Coronado Springs- Preferred Room Question

[Abharmagic]

OK, so looking at our budget and some of the other things in life we'd like to afford besides a trip to WDW this year, we are seriously considering changing our stay to Coronado Springs. Now, don't convince me otherwise, I do not want to stay at POR or POP, etc. we are thinking Coronado Springs and that is what my question is about.

Anyhow, my only real worry is the size of the resort. We have small kids, and will NOT be staying there for a convention, so what I want to know is:
*Is paying a little extra ($20 a night) worth it for a "preferred room" or are there areas in CS that offer "standard rooms" that are close to dining/ main building? Basically, we want to be near the main bldg and restaurants- not so worried about being near the pool- if we want to swim we'll hoof it Really don't want to be stuck out in the one area by the swamp.

 

[elaw]

OK, so looking at our budget and some of the other things in life we'd like to afford besides a trip to WDW this year, we are seriously considering changing our stay to Coronado Springs. Now, don't convince me otherwise, I do not want to stay at POR or POP, etc. we are thinking Coronado Springs and that is what my question is about.

Anyhow, my only real worry is the size of the resort. We have small kids, and will NOT be staying there for a convention, so what I want to know is:
*Is paying a little extra ($20 a night) worth it for a "preferred room" or are there areas in CS that offer "standard rooms" that are close to dining/ main building? Basically, we want to be near the main bldg and restaurants- not so worried about being near the pool- if we want to swim we'll hoof it Really don't want to be stuck out in the one area by the swamp.

Since you've made it clear ... It's CSR ... Period. I only have a short reply. We will be staying there in about 3 weeks and have requested the "Casitas" section, which I understand, is near the main building area. From what I read, It's very nice. Since you do not really care about the pool, it sounds like this would be your best option.

 

[saskdw]

There are other rooms that are close, but they won't guarantee which standard room you get. Paying for the preferred room will guarantee that you are with in 3-4 min walk of the main building and if you luck out with in 1-2 min walk. If that was my priority I would go that route for sure.

 

[Abharmagic]

Thanks- if I pay for preferred then I am guaranteed to be close to the main building then? I guess I am worried I will pay for preferred and get stuck out in no-man's land with a nice view or something to justify the "preferred price". Any way to make it clear to the resort, other than at check in, that I want to be close to the main bldg?

 

[elaw]

Thanks- if I pay for preferred then I am guaranteed to be close to the main building then? I guess I am worried I will pay for preferred and get stuck out in no-man's land with a nice view or something to justify the "preferred price". Any way to make it clear to the resort, other than at check in, that I want to be close to the main bldg?

They will make a note of your preferences on your reservation but will not guarantee anything. From my experience, You can usually get what you want when you do the physical check in.

 

[saskdw]

Thanks- if I pay for preferred then I am guaranteed to be close to the main building then? I guess I am worried I will pay for preferred and get stuck out in no-man's land with a nice view or something to justify the "preferred price". Any way to make it clear to the resort, other than at check in, that I want to be close to the main bldg?

Preferred at CSR gets you a room in buildings Casitas 1,2, or 3. The farthest room is about a 4 min walk and the closest is a 1 min walk. You can phone and request close to the main building, but they won't guarantee. I've had great service at the front counter at CSR on our 2 stays there. They have been able to accomodate my room requests at check-in with very little hassle. Unless they are completely at capacity when you check-in.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Preferred rooms at CSR are located in Casitas 1, 2 and 3, which are all close to the main building. If you request Cabanas 9A or 9B, those rooms are also close to the main building, but it would just be a request, not a guarantee. If being close to El Centro is most important to you, book preferred.

We have stayed at CSR four times and love it there. Hope you have a wonderful vacation!

 

[Honeystar120608]

Hi, We stayed at Coronado our last trip. We only booked a standard room, and initially received a room in the back side, in the Ranchos section. They were MUCH nicer than I had anticipated, but we decided to ask for a room swap, which wasn't an issue.
We were placed in Casitas 4, facing the parking lot, but right around the corner from the private pool. This is what I found....
The distance to the main building was a little of a walk, but a beautiful one that goes by very quickly. We were so close to the quiet pool, we never walked around to the big pyramid pool. We were also very close to the bus stop. We have discussed going with a preferred room next time to lessen the walk, but then we'd be further away from the bus stop. Since we use it at least 2 times a day (if not 4), I think this makes it priority.
The main building offers a very nice quick service restaurant. The food is excellent. We surprised ourselves by eating there 3-4 times.
Other than this, we are big on the refillable mugs, and we had to go that distance to use them. Some times we'd walk to the main building, fill up our mugs, and get the bus stop up near there.
We walked around the entire resort, and for us the Casitas were the prettiest! Many foutains and lush plants everywhere. Also, there are different routes to take, so the walk isn't always the same.

I see your kids are 8 and 6... when we were there last, our kids were 7 and 6 and they loved it! What kid can resist water fountains? They'd only complain if it was the end of the day and they had to walk that distance, which was next to never since we'd get off at the bus stop right near our door.