Coronado Springs Resort...anyone been?

[rosiep]

Hi everyone..
I am almost embaressed to say that I am already planning next years trip to WDW. I'm planning on taking my Mom this time since Tara will be in Los Angles and she and I will probably visit DisneyLand.
Anyhow..Mom's been before and she loves the Caribbean Beach Resort..I want to try CSR. I read that one of the areas has a beach feel to it...anyone know which section that's in? Is it far from the restaurant?

I looked on the CSR thread and so far there are no conventions listed for the dates I'm (october 18-25 2008) interested in so I'm hoping it won't be too crazy...

This time...Conc and Mike and I will make a solid plan BEFORE I get there! Hear that DAD? Conc? Before!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I've not stayed there Rosie (only visited friends who were, and attended a conference there) but it's a huge sprawling resort. The pool is wicked cool!

Not sure which section is which so I'm no help to you there. Just wanted to say that there could be quite a distance of walking involved depending upon the section you are in, so hopefully your Mom won't mind?

 

[OrlandoMike]

This time...Conc and Mike and I will make a solid plan BEFORE I get there! Hear that DAD? Conc? Before!

Huh? You talking to me? I've been there for conventions, but never spent the night. FYI The restaurant at this resort is not run by Disney if that plays into your planning at all.

 

[daannzzz]

The beach section of CSR is called the Cabana's. Some of the section is located fairly close to the restaurant and some is a little farther. I loved that section when we stayed there.

Here is a DIS'rs wwebsite about CSR.

http://coronado_springs.tripod.com/

 

[rosiep]

Thanks everyone...my Mom's spunky ( like me) so I don't think she'll mind the walking. I'd like to try this resort because I'm a spoiled brat who loves room service (breakfast in pj's yay )....and this is the only moderate that offers it.

 

[RemixBoyNJ]

LOL.. we are staying there Nov 30 - Dec 9th so I will let ya know how it is.. and post some pictures for ya.. The pool slide is gonna be closed though

Adam

 

[rosiep]

LOL.. we are staying there Nov 30 - Dec 9th so I will let ya know how it is.. and post some pictures for ya.. The pool slide is gonna be closed though

Adam

Oh! I do hope you have a wonderful time! The resort looks beautiful...Please let me know what you thought of it when you get back.
This past trip I stayed at the Royal Plaza in DTD and while it was nice enough, there was absolutely nothing about it that would make me want to go back...Plus..Mom would never stay anywhere other than a Disney hotel.

 

[BubblPopElectrc]

We stayed at CSR last December and it was really nice. We stayed in the Cabanas area and it was very close to everything. I loved how we rarely came across a ton of other guests.. it seemed very private. The bus system was also very nice. We never once had to stand up. Each area has its own bus stop so it was very close to our room. While we didn't use them, the quiet (I think that's what they are called? The other others with the exception of the main pool) pools were always empty.

The only thing that I didn't like was the food court. It was SO confusing and we never completely figured it out. If you sit and eat at the tables in the food court you had to have a waiter (who didn't really do anything.. ours didn't even get our drinks ) and pay like a service fee of either 10 or 13%.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

 

[Joevn]

My BF and I went to Coronado Springs a few years ago. It was my first time at something other than a value resort so, to me, overall, it was quite a nice experience. It was well themed and more quiet than the value resorts. Running and screaming kids seemed to be a scarce sight (but I never really went to the pools, so maybe that's where they were). On a related note, since it seems not as many people stay here, the wait for the resort bus at the parks or DTD involved shorter lines than for the Values.

The resort is spread out but even though your room may be far from the main lobby area, there are several bus stops around the resort. So, if you can't be close to "El Centro", try to get in a building close to one of the other three bus stops. Just be prepared to wait awhile for a bus, but I've had that problem at the All-Stars & Pop Century, esp when waiting for the DTD bus for some reason.

As a previous poster mentioned, the food court isn't that great. And I might add, the food was extremely bland (imho) and not worth the price (since you pay a la carte and 10% gratuity is added automatically). Furthermore, one of their waiters (who really only fill drinks and clean tables) threw my boyfriend's meal away while we were up getting something else. Guess he thought we had left and were done. The cast member at the register there quickly corrected that, though. Moral of the story: I'd avoid The Pepper Market. Check out their lunch/dinner menu if you dare here.

The Maya Grill, on the other hand, for breakfast was excellent though a bit on the pricey side. Since it's a buffet, I'm more willing to accept that and for a buffet at Disney it wasn't too expensive.

Room service was okay. I never got a towel animal. While that it seems I can't expect, we did come back to the room one day to find the door propped open with the safety latch and no maid anywhere in sight. Nothing was stolen, thank goodness, but, needless to say, tipping was abandoned after that. And I didn't bother to gather the towels in a corner like I usually do.

Despite the negative experiences I mentioned, I really enjoyed the resort. It was so nice to come back to a quiet resort after a busy day at the parks. It was definitely a step up from the Value resorts in many ways - from the rooms to the overall quieter, atmosphere.

Hope you have a great time!
Joevn

 

[rosiep]

Thanks so much Joevn! I really appreciate you taking the time to write that for me. I'm getting so excited at the idea of another trip.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I stayed there in late May/early June for GayDays. Turned out that I was pretty much the only "gay in the village".

That aside.. I didn't find whatever conventions that were happening (there were some) of much bother to me. I couldn't even tell you what they were.

I stayed in Cabana's 8A and was right next to the pool. I ate ALL my resort meals pool side at Siesta's .. the CS location by the pool. I kept meaning to have at least ONE meal at Pepper Market but .. just never got around to it. (Conc, I blame you for this with your "GO GO GO COMMANDO" touring package)

Ok, so the truth is I couldn't really get moving before noon most days. And in reality, I didn't go to the main building "El Centro" more than twice the entire trip I don't think.

I know on the Friday morning after Pleasure Island I needed some Advil.

Bus service was excellent -- never waited very long and the buses were for the most part - empty.

Front desk check-in was a breeze and I had absolutely excellent service at every interaction with the front desk staff.

Being so close to the pool, I took advantage of some late night hot-tubbing and had it all to myself. It was frustrating to try and use the hot-tub during the day, children were running amok without parents. But that can happen at any resort.

To the CM's credit, in that instance, they promptly rounded up the trouble makers and pointed out they would have to return to their rooms. If they wished to make use of the pool & hot tub area, they could do so with parental supervision. (Yay!)

I had no complaints with this resort. My biggest issues were some dust in my room at check-in. Which really, wasn't much of an issue.. just made me feel more "at-home" -- ha ha.

Knox

 

[rosiep]

Thanx Knox!

Question: I read that the Cabana's have a beachy feel...is there sand? What is it about them that makes them be described that way?
My Mom can be....well..picky. I'm treating her as a Christmas gift (hoping I can throw in birthday and mother's day ) so I don't think she'll mind too much not staying at CBR (her favorite)..but like I said no room service..no Rosie!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Hey Knox --

eensy, teensy, lil point of clarification needed here -- Were you a "Park Commando" or did you "Go Commando" (apparently @ Mr Conck's behest too -- I might add)?

 

[rosiep]

We stayed at CSR last December and it was really nice. We stayed in the Cabanas area and it was very close to everything. I loved how we rarely came across a ton of other guests.. it seemed very private. The bus system was also very nice. We never once had to stand up. Each area has its own bus stop so it was very close to our room. While we didn't use them, the quiet (I think that's what they are called? The other others with the exception of the main pool) pools were always empty.

The only thing that I didn't like was the food court. It was SO confusing and we never completely figured it out. If you sit and eat at the tables in the food court you had to have a waiter (who didn't really do anything.. ours didn't even get our drinks ) and pay like a service fee of either 10 or 13%.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

I don't know how I missed this earlier..thanks BubblPopElectrc! I did want to know what made the Cabana's area "beachy"...is there sand? My Mom would really like that.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Rosie:

Yes there is a beachy area with white sand and real hammocks tied between palm trees... which you can actually USE! You can't go in the water really.. at least I wouldn't. IN fact, I think it's kinda the rule with it being swampy and gators and such in Florida.

Here's a pic courtesy of Buzz2001's Coronado Springs site:

And proof of the no-swimming rule..Also courtesy of Buzz

Tuck&StuiesMom:

I plead the fifth. (Of Jack!)

Ok, it was commando park touring. That's all. You got it out of me.

Knox

 

[Girlsontour]

Thought my last years trip report might be of some help to you..

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=16077438#post16077438

Loved CSR that much that we have just got back from another trip there..just haven't got round to doing report yet

 

[BubblPopElectrc]

I don't know how I missed this earlier..thanks BubblPopElectrc! I did want to know what made the Cabana's area "beachy"...is there sand? My Mom would really like that.

There is sand but it isn't very much distance from the sidewalk to the water.. maybe 10' deep (does that make sense? I just mean the area isn't very large.). There are hammocks but they always seemed to be occupied.