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

[tiggerfan9984]

Definitely NOT true. We have stayed in the Casitas seven of our eight stays and only once was that a suite (that was a lovely upgrade for our 25th wedding anniversary). There are plenty of standard/water view rooms in the Casitas.

This is the first trip I have ever done without a TA and misinformation like this makes me reluctant to use one again. Unfortunately, this isn't the first story I've heard about TA's giving out the wrong information regarding WDW.

 

[LizAgna]

This is the first trip I have ever done without a TA and misinformation like this makes me reluctant to use one again. Unfortunately, this isn't the first story I've heard about TA's giving out the wrong information regarding WDW.

Like any industry there are both good and bad TAs out there. As long as you go with an agency that specializes in Disney you should be fine!

 

[Glenn&Sharon]

4. and finally (for tonight anyway) I'm a coffee snob and will be bringing my maxwell house. Do they sell 1/2 and 1/2 in the market?

Thanks so much for all your help. I hope after this trip I'll be able to help out a newbie!

The last time we were thare (2 years ago), Panchitos had whole milk, but no 1/2 & 1/2.

Don't blame you for bringing cofffee though. We're going to, next time.

 

[blsdmamaof3]

We're going down with a group in October and the group is using a TA and my friend and I chose to book our own familys' stays. The TA is not nearly as on top of things as we are. One of her jobs was to help them go as cheeply as possible. They've yet to book their flights but will be flying with an airline that they'll have to pay $25 a bag EACH direction. We're flying Southwest for $208 (total for round trip, with taxes) with no extra bag fees. If Southwest drops their prices between now and then, we'll get to keep that money toward our next trip. She's also given out false information to the group about other things like ADR's. We're gonna book our own.

We also chose to do the Give a Day, Get a Day (just completed and got our voucher today!) so we could save money on one day's park tickets. Only one other family in the group did this. She didn't even suggest it.

She is however going to help us with our park-and-fly hotel rate, but that's all we're using her for. I would just be cautious with a TA.

 

[baileygirlsmom]

We got here today and let me just say, WOW! After 7 stays at the Poly, I was a little nervous, but CSR is even better than I hoped for! We got Cabanas with a view of the lake and El Centro, corner room, we have the postcard view! The pool is amazing, and we loved Pepper Market! The only thing I would have done different is let bell services bring the luggage to our room, there weren't any luggage carts to be found, a nice CM found us a small trolley, we made 2 trips to get it all up here, other than that I would give it a 10 plus! The beds are amazing, very cozy! Thanks all you CSR fans and thanks Kat, this thread has really been helpful!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We got here today and let me just say, WOW! After 7 stays at the Poly, I was a little nervous, but CSR is even better than I hoped for! We got Cabanas with a view of the lake and El Centro, corner room, we have the postcard view! The pool is amazing, and we loved Pepper Market! The only thing I would have done different is let bell services bring the luggage to our room, there weren't any luggage carts to be found, a nice CM found us a small trolley, we made 2 trips to get it all up here, other than that I would give it a 10 plus! The beds are amazing, very cozy! Thanks all you CSR fans and thanks Kat, this thread has really been helpful!

How wonderful! Your room sounds like everyone's dream - good for you! Take pics if you can, cuz you know how DIS'ers love pictures of room locations!

So glad you are enjoying your stay - have a wonderful time!

 

[KatMark]

We got here today and let me just say, WOW! After 7 stays at the Poly, I was a little nervous, but CSR is even better than I hoped for! We got Cabanas with a view of the lake and El Centro, corner room, we have the postcard view! The pool is amazing, and we loved Pepper Market! The only thing I would have done different is let bell services bring the luggage to our room, there weren't any luggage carts to be found, a nice CM found us a small trolley, we made 2 trips to get it all up here, other than that I would give it a 10 plus! The beds are amazing, very cozy! Thanks all you CSR fans and thanks Kat, this thread has really been helpful!

Thank you so much for checking on on your arrival day and letting us know what you think of the CSR. So happy that you gave it a 10+ and are enjoying. Have a magical time.

 

[tinacaplan]

Happy Easter, my CSR friends. Kathy, what a sweet picture of you and your boys. My DS is only two and a half and I can't believe how quickly those years have gone.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We just returned yesterday from another wonderful stay at Coronado Springs! I have lots of pictures and I'll upload and post them this weekend.

For now here are my general comments:

CHECK-IN
When we arrived at 3:30pm on Tuesday, March 23rd I was sure that registration was going to be a mad house...boy was I wrong! We walked in and it was literally empty! There were 8 Cast Members eagerly waiting to assist us In all my years staying onsite I've never seen a resort lobby empty during peak check-in time!

We were assisted by a very pleasant CM. Our King Bed Junior Suite was ready, in Casitas 3, 3rd floor - Room 3221.

ROOM
We love the renovated junior suites at CSR. The living room furniture is gorgeous and the pull out couch is so much more comfortable than the murphy beds from pre-reno. The extra space, extra bathroom and extra fridge are so nice for our family, plus it gives us the ability to have some alone time so we don't get on each others nerves.

The room was spotlessly clean, and the furniture was all in good condition. The internet access was great (we brought an apple airport express and made our own wireless network - this was fantastic!). The remotes, phones, alarm clocks and air conditioning were all functioning perfectly.

Our view was great and our location even better! We had a stunning view of the mayan pyramid at the dig site across the lake. We were as close to El Centro as you can be, right on the corner where Casitas 3 meets Casitas 1.

GROUNDS
You could tell that winter had been hard on the grounds but they still looked far more lush and green than our home in Canada We spoke to our friend in administration who said that landscapers (a team of 50) have been working around the clock to repair the damage from the freezes and to replant areas.

The most significant damage from the freezes was the tall palm trees in Palm Court in the Casitas. The elevator courtyard connecting Casitas 1, 2 and 3 held 4 beautiful palm trees that have been taken down. The entire courtyard was closed for refurbishment when we arrived on March 23rd. By the 26th it was re-opened and completely different! There is new interlocking brick, gardens around the perimiter with small banana palms and flowers. I think it will look very nice when the landscaping matures, but I will miss the big palms.

MOUSEKEEPING
I have to confirm the reports of...lacking service in regards to mousekeeping. We have been staying at Disney resorts for 20 years and have stayed in moderates and deluxes. We are rope droppers and are typically out of the room by 8am. We return around 12:30 or 1 to have a nap, enjoy some pool time etc. We have always returned to a clean room. This trip was the expection.

Our first day, we were out of the room from 8 until 2 in the afternoon and we returned to find our room had not been serviced. We placed a call to housekeeping, explaining that we would be in the room until 4:30 and that we would like it serviced then. We also asked for "AM clean" to be noted on our reservation and requested our room be serviced by 11am each day.

The next day (Mar 25th) we returned at 12:30 and our room had not been serviced. We then placed a call to a housekeeping manager who assured us that our room would receive AM service for the remainder of the trip.

On Mar 26th our room was cleaned by the time we returned at 12.

However, March 27th we returned at 1pm to find, yet again, an unserviced room. We placed a second call to housekeeping and requested a manager once again.

The manager assured us that our room would be cleaned by 11am for the remainder of the trip. While this was the case, I feel it was completely unnecessary to have to have called THREE times to get this service.

Turndown service, which is included for suites, was hit and miss as well. Some nights only the King bed would be turned down, even though we left the pull out couch out - therefore it was obvious someone was sleeping there. Some nights we got extra towels and our garbages emptied, others we did not. Some nights we got little Coronado "buenos noches" cards and others none.

The service was inconsistent and the communication was poor. The AM clean should have been noted and provided after the FIRST request.

POOL
We went to the Dig Site one day and it looks refreshed from the refurb. There were many new chaises and the vegetation on the pyramid looks like it has been cleaned up. DMom took some pictures in the arcade, as they had been requested by a previous poster in this thread. I'll have them up this weekend.

FOOD
I can't say anything about the Pepper Market this trip as I never set foot in it once Sorry! I did sit at the Laguna Bar several times and must say I love this area. It is so relaxing and peaceful to grab a margarita, lay down on one of the big padded benches and just watch the world go by.

BUSES
Again, we rent a car, so I can't really speak on bus service either.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask!

Wow, what an excellent review - the detail is so helpful! It is always sad to read of the continued housekeeping slips at all the resorts. We've been going for almost 30 yrs and like your family, go to rope drop and return between 12 and 1 for an afternoon break, so morning housekeeping is very helpful. We also enjoy turn-down service at a deluxe and leave a nice tip both morning and evening. Nevertheless, we never know what to expect.

Thanks much and so glad you had a great trip!

 

[KatMark]

Happy Easter, my CSR friends. Kathy, what a sweet picture of you and your boys. My DS is only two and a half and I can't believe how quickly those years have gone.

Thank you, sweetie. Yes, they grow up way TOO fast! I can't believe my baby will be 22 in two short months.

Have a great Easter.

 

[Ela1972]

Hello Everyone,
Hope that you are all having a good Easter.

I am so sorry it has taken me this long to write a quick note on our recent trip. February wasn't that long ago!! Visited 15th-25th Febraury.

We had requested connecting rooms ground floor on our reservation and on our fax also requested Rancho's 7b as we enjoyed that location last year.

Check in was quick and very good especially as we had a strange code for the UK only tickets. We got connecting rooms, ground floor (for the stroller) and Casitas 4. I love this location it was beautiful. It was a bit of a trek to the dig site as the quiet pool was too cold to swim in - not heated at all. The dig site was great pool good and very warm.

The front desk also very kindly gave me a 2nd room card with charging priveleges then DH could keep all the park tickets together. He doesn't trust me. Just because I lose my house/car keys once a day, left boarding card in shop etc

Pepper Market, Rix cafe, Laguna bar and Siesta's were all as good as I remembered. DH got a little cross at the pepper market. He loves the buffalo wings and saw them making some so asked for them. They said they could make them special but it would cost $20:00. They were $8:75 at Siesta's and on room service menu

There was a little construction/renovation going on but it was not too noticable.

The first 3 days were very cold (just had to buy a Mickey hoody!!) but it soon warmed up but we had 2 afternoons of rain.

Mousekeeping were excellent. Our rooms were always cleaned when we returned at 2-3pm. The days we slept in they were cleaned by our return.
One problem we found a sock under the bed when we were leaving that didn't belong to us - have no idea how long it had been there!!

Bell services great took us and our luggage (we were so tired had been up 26 hours and had quite a few delays) to our room. They also picked up at time asked for.

We had 6 or 7 conferences on and only noticed a problem on the day we were leaving. We wre eating in pepper market before we left and had to delay this as it was so busy - not a problem! We had also saved some CS credits from dining plan to get a sandwich for plane ride home when we finally got in cafe rix there was not a sandwich left!! So we wasted 4 CS credits. Should have been more organised I suppose.

I still cannot do photo's - will keep trying!!

It is a shame you cannot book a bounceback for longer than a year. Coming from over the pond the airfares and taxes are so high - more than 2 weeks hotel stay we have to leave it 18 months at least between trips. WE WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK

 

[Matt@WDWR]

Hi all! I'm taking my 11 and 7 year old daughters for a Daddy/Daughters vacation from April 17-22. My wife is pregnant and going to visit her parents with our almost 2 year old daughter (PS we're finally having a boy). My wife and I thought it would be a great idea for me to take our two oldest on a trip to Disney as a way for them to have some fun without Audrey (2 yr old) or before Garrett shows up in July!

So, I let Allie and Lindsay plan the vacation. They chose Coronado Springs after seeing the pool for about 3 seconds.

Anybody recommend anything special to do while at the resort?

We can't wait!!!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Hi all! I'm taking my 11 and 7 year old daughters for a Daddy/Daughters vacation from April 17-22. My wife is pregnant and going to visit her parents with our almost 2 year old daughter (PS we're finally having a boy). My wife and I thought it would be a great idea for me to take our two oldest on a trip to Disney as a way for them to have some fun without Audrey (2 yr old) or before Garrett shows up in July!

So, I let Allie and Lindsay plan the vacation. They chose Coronado Springs after seeing the pool for about 3 seconds.

Anybody recommend anything special to do while at the resort?

We can't wait!!!

Congrats on the new baby and on the Daddy/daughter trip! I took my girls to CSR last May without DH (they are 7 and almost 11). We had such a great time! My DD7 enjoyed looking at all the flowers around the resort, and both girls enjoyed looking for Glen the alligator in the lake (he has since been removed, but there is a new friend there). The girls loved the slide and pool, and it was a challenge to get them out of the pool and back to the parks in the evening. We swung in the hammocks in the evening. We didn't do the arcade or playground, but they are available if you are interested.

My girls LOVE 50's Prime Time, so you might consider an ADR there if you are going to DHS. They loved watching Mom being warned about elbows on the table and eating all her vegetables. It is now a family tradition to eat there - we brought DH in January and it was just as much fun.

We stayed at AKL in January, and DD7 kept asking when we are going back to CSR. (We are going back in July ). Have a great trip and enjoy time with your daughters!

 

[Matt@WDWR]

Congrats on the new baby and on the Daddy/daughter trip! I took my girls to CSR last May without DH (they are 7 and almost 11). We had such a great time! My DD7 enjoyed looking at all the flowers around the resort, and both girls enjoyed looking for Glen the alligator in the lake (he has since been removed, but there is a new friend there). The girls loved the slide and pool, and it was a challenge to get them out of the pool and back to the parks in the evening. We swung in the hammocks in the evening. We didn't do the arcade or playground, but they are available if you are interested.

My girls LOVE 50's Prime Time, so you might consider an ADR there if you are going to DHS. They loved watching Mom being warned about elbows on the table and eating all her vegetables. It is now a family tradition to eat there - we brought DH in January and it was just as much fun.

We stayed at AKL in January, and DD7 kept asking when we are going back to CSR. (We are going back in July ). Have a great trip and enjoy time with your daughters!

That's funny. My girls are 7 and Allie turns 11 on our first day at Disney! We've eaten at pretty much every restaurant and 50s is one of their faves.

Thanks!

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Hi all! I'm taking my 11 and 7 year old daughters for a Daddy/Daughters vacation from April 17-22. My wife is pregnant and going to visit her parents with our almost 2 year old daughter (PS we're finally having a boy). My wife and I thought it would be a great idea for me to take our two oldest on a trip to Disney as a way for them to have some fun without Audrey (2 yr old) or before Garrett shows up in July!

So, I let Allie and Lindsay plan the vacation. They chose Coronado Springs after seeing the pool for about 3 seconds.

Anybody recommend anything special to do while at the resort?

We can't wait!!!

I can't really answer your question because I am not staying at CSR until June. However, I really like the idea of a Daddy/Daughter's trip. You should have a great time!!

 

[hoosiercruiser]

We leave in 5 days . I just sent my room request by fax, but really it doesn't matter because - WE'LL BE ON VACATION!!!

 

[KatMark]

Hello Everyone,
Hope that you are all having a good Easter.

I am so sorry it has taken me this long to write a quick note on our recent trip. February wasn't that long ago!! Visited 15th-25th Febraury.

We had requested connecting rooms ground floor on our reservation and on our fax also requested Rancho's 7b as we enjoyed that location last year.

Check in was quick and very good especially as we had a strange code for the UK only tickets. We got connecting rooms, ground floor (for the stroller) and Casitas 4. I love this location it was beautiful. It was a bit of a trek to the dig site as the quiet pool was too cold to swim in - not heated at all. The dig site was great pool good and very warm.

The front desk also very kindly gave me a 2nd room card with charging priveleges then DH could keep all the park tickets together. He doesn't trust me. Just because I lose my house/car keys once a day, left boarding card in shop etc

Pepper Market, Rix cafe, Laguna bar and Siesta's were all as good as I remembered. DH got a little cross at the pepper market. He loves the buffalo wings and saw them making some so asked for them. They said they could make them special but it would cost $20:00. They were $8:75 at Siesta's and on room service menu

There was a little construction/renovation going on but it was not too noticable.

The first 3 days were very cold (just had to buy a Mickey hoody!!) but it soon warmed up but we had 2 afternoons of rain.

Mousekeeping were excellent. Our rooms were always cleaned when we returned at 2-3pm. The days we slept in they were cleaned by our return.
One problem we found a sock under the bed when we were leaving that didn't belong to us - have no idea how long it had been there!!

Bell services great took us and our luggage (we were so tired had been up 26 hours and had quite a few delays) to our room. They also picked up at time asked for.

We had 6 or 7 conferences on and only noticed a problem on the day we were leaving. We wre eating in pepper market before we left and had to delay this as it was so busy - not a problem! We had also saved some CS credits from dining plan to get a sandwich for plane ride home when we finally got in cafe rix there was not a sandwich left!! So we wasted 4 CS credits. Should have been more organised I suppose.

I still cannot do photo's - will keep trying!!

It is a shame you cannot book a bounceback for longer than a year. Coming from over the pond the airfares and taxes are so high - more than 2 weeks hotel stay we have to leave it 18 months at least between trips. WE WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK

So glad you enjoyed your stay yet again at CSR! Thank you for the detailed review.

Hi all! I'm taking my 11 and 7 year old daughters for a Daddy/Daughters vacation from April 17-22. My wife is pregnant and going to visit her parents with our almost 2 year old daughter (PS we're finally having a boy). My wife and I thought it would be a great idea for me to take our two oldest on a trip to Disney as a way for them to have some fun without Audrey (2 yr old) or before Garrett shows up in July!

So, I let Allie and Lindsay plan the vacation. They chose Coronado Springs after seeing the pool for about 3 seconds.

Anybody recommend anything special to do while at the resort?

We can't wait!!!

What fun -- a daddy/daughter trip.

Be sure to stop by the little bridge between the Casitas and the Ranchos as you can usually find the turtles sunbathing on the rocks; be sure to walk around the lake -- early in the a.m. is the best time -- to see if you can find Alice (our newest resident Alligator). Let the girls lay in the hammocks and count the stars at night. Be sure to visit Panchitos -- the gift shop -- lots of wonderful items there.

But, most important, just enjoy your daddy/daughter time together.

We leave in 5 days . I just sent my room request by fax, but really it doesn't matter because - WE'LL BE ON VACATION!!!

Yahoo!!!! Have a magical time. Hope you enjoy your stay at the CSR.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I'm still enjoying this thread! It's loaded with great information!

I'd like to spend a couple of afternoons relaxing at the pool. Shade is an absolute must for me, and by looking at the photos it doesn't seem like there's any shade in the pool area other than maybe a few umbrellas, which do not give much shade.

Is there a place you can sit in the shade mid-afternoon while keeping an eye on the kids in the pool? I don't have to be right on top of my kids (they're 12 and 14--good swimmers) but do want to stay within general eyeshot while sitting in the shade if that's possible.

Is Siestas shady? If it is, can you basically see most of the pool from there?

TIA!

 

[KatMark]

I'm still enjoying this thread! It's loaded with great information!

I'd like to spend a couple of afternoons relaxing at the pool. Shade is an absolute must for me, and by looking at the photos it doesn't seem like there's any shade in the pool area other than maybe a few umbrellas, which do not give much shade.

Is there a place you can sit in the shade mid-afternoon while keeping an eye on the kids in the pool? I don't have to be right on top of my kids (they're 12 and 14--good swimmers) but do want to stay within general eyeshot while sitting in the shade if that's possible.

Is Siestas shady? If it is, can you basically see most of the pool from there?

TIA!

Some time ago, someone else had this same concern. I don't remember if it was two "unofficial threads" ago or if it might be under the CSR photo thread in the photo threads section. I do remember someone posting a couple of spots that were in the shade. Siesta's might have a little protection over your head, but your back or front would probably be exposed to the sun. I know that I cannot take as much sun as my DH, and I have often gone and sat in one of the chairs off by the trees and been protected from the sun. You can see the majority of the main pool from just about anywhere you sit (except the hot tub).

 

[kelseyledare]

Very excited about our upcoming Disney trip! It's our second trip with our girls 20 mos and 4.5 yrs. Last time, we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside but wanted to try CSR this time.

I'm wondering which room request would be best for us: we'd like to be close to Dig Site and playground without it being too noisy or bright at night. We don't eat at the resort much so proximity to El Centro or Pepper Market isn't a big issue for us. We drive to the parks daily so bus location isn't too important either.

I've looked at Cabanas 8B, 8A, 9A with Ranchos 7B lastly as possibilities.
What are your suggestions??? Thanks!!