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

[gatrbait]

Travel safe!

 

[KatMark]

We are leaving in 2 hours for DC. We get the plane tomorrow morning.

Can't wait to see CSR!!!

Have a wonderful time. We will be anxious to hear all about it when you get back. Be safe, have fun.

 

[pmickus]

We leave in just a few weeks for our first stay at CSR. We always stay at POFQ but the kids really wanted to stay at CSR for the pool. I am also looking forward to the queen beds with my 6'4" husband.

I noticed that CSR has an onsite bakery. What kind of small Disney treats do they offer? I would love to get some to surprise my boys on the first night. Do they offer any of the cute new cupcakes, mini Mickey head cakes or the pirate chest individual cake offered at other resorts.

Disney's Cake Hotline tells me all full service restaurants have these cakes but when I called CSR both Maya grill and the bakery thought I was crazy.

Here is the thread for the Pirate Cake - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33446565&postcount=86

Mini Mickey Head Snack Cake - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32518540&postcount=36

 

[fours]

Just back....LOVED IT. Used online check in..In and out within 3 mins tops so easy to use. Spent 6 wonderful days/nights at the Ranchos ground level. Perfect location. Mousekeeping was wonderful..had the room cleaned up early each day. Three towel animals..nice surprise. Loved having the ceiling fan to helpout the AC. Enjoyed having the queen beds over the double beds. Only thing I suggest is be careful of snakes....they like the rocks by the pool.

 

[DaniB]

We leave in just a few weeks for our first stay at CSR. We always stay at POFQ but the kids really wanted to stay at CSR for the pool. I am also looking forward to the queen beds with my 6'4" husband.

I noticed that CSR has an onsite bakery. What kind of small Disney treats do they offer? I would love to get some to surprise my boys on the first night. Do they offer any of the cute new cupcakes, mini Mickey head cakes or the pirate chest individual cake offered at other resorts.

Disney's Cake Hotline tells me all full service restaurants have these cakes but when I called CSR both Maya grill and the bakery thought I was crazy.

Here is the thread for the Pirate Cake - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33446565&postcount=86

Mini Mickey Head Snack Cake - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32518540&postcount=36

That cake thread is amazing! I had no idea such beautiful cakes could be ordered. Thanks for the link!

 

[Pixiedust34]

Just back....LOVED IT. Used online check in..In and out within 3 mins tops so easy to use. Spent 6 wonderful days/nights at the Ranchos ground level. Perfect location. Mousekeeping was wonderful..had the room cleaned up early each day. Three towel animals..nice surprise. Loved having the ceiling fan to helpout the AC. Enjoyed having the queen beds over the double beds. Only thing I suggest is be careful of snakes....they like the rocks by the pool.

The only snake we ever saw at WDW was at POFQ and it was dead. It looked like a golf carf ran over it.

I thought about snakes when I saw all of the rocks in the landscaping at CSR. Those rocks are a perfect snake habitat. Are they frequently seen? Note to self: Don't go near those rocks!

Glad you had a good trip! It's always nice to hear positive reports about Mousekeeping and that the Rancheros section was enjoyed. Thanks for the review!

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Jumping in!

We'll be at CSR early December. Can't wait, it looks so beautiful!

We wanted to be close to the dig site. I requested Cabanas 8, but perhaps Castitas 5 would be good too? I'm not too concerned about the walk to the restaurants, we'll probably do most of our eating at the parks or the pool bar/grill. Kids will be 9 and 6 and are great walkers! (Plus we will have a car)

Are you allowed to sit outsite your door while the kids fall asleep (being quiet, of course)? Is a ground floor best for this?

Also, can kids eat at the bar that's on the lake front? It looks like a beautiful spot to have a lunch or late night snack. Just wasn't sure if kids were allowed if it's considered a "bar".

Thanks. I'm getting so excited reading this thread. How can I wait 5 months?!?!?!?

 

[thumperjr9]

Just back....LOVED IT. Used online check in..In and out within 3 mins tops so easy to use. Spent 6 wonderful days/nights at the Ranchos ground level. Perfect location. Mousekeeping was wonderful..had the room cleaned up early each day. Three towel animals..nice surprise. Loved having the ceiling fan to helpout the AC. Enjoyed having the queen beds over the double beds. Only thing I suggest is be careful of snakes....they like the rocks by the pool.

We just got back a few weeks ago from our 2nd stay and loved it as well. Luckily we didn't see the snakes. We were in Cabanas 8A and did see a racoon several times in the areas near the pool. He would come out right in the midddle of the day. It made me a little nervous. There were some large live traps in the bushes which I'm sure were intended for him. If you didn't see him then maybe they caught him and took him for a long ride!

 

[fours]

The only snake we ever saw at WDW was at POFQ and it was dead. It looked like a golf carf ran over it.

I thought about snakes when I saw all of the rocks in the landscaping at CSR. Those rocks are a perfect snake habitat. Are they frequently seen? Note to self: Don't go near those rocks!

Glad you had a good trip! It's always nice to hear positive reports about Mousekeeping and that the Rancheros section was enjoyed. Thanks for the review!

Oldest daughter seen one while talking on her cellphone near the pool near the huge rocks laying in the sun. Then on a different day another guest ran over one with her suitcase while walking around the pool near the rocks...poor girl is prolly still having fits over seeing it....the entire pool area heard her yell about it. Opposite ends of the pool for the sightings.

 

[fours]

We just got back a few weeks ago from our 2nd stay and loved it as well. Luckily we didn't see the snakes. We were in Cabanas 8A and did see a racoon several times in the areas near the pool. He would come out right in the midddle of the day. It made me a little nervous. There were some large live traps in the bushes which I'm sure were intended for him. If you didn't see him then maybe they caught him and took him for a long ride!

lol..nope...no raccoons seen on our trip...I would have rather of seen that then a snake though. I know a few days during the week of our stay pest control was called once for a "pest" and another for the 6ft gator in the main pond. So maybe the pest was the coon that you seen. I asked the mousekeeping girl what she meant by pest was it snake or what and she gave me a face like this and said is there snakes around here. lol. I just told her she would be ok...just keep her eyes as to where she walks.

 

[tinacaplan]

Jumping in!

We'll be at CSR early December. Can't wait, it looks so beautiful!

We wanted to be close to the dig site. I requested Cabanas 8, but perhaps Castitas 5 would be good too? I'm not too concerned about the walk to the restaurants, we'll probably do most of our eating at the parks or the pool bar/grill. Kids will be 9 and 6 and are great walkers! (Plus we will have a car)

Are you allowed to sit outsite your door while the kids fall asleep (being quiet, of course)? Is a ground floor best for this?

Also, can kids eat at the bar that's on the lake front? It looks like a beautiful spot to have a lunch or late night snack. Just wasn't sure if kids were allowed if it's considered a "bar".

Thanks. I'm getting so excited reading this thread. How can I wait 5 months?!?!?!?

It is beautiful. I can't see why you couldn't it outside of your room..only problem is that there's only one chair! I don't think the Laguna Bar is off-limits to kids, but I could be wrong. There are a lot of tables in that general area anyway. You can also do take-out from Pepper Market and eat it out there.

My husband and I stayed in Casitas 4 in February for our adults-only anniversary trip. I'm in the process of planning our return in February with our son and I think I'm going to request Cabanas (or even Ranchos) because it would be nice to be as close as possible to the Dig Site, which is where the pool, the arcade, and playground are all located. But in all honesty, despite what some folks say, CSR isn't THAT big. I just think a lot of people aren't accustomed to walking.

 

[Sk8Leigh]

But in all honesty, despite what some folks say, CSR isn't THAT big. I just think a lot of people aren't accustomed to walking.

The problem is that it's huge when you're coming back from a long day at the parks and your feet already hurt. Otherwise it wouldn't be that big a deal.

 

[KatMark]

The only snake we ever saw at WDW was at POFQ and it was dead. It looked like a golf carf ran over it.

I thought about snakes when I saw all of the rocks in the landscaping at CSR. Those rocks are a perfect snake habitat. Are they frequently seen? Note to self: Don't go near those rocks!

Glad you had a good trip! It's always nice to hear positive reports about Mousekeeping and that the Rancheros section was enjoyed. Thanks for the review!

So far we've been fortunate and not seen a snake at the CSR. There was young boy who was bit by one at the CBR (Caribbean) last year. He put his hands in the foilage to retrieve a toy when he was bit; he ended up in the hospital for two or three days while on vacation.

Jumping in!

We'll be at CSR early December. Can't wait, it looks so beautiful!

We wanted to be close to the dig site. I requested Cabanas 8, but perhaps Castitas 5 would be good too? I'm not too concerned about the walk to the restaurants, we'll probably do most of our eating at the parks or the pool bar/grill. Kids will be 9 and 6 and are great walkers! (Plus we will have a car)

Are you allowed to sit outsite your door while the kids fall asleep (being quiet, of course)? Is a ground floor best for this?

Also, can kids eat at the bar that's on the lake front? It looks like a beautiful spot to have a lunch or late night snack. Just wasn't sure if kids were allowed if it's considered a "bar".

Thanks. I'm getting so excited reading this thread. How can I wait 5 months?!?!?!?

Casitas 5 is our personal favorite...we love it there. It takes DH and I (both over 50 years old) about five to six minutes to the main building and about seven to eight minutes to the main pool (I walk normal, Mark walks a little slower).

The problem with sitting outside is that there is only one chair in the room now instead of two; we used to pull the chairs out and make sure we weren't in the way. We like first floor because there are benches you can sit on which are close to some of the buildings.

Yes, the kids can eat by the Laguna Bar. We would carry our food out from the Pepper Market at dinner time and sit at the tables right by the Laguna Bar...this is not a problem at all.

We just got back a few weeks ago from our 2nd stay and loved it as well. Luckily we didn't see the snakes. We were in Cabanas 8A and did see a racoon several times in the areas near the pool. He would come out right in the midddle of the day. It made me a little nervous. There were some large live traps in the bushes which I'm sure were intended for him. If you didn't see him then maybe they caught him and took him for a long ride!

We have never seen a racoon at the CSR; those things scare me with their eyes.

The problem is that it's huge when you're coming back from a long day at the parks and your feet already hurt. Otherwise it wouldn't be that big a deal.

Yes, the CSR is a large resort. But we've, truthfully, had a longer walk at the Contemporary and my best friend had a longer walk at the Animal Kingdom Lodge than we've ever had at the CSR. If you get off the bus by your section, it really isn't all that bad.

 

[Cafeen]

The problem is that it's huge when you're coming back from a long day at the parks and your feet already hurt. Otherwise it wouldn't be that big a deal.

It's all physics. During the day as the hot FL sun (yes, even on those rare cold days!) the ground heats up. This causes expansion and grows the resort to be much bigger than it was when you left in the morning!

Really, I'm not making it up.... well. Maybe I am, but it sure seems that way .

Overall though, while it's a large resort, it seems to be designed very well in the sense that the central lake is smaller than CBR (which is a similar style in layout) thus reducing the length of the walk to get from A to B. So, while the resort is comparable to CBR in overall size, the design of the interior pathways makes it feel smaller. (Though it's still large for sure, but the majority of Disney resorts are out of necessity).

 

[hotspot14]

But in all honesty, despite what some folks say, CSR isn't THAT big. I just think a lot of people aren't accustomed to walking.

I agree. All the mods are big except for POFQ. Even the deluxes are big, they just have walks that are inside. If you use the buses correctly, its not a big deal.

 

[Tigger-tastic]

We stayed at CSR in December and absolutely loved it, although missed out on all the wildlife!

 

[KatMark]

It's all physics. During the day as the hot FL sun (yes, even on those rare cold days!) the ground heats up. This causes expansion and grows the resort to be much bigger than it was when you left in the morning!

Really, I'm not making it up.... well. Maybe I am, but it sure seems that way .

Overall though, while it's a large resort, it seems to be designed very well in the sense that the central lake is smaller than CBR (which is a similar style in layout) thus reducing the length of the walk to get from A to B. So, while the resort is comparable to CBR in overall size, the design of the interior pathways makes it feel smaller. (Though it's still large for sure, but the majority of Disney resorts are out of necessity).

Alan, I adore you.

We stayed at CSR in December and absolutely loved it, although missed out on all the wildlife!

Glad you loved it. I would like to pass on any raccoon encounters, but looking forward to seeing "Ally."

 

[KELLY]

The problem is that it's huge when you're coming back from a long day at the parks and your feet already hurt. Otherwise it wouldn't be that big a deal.

I'm another one who didn't find it that large. I think it is a lovely resort and would go back in a minute. But it always seemed booked for our dates.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

The background information is that I'm heading to CSR in 10 days for a dance competition that two of my children are in and our dance studio was interested in booking a team meal.

Dh and I got married a tad too early to have our wedding at WDW. So working with special events was really like a dream come true.

That being said, it was incredibly difficult to actually get hold of the person I needed to talk with. Apparently because we were associated with the Dance Olympus Competition I could only talk with one CM. It took three days to connect. That was frustrating. However, once I got hold of the CM in question, they were so wonderful that I soon forgot about my previous frustration.

She emailed me the information on menus. I've included it for you in case you want to browse through yourself.

What it came down to is we decided not to anything.

1) we have a highly allergic dancer on our team. While I have full faith in Disney to take extra special care of her, her parents were not as trustful.

2) The only time we could get the whole team together was for about an hour for brunch on the last day of competition. While you are all familiar with how much I love brunch, apparently my love is not shared by the other parents of the team. It was dinner or nothing.

3)With the extra money charged for the dance competition and workshops plus the disney sticker shock (although we did get corporate discounts) for some newby disney travellers the parents decided they didn't want to shell out any more money.


Without a team meal there was no need to bring in a character. Which is about $900 for 30 minutes. Beside Minnie only had a cheer leading costume. Not a dancer's costume. But if you want to see some of the rarely seen outfits on characters this might be the way to do it. It was $1300 for an hour of a character. The character had to take a small break at the 30 minute mark. You could have two different characters in the hour and have someone else come out for the second 30 minutes.

Instead we are all going to meet by the main pool in our dance studio tank tops for a group photo. The parents of the highly allergic dancer is going to bring a cake (perhaps that they are making themselves?) and the dancers can all have swim together.

We still might go with the photographer that Disney gave us. It was $200 for a group photo of less than 75 people and they would put our logo around around the photo. To buy an 8x10 would then cost $15. The dance studio owner really wants a good photo for our local newspaper so I still have hope I can at least organize that.

I can't get the photography link to show. Sorry but I do have the other links.

Here is the cake information from special events at the Coronado

http://www.disneycateredmenus.com/menus/CC/Celebration_Cakes_v092209.pdf

Here is their menus. Keep in mind that the cheapest brunch is listed at $21 something. But with tax it comes out to $25 something. The pricing listed is for adults. Children ages 3-9 are half price and under 3 is free. However, if you are doing a desert menu then children are the same price as adults. I guess Disney has realized that kids eat more desert than adults.

http://www.disneycateredmenus.com/menus/CSR/C_S_All_Menus_v092209.pdf

 

[JenniJ]

Are there any actives at CSR? We are considering a split stay from 11/28-124 arriving at CSR for 3 day and transferring to AKL for the last 3. I know AKL has actives but does CSR?

Our party consists of me, DH, DD17 and DS2.