, I love the landscape but........the more I visit here and read (I'm an obsessive planner) I'm not sure if I should just roll the dice and let them put me wherever they please or request the Rancho section. I would like to be close to the Dig site and a bus stop nothing else really matters to us, I usually take long walks while everyone else is asleep so the main building is of no concern to us.
Can anyone give me some suggestions I am stressing myself out and my trip is still 6 months away
Thanks so much!!!
Laurie
By the way, I visit this thread all the time but I think I've only posted once maybe. You are all so helpful.

If it is important to you to be near the Dig Site and a bus stop, that is what I'd request. You may end up in Ranchos, Casitas or Cabanas and still get what you want!

At the time you will be going, all of the rooms will be renovated and will look the same. If you are only requesting Ranchos to be close to the Dig Site and the bus stop, just request what you want. If the Ranchos are full, they won't know why you made that request, but if you request near the Dig Site and bus stop, it helps the room assigners meet your needs.

All of the landscaping is gorgeous - DD6 couldn't get enough of all the flowers!

Oh, and welcome to the thread for obsessive CSR planners!

 

[RocketCityMama]

Quck question..

On the dining plan, can i use a snack credit for a bagel w/butter or creamcheese?

thanx

We did fri morning

 

[KatMark]

Hi everyone,
I'm Laurie and I have a question about room requests. When I booked our trip for 11/26/09-12/4/09 I thought I wanted to stay in the Rancho section. It looks so beautiful to me, I love the landscape but........the more I visit here and read (I'm an obsessive planner) I'm not sure if I should just roll the dice and let them put me wherever they please or request the Rancho section. I would like to be close to the Dig site and a bus stop nothing else really matters to us, I usually take long walks while everyone else is asleep so the main building is of no concern to us.
Can anyone give me some suggestions I am stressing myself out and my trip is still 6 months away
Thanks so much!!!
Laurie
By the way, I visit this thread all the time but I think I've only posted once maybe. You are all so helpful.

Laurie, take a deep breath! You'll be fine. I truly believe as long as you are not in Casitas 1, 2 and 3, you really aren't that far from the Dig Site. DH and I always stay in Casitas 4 or 5 and it is about an eight minute walk to the main pool. Therefore, the Ranchos will be a little closer to the main pool. Casitas 4 is also very close to Bus Stop 2 which is the first bus stop picked up and dropped off.

Really, I believe people make a big deal of how far the walk is at the CSR (or the Caribbean for that matter). I've had longer walks from my room at the CR and the Poly to the food court or pool than I have at the CSR.

And, as StitchandPooh'sMom, welcome to our Club!

 

[jlcd]

Hi everyone,
I'm Laurie and I have a question about room requests. When I booked our trip for 11/26/09-12/4/09 I thought I wanted to stay in the Rancho section. It looks so beautiful to me, I love the landscape but........the more I visit here and read (I'm an obsessive planner) I'm not sure if I should just roll the dice and let them put me wherever they please or request the Rancho section. I would like to be close to the Dig site and a bus stop nothing else really matters to us, I usually take long walks while everyone else is asleep so the main building is of no concern to us.
Can anyone give me some suggestions I am stressing myself out and my trip is still 6 months away
Thanks so much!!!
Laurie
By the way, I visit this thread all the time but I think I've only posted once maybe. You are all so helpful.

With 4 stops around the resort, I don't think any building is all that far away from a bus stop. I would request something like "a room near the Dig site, in Ranchos if possible" if I were you. Have a great trip. You will love the walks around the resort. It is so peaceful in the morning.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

I just made ADR's for Maya Grill on the night we arrive. I'm expecting us to be exhausted from the drive, so we probably won't feel like going too far for dinner. I haven't read the best reviews of Maya Grill -- are we better off eating CS at Pepper Market that night and saving our TS credit for lunch on another day (like at ESPN Club or Big River Grille)?

TIA for any thoughts!

 

[aubriee]

Wow! Great photos! Very professional looking!

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

Have you made up your mind yet?

As a matter of fact, I just called and moved my trip from AS Sports to CSR. That last set of pictures did me in. lol I asked the CM to add a room request for Cabanas 9A or B or Cabanas 8A, ground floor.

I've stayed at CSR once several years ago, but was not impressed at that time. The resort was beautiful, but I spent the weeks leading up to the trip in fear of being stuck out in the Ranchos. (We're from Texas and would really hate the ranchos). Once there, we were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves in Casitas 1. It was a great location, but we had very, VERY loud neighbors all week (conventioneers that were drunk and unruly). One day one of the CMs in those little carts literally ran us off the sidewalk and my mom and I both landed on our knees, with my then 72 y/o mom really hurting her knee. Add to that, the fact that one night some drunk conventioneers were accosting a couple of young, scared 20 something y/o's in the quiet pool. My mom and I were just sitting beside the pool waiting for our laundry to be done. We escorted the girls back to their room, with one of the drunks following and harassing all of us. Security had to be called. The whole trip left sort of a bad taste in our mouths, so we haven't returned until now. I think it was just that particular group of conventioneers though. I'm giving the resort a second chance and now have reservations there for both my Sept/Oct and my Dec trips. Can't wait! My Dec trip will be with my husband, but my Sept/Oct trip is totally solo for the free dining, MNSSHP, and the Food & Wine Festival. I'm trying to talk my mom into going with me though. She's had some significant losses this year and could really use some time away. Thus far, she's refusing to come though.

 

[katiejo]

We just got back from our CSR/Swan 10 night trip last night. We stayed in Casitas 3 (after requesting Casitas 4 or 5). I requested a renovated room on my original reservation and by fax. When we got there and I realized that it wasn't renovated, I politely asked if there was another room (renovated) available. The man working the desk said he would check and then that no, nothing was available. I was disappointed (this was the third thing to not go my way already in our trip) but knew it was just a request so we made the best of it. We were pleasantly surprised with our room - clean and large(king) so while not brand new, not bad. They called us in the middle of our first night and left a message saying that a room in the Rancho section was available. We decided it was easier to stay put.

That night (and for the next two nights) there was large music in the courtyard and partying adults from a convention. It ended before 11 the first two nights and on the third, I called and politely asked when it might end. The manager was surprised there was music and it ended within 20 minutes.

We LOVED Pepper Market for CS meals and took them to go and ate outside twice. Everyone was very nice.

We seemed to just miss our bus each time so the transportation wasn't great, but I think it was just us. While we liked it, we didn't love it. Thanks for everyone's advice and I'll post a full trip report in the next few days!

 

[SoloFriendly]

As a matter of fact, I just called and moved my trip from AS Sports to CSR. That last set of pictures did me in. lol I asked the CM to add a room request for Cabanas 9A or B or Cabanas 8A, ground floor.

Well, then. My work here is done.

I've stayed at CSR once several years ago, but was not impressed at that time. The resort was beautiful, but I spent the weeks leading up to the trip in fear of being stuck out in the Ranchos. (We're from Texas and would really hate the ranchos).

Oh yeah, that would be terrible. Like "Hey, look at the great view out our window.....it looks pretty much just like home."

It was a great location, but we had very, VERY loud neighbors all week (conventioneers that were drunk and unruly). One day one of the CMs in those little carts literally ran us off the sidewalk and my mom and I both landed on our knees, with my then 72 y/o mom really hurting her knee. Add to that, the fact that one night some drunk conventioneers were accosting a couple of young, scared 20 something y/o's in the quiet pool. My mom and I were just sitting beside the pool waiting for our laundry to be done. We escorted the girls back to their room, with one of the drunks following and harassing all of us. Security had to be called. The whole trip left sort of a bad taste in our mouths, so we haven't returned until now.

Wow. I can see why. If that were my first experience with CSR, it would have left a bad taste in my mouth, too. I wonder if CSR bars certain conventions from returning to the resort if the behavior of the attendees is too bad? I know I would. You certainly don't want to alienate the rest of your guests by allowing people like that onto the property.

Maybe if you're lucky this trip, you'll get a kindergarten teachers convention or something.

 

[charlielayla]

Just Got Back.... A Magical Trip.
here is some info and tips for people planning to go to this super great resort....

Pros...
1. Pool is beautiful. Awesome lifeguards.... and easy to find a chair and shade.
2. Room (Casita 4) was renovated. It was very nice and clean.
3.Great transportation. Never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus at anytime.
4. Food delicious at all 4 restaurants.
5. Great mouse keeping.


Cons.
1. It CAN be a LONG WALK to pool, bus stops, and restaurants. You either need to get a room close to what you need or stay some where else. The people on this board were not kidding. The walking is terrible, especially after a long day at the park.
2. Food at the Pepper Market is VERY EXPENSIVE!!!! We were on the Dining plan, so it didn't matter. But I would never pay 13 dollars for a cheese burger and fries! If you plan on eating here, you must get on the dining plan. The food is very good. Also, remember, it is a counter service per say, but you need to leave a 10 percent tip because that is how they do things at this place. If you don't feel like tipping, you can get the meals to go. You can look at it as an advantage because you can use the counter service meal and really almost get a sit down for that price.
3. It is confusing ordering food at the Pepper Market. We did get the hang of it. I think it is a terrible system.
4. You need to ask about snacks on the dining plan. Sort of a pain in the neck, because the items are not labeled as they should be.

Extra tips...
1.All of your counter service credits are mixed between children and adults. You don't have to order your children chicken nuggets for the 100 time for your child. You can order any counter service you want. We shared plenty of meals and had alot of meals left over at the end of the trip.
2. Cereal and milk is TWO counter services. One for each.
3. You get 2 drinks with a breakfast. So, we ordered the waffle meal.. which came with 2 drinks, so we got 2 milks and then used snack credits for our cereal. We were able to get extra value out of that.
4. Best place to eat is Wolfgang Puck express on the meal plan. You get extra bang for the buck there. It is a counter service, but you get waiter service. We left a tip each time we ate there. It was so yummy.
5. Meal plan is necessary if staying at the CSR. Or you will go broke at the Pepper Market.


Remember.. a trip is what you make of it. No place is perfect. We really enjoyed the CSR. We had a great time.

 

[aubriee]

Well, then. My work here is done.



Oh yeah, that would be terrible. Like "Hey, look at the great view out our window.....it looks pretty much just like home."



Wow. I can see why. If that were my first experience with CSR, it would have left a bad taste in my mouth, too. I wonder if CSR bars certain conventions from returning to the resort if the behavior of the attendees is too bad? I know I would. You certainly don't want to alienate the rest of your guests by allowing people like that onto the property.

Maybe if you're lucky this trip, you'll get a kindergarten teachers convention or something.

Hey, don't get me wrong. My mom and I both thought the resort was beautiful and we had a fantastic room location in Casitas 1, but the other two incidences just sort of overshadowed the good. I have stayed at all four moderates now and just really love POFQ. The CMs there have just always been sooo nice and I've always been lucky enough to always get my room request, plus they have the boat to DTD. Uh oh, I'd better quit talking about POFQ before I change my mind again. I was just at POFQ a couple of weeks ago (May 9th-16th).

I'm really not that hard to please. According to KatMark's list there is a Foresters' convention going on when I'm there in Sep/Oct. Then when we're there in Dec, POP Warner is going to be there the first day or two of our trip.

Really I'm sure I'll have a good trip this time. As long as I can stay out of the Ranchos, that is. lol

 

[gemmybear83]

Hey, don't get me wrong. My mom and I both thought the resort was beautiful and we had a fantastic room location in Casitas 1, but the other two incidences just sort of overshadowed the good. I have stayed at all four moderates now and just really love POFQ. The CMs there have just always been sooo nice and I've always been lucky enough to always get my room request, plus they have the boat to DTD. Uh oh, I'd better quit talking about POFQ before I change my mind again. I was just at POFQ a couple of weeks ago (May 9th-16th).

I'm really not that hard to please. According to KatMark's list there is a Foresters' convention going on when I'm there in Sep/Oct. Then when we're there in Dec, POP Warner is going to be there the first day or two of our trip.

Really I'm sure I'll have a good trip this time. As long as I can stay out of the Ranchos, that is. lol

I will be at CSR the same time as you! I arrive on the 30th September for 14 nights

 

[Pugrpooh]

I will be at CSR the same time as you! I arrive on the 30th September for 14 nights

Hey, me too! We'll be there from Oct. 1-6.

 

[VegasMike21]

Just Got Back.... A Magical Trip.
here is some info and tips for people planning to go to this super great resort....

Pros...
1. Pool is beautiful. Awesome lifeguards.... and easy to find a chair and shade.
2. Room (Casita 4) was renovated. It was very nice and clean.
3.Great transportation. Never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus at anytime.
4. Food delicious at all 4 restaurants.
5. Great mouse keeping.


Cons.
1. It CAN be a LONG WALK to pool, bus stops, and restaurants. You either need to get a room close to what you need or stay some where else. The people on this board were not kidding. The walking is terrible, especially after a long day at the park.
2. Food at the Pepper Market is VERY EXPENSIVE!!!! We were on the Dining plan, so it didn't matter. But I would never pay 13 dollars for a cheese burger and fries! If you plan on eating here, you must get on the dining plan. The food is very good. Also, remember, it is a counter service per say, but you need to leave a 10 percent tip because that is how they do things at this place. If you don't feel like tipping, you can get the meals to go. You can look at it as an advantage because you can use the counter service meal and really almost get a sit down for that price.
3. It is confusing ordering food at the Pepper Market. We did get the hang of it. I think it is a terrible system.
4. You need to ask about snacks on the dining plan. Sort of a pain in the neck, because the items are not labeled as they should be.

Extra tips...
1.All of your counter service credits are mixed between children and adults. You don't have to order your children chicken nuggets for the 100 time for your child. You can order any counter service you want. We shared plenty of meals and had alot of meals left over at the end of the trip.
2. Cereal and milk is TWO counter services. One for each.
3. You get 2 drinks with a breakfast. So, we ordered the waffle meal.. which came with 2 drinks, so we got 2 milks and then used snack credits for our cereal. We were able to get extra value out of that.
4. Best place to eat is Wolfgang Puck express on the meal plan. You get extra bang for the buck there. It is a counter service, but you get waiter service. We left a tip each time we ate there. It was so yummy.
5. Meal plan is necessary if staying at the CSR. Or you will go broke at the Pepper Market.


Remember.. a trip is what you make of it. No place is perfect. We really enjoyed the CSR. We had a great time.

Nice report. We are going Oct 2nd and have the free dining plan. If your on the dining plan and eat at Pepper Market do you have to pay the 10% tip or is it included?

 

[JamesLynn]

I'm really not that hard to please. According to KatMark's list there is a Foresters' convention going on when I'm there in Sep/Oct. Then when we're there in Dec, POP Warner is going to be there the first day or two of our trip.

Really I'm sure I'll have a good trip this time. As long as I can stay out of the Ranchos, that is. lol

You want to stay out of the Ranchos, because that's where Pop Warner is being placed.
Rule of thumb: If it's a group of kids, then they're gonna be out in Ranchos.

 

[KatMark]

You want to stay out of the Ranchos, because that's where Pop Warner is being placed.
Rule of thumb: If it's a group of kids, then they're gonna be out in Ranchos.

That is good to know. And since Aubriee hates the Ranchos, she will be delighted with this news!

 

[LaurieN]

If it is important to you to be near the Dig Site and a bus stop, that is what I'd request. You may end up in Ranchos, Casitas or Cabanas and still get what you want!

At the time you will be going, all of the rooms will be renovated and will look the same. If you are only requesting Ranchos to be close to the Dig Site and the bus stop, just request what you want. If the Ranchos are full, they won't know why you made that request, but if you request near the Dig Site and bus stop, it helps the room assigners meet your needs.

All of the landscaping is gorgeous - DD6 couldn't get enough of all the flowers!

Oh, and welcome to the thread for obsessive CSR planners!

Thanks you so much that is great advice That is what I am going to do, now if it were only November.

Laurie, take a deep breath! You'll be fine. I truly believe as long as you are not in Casitas 1, 2 and 3, you really aren't that far from the Dig Site. DH and I always stay in Casitas 4 or 5 and it is about an eight minute walk to the main pool. Therefore, the Ranchos will be a little closer to the main pool. Casitas 4 is also very close to Bus Stop 2 which is the first bus stop picked up and dropped off.

Really, I believe people make a big deal of how far the walk is at the CSR (or the Caribbean for that matter). I've had longer walks from my room at the CR and the Poly to the food court or pool than I have at the CSR.

And, as StitchandPooh'sMom, welcome to our Club!

KatMark, thank you so much you are such an expert on CSR. We don't really mind walking at all (even DS almosts 4) it's just that on our last trip we were a little spoiled. We were at POFQ (which is tiny) and the bus was steps from our room and the pool and food court were about a 2 minute walk. I'm a bad sleeper so when everyone else is sleeping I like to explore so a nice long walk to the main building is right up my alley.
Thanks again you guys are great
Laurie

 

[Scott MC]

I just made my reservation, and I hope I wasn't too specific. I asked for a room in Casitas and a room that was renovated. I won't be picky about the Casitas, but I will stamp my foot if the room isn't renovated. We'll see in August!

 

[ciera321]

You want to stay out of the Ranchos, because that's where Pop Warner is being placed.
Rule of thumb: If it's a group of kids, then they're gonna be out in Ranchos.

Thanks, we'll be there in 9 days and the only request I made was Casitas 5, short and to the point, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. Good to know where the kids will be!!!

 

[aubriee]

I will be at CSR the same time as you! I arrive on the 30th September for 14 nights

I met up with several other solo DISers when I was there a couple of weeks ago. One morning a group of us ate at CP, then toured MK afterwards. The lady that sat next to me on splash mountain was from England. Maybe we'll bump into each other at CSR in Sept/Oct.

Hey, me too! We'll be there from Oct. 1-6.

Nice report. We are going Oct 2nd and have the free dining plan. If your on the dining plan and eat at Pepper Market do you have to pay the 10% tip or is it included?

Sounds like quite a few DISers will be there that week. I know at least three of my buddies on the solo board are also going to be at WDW that week, but they're staying at Saratoga Springs and Old Key West.

You want to stay out of the Ranchos, because that's where Pop Warner is being placed.
Rule of thumb: If it's a group of kids, then they're gonna be out in Ranchos.

WHAT!! Oh, no with my luck I'm sure to be placed right in the middle of them.

That is good to know. And since Aubriee hates the Ranchos, she will be delighted with this news!

I don't exactly 'hate' the Ranchos. I just dislike the look of them. Somehow that desert theme is just not what I'd want on vacation. It'd be like someone from New Mexico staying there, plus they seem so isolated from the rest of the resort, plus now with the POP Warner kids being there (of course they should be leaving for home just a couple days into my trip, so even if I was stuck in the room next to a group of them, it shouldn't be too bad just for a couple of days). The other two sections (Casitas and Cabanas) just seem prettier to me.

 

[dina7]

Nice report. We are going Oct 2nd and have the free dining plan. If your on the dining plan and eat at Pepper Market do you have to pay the 10% tip or is it included?

I have read from other posters who were on DP that the 10% tip is included if you are on the Dining Plan.