Has anyone ever stayed at CSR with free dining? I was told this morning that there is no availability at CSR for the current free dining promotion and that if I want free dining I would have to move to a different resort. I'm so, so sad about this. I really wanted to stay at CSR, but the fact they are not offering any rooms for free dining makes it much, much more expensive than other moderates now.
Is it possible they'll open some rooms up at some point?! So sad.
Has anyone ever stayed at CSR with free dining? I was told this morning that there is no availability at CSR for the current free dining promotion and that if I want free dining I would have to move to a different resort. I'm so, so sad about this. I really wanted to stay at CSR, but the fact they are not offering any rooms for free dining makes it much, much more expensive than other moderates now.
Is it possible they'll open some rooms up at some point?! So sad.
Has anyone ever stayed at CSR with free dining? I was told this morning that there is no availability at CSR for the current free dining promotion and that if I want free dining I would have to move to a different resort. I'm so, so sad about this. I really wanted to stay at CSR, but the fact they are not offering any rooms for free dining makes it much, much more expensive than other moderates now.
Is it possible they'll open some rooms up at some point?! So sad.
So I assume it's booked for conventions but I did a search and couldn't find anything at that time. It's possible that it will open up later. But doesn't look like they'll have anything for FD. 
Just got back myself and already reviewed a couple of posts ago, but wanted to say I definitely agree with all your statements, especially the three above. Our request was ignored too and we were given Cabanas 9a facing the parking lot. We took it, although I kinda wished we hadn't, more for the smoky smell and less for the view. The concierge was great. My son found a wallet in the parking lot of DHS and we called the owner who asked us to leave it for them at our resort. The concierge was most willing to help. Registration was simply going through the motions, not rude but not particularly friendly either. Gift shop staff was extremely nice.
Has anyone ever stayed at CSR with free dining? I was told this morning that there is no availability at CSR for the current free dining promotion and that if I want free dining I would have to move to a different resort. I'm so, so sad about this. I really wanted to stay at CSR, but the fact they are not offering any rooms for free dining makes it much, much more expensive than other moderates now.
Is it possible they'll open some rooms up at some point?! So sad.
They have a small coffee pot. DH & I just love our coffee. So for us, we can bring a larger pot and make it once. Guess we have been doing this right along so never gave it a thought. We are spoiled at home and make our coffee the night before, so we stumble into the kitchen and there it is. Really no big deal if you are driving, creative packing if you fly, but a definite if you are there for more than 3 days in our book.
Maybe they get so used to dealing with convention people who aren't necessarily in the same mindset as a typical vacationer, or maybe they're trained to have a certain level of 'business professional' decorum for their convention guests and some have a harder time 'turning it off' when they get an excited vacationer?
I need help from coffee lovers who have stayed at CSR!!! I will need at least 1 strong cup in the morning and would love to be able to take it with me on the bus heading to the parks (don't want to use the refillable mug because I don't want to carry it around all day when I am done)
Are there to-go cups with lids in the room or should I bring my own?
Do they provide those prefilled pod filters? If so, I will need 2 to make them the strength I needMaybe I should bring my own coffee and filters but I don't really want to purchase an entire pack of small filters just to use 1 week
Can I purchase liquid or powdered creamer there?
Maybe it would be easier to go get coffee in my refill mug then switch it to a to-go cup in the room? How is the coffee...any good?
Hi all. Just back from CSR and thought I would share a few things about my experience. First of all we did a split stay. Worked great on both ends. ASMusic and CSR. Arrived early at CSR from ASMusic 12:30ish on April 13th. Went to the Registration area and only had to wait a few minutes. The CM there gave us our packet and said Cabanas 9a Room 9229. Did they not see our request for Ranchos courtyard view made at the time of reservation?? At first I said we might want to try something new, but then I asked her exactly where the room was located and what it faced. She said it faced the parking lot. At that point, I said, "NO." Really didn't care for that section at all as it reminds me of CBR and is my least favorite section of the resort. She checked her computer again and this time she said room 6647 in Ranchos 6B. It was a corner room with a beautiful view of the cactus gardens and streambeds on the second floor right down from the elevator. Only drawback that I could see was that it was near the designated smoking area. It was close to Bus Stop 3 and a short walk to the Dig Pool. Okay we are a go!! No mention of DD's graduation; but after the room request, I didn't expect any acknowledgment. It appears our room assignment was just generated and the request ignored. Glad it wasn't the first night. No luggage yet. Now we head over toward Ranchos and just as we cross the bridge, it starts to rain, so we duck into the Dig Site and have some lunch at Siesta's Pool Bar. DH & I have margaritas and DS and DD have a little something to eat. Franciso was the bartender. Nice guy. Margaritas not that great-seems premade in a machine. DS heads for the arcade while we wait out the short rainstorm. Checked out the hot tub on the way to the room. Nice walk from the pool to the Ranchos section. Went past 6A where we stayed for the Grainger Convention. Nice section, but I must say 6B with such a pretty view of the 7a gardens was much better. Definitely worth asking for and so glad we were accommodated for our original request. Beautiful room as well!! Okay, now to call for the luggage which has arrived. We walked to luggage services (where you pick up the Magical Express) and retrieved our luggage--no problem--easy as pie. Suppose we could have used Bell Services, but the kids now got to see the Casistas section. You know how you just have to check it all out.
Got our refillable mugs as ASMusic and were more expensive there- $13.49.
Rix Cafe just perfect for snacks, breakfast etc. Did not use the Pepper Market or the Maya Grill.
Check the water behind the Laguna Bar for Glen (the alligator) and Mavis (the turtle). Guests keep them well fed.
Conventions were going on at the time. Absolutely no impact. Saw people walking around with nametags, but that was about it.
Unfortunately, Quiet Ranchos Pool was closed while we were there. Didn't hear any noise even though it looked like they were refinishing the pool. Too bad; and such a pretty pool at that. Next time.
Hot tub packed with teens while we were there one time. Nice and warm though. Nice to warm up before heading back to room to shower. Also a great time to take extra towels back to your room for a shower!!
Pool is beautiful; especially at night. A red light appears at the top of the temple. The God is in, I guess.
Arcade -- worked as we had a card from a previous trip, kind of like KTTW. If you had a package deal, they gave you 100 points in the folder with a bar code. Unfortunately, it didn't work at CSR or the other resorts we went to. Went to Concierge (Jeremy) took care of it and credited our acct. Too bad, but satisfied. Wish they would just stick with the plastic, more reliable.
Concierge--always friendly, helpful, warm.
Registration--no smiles, not warm, doing exactly their job-no more.
Bell Services--great
Luggage near ME for transfer--great and hardworking.
Housekeeping--clean. Forgot to take out DND sign and called and asked them if they would service the room while we swam and by the time we got back, all done. Great. Also the second day we were there had a beautiful, two-swan towel animal in our window. In addition, friendly in the hallways.
Gift shop--always friendly. The same gal from Fairfield was there when we were there in January. Nice to see they retain good employees.
Bus Service- Always took buses from Stop 1 and dropped off at Stop 3. No problem. One time we started at 1 and went around entire hotel. No problem. Great at night. Stood only on the way home from EPCOT one night.
Would I stay again?? Yes Grounds are beautiful. Early mornings are beautiful and serene. Not there for the sunsets.
Suggestions for others: Make sure you are happy with your room assignment before you leave the registration desk. We love the Ranchos section, have been on the second floor twice. Bring your own coffee pot if you do not like Nescafe and it is really important to you. It is a long walk without your first cup especially in the am rain. Take lots of pictures. There is something different every day.
Has anyone ever stayed at CSR with free dining? I was told this morning that there is no availability at CSR for the current free dining promotion and that if I want free dining I would have to move to a different resort. I'm so, so sad about this. I really wanted to stay at CSR, but the fact they are not offering any rooms for free dining makes it much, much more expensive than other moderates now.
Is it possible they'll open some rooms up at some point?! So sad.
CSR has been tough to get into at that time for months now. I was trying to book 10/2-9 and was told nothing was available - a full year ahead of time.
ETA: After reading the above post, I agree - Call back!!!
) it really wasn't a stretch. Now the tough part. My DD LOVES the movies and poolside activities at ASMu. Any suggestions on how to convince her she will enjoy CSR? The fact that Dad wants to sit in the hottub doesn't seem to carry much weight.
I am so excited about our upcoming trip! I just upgraded our reservation from ASMu to CSR and with the free dining it was only about $36 more. We have always stayed at values up until now but I just wanted to slurge a little and since I had already budgeted for the trip without FD (before I got on this forum
P.S. No CSR themed ticker? Anyone know where to find one?
By Sunday they were all gone.. We did have some excitement on our last night. A small boy, around 10, crawled up the pyramid to the top 
. He got up there so fast before any lifeguard could see him. We had to alert the lifeguard. Whistles started blowing, lifeguards were hollaring at him to stay put, but the dad was hollaring at him to get down, kinda chaotic. Staff had to turn off the pyramid water and a lifeguard had to climb up the pyramid and snake through the vines to rescue the kid.
I faxed my request in about 4 days in advance.Could someone refresh my memory as to when we should fax in our room request. We did this last year for our stay and they honored our request to be in the Cabana section. Hoping for the same thing this year...just can't remember how far in advance we did it. Thanks!
