Coronado Springs or OKW for two week stay in August?

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Hi everyone, starting to wonder if I should switch my reservation from Coronado Springs to OKW for a two week stay in August. The most important thing for us is the pool, this is where we will be spending most of our time. The rest of the time we will be in parks. Going on trip, hubby, myself, 9 year old and a year and a half year old. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[TDC Nala]

Coronado has a great pool. OKW's pool is not as nice (I'm talking about the main pool, there are several smaller pools, too) but it has much bigger rooms plus the kitchenette or kitchen, depending on whether you're getting a studio or one-bedroom.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR has one of the best main pool sites on property. Check out pics and info at my CSR website below. Good luck deciding!

 

[SAKPEG99OKW]

I would much rather be at OKW if I was going to be at WDW for two weeks. Based on the size of your family a one bedroom at OKW would be perfect. You and your spouse could have the hughe master bedroom with the jacuzi tub, while your kids could have the sleeper sofa in the livingroom. Also you could have coffee or drinks on your balcony in the morning or evening. Also even though you are on vacation, you can save a lot of money using the kitchen for quick breakfast's or late night snacks. My DW and I are DVC members and we can not stay in a regular room any more, we always miss the space the one bedroom gives us. Although TDC is right the pool at okw is very plane with no slide, but it is big and clean.

Have a great trip.

Scott

 

[epcotfan]

I've stayed at both and the bus service is better at CSR.
As previously mentioned the pool is much nicer at Coronado Springs. Old Key West is fine if you plan on spending a lot of time cooking in your room though.

 

[susy]

I am a HUGE CSR fan and I was going to say OKW until I read your post! The pool at CSR would be a BIG hit with your 9 yo and the fact that the kiddie pool is right there is nice wth the baby. They do serve lunch at the pool and the Pepper Market is so nice.
The space at OKW wodub e ncie and he kitchen, but I personally don't want to see a kitchen (or dishes in a sink) when I'm on vacation. If you are going for two weeks, why don't you try to split your stay?

 

[peachgirl]

Since you say the pool is the most important thing to you, CSR wins hands down.

However, we jusr returned 2 weeks ago from a 1 night stay at CSR, then 5 nights at OKW.

I didn't care for CSR at all. It was much too spread out and I didn't like having just full size beds. It's a small thing, but what really bothered me were the un-airconditioned elevators! I don't know if they just don't have AC or if it was broken, but they were hot and smelled bad. We didn't care for the food court either. I thought it was expensive and not very good. I also didn't care for being forced to tip no matter what the quality of service is! We didn't use the transportation there, but I've never heard anything particularly bad about it.

We really enjoyed OKW. We had a 2 br villa and they're huge! We only had 4 in our group, but the extra bathroom plus the privacy was great. We did use the kitchen quite a bit...some people like to eat in and some don't so that may or may not be a plus for you. I was one who swore I'd never touch a washer on vacation, but I have to admit it came in really handy a couple of times. The only big negative I found at OKW was the bus system. The busses, especially in the mornings, were very late in getting there.

For me, there wouldn't be a choice, OKW over CSR any day of the week. For you though, CSR sounds more like what you want.

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Thank you all for all your responses, I greatly appreciate all this information. Does the food court have a variety of food such as Carribean Beach Resort? Can I bring food to my room or is this table service only? Do I refill my own resort mug or must server serve? Till what time is food court by pool open? It sounds like both resorts are wondeful in their own way. Maybe, I should split my stay, one week OKW and one week CSR. Still

Thanks in advance for any more information!

 

[susy]

The menu can be found at wdwig.com. I loved the Pepper Market. It is not really food court. You are seated and your drink order is taken, You then get up and select your food choices. You sit down and your real silverware and cloth napkins are at the table. You pay at the end of the meal at the exit. It is a very relaxed atmosphere. No running around getting napkins and drinks or balancing a tray to wait to pay. You can take food out, there is a convenience area and bakery window. CSR has room service and there is food at the pool (see menus). If you plan on stoping at a grocery on your way, I would bring water, juice boxes, milk boxes, sodas, snacks, cereal. Coffee is provided in the room. You can also purchase a refillable mug that can also be used at the pool. The Maya grill serves dinner and a GREAT breakfast buffet. There is also a lounge.There is no shortage of food/drink at this resort. I believe there are vending machines by the ice machines. The quiet pools are very relaxing (as is the hot tub) and have laundry facilities nearby. The thing I loved about this resort was that it seemed to have everything. I felt like I was at a deluxe! The funny thing is that I did not think I would like the theming. I was wrong. This place is gorgeous!

 

[peachgirl]

It is a very relaxed atmosphere

Maybe we just hit them on a bad day because the atmosphere was anything but relaxing. It was wall to wall people with very long lines at nearly every food station. It was also extremely noisy and very hectic. As overloaded as our server was I can't find fault with them, but we were nearly through with our meal before we ever got out drinks.


Who knows, this was just our experience and we only tried them once.

 

[DeeP]

If you stay at OKW what size unit would you be in, studio, 1BR or 2 BR? If you would be staying in a studio at OKW then I would say pick CSR over OKW. The only advantages you would have at a OKW studio would be the mini kitchenette w/small microwave, refrigerator and sink and if you do not plan on eating in your room these items are a mute point and you will also have a balcony which is a nice feature, both OKW and CSR rooms have coffee makers. A 1 BR or larger is a different story, then you would have much larger and much more deluxe accomendations at OKW vs a room at CSR.
Since you said the pool is an important part of your trip, CSR pool wins hands down. OKW pools are plain, nothing exciting at all and they do not have life guards--which really bothers me.
Transportation from CSR is much better, you will have more dining options and the theming of CSR is so much more an example of wonderful Disney Imagineering than OKW. CSR is a large resort but no where near as large as OKW and also at CSR at least there are elevators in every building.
Not to throw a wrench into everything but have you thought of getting a room at BCV? They have the best pool on property and are in a super convenient location that can not be beat.

 

[epcotfan]

Siesta's is the bar and grill by the pool. It normally closes at 5 or 6 pm. It isn't really a food court. Just your typical bar and grill type of fare.

Here is some more info on the Pepper Market

http://www.wdwmemories.com/csr/pepperabout.htm