Calling all those who have stayed at CSR!

[sm4987]

I have finally decided on the CSR resort for this summer's trip. I have changed my mind like 10 times! Anyway, I was wondering for those of you who have stayed at the CSR to give me your opinions, thoughts, insights, and great things to do while at the resort. I have heard some good and bad things about the resort and would like more information. Is the food court that bad? What kind of foods do they serve? How is the atmosphere? I will have 2 children with me ages 7 and 4 along with my husband. My mom might come along, we're not for sure. Just looking for the lovers (and haters) of the resort.

 

[GEM]

It's definately our favorite of all the moderates. It has the best atmosphere, the best architecture, the most detailed theme, the best bus service, the best pool, the best playground, and the best foodcourt on Disney property! We loved the laid-back feel. It seems a million miles away from all the hustle and bustle of the theme parks. We think it feels much more "deluxe" than the other moderates. We probably won't stay at the other moderates again, but we will definately go back to Coronado Springs. Hope that helps put your mind at ease.

 

[Muffy]

We stayed there twice. The pool has an awesome slide. If you get the refillable mugs you can use them at the pool for beverages. The Pepper Market has great food! We have tried many other food courts and this one is a cut above. There are food stations with all kinds of choices, Mexican, salads, sandwhiches, prime rib, steak and much more. Happy planning!

 

[MNT568]

We stayed at CSR and loved it! My DS was almost 4 and he had a great time, he loved the playground and arcades, feeding the ducks and exploring the resort. We loved finding all the different fountains. My mom was also with us and she liked CSR better than the BWI! The staff was very nice and helpful. I thought the food court was OK, I could always find something I liked. My DS and Mom are both picky eaters, they weren't too crazy about the food court. They didn't have mac & cheese and the pizza was a little too soggy for the kids. We mostly ate in the parks. The breakfast buffet at the Maya Grill was very good. This was our first time not renting a car and we thought the bus service was great! We never had much of a wait. Have a great trip!

 

[CarrieAP]

This is our absolute favorite resort- I will be there for the 6th time next week! Your children will love this resort; ours have each time (were 3 and 6 last year). The pool/play area is awesome, with everything in one convenient location. The kids can swim, hop over to playground or jump in the sand box. You can refill drinks and get munchies to eat, as well as a wonderul adult drink for mom and dad. Realistically, despite being at the largest playground in the world, it is not the parks, but the hotel and pool that most entices children

The Pepper Market can be a bit hit or miss. We have grown to like it more each time. The quality of food is good, but it can get slow when crowded and the servers sometimes seem a bit confused. The atmosphere is great, but we like to take our food outside (plus not mandatory tip if food is to go). The Maya grill has a nice buffet breakfast that is worth investigating, fairly good bargain at approx. $11, and does include all beverages. Service is excellent and they have been very attentive to our children.

This resort has so much to offer and take in. THe grounds are the most beautiful of any resort, day and night. Be sure to allow time for at least one walk around. The palms and fountains in the courtyards of the Casitas are stunning.

Have a great trip and enjoy the planning!

 

[jaguar9748]

As with many of the other resorts, the ambiance of the resort is very authentic - southwestern and Mexican. I've stayed in all 3 areas and like the Casitas the best. However, with kids you might want to request the Cabanas since they are close to the pool and the main building.

Bus service is usually excellent since it is a convention resort and the resort doesn't share buses with anyone else. The resort also seems to be centrally located making rides to the theme parks pretty convenient. Magic Kingdom is the farthest but it doesn't seem that far.

The Pepper Market is expensive (much more so than POR's food court), but that's because it is not a true food court, in my opinion. The Pepper Market has many offerings and was very enjoyed by my family.

The rooms we had were OK. The first one had wet carpet (newly shampooed) for a day. The second was good, but the carpet wasn't smooth so we tripped a few times. The third room was our favorite, but the furniture was a little beat up and a couple of drawers didn't close too well. The rooms are very bright and similar in size to POR and POFQ.

You will enjoy your stay at Coronado Springs. It's my 2nd favorite moderate!

 

[epcotfan]

I really enjoyed myself at CSR. There is lots to do and the atmosphere is high scale. It feels more like a deluxe with the extra ammenities including Work Out room and salon. I created a site about Coronado Springs after my trip. You can visit it by clicking my signature link.

The only disadvantage I can think of is the long walk to El Centro if your room is in the Ranchos. However if you are in the Ranchos you will have a shorter walk to the Digsite. Each section has its own bus stop. I never had to go without a seat on the buses. One time I was on the bus alone to Epcot. I felt like I had a private driver
The pool was never crowded and the quiet pools are quite spacious compared to quiet pools at other resorts. The attention to detail is wonderful and is truly atmospheric. I can never understand when people say this resort doesn't feel "Disney" It totally did to me.

 

[flylittlebird]

We will be staying at CSR for the first time beginning Saturday. Stayed at POR last year so it will be a good comparison. Children: 11, 8 and 6.
We will be hitting many restaurants and are going to 2 MVMCP's!
Will post a review when we get back!

 

[n2mm]

We stayed at CSR and probably wouldn't stay again. While it's a beautiful resort, it was not our cup of tea. We like staying at a resort that is vacation oriented. CSR is not IMHO. It has a large conference center which was very active during our 10 day stay. With business folks during the day and high school proms in the evening. The pool(s) are wonderful, as they are at all of the moderates. The hot tub is the best of all of the moderates. Did not like the food choices at all. We would have had to take our 8 year old grand son elsewhere to eat had he travelled with us on this trip. We enjoy sitting in the food court at Dixie (Riverside) and chatting and having a cup of coffee, not an option at CSR. The food court is fenced in and the CMs see each table with $$ in their eyes. Since this is the only food court that includes a 10% gratituity on to the bill, the CMs tend to hover so that you feel you got your 10% of attention. Not something we desire. We find adding 10% on to our bill insulting for the servers who work their butts off for the 15-20% they EARN. We found ourselves zipping to the All Stars to visit their food courts during this stay. We even gave our mugs away after returning home with no desire to stay here again. We have stayed at all moderates and all value resorts, so have compared (also WL & AKL).

 

[Buzz2001]

I have some photos and info on my website. Just click below. We feel its the best resort. Awesome transportation, great pool area, love the Pepper Market. Simply a great resort. Have a great trip!

 

[Piglet203]

Stayed at CSR this past May for 12 days!!! I LOVED the resort. I was very impressed with the ambiance that it had to offer. Every section is so different and beautiful. I stayed in the Ranchos section. Before my trip I was convinced I wanted the Cabanas section, just judging from pictures. Well, once there the only section available was Ranchos. I was really impressed with this section of CSR. I actually ending up liking it better than any other. I LOVED the Dig Site pool. I swam there every day during a mid day break. The Jaguar slide is a lot of fun Even for a 22 year old I can't tell you how many times I did it!

The resort is really perfect if you enjoy walking, which I do. I walked to get food every morning and walked around the resort at night. The resort really comes alive at night. It is absolutely beautiful and can be very romantic. One night I was sitting near the lake and was able to hear the music and see the lights from Fantasmic!!! It was truly awesome.

The only thing that I really was not impressed with at CSR was the food court. If I stay there again I will be sure to avoid it. The food is expensive, not that great, and not to mention it is a really annoying system. You have to wait in line to be seated, which can be a hassle if you want to eat a quick breakfast before heading out. Not to mention that they charge you gratuity!!! I thought that was stupid. So, I just got breakfast to go and ate it outside along the lake and fed the ducks each morning

I would highly recommend staying at CSR. I know a lot of people say negative things about the resort, but I honestly had a great experience there. I was really impressed with the lay out of the resort adn it's beauty. I really didn't want to leave after my 12 days!!! So, I say give it a try...I don't think you'll be sorry. I know that I will stay there again in the future

 

[jiminyfan]

We love the CSR. Four stays never a problem or complaint. Pool is great. We love the variety of the food court, take you food outside to eat and save the 10% charge. I think you made a great choice.

 

[DeeP]

We love CSR, it is our favorite moderate resort by far and we have stayed in all of them. CSR feels more like a deluxe resort than a moderate.

 

[Pig Pen]

The only bad thing about being a new DVC owner, according to my DH, is that CSR is not one!

We loved our stay there and will definitely go again if we need to conserve our DVC points.

 

[The_Disney_God]

Best moderate resort out there

 

[RedShorts]

Thanks for this question SM4987 and thanks to all that replied.
We've booked a water view, non smoking room for 17 days. We've looked at loads of reviews and cannot decide what area of the resort we would like most, so we'll get what we're given and see how we get on.

 

[Leota]

We loved CSR & will definately go back again. We stayed there after having spent the previous 8 days at Polynesian Concierge - I was worried it would be a tough transition - but it wasn't at all. CSR is like the deluxe of the moderates, much like WL is the moderate of the deluxe resorts... You get a great value for your money, IMHO. As far as being a convention resort, yes it is & I think you get some amenities because of that which you don't get at other mods (in-room coffee maker, bus service to Boardwalk, very handy for leaving Epcot after Illuminations etc)
Bus service was great, grounds beautiful, pool FANTASTIC, cast members very helpful & friendly. All in all, I give it 2 thumbs WAY up...

 

[sm4987]

I had read that the bus to the Boardwalk is no more. Is this true? I would love it if it was. I did not have a chance to visit the last time I was there. Please let me know.

 

[Buzz2001]

It is no more...

 

[angey77]

I'm staying at CSR for the first time in March and am SO GLAD to hear so many great reviews! I am inching my way up to a deluxe slowly and now know this will be a great bridge to my first deluxe.
I am a little disappointed to hear about the Boardwalk bus. I know from experience to not take a bus to DTD then to another resort, I'll just drive. It took us over an hour to go from POFQ to BW last time on Disney transportation!