Coronado Springs Resort -- New Unofficial FAQ Thread -- November 2009

[tiggerfan9984]

No gators here in Michigan! Im telling you people you would think I was crazy!!! LAMO

I didn't think you were crazy, lol. I'm sure that there are things up North that I'm naive to.

 

[LizAgna]

I just wanted to drop by and say Hi! This thread was so helpful for our first stay at CSR last May!! We will be back at CSR on 5/22 for 9 nights and I can't wait! Will anyone else from here be there during that time?

 

[Yarna]

Less than one month to go!!

Everything seems to be in order. All dining reservations have been made, trip was paid off long ago, building request added to our reservation (Casitas 4 or 5). Just a few days ago we received our initial travel docs from Disney. Just waiting on the Magical Express items.

All that's left is to buy a new suitcase. Either the airline or Magical Express broke a wheel off my suitcase last year, but I didn't notice it until we packed to check out. A few days before we leave I'll fax in my building request again.

Cant wait for 9 days at CSR!!

 

[stennille]

We stayed at CBR last year and we were able to watch the fireworks at Epcot from our resort by the main pool. We are planning to stay at CSR this year and prior to booking, I was wondering if anyone knew if you can see any fireworks at night from CSR? My DS loved the fireworks last year, that was his favorite part of the stay. Thanks ahead of time.

 

[Robin K]

Mom and I are staying here for the first time in Sept.
Does anyone have any extra special "inside tips" for us?
Thanks in advance. Also- anyone else staying here Sept 8-19?

 

[blsdmamaof3]

We're staying at CSR in October. According to the website for the spa, it says to book a massage as far in advance as possible. We're going to have one day that we're going to relax at the resort all day so we thought it'd be fun for the moms to get a massage. I called the spa and she said a month in advace was far enough away and we wouldn't have trouble booking. She said they change receptionists often and that our reservation would likely get lost. Do any of you have any experience with this, good or bad, that you can share or suggest?

Also, I know this is the CSR site, but I have a dining question. Is it ok to ask here? We have our dinner ressies for every evening except our last night. We don't care about characters and don't want to use 2 TS for one meal. We were thinking Ohana, but I'm not always reading great reviews about it. What do you think and what time should I try for the ressie so we can watch the fireworks? I've also read somewhere that there's a restaurant in the top of the Contemporary that you can see the fireworks at MK. Is that true? Is it any good? Does it take 2 TS? If I should be asking this stuff somewhere else, would someone please direct me? I'm not very savvy on the disboard yet, but I'm trying! I feel like I know some of you now that I've read this whole thread and also have now read some of your TRs! (Awesome, btw!)

Thanks for any help you can give!!!

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Can't help with the spa questions, but I can help with the restaurant questions.

1. There are some really good restaurant threads you can visit. People even give reviews.

2. We really liked O'hana. So much so we are going back again in June. 1 TS credit. Get an 8:30 or after to watch the fireworks from O'Hanas. However, if you go earlier, you can watch the fireworks from the beach. This is fun too.

3. California Grill is the restaurant at the Contemporary. Yes, it is 2 TS credits. I have never been here.

 

[KatMark]

We're staying at CSR in October. According to the website for the spa, it says to book a massage as far in advance as possible. We're going to have one day that we're going to relax at the resort all day so we thought it'd be fun for the moms to get a massage. I called the spa and she said a month in advace was far enough away and we wouldn't have trouble booking. She said they change receptionists often and that our reservation would likely get lost. Do any of you have any experience with this, good or bad, that you can share or suggest?

I get a massage every visit to the CSR. Being that the CSR is not a true "spa", there is no need to make the reservations more than a month ahead of time. I usually call and make mine about three weeks before our scheduled arrival. One year I forgot to call and was still able to get an appointment once I was there.

 

[KatMark]

Mom and I are staying here for the first time in Sept.
Does anyone have any extra special "inside tips" for us?
Thanks in advance. Also- anyone else staying here Sept 8-19?

Be sure to walk through the Casitas courtyards to see all the beautiful and different flowers. It's also a nice spot to just sit and relax and enjoy your surroundings. Be sure to enjoy one of the hammocks. Look for "Glen's" cousin in the lake (yes, Glen is an alligator but he stays in the lake). Enjoy a drink at the Laguna Bar or The Rix.

 

[arilvdc]

I'm so excited...last year while we were at CSR my SO was very ill, so we didn't get to go to the lounge or get a drink from the Laguna bar, and they both seemed so nice!! I think the fact that everything at disneyworld closes so early is one thing we'll never get used to. Out here @ DL, even california adventure stays open until 10!

 

[Rudegrle]

I'm so excited...last year while we were at CSR my SO was very ill, so we didn't get to go to the lounge or get a drink from the Laguna bar, and they both seemed so nice!! I think the fact that everything at disneyworld closes so early is one thing we'll never get used to. Out here @ DL, even california adventure stays open until 10!

Yup. If you're hungry after 11pm in WDW you are SOL Seriously though, we NEVER get adjust well to the time change so when we are hungry everything is closed.

On another note, Rix lounge can be a lot of fun and I love getting a drink from the Laguna Bar and taking a stroll around the lake when I first get to CSR. Have a great trip!

 

[aubriee]

Less than one month to go!!

Everything seems to be in order. All dining reservations have been made, trip was paid off long ago, building request added to our reservation (Casitas 4 or 5). Just a few days ago we received our initial travel docs from Disney. Just waiting on the Magical Express items.

:

That's odd. I'll be at AKL May 1st-5th and then at CSR May 5th-9th. I got my Magic Express pkt for AKL several days ago, but not the one for the CSR stay (the pkt I have now has me going to AKL and the correct arrival flight number, but has no information for my departing flight and nothing about CSR). The last time I had two reservations I got two DME pkts. I am thinking about calling tomorrow to check on it. However, I still don't have the travel documents from Disney for either reservation.

 

[aubriee]

Yup. If you're hungry after 11pm in WDW you are SOL Seriously though, we NEVER get adjust well to the time change so when we are hungry everything is closed.

Tell me about it! I work 11pm-7am. My usual dinner time is 2:00am. Even at WDW, I usually wake up wanting to eat at that time. I have the hardest time getting used to the time down there. No matter how tired I am at the end of the day, my body thinks it needs food at 2:00am. It also thinks it's supposed to go to sleep at 2:00pm.

 

[mousebit]

Does anyone know what's going on at CSR the first week of October? I reeeeally wanted to try it this fall but when I first tried booking a couple of months ago nothing was available. I thought maybe something would open up but no such luck.

 

[jakeybake]

Hi,

This will be our first time at CSR. To be honest, we have never even considered staying there in the past. We have stayed at every other moderate over the years and more recently at the WL and BC (and I personally at the GF and YC twice on work related trips).

I should warn you that my DW is a very reluctant traveler and needs to be in her, what I like to call, "Comfort Zone" to relax and enjoy herself. She is in love with the BC, hated the WL ("Too dark"), really likes the GF (not as much as the BC) and finds the YC to be "Too serious and stuffy feeling". Also, she liked the POR way back when it was the Dixie Landings, though we haven't stayed there in 10 years. If our finances were unlimited then the BC would be our resort of choice each and every trip. That is certainly not the case at the moment.

I was home with my daughter yesterday who was sick and we watched the Vacation Planning DVD. I asked her to pick out whatever resort she thought was the nicest and that we would all enjoy staying at. We looked at each and every one, though I told her we should focus on the Moderates and Values. Without hesitation she chose the CSR. She thought it was really nice, especially the pool, lobby and the Pepper Market.

When my wife got home I told her about our "Executive Decision" and then showed her some pictures on the DIS for her to check out. She said she thought it looked "nice" and was fine with staying there.

So I turn to you, my CSR expert friends for any and all advice on the resort. Specifically, what area of the resort we should request to stay in (fancier the better, think POR Mansions vs. POR Alligator Bayou, which we would never dream of staying in becaus the decor doesn't appeal to us), thoughts on the dining options, thoughts on things to do while there and of course the pool and bus transportation, though we are leaning towards renting a car because the resort seems a bit remote compared to the other resorts we have stayed at.

Thanks in advance for all of your help. I am hoping to convert my DW into a CSR lover so we have not only a deluxe (BC) that we love but also a moderate!

Jay

 

[tscrapper]

Leaving today to stay at a park and fly we'll be at CSR tomorrow.



Thanks for all your advice on planning CSR! I'm sure we will have a magical trip.

 

[KatMark]

Leaving today to stay at a park and fly we'll be at CSR tomorrow.



Thanks for all your advice on planning CSR! I'm sure we will have a magical trip.

Have a most magical trip and let us know how it went when you get back -- but enjoy your time (and my hammock!).

 

[tamben01]

10 days and counting until we arrive at CSR!! I just wanted to thank everyone on this board for all of the helpful advice.
I went back and forth about requesting Casitas (due to proximity to the fitness center, and 1st bus bus stop) BUT from the map it really looks like the walk to the gym would be a pretty one anyway...if we ended up in another area. So we are just going to go with what we are given and love it because we will be in DISNEY WORLD!!! YAY!
Anyone want pictures of anything special while we are there?

 

[KatMark]

Hi,

This will be our first time at CSR. To be honest, we have never even considered staying there in the past. We have stayed at every other moderate over the years and more recently at the WL and BC (and I personally at the GF and YC twice on work related trips).

I should warn you that my DW is a very reluctant traveler and needs to be in her, what I like to call, "Comfort Zone" to relax and enjoy herself. She is in love with the BC, hated the WL ("Too dark"), really likes the GF (not as much as the BC) and finds the YC to be "Too serious and stuffy feeling". Also, she liked the POR way back when it was the Dixie Landings, though we haven't stayed there in 10 years. If our finances were unlimited then the BC would be our resort of choice each and every trip. That is certainly not the case at the moment.

I was home with my daughter yesterday who was sick and we watched the Vacation Planning DVD. I asked her to pick out whatever resort she thought was the nicest and that we would all enjoy staying at. We looked at each and every one, though I told her we should focus on the Moderates and Values. Without hesitation she chose the CSR. She thought it was really nice, especially the pool, lobby and the Pepper Market.

When my wife got home I told her about our "Executive Decision" and then showed her some pictures on the DIS for her to check out. She said she thought it looked "nice" and was fine with staying there.

So I turn to you, my CSR expert friends for any and all advice on the resort. Specifically, what area of the resort we should request to stay in (fancier the better, think POR Mansions vs. POR Alligator Bayou, which we would never dream of staying in becaus the decor doesn't appeal to us), thoughts on the dining options, thoughts on things to do while there and of course the pool and bus transportation, though we are leaning towards renting a car because the resort seems a bit remote compared to the other resorts we have stayed at.

Thanks in advance for all of your help. I am hoping to convert my DW into a CSR lover so we have not only a deluxe (BC) that we love but also a moderate!

Jay

First, Jay, to our group here. We have lots of friendly people who love to share their knowledge and thoughts on the CSR.

Now, to try to answer/help you. I can tell you that Mark and I used to stay at the Contemporary and the Polynesian for several years before we switched to the CSR. We were at the All Star Sports in 2000 for a baseball tournament with our son and after three days we switched to the CSR because we couldn't stand the All Star. With the exception of one trip in 2004 for our oldest son's high school graduation, we have spent eight of our last nine stays at the Coronado. We love everything about it. We have celebrated both of our 50th birthdays as well as our 25th wedding anniversary at the CSR (Mark offered me the Poly for our anniversary and I chose to stay with the CSR). Don't get me wrong -- we love the Poly, just not the price tag. The CSR has everything we want and need (fitness center/spa/salon for me; hot tub for Mark -- both of which they DON'T have at the Poly). I think the biggest difference your wife is going to find is that she will be walking outdoors and not down a long hallway to get from Point A to Point B and there are NO balconies. However there are plenty of hammocks, benches in secluded areas within the coutyards, etc.

We have yet to try the BC but it is on our short list of deluxes we want to try for a couple of nights (the other being the AKL; as mentioned we've done CR and Poly; none of the others hold any appeal for me. It amused me that she loves the GF, but finds the YC "too stuffy". We found the GF "too stuffy" and Mark won't even walk in there anymore and the YC "too nautical".

Back to the CSR, our favorite section is the Casitas, specifically Casitas 4 or 5 -- close to the quiet pool, fitness center/spa and not a long walk anywhere. It takes me (at over 50 years now) about five minutes to walk to the main building at a normal pace and about eight minutes to the main pool. If I stop to look at the flowers, or look for "Glen" in the Lake, it will take me a little longer.

The Pool IS great...your daughter has a good idea. The Jaguar Slide is the longest of any of the moderates and there is a great playground and arcade right next to the pool, as well as the largest hot tub of the mdoerates and a sand volleyball court.

I think your wife will like the new decor of the rooms -- makes them almost feel deluxe, plus having queen beds is a huge plus

As far as being remote, according to many sites, it is rather centrally located. We drive to each of the parks because we rent a car (we go to the beach after our trips), and it takes 10 minutes max for any park -- the MK is the longest at 10 minutes and the others are 8 minutes or under. I did take a bus last year because I now do this "thread" and we got on at the last bus stop and it was ten minutes to the door at the MK.

Let me know if I missed anything or if you have any other questions. And never hesitate to PM me if you want to ask me something and feel more comfortable doing it that way.

Kathy

 

[KatMark]

10 days and counting until we arrive at CSR!! I just wanted to thank everyone on this board for all of the helpful advice.
I went back and forth about requesting Casitas (due to proximity to the fitness center, and 1st bus bus stop) BUT from the map it really looks like the walk to the gym would be a pretty one anyway...if we ended up in another area. So we are just going to go with what we are given and love it because we will be in DISNEY WORLD!!! YAY!
Anyone want pictures of anything special while we are there?

Have a most magical time if we don't talk before you go. Yes, it is a lovely walk around the entire resort and that is a great attitude to have. We really want to try the Ranchos next time as it is the only section we've NOT stayed in during our eight stays.

Any kind of pictures are welcome at all times. You might be on the look out in the lake to see if you see "Glen's" cousin...we could use an updated alligator picture.