Coronado Fans-PLEASE POST WITH REVIEWS & RECENT PHOTOS!

[Lilolvr]

Great review and pics!! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[GOOFYsince71]

Cher,
Those were great pictures, I especially enjoyed the one with the
alligator and turtle...What great timing to snap that one!!
The resort looks beautiful. I stayed there in '06 and am going
back in 16 days!! Can't wait...
Thanks for the pics and report

 

[GOOFYsince71]

Herc166 and Cher,
Seeing that you have just gotten back,,,No one is mentioning
the "loveBugs" that were everywhere last year,,,,,any sight of
them , or did Disney figure out how to " evict" them from the
property????

 

[Buzz2001]

We just returned from our 2 night stay at CSR and we were amazed at the resort. We checked in at 10:30pm on 8/23/08 and checked out at 7:00am 8/25/08. It was a quickie trip, but the resort left a BIG impact on us. So much so that we confirmed our December trip at CSR so we're very excited (if AKL comes available we may do a split stay, but we're definetly doing CSR). We even got to use the CFC code for 40% off the room. I called CRO at 9:43pm while driving from Fort Lauderdale (flew from san antonio to ft. lauderdale then drove to Orlando - i know, i know) and was able to apply the bounceback code even though I had NOT checked in. I just gave the CM my reservation number and explained my situation and she applied the code. Got it litterally with just a few minutes to spare before CRO closed for the night. Of course this deal was over at 10pm as the free BB Dining offer was introduced the next day.

We got to explore the main building and checked out the dig site when we returned to our room to have DD3 take a quick nap before heading to MK for the rest of the evening. The pool was awesome and the entire resort was just gorgeous. We unfortunately didn't get a room with queen beds even though we had made this request about a week ago, but we still didn't mind the double beds. We were in Cabanas 9a (#9180) and the room was real close to the bus stop even though we didn't utilize it as we had a rental car. The resort was quiet and peaceful and I'm still marveling at the beauty of this resort.

The restaurants were nice and the desserts at Cafe Rix were awesome. It was cool the CSR has its own mugs which I thought was a unique touch. Had breakfast at Pepper Market and enjoyed the food, however our server failed to advise us on how breakfast works. We were sitting down for 10 minutes thinking the waiter would come back to take our order. Someone sitting next to us had to tell us how it worked. We were thankful and told them that it was our first time here. We got our b'fast and then headed out to the parks. I can't wait to spend more time here to fully utilize the pool and the surrey bikes.

I'm somewhat of a closet resort snob and only thought we'd only stay at AKL exclusively for some time. Well this resort has definetly given us a different outlook on that philosophy. Anyone on the fence about CSR should definetly just do it. I really do NOT understand people who have a bad time here as everyone at the hotel was great, the rooms were nice, mousekeeping kept everything neat (even though they made the bed up with the remote buried underneath the covers - took 30 minutes trying to find it LOL) and the grounds were drop-dead gorgeous along with the natural beauty of the resort. Definetly two thumbs WAAAYYYY UP!

Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Hi everyone,,
I am typing and watching the DNC on CNN!
Give me an idea of what you paid to stay at Coronado in Aug or Sept. during free dining.
We are staying 7 nites and bought the 7 day base tickets...
I hope I wasn't "had" or taken advantage of...I would hate
to think that I am actually "paying "for free dining

Maybe it depends on the size of the family, but we do not do free dining because in order to get it, one must pay rack rate and we prefer to pay a discounted rate and pay for DDP - for two (for us) it comes out a better savings.

Others may feel differently, as Free Dining certainly is popular!!

Have a great trip!!

P.S. in Aug/Sept, but we could have gotten a room for $105.75 inc tx (we held this before we cancelled) a ngt at CSR during free dining. Did a quick check - std rack rate would be $167.65 per ngt, so for 7 ngts a total of $1173.38 + apprx 266 for dining + 485.64 for 2 adult 7 day base tkts = $1925.02 rack rate or $1492.39 with our discount, a savings of $432.63. (although in reality, when staying 7 ngts we would get a 5 day hopper, rather than a 7 day base tkt).

 

[SRICE100]

Cher,

Awesome pictures. Thanks so much for sharing your trip. Sounds like you had a great time!

 

[GOOFYsince71]

Maybe it depends on the size of the family, but we do not do free dining because in order to get it, one must pay rack rate and we prefer to pay a discounted rate and pay for DDP - for two (for us) it comes out a better savings.

Others may feel differently, as Free Dining certainly is popular!!

Have a great trip!!

P.S. in Aug/Sept, but we could have gotten a room for $105.75 inc tx (we held this before we cancelled) a ngt at CSR during free dining. Did a quick check - std rack rate would be $167.65 per ngt, so for 7 ngts a total of $1173.38 + apprx 266 for dining + 485.64 for 2 adult 7 day base tkts = $1925.02 rack rate or $1492.39 with our discount, a savings of $432.63. (although in reality, when staying 7 ngts we would get a 5 day hopper, rather than a 7 day base tkt).

Thanks so much for at least giving me an idea of the options..
I have been going to WDW for 25 years now and never believed
that there were "codes" or discounts...Think of all the money
I could have saved if I had know about the Dis before 2006 !
I was one of the "old timers" that believed in the mantra
"Disney Doesn't Discount"..
I guess they HAVE to nowadays to keep their heads above water.
(that is such an old "saying" that it is aging me!!!!!!!!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Thanks so much for at least giving me an idea of the options..
I have been going to WDW for 25 years now and never believed
that there were "codes" or discounts...Think of all the money
I could have saved if I had know about the Dis before 2006 !
I was one of the "old timers" that believed in the mantra
"Disney Doesn't Discount"..
I guess they HAVE to nowadays to keep their heads above water.
(that is such an old "saying" that it is aging me!!!!!!!!!

You're welcome!

We've been going for the same length of time (27 yrs here ) and until 2004 we never paid attention to those postcards we got in the mail.

We'd glance at it and think, oh, we're not going those dates....not once considered changing our dates!!! Live and learn...or is it that age brings widsom... Oh!!! Join DIS and become code savvy???
(p.s. Gotta ask - where in IL? I was born in Chicago and still have loads of family there - actually, all my family except DD!!)

 

[GOOFYsince71]

You're welcome!

We've been going for the same length of time (27 yrs here ) and until 2004 we never paid attention to those postcards we got in the mail.

We'd glance at it and think, oh, we're not going those dates....not once considered changing our dates!!! Live and learn...or is it that age brings widsom... Oh!!! Join DIS and become code savvy???
(p.s. Gotta ask - where in IL? I was born in Chicago and still have loads of family there - actually, all my family except DD!!)

I was born and raised in Chicago,,,Harlem and Irving Park area
just East of Park Ridge.
I am now 5 minutes from Stratford Sq. in Bloomingdale, in the Western
Suburbs....
Thanks for the response!!

 

[CindiF]

We were at CSR from August 17 to the 24.

The Good stuff:

Very pretty grounds. Loved the pool. My daughter couldn't stay off the slide. We liked the food court -- very good food. Expensive, but at Disney that isn't a shock. And sometimes the rest of my family would be done for the night before I was, and I liked that I had plenty of ground to stroll around. Very pretty when it's lit up at night.

The Not-so-Good Stuff (nothing was actually bad!):

We wanted the Cabanas, but got Casitas 2. A little inconvenient, although the Casitas are very pretty, with all the fountains. Thank God we didn't get the Ranchos. They are REALLY out of the way.

Not enough drawer space in the room.

We didn't mind the walking ... but I think I like resorts that are more central, with a lobby you can hang out it in (like AKL). CSR was nice, no real complaints ... but AKL is still our all-time favorite.

The cashier at the take-out place (Rix?) was a snot-and-a-half -- very irritable. I will say, though, that she was the only one. Everyone else was very nice and helpful.

When you drive your car toward your building, you have to go through a gate. You have to slide your card to get it to open ... but it takes about 30 seconds after you slide your card for it to start moving. When you're sitting there in the pouring rain (Fay ... the ultimate water ride) with an open car window because you're not sure if you're going to have to slide your card again... it's a big PITA.

All in all, we liked CSR. I would recommend it -- my negatives aren't that negative and it's a very nice-looking, comfortable resort with a great pool.

 

[KatMark]

We were at CSR from August 17 to the 24.

The Good stuff:

Very pretty grounds. Loved the pool. My daughter couldn't stay off the slide. We liked the food court -- very good food. Expensive, but at Disney that isn't a shock. And sometimes the rest of my family would be done for the night before I was, and I liked that I had plenty of ground to stroll around. Very pretty when it's lit up at night.

The Not-so-Good Stuff (nothing was actually bad!):

We wanted the Cabanas, but got Casitas 2. A little inconvenient, although the Casitas are very pretty, with all the fountains. Thank God we didn't get the Ranchos. They are REALLY out of the way.

Not enough drawer space in the room.

We didn't mind the walking ... but I think I like resorts that are more central, with a lobby you can hang out it in (like AKL). CSR was nice, no real complaints ... but AKL is still our all-time favorite.

The cashier at the take-out place (Rix?) was a snot-and-a-half -- very irritable. I will say, though, that she was the only one. Everyone else was very nice and helpful.

When you drive your car toward your building, you have to go through a gate. You have to slide your card to get it to open ... but it takes about 30 seconds after you slide your card for it to start moving. When you're sitting there in the pouring rain (Fay ... the ultimate water ride) with an open car window because you're not sure if you're going to have to slide your card again... it's a big PITA.

All in all, we liked CSR. I would recommend it -- my negatives aren't that negative and it's a very nice-looking, comfortable resort with a great pool.

Thanks for your review and your honesty. I will agree with you...that sliding your car thing is a real pain in the neck at times (sometimes we get lucky and we get in right behind a bus! )

 

[Disney_Tall_Mommy]

If you stay in the Casita section are the entrances to the rooms still all outside or can you get to some rooms from inside the resort? I am planning a solo trip and want to look for the "safest" location. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Buzz2001]

We had our third trip to the world this July and our second stay at CSR! Our room was in Cabana 9b, the room was 3616, around the back on a corner and faced the pond. Initially I was disappointed by the "water view" as I was hoping for a view of the lake, but I came to love our local. The room was very quite and the large trees on the corner blocked the view of the main buildings and made the room feel very secluded. It was a two minute walk to the pepper market and main bus stop, and a 5 minute walk to the dig site pool.

Day one: we arrived at the hotel at about 12:30 via Magic Express from MCO. Magic Express was great!, the bus was there when we arrived, we got right on and after a 5 minute wait, we left for the World! Upon our arrival, there was no line at check in, the lobby is beautiful, the cast member asked who was celebrating a special date which got my wife her birthday pin(i dont know if they always ask or if it was due to my fax). Our room was ready, we dropped off our carry on bags, had lunch at the Pepper market and went to Hollywood Studios. It rained verly lightly while we were at the studio, but we had the ponchos and had a great time riding rides with very little waits.

Day two, Magic Kindom for our first full day at the parks. The bus arrived shortly after we got to the stop, however, the folks that got on before us wouldnt move back and we couldnt stay on, Lucky for us a cast member was there and asked what happened, we explained, he made a call and got us a van to drive us to the MK. Very nice way to start our day, we got fps for space mountain and did buz lightyear, then rode space m. headed back to the liberty square area, heading for tmrr and decided to do Haunted Mansion first. got back to tmrr at about 1030am and while we waited on the line I saw the dream team, but we were on the wrong side of the tracks, (the story of my life) lo and behold, the train returned to the other side and we won a castle stay, (I reported on that).

Day three[/B] Julia's Brithday! we went to Animal Kingdom. Our touring plans were a little skewed as part of our winning a castle stay was breakfast at the cyrstal palace the next morning. So we were considerably later arriving at AK than we planned so we skipped the Safari and saved it for our second trip to the world. We went from MK to AK via the Trans. Center, got fast passes for Everest and did the disnosur ride. Its a favorite of ours. We made our way to the primeval whirl and I lost my hat on the ride, got it back the next day at the lost and found at the Trans Center. As we were exiting Prieval whirl, we won fast passes! pretty amazing luck. we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon at AK, returned to the hotel for a rest and a swim and then went to downtown disney for diner.

We at at Wofgang Puck's cafe, the dinner was great everybody loved thier entres I would reccomend this resturant to anyone going to the world. After dinner my son and I left my wife and dtr to shop and went on a secret mission to get my wife a pearl {from the oyster booth} as a surprise birthday present. Joey picked an oyster that yielded an nice gold toned 7mm pearl that we had set in a white gold pendent. Julia, my wife, loved it when we gave it to her. Joey and I had a good time taking the water taxi from one end of DTD to the other and we accomplished our mission!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[steery1]

Haven't been on this thread for a while because of a new addition to the family..... Jude, born 30th July 2008

Heres a couple more of Coronado..........................
(I've a few questions to ask you guys about our next trip with baby Jude but I'll put them in another post. )

 

[Buzz2001]

Congrats on the new addition! Very cute!!

Thanks for the new CSR pics too!!

 

[GOOFYsince71]

Hey Jude!!!!!!!
What a Beautiful Baby!!
Congratulations to all

 

[steery1]

OK, now for the questions................
I read somewhere in this thread that someone will be staying at Coronado using DVC points. Anyone know how many would be required (for a suite or a standard room) dates approx. June 28th - July 16th 2009. (I may be able to rent some points from a DVC'er)

Have a new addition to the family - Jude (as pictured above) so was considering a suite. Do I have to go through Disney to get these? I've never seen these on any sites I've looked at. I only knew Coronado had suites from this thread.

Suites I believe are two connecting rooms tweaked a little. In what way are they tweaked. - ie whats in each room? I've seen a couple of photos but they dont tell me much. Oh and are the suites limited to any particular section of Coranado?

I was also considering AKL Villas (Again on rented points). I've never stayed there but visited and ate at Jiko a few times. I "think" I prefer Coronado. (I like the food choices) A lot of people love AKL. Anybody stayed at both AKL and CSR give me a pointer who would like to talk me out of AKL?

 

[steery1]

 

[GOOFYsince71]

I see you are on Kathy,
just wanted to say,,,,I would much rather
be in Disney in 90* weather than here in
Illinois in 90* weather...You are getting out of
Dodge before the Heatwave Hits!
I tried calling Rix to buy a "round" of
drinks for the happy couple,,,,,couldn't get past
someone who kept saying...."WHO"?
At least you know somewhere out there,,,
someone's thinkin' of you!
Happy Silver

 

[tlrotzoll]

Steery1 What a beautiful baby! Congratulations.