Coronado Springs Resort - New Unofficial FAQ Thread - November 2011

[KatMark]

Got back last week from our 8 night stay. I was sooooo looking forward to CSR. I’ve read this thread for months in anticipation of our stay here.

I found the grounds to be lovely and restful. For us, the busses were the best - we never waited more than 10 mins and never had to stand – the busses were never full. There was a large convention going on Tues – Fri, and it really kept the quiet pools and busses empty – I found the conventions a plus.

We were on the DDP, and Pepper Market was nice for breakfast. Though, I likely wouldn’t pay out of pocket for it. It was peaceful and laid back – unlike our experiences at the Pop food court. ...I found that to be a plus. If I were not on the DDP and liked to eat at my home resort, I’d recommend choosing another property. I did not like Rix – small and stressful.

Much to my disappointment, housekeeping was a negative experience. Our room was dirty, and the ceiling fan, TV, fridge, some lightbulbs above the sink, and TV remote did not work. The room was in dire need of a good vacuuming and the bathroom a good scrubbing! The nightstand was covered in dust and large dust tumbleweeds were all over. Hair and dirt in our bathroom, tub and beds. Food and food wrappers between the mattresses. The duvets and sheets were stained and needed discarded. I never saw them change the duvets between guests – I intentionally watched for this. Our room was never really cleaned the entire time – the dirt and dust remained. It was only tided….not cleaned.

We called on these items, but it got to be such a pain and the frustration was bringing me down. I finally gave up and tried to keep my focus on the trip and having fun and to not think about the filth and germs in the room. I am concerned that someone signed off on this room as ready for guests. Disney or not, this was unacceptable for any hotel or resort.

We've submitted this in writing to Disney, but I'm not really expecting much back from it.....

If housekeeping were at least status quo, this resort would rock for us! Best moderate resort for an adults only trip too. However, based on this experience, I don’t think I’ll go back. I’m going back to POR or off property next time. It was really a disappointment, and I sooo wanted to love it!!!!!!!

I'm sorry to hear this (our room at All-Star Music in April was not very clean when we arrived either -- dust, crumbs, etc.). Did you go to the front desk and complain? Calling the front desk does not work as you really aren't getting the front desk.

I hope your next trip back to POR will be better for you.

 

[Disney Sheri]

Hi all. Dd and I are here now! Did online check in, requested casitas and got Ranchos 7A, which is fine but wow what a far walk to El Centro! Also, the wifi in our room stinks. Haven't been able to connect to it at all. Using the wifi right now at el Centro. Anyway...just wanted to pop in and ask quickly if there is a shower area near the pool or in the health club? We are leaving tomorrow night and wanted to wash up before our flight after spending the day in the parks. TIA!

Hi! We just got back from CSR and we were also in Rancho's 7A! The walk is too far but I found if you use the resort transportation (golf carts) it helped so much! The stop is right across from Ranchos 7A-I think it might be at Ranchos 6B and then there is one from El Centro. Especially with all the rain we got last week. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Got back last week from our 8 night stay. I was sooooo looking forward to CSR. I’ve read this thread for months in anticipation of our stay here.

I found the grounds to be lovely and restful. For us, the busses were the best - we never waited more than 10 mins and never had to stand – the busses were never full. There was a large convention going on Tues – Fri, and it really kept the quiet pools and busses empty – I found the conventions a plus.

We were on the DDP, and Pepper Market was nice for breakfast. Though, I likely wouldn’t pay out of pocket for it. It was peaceful and laid back – unlike our experiences at the Pop food court. ...I found that to be a plus. If I were not on the DDP and liked to eat at my home resort, I’d recommend choosing another property. I did not like Rix – small and stressful.

Much to my disappointment, housekeeping was a negative experience. Our room was dirty, and the ceiling fan, TV, fridge, some lightbulbs above the sink, and TV remote did not work. The room was in dire need of a good vacuuming and the bathroom a good scrubbing! The nightstand was covered in dust and large dust tumbleweeds were all over. Hair and dirt in our bathroom, tub and beds. Food and food wrappers between the mattresses. The duvets and sheets were stained and needed discarded. I never saw them change the duvets between guests – I intentionally watched for this. Our room was never really cleaned the entire time – the dirt and dust remained. It was only tided….not cleaned.

We called on these items, but it got to be such a pain and the frustration was bringing me down. I finally gave up and tried to keep my focus on the trip and having fun and to not think about the filth and germs in the room. I am concerned that someone signed off on this room as ready for guests. Disney or not, this was unacceptable for any hotel or resort.

We've submitted this in writing to Disney, but I'm not really expecting much back from it.....

If housekeeping were at least status quo, this resort would rock for us! Best moderate resort for an adults only trip too. However, based on this experience, I don’t think I’ll go back. I’m going back to POR or off property next time. It was really a disappointment, and I sooo wanted to love it!!!!!!!

I'm so sorry that the (lack of) housekeeping put your stay in a negative light, but since you liked everything else about the resort, I'd definitely encourage you to give it another try. Unfortunately, you can have a poor housekeeper at any resort, any level of resort from Value to Deluxe. If you ever have any problem, I always recommend actually visiting the Front Desk of the resort rather than calling from your room phone. All calls are directed to call centers and the person you're talking to is not at the resort even though the call is answered that way. Another good option is to speak to a housekeeper in person.

Glad to hear you enjoyed PM for breakfast and the bus service was good for you!

 

[Merlin123]

We were just there starting Memorial Day...ate the breakfast buffet 3 times during our stay. Sadly, NO Mickey waffles. They had what appeared and tasted like frozen square waffles. I was disspointed by this - especially reading reports early on that the buffet kept them.

Had mickey waffles last weekend at the buffet.

 

[andieb0602]

Had mickey waffles last weekend at the buffet.

Interesting...we ate there twice the week before Memorial Day and they didn't have them then. In fact the menu board looked like it said "Mickey waffles" at one point in time and they had placed black tape over the "Mickey" portion. Maybe the waffle maker was broken. My kids like the square waffles but they'll eat cardboard if you put it in a waffle maker.

I think the value of Pepper Market depends on what kind of breakfast you eat. We were on the dining plan but I think it would be something we would also pay OOP for. We tend to skip lunch on vacation and simply eat a big breakfast and early dinner. DH and I liked being able to get a variety of food for breakfast. My kids also ate good amounts of food and at least there I can make certain they don't eat just pancakes swimming in syrup for breakfast.

 

[andieb0602]

If housekeeping were at least status quo, this resort would rock for us!

I'll admit that I did find the housekeeping inconsistent during our stay. I'm thinking that we had 4 different housekeepers simply due to where the fresh toiletries were placed each day. The first day back from the parks (Sunday) all we had were fresh towels and a quick (not very good) vacuum. Our son had spilled trail mix the night before and it was like the housekeeper did just enough to get it up but didn't try to hard.

The rest of the days were cleaned well except we did have an issue on Tuesday. We had gone out for a late breakfast and when we got back to the room the tip we had left was gone but the room hadn't been cleaned. We called the front desk forgetting that it went to a call center and they said they were sending a manager. 45 minutes later we called them back to tell them not to bother - we just wanted to make certain that the person who took the tip was also the person who would clean the room.

It's a shame the housekeeping is so inconsistent.

 

[Ilivetogo]

Hi! We just got back from CSR and we were also in Rancho's 7A! The walk is too far but I found if you use the resort transportation (golf carts) it helped so much! The stop is right across from Ranchos 7A-I think it might be at Ranchos 6B and then there is one from El Centro. Especially with all the rain we got last week. Have a wonderful trip!

Just curious - how did you "use" the golf carts? Did you call to ask them to get you? I saw them quite frequently driving around, but never really knew exactly "who" they were toting around.
.

 

[HANDYMOM]

Just curious - how did you "use" the golf carts? Did you call to ask them to get you? I saw them quite frequently driving around, but never really knew exactly "who" they were toting around.
.

I'm curious too!

 

[Sara1Babe]

How's the WiFi?

Does the strength of the signal vary based on where you are in the resort/building? Is it available in the outside areas?

 

[cmhguy]

If you ever have any problem, I always recommend actually visiting the Front Desk of the resort rather than calling from your room phone. All calls are directed to call centers and the person you're talking to is not at the resort even though the call is answered that way. Another good option is to speak to a housekeeper in person.
QUOTE]

I was aware of this, but we were back in Ranchos 7B so I tried calling first. Interestingly, someone was at the room in under 5 minutes when I called. I was shocked by this, really! Once, I hit the housekeeping line by mistake...someone at CSR's housekeeping picked up - I could tell by the background noise...

I just became so frustrated. For exmple, I showed them the dirty beds - they changed one and not the other. ugh... It just appeared that no one cared... This is why I kept getting so frustrated and finally gave up for my own peace of mind and enjoyment of my vacation.

I was afraid of what housekeeping could do to our room and stuff while we were out because of the complaints - and that freaked me out a little! I'm not one to complain at restaurants - if it's really bad, I politely send it back - I know first hand too many stories of what happens when you complain.... ...I will admit - I began keeping my toothbrush wrapped up in the safe when we left for the day....

Comparing the reviews on this thread and other sites, CSR has really been taking hits on their housekeeping. I'm a witness. I haven't seen this on POR threads and reviews.

It felt like there was a different person in our room every day too - nothing was the same from day-to-day. On our last night there, housekeeping finally left a card with their name on it. I've recieved these at Pop and POR. On our final day, we were resting on the beds - curtains open so you could clearly see us - and at 10:30 a.m. housekeeping knocked on the door. I didn't answer, and she knocked again only longer and harder. I got up and answered the door - she asked if we were leaving...I said, yes at check out time, 11 a.m. She said she would be back then and was visibly not happy. WHAT!!??? I had to calm down after that one.....

 

[cmhguy]

How's the WiFi?

Does the strength of the signal vary based on where you are in the resort/building? Is it available in the outside areas?

We were in Ranchos 7B, and it worked perfectly! Also used it at the quiet pool, and it worked well there too.

 

[saskdw]

If you ever have any problem, I always recommend actually visiting the Front Desk of the resort rather than calling from your room phone. All calls are directed to call centers and the person you're talking to is not at the resort even though the call is answered that way. Another good option is to speak to a housekeeper in person.
QUOTE]

I was aware of this, but we were back in Ranchos 7B so I tried calling first. Interestingly, someone was at the room in under 5 minutes when I called. I was shocked by this, really! Once, I hit the housekeeping line by mistake...someone at CSR's housekeeping picked up - I could tell by the background noise...

I just became so frustrated. For exmple, I showed them the dirty beds - they changed one and not the other. ugh... It just appeared that no one cared... This is why I kept getting so frustrated and finally gave up for my own peace of mind and enjoyment of my vacation.

I was afraid of what housekeeping could do to our room and stuff while we were out because of the complaints - and that freaked me out a little! I'm not one to complain at restaurants - if it's really bad, I politely send it back - I know first hand too many stories of what happens when you complain.... ...I will admit - I began keeping my toothbrush wrapped up in the safe when we left for the day....

Comparing the reviews on this thread and other sites, CSR has really been taking hits on their housekeeping. I'm a witness. I haven't seen this on POR threads and reviews.

It felt like there was a different person in our room every day too - nothing was the same from day-to-day. On our last night there, housekeeping finally left a card with their name on it. I've recieved these at Pop and POR. On our final day, we were resting on the beds - curtains open so you could clearly see us - and at 10:30 a.m. housekeeping knocked on the door. I didn't answer, and she knocked again only longer and harder. I got up and answered the door - she asked if we were leaving...I said, yes at check out time, 11 a.m. She said she would be back then and was visibly not happy. WHAT!!??? I had to calm down after that one.....

One thing you need to understand is that the housekeepers for all the WDW resorts work for the same union and are supplied to the resorts from the same pool. So bad or good housekeeping has nothing really to do with the resort itself and yes there are the same amount of bad housekeeping complaints at POR.

We spent 14 nights in Ranchos 7B Dec 2010 and 14 nights in Casitas 4 Dec 2011 with great housekeeping. I'm pretty sure it was the same housekeeper most of the trip both times though. It is possible the regular person was sick, quit, or was moved to a different location meaning you had new personel or part time fill in. Having said that though its no excuse for bad service at $200/night. Anytime we had the slightest problem I went ot the front desk and there were people tripping over themselves to make me happy. CSR front desk has actually given us some of the best service anywhere we've stayed. We had alot less service at the Hard Rock Hotel at $500/night. I disagree with Ranchos 7B being to far from the front desk to be bothered, never took me more than 5-7 mins to walk from there.

I'm not sure if its the approach or personality that some people get better service, but we never had any problems. My main point is though that if you liked CSR I wouldn't black list it, because good or bad service awaits at all the WDW resorts, its all the same union.

 

[cmhguy]

That's all well and good they are part of the same union, but that has nothing to do with management and how one facility is run versus another. I know what I experienced, and it was unacceptable. If this is a trend, I'll stay off site or choose to vacation somewhere else.

 

[saskdw]

That's all well and good they are part of the same union, but that has nothing to do with management and how one facility is run versus another. I know what I experienced, and it was unacceptable. If this is a trend, I'll stay off site or choose to vacation somewhere else.

I didn't say it was acceptable. I was merely stating IMO its not a knock against CSR necasarrily, because that same housekeeper could be working over at POR when you stay there.

 

[cepmom]

just back from a 3 night stay at Coronado. We had a great but exhausting trip. Just DD and I to celebrate her college graduation . We didnt spend much time at the resort itself since we were in the parks much of the time. (In retrospect, we probably should have stayed at a value to save money because of the little amount of time we actually utilized the resort, but Coronado was one resort DD really wanted to try out) The grounds were so beautiful and very well themed.

As posted the other day, we had done online check in, requesting Casitas, but ended up with Ranchos 7A, room 7296. For such a short stay I wasn't going to ask for another building, but I would have rather had a building closer to El Centro. I wanted to get coffee and lemonade for DD in the AM, and the walk took about 8 minutes each way. Not a big deal, but I had to allow for the time to walk there, sit and drink my coffee, refill the coffee again, and walk back.

Used that time in El Centro to get online, check my email etc. We could not connect to the wifi from our room, and also had no 3G or cell service in the room either. I figure it must have just been the room's location. The wifi was perfect from El Centro and The Dig.

We were very close to bus stop 3 which was nice. Bus service was great. Hardly had to wait at all for a bus any of our days.

Housekeeping was fine for us. No issues with things not being cleaned etc. I made no special requests for anything; beds made and toiletries, coffee pods retocked each day etc. DD was using an old, old, old park hoppe rticket with 1 day left on it. After it was used, I tossed it inthe room's trash basket. The housekeeper must have seen it in there and thought it was tossed in error, so she put it on the desk for me. I thought that was pretty nice; I woud have really appreciated it if I had thrown my still unused ticket away by accident!

Ate at pepper market last night before our bus back to MCO. Got in right at 4:30, got seated quickly. I had chicken fajitas and DD had fish tacos; both were really good. No refills on drinks while we were there, but we weren't there long (maybe 1/2 hour) and we didn't need refills so no big deal. A CM came over and asked us how everything was etc(not a server, more like a manager of some kind)

Spent a couple hours at The Dig yesterday before our ME departure time. Pool was good, not too crowded. Had a couple drinks from Siestas and just relaxed after 3 exhausting days in the parks! Used the showers there and it worked out fine. Thanks for that info, whoever it was that answered my question the other day.

Had to use luggage services to store our bags for the day and when we got them out to leave, the CM said he could not accept tips is that new or exclusive to Coronado? I've tipped before at other resorts when picking luggage up from storage.

The resort was great, I loved the landscaping and the feel to it, but I think we decided it's not for us. I don't like how spread out it is. We've stayed at Carribean Beach and POR before and same thing...nice but too spread out for us. Staying at POFQ in August so maybe that will be the mod for us since it's a little more compact.

 

[Pixiedust34]

just back from a 3 night stay at Coronado. We had a great but exhausting trip. Just DD and I to celebrate her college graduation . We didnt spend much time at the resort itself since we were in the parks much of the time. (In retrospect, we probably should have stayed at a value to save money because of the little amount of time we actually utilized the resort, but Coronado was one resort DD really wanted to try out) The grounds were so beautiful and very well themed.

As posted the other day, we had done online check in, requesting Casitas, but ended up with Ranchos 7A, room 7296. For such a short stay I wasn't going to ask for another building, but I would have rather had a building closer to El Centro. I wanted to get coffee and lemonade for DD in the AM, and the walk took about 8 minutes each way. Not a big deal, but I had to allow for the time to walk there, sit and drink my coffee, refill the coffee again, and walk back.

Used that time in El Centro to get online, check my email etc. We could not connect to the wifi from our room, and also had no 3G or cell service in the room either. I figure it must have just been the room's location. The wifi was perfect from El Centro and The Dig.

We were very close to bus stop 3 which was nice. Bus service was great. Hardly had to wait at all for a bus any of our days.

Housekeeping was fine for us. No issues with things not being cleaned etc. I made no special requests for anything; beds made and toiletries, coffee pods retocked each day etc. DD was using an old, old, old park hoppe rticket with 1 day left on it. After it was used, I tossed it inthe room's trash basket. The housekeeper must have seen it in there and thought it was tossed in error, so she put it on the desk for me. I thought that was pretty nice; I woud have really appreciated it if I had thrown my still unused ticket away by accident!

Ate at pepper market last night before our bus back to MCO. Got in right at 4:30, got seated quickly. I had chicken fajitas and DD had fish tacos; both were really good. No refills on drinks while we were there, but we weren't there long (maybe 1/2 hour) and we didn't need refills so no big deal. A CM came over and asked us how everything was etc(not a server, more like a manager of some kind)

Spent a couple hours at The Dig yesterday before our ME departure time. Pool was good, not too crowded. Had a couple drinks from Siestas and just relaxed after 3 exhausting days in the parks! Used the showers there and it worked out fine. Thanks for that info, whoever it was that answered my question the other day.

Had to use luggage services to store our bags for the day and when we got them out to leave, the CM said he could not accept tips is that new or exclusive to Coronado? I've tipped before at other resorts when picking luggage up from storage.

The resort was great, I loved the landscaping and the feel to it, but I think we decided it's not for us. I don't like how spread out it is. We've stayed at Carribean Beach and POR before and same thing...nice but too spread out for us. Staying at POFQ in August so maybe that will be the mod for us since it's a little more compact.

Thanks for the resort review! I hope that CSR works on better wi-fi connections for the rooms. I'm surprised that the connections are not better since it is a convention resort.

I know we have tipped bell services several times at CSR (2010) and they accepted the tips.

It is a pretty resort, but there is more walking involved at CSR than POFQ. If compact is what you'd like, POFQ may indeed be the top choice for you.

Glad to hear mousekeeping was good. There have been too many negative mousekeeping reviews lately, though I think mousekeeping is hit or miss at any resort. The cleanest room we ever had was at AS Music.

 

[dtstampz]

I had great wi-fi reception from our room in May. We were in cabanas 9A, so maybe
it's the buildings further out that aren't getting good reception?

 

[Merlin123]

I had good reception in cabana 8a as well.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I had great wi-fi reception from our room in May. We were in cabanas 9A, so maybe
it's the buildings further out that aren't getting good reception?

I was in Casitas 5 and had great reception. My only issue was during high traffic times of the day I couldn't get connected. I'd wait an hour or two later and everything would be fine.

 

[cepmom]

I was in Casitas 5 and had great reception. My only issue was during high traffic times of the day I couldn't get connected. I'd wait an hour or two later and everything would be fine.

maybe...I would try in the morning (between 6:00 am and 8:00 am) get nothing, walk over to El Centro and get it no problem, but I believe the wifi at El Centro is a different connection than the one in the rooms. Also, tried at night, anywhere from 7:30 - 11:00 and nothing. Never tried from our room during the day.

I was thinking it was our specific room that was the problem, since I couldn't get 3G service either