Coronado Springs Resort - New Unofficial FAQ Thread - November 2011

[saskdw]

I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but is the breakfast buffet included in the dining plan? And if you do not want the buffet, Cafe Rix also has breakfast items, correct? Trying to weigh out staying at CSR for our next rip. Thanks!!!

Yes Breakfast Buffet is a CS credit on the DDP and yes Cafe Rix has breakfast items as well.

 

[mykidsrock76]

Yes Breakfast Buffet is a CS credit on the DDP and yes Cafe Rix has breakfast items as well.

Thank you. We were booked at CSR under the free dining promo but cancelled because we were going to do a different trip. But now we're planning on coming to Disney (wish we hadn't cancelled FD ). We're currently booked at ASMu with the room only discount adding the DDP, but really want to stay at CSR. For about the same price we can stay at CSR with the QSDP. What to do, what to do?

 

[westgrove]

Here's my slightly over due review of our stay at CSR in May ...

We (DH and I)booked a UK package via Disney to stay at CSR for 14 days from 11th to the 25th May, we booked a 'standard' room with 14 day park hopper tickets and free QSDP
We flew in from Washington DC and only had to wait about 1-2mins at the airport before boarding ME and we were the first stop.
When we arrived there seemed to be one queue rather than separate for online check in and hotel check in. We hadnt checked in online as we had never been before, we queued for just a minute or two then we had a really nice CM who confirmed that we had a room in my requested area (cabanas) and that it had been upgraded to water view. YAY!!!

We walked to the room and (from memory) it was room 840 which was on the 2nd floor and overlooked the cabanas quiet pool. The weather on our arrival was overcast and rained lightly all day, despite this we were both bowled over with the beautiful resort. Being from the UK the tropical flowers and plants, mexican theming and wildlife (lizards etc) were just like nothing we get to see at home. (Hated the love bugs though!) Our room was great and everything was clean and in a good condition. We had mousekeeping almost every day (except for when we put the card on the door to say we didnt want it a few times) they did a fab job but sadly we didnt get a single towel animal etc - dont they know that adults appreciate these just as much as kids?

The quiet pool was a good size and although people were often in it until late they were always quiet and we never heard them. We were a 5min walk (if that) from both El Centro and The Dig site. We really enjoyed main pool and often went for a swim, then hot tub, then swim, then slide, maybe hot tub again... until we walked to our room and stopped off to lay in a hammock for a while and look at the stars talking about how we were in the best hotel/resort we've ever been to and didnt want to go home!!!

A few times we walked around the whole resort. I'd say that I like the cabanas area best because I like the themeing and the hammocks etc and it is very conveniently located no matter which building you are in.
I liked the themeing of the Ranchos area best, it had the strongest theme I thought and felt secluded and calm. I wouldnt have had a problem with the walk from there to El Centro, though obviously the shorter walk was better. Now... please dont hate me but the area I'd like to stay in least is Casitas. I liked the fountains and court yards etc however didnt not like the large multi floor buildings and overall thought the themeing was the most 'low key'. Some of the Casitas buildings are just as far from El Centro as Rachos aswell.

El Centro was very nice and as with everywhere else was always spotlessly clean (though really..would we expect any less?)

We bought some food/drink from Panchitos and also some mexican-theme gifts. We went to Cafe Rix a few times for snacks and once for a sandwich from the hot snack food from there and the food was all of a good quality and the staff friendly. We filled our mugs there and so sometimes it was quite crowded but nothing we didnt mind.

We had the breakfast buffet at CSR and Dinner twice, again the food was good, not great but good and the CMs were always nice to us. Paying was odd as for Breakfast they brought a check to our table but for Dinner we paid at the till on the way out which confused me a bit at first. As for tips I always felt a bit uncomfortable as we were on the qsdp. We used to get a receipt suggesting a 15 or 18% amount of what the bill would have been oop but I thought that was too much for a buffet set up so usually only gave about 10% but then felt a bit cheap, however, I still believe 10% is fair so I got over that! For Dinner I think we tipped about 15%.

And finally.. the buses, we were about 3mins from bus stops 4 and 1. I hated whenwe got on a bus at El Centro then had to wait whilst it went around the whole resort before leaving so we always tried to get on a the last stop. We hardly had to stand, only after park closing etc. Often we waited no longer than 15mins. Once or twice we waited 30-40 mins (and i know for sure that one of those was due to a problem with a wheelchair on the prior bus) but in 2 weeks i thought that was pretty good. It annoyed me after park closing that the buses would come with no destination on until they arrived and then the resorts with the longest queue would get the buses first so it would happen a lot that our queue wasnt that long but we'd wait say 30mins while other resorts, mainly the values would have had several buses and people who arrived to those queues long after we did would be picked up earlier

All in all I can only summarise by saying that hopefully we want to go back to WDW next October .... and we'll be staying in CSR!

I have full dining reviews here : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2933068

 

[cjsm&d]

Here's my slightly over due review of our stay at CSR in May ...

And finally.. the buses, we were about 3mins from bus stops 4 and 1. I hated whenwe got on a bus at El Centro then had to wait whilst it went around the whole resort before leaving so we always tried to get on a the last stop. We hardly had to stand, only after park closing etc. Often we waited no longer than 15mins. Once or twice we waited 30-40 mins (and i know for sure that one of those was due to a problem with a wheelchair on the prior bus) but in 2 weeks i thought that was pretty good. It annoyed me after park closing that the buses would come with no destination on until they arrived and then the resorts with the longest queue would get the buses first so it would happen a lot that our queue wasnt that long but we'd wait say 30mins while other resorts, mainly the values would have had several buses and people who arrived to those queues long after we did would be picked up earlier

All in all I can only summarise by saying that hopefully we want to go back to WDW next October .... and we'll be staying in CSR!

I have full dining reviews here : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2933068

Have they changed the bus rotation? When we were there, El Centro was the last stop for all the parks, and only the 1st stop for DTD.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

I thought I read somewhere that the gift shop didn't have bread because Pepper Market has their own bakery, and sells loaves in there.

Can anyone confirm this? My son likes his PBJs and I was going to bring a jar of each, then buy bread when when got there.

We asked at the gift shop and they didn't have any. However, she said that the grab and go would sell us a couple slices. They never mentioned a thing about the bakery.

Pepper Market does have a bakery, but I didn't see loaves of bread, just sweets. Did I miss the loaves of bread there? You would think their employees would know and point me in the right direction.

We have a kiddo that likes PB sandwiches too. We pack Jif to go and some baggies. We ended up taking a bus over to WL from MK and inside their gift shop they had at least 3 or 4 brands to pick from. I'm guessing they carry bread because of the Villas being there.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Here's my slightly over due review of our stay at CSR in May ...

We (DH and I)booked a UK package via Disney to stay at CSR for 14 days from 11th to the 25th May, we booked a 'standard' room with 14 day park hopper tickets and free QSDP
We flew in from Washington DC and only had to wait about 1-2mins at the airport before boarding ME and we were the first stop.
When we arrived there seemed to be one queue rather than separate for online check in and hotel check in. We hadnt checked in online as we had never been before, we queued for just a minute or two then we had a really nice CM who confirmed that we had a room in my requested area (cabanas) and that it had been upgraded to water view. YAY!!!

We walked to the room and (from memory) it was room 840 which was on the 2nd floor and overlooked the cabanas quiet pool. The weather on our arrival was overcast and rained lightly all day, despite this we were both bowled over with the beautiful resort. Being from the UK the tropical flowers and plants, mexican theming and wildlife (lizards etc) were just like nothing we get to see at home. (Hated the love bugs though!) Our room was great and everything was clean and in a good condition. We had mousekeeping almost every day (except for when we put the card on the door to say we didnt want it a few times) they did a fab job but sadly we didnt get a single towel animal etc - dont they know that adults appreciate these just as much as kids?

The quiet pool was a good size and although people were often in it until late they were always quiet and we never heard them. We were a 5min walk (if that) from both El Centro and The Dig site. We really enjoyed main pool and often went for a swim, then hot tub, then swim, then slide, maybe hot tub again... until we walked to our room and stopped off to lay in a hammock for a while and look at the stars talking about how we were in the best hotel/resort we've ever been to and didnt want to go home!!!

A few times we walked around the whole resort. I'd say that I like the cabanas area best because I like the themeing and the hammocks etc and it is very conveniently located no matter which building you are in.
I liked the themeing of the Ranchos area best, it had the strongest theme I thought and felt secluded and calm. I wouldnt have had a problem with the walk from there to El Centro, though obviously the shorter walk was better. Now... please dont hate me but the area I'd like to stay in least is Casitas. I liked the fountains and court yards etc however didnt not like the large multi floor buildings and overall thought the themeing was the most 'low key'. Some of the Casitas buildings are just as far from El Centro as Rachos aswell.

El Centro was very nice and as with everywhere else was always spotlessly clean (though really..would we expect any less?)

We bought some food/drink from Panchitos and also some mexican-theme gifts. We went to Cafe Rix a few times for snacks and once for a sandwich from the hot snack food from there and the food was all of a good quality and the staff friendly. We filled our mugs there and so sometimes it was quite crowded but nothing we didnt mind.

We had the breakfast buffet at CSR and Dinner twice, again the food was good, not great but good and the CMs were always nice to us. Paying was odd as for Breakfast they brought a check to our table but for Dinner we paid at the till on the way out which confused me a bit at first. As for tips I always felt a bit uncomfortable as we were on the qsdp. We used to get a receipt suggesting a 15 or 18% amount of what the bill would have been oop but I thought that was too much for a buffet set up so usually only gave about 10% but then felt a bit cheap, however, I still believe 10% is fair so I got over that! For Dinner I think we tipped about 15%.

And finally.. the buses, we were about 3mins from bus stops 4 and 1. I hated whenwe got on a bus at El Centro then had to wait whilst it went around the whole resort before leaving so we always tried to get on a the last stop. We hardly had to stand, only after park closing etc. Often we waited no longer than 15mins. Once or twice we waited 30-40 mins (and i know for sure that one of those was due to a problem with a wheelchair on the prior bus) but in 2 weeks i thought that was pretty good. It annoyed me after park closing that the buses would come with no destination on until they arrived and then the resorts with the longest queue would get the buses first so it would happen a lot that our queue wasnt that long but we'd wait say 30mins while other resorts, mainly the values would have had several buses and people who arrived to those queues long after we did would be picked up earlier

All in all I can only summarise by saying that hopefully we want to go back to WDW next October .... and we'll be staying in CSR!

I have full dining reviews here : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2933068

Thanks so much for your review! Glad you enjoyed CSR!

Have they changed the bus rotation? When we were there, El Centro was the last stop for all the parks, and only the 1st stop for DTD.

I was going to ask the same thing. Buses at CSR typically stop at casitas, then ranchos, then cabanas, then El Centro on the way to the park. On the way to DTD, the order is El Centro, Casitas, Ranchos, then cabanas. Westgrove - was the order different during your stay?

 

[KatMark]

Here's my slightly over due review of our stay at CSR in May ...

We (DH and I)booked a UK package via Disney to stay at CSR for 14 days from 11th to the 25th May, we booked a 'standard' room with 14 day park hopper tickets and free QSDP
We flew in from Washington DC and only had to wait about 1-2mins at the airport before boarding ME and we were the first stop.
When we arrived there seemed to be one queue rather than separate for online check in and hotel check in. We hadnt checked in online as we had never been before, we queued for just a minute or two then we had a really nice CM who confirmed that we had a room in my requested area (cabanas) and that it had been upgraded to water view. YAY!!!

We walked to the room and (from memory) it was room 840 which was on the 2nd floor and overlooked the cabanas quiet pool. The weather on our arrival was overcast and rained lightly all day, despite this we were both bowled over with the beautiful resort. Being from the UK the tropical flowers and plants, mexican theming and wildlife (lizards etc) were just like nothing we get to see at home. (Hated the love bugs though!) Our room was great and everything was clean and in a good condition. We had mousekeeping almost every day (except for when we put the card on the door to say we didnt want it a few times) they did a fab job but sadly we didnt get a single towel animal etc - dont they know that adults appreciate these just as much as kids?

The quiet pool was a good size and although people were often in it until late they were always quiet and we never heard them. We were a 5min walk (if that) from both El Centro and The Dig site. We really enjoyed main pool and often went for a swim, then hot tub, then swim, then slide, maybe hot tub again... until we walked to our room and stopped off to lay in a hammock for a while and look at the stars talking about how we were in the best hotel/resort we've ever been to and didnt want to go home!!!

A few times we walked around the whole resort. I'd say that I like the cabanas area best because I like the themeing and the hammocks etc and it is very conveniently located no matter which building you are in.
I liked the themeing of the Ranchos area best, it had the strongest theme I thought and felt secluded and calm. I wouldnt have had a problem with the walk from there to El Centro, though obviously the shorter walk was better. Now... please dont hate me but the area I'd like to stay in least is Casitas. I liked the fountains and court yards etc however didnt not like the large multi floor buildings and overall thought the themeing was the most 'low key'. Some of the Casitas buildings are just as far from El Centro as Rachos aswell.

El Centro was very nice and as with everywhere else was always spotlessly clean (though really..would we expect any less?)

We bought some food/drink from Panchitos and also some mexican-theme gifts. We went to Cafe Rix a few times for snacks and once for a sandwich from the hot snack food from there and the food was all of a good quality and the staff friendly. We filled our mugs there and so sometimes it was quite crowded but nothing we didnt mind.

We had the breakfast buffet at CSR and Dinner twice, again the food was good, not great but good and the CMs were always nice to us. Paying was odd as for Breakfast they brought a check to our table but for Dinner we paid at the till on the way out which confused me a bit at first. As for tips I always felt a bit uncomfortable as we were on the qsdp. We used to get a receipt suggesting a 15 or 18% amount of what the bill would have been oop but I thought that was too much for a buffet set up so usually only gave about 10% but then felt a bit cheap, however, I still believe 10% is fair so I got over that! For Dinner I think we tipped about 15%.

And finally.. the buses, we were about 3mins from bus stops 4 and 1. I hated whenwe got on a bus at El Centro then had to wait whilst it went around the whole resort before leaving so we always tried to get on a the last stop. We hardly had to stand, only after park closing etc. Often we waited no longer than 15mins. Once or twice we waited 30-40 mins (and i know for sure that one of those was due to a problem with a wheelchair on the prior bus) but in 2 weeks i thought that was pretty good. It annoyed me after park closing that the buses would come with no destination on until they arrived and then the resorts with the longest queue would get the buses first so it would happen a lot that our queue wasnt that long but we'd wait say 30mins while other resorts, mainly the values would have had several buses and people who arrived to those queues long after we did would be picked up earlier

All in all I can only summarise by saying that hopefully we want to go back to WDW next October .... and we'll be staying in CSR!

I have full dining reviews here : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2933068

Thanks so much for the review; I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay at CSR and want to go back. I know you've made me anxious to go back "home" in December.

 

[DsnyMama]

I'm getting sooooooooooooo excited!!! I'm booking standard and requesting cabanas! If they can get super specific, I guess 8A or 9A? I'd like to be close-ish to the food court for refillable mugs, closeness to the pool isn't TOO important but it would be nice to be near a bus stop!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I'm getting sooooooooooooo excited!!! I'm booking standard and requesting cabanas! If they can get super specific, I guess 8A or 9A? I'd like to be close-ish to the food court for refillable mugs, closeness to the pool isn't TOO important but it would be nice to be near a bus stop!

8A is closer to the Dig Site (you can refill mugs there during lunch and dinner hours) and the cabanas bus stop. 9A is closer to the quiet pool, laundry and El Centro. Bus stop #1 is located at El Centro (it is the last stop picked up and dropped off when going to/from the parks). We have been in both buildings and prefer 8A, but being close to the Dig Site and bus stop is more important to us than being close to El Centro.

 

[westgrove]

Hi everyone, I got it the wrong way around! When going to parks we got the bus from El Centro so it left straight away,

when going to DTD we went to bus stop 4.

I know a lot of people like to get on the buses first and I guess with kids etc or poor health thats a great idea - but I'm incredibly impatient!!!

 

[Pixiedust34]

71 days!!! So excited!

 

[EveClark]

Is breakfast still served at Maya Grill? Or has it switched over to Cafe Rix?
We will be there in Sept and my husband loves a big, sit down, full service breakfast every morning. It's the main reason we stayed at CSR over other moderates...
Thanks!

 

[Msmit002]

Here's my slightly over due review of our stay at CSR in May ...

We (DH and I)booked a UK package via Disney to stay at CSR for 14 days from 11th to the 25th May, we booked a 'standard' room with 14 day park hopper tickets and free QSDP...

I have full dining reviews here : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2933068

I have been reading your reviews and I see that you had spent a fair amount of time in DTD. How was the CSR to DTD bus service? I've heard it can be sketchy.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Is breakfast still served at Maya Grill? Or has it switched over to Cafe Rix?
We will be there in Sept and my husband loves a big, sit down, full service breakfast every morning. It's the main reason we stayed at CSR over other moderates...
Thanks!

Maya Grill no longer serves breakfast. Pepper Market serves a breakfast (and lunch) buffet that is one quick service credit on the dining plan. Cafe Rix has some lighter breakfast items like pastries and breakfast sandwiches.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Hi everyone, I got it the wrong way around! When going to parks we got the bus from El Centro so it left straight away,

when going to DTD we went to bus stop 4.

I know a lot of people like to get on the buses first and I guess with kids etc or poor health thats a great idea - but I'm incredibly impatient!!!

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[HLAuburn]

Staying at CSR for the first time in a few weeks, and I have a question about lunch. We plan to arrive early and spend the day at the resort/pool, so I was wondering where to eat for lunch. It doesn't look like CSR has a counterservice restaurant like I'm used to at the other mods - is that right?

Cafe Rix looks more deli/grab-n-go casual and Pepper Market is a buffet, but we aren't interested in that since we have a big birthday dinner planned for that night.

So any suggestions for a nice lunch? Thanks!

 

[cjsm&d]

Staying at CSR for the first time in a few weeks, and I have a question about lunch. We plan to arrive early and spend the day at the resort/pool, so I was wondering where to eat for lunch. It doesn't look like CSR has a counterservice restaurant like I'm used to at the other mods - is that right?

Cafe Rix looks more deli/grab-n-go casual and Pepper Market is a buffet, but we aren't interested in that since we have a big birthday dinner planned for that night.

So any suggestions for a nice lunch? Thanks!

The food at the main pool lounge (counter service) is basic but pretty good! We checked in early and hung around the pool until our room was ready (actually we were having fun so it was awhile after our room was ready).

Here is the Siesta Pool bar menu (Some items change probably)
http://allears.net/menu/men_siesta.htm

The Laguna bar, behind the main building by the water also has pizza and sandwiches.

http://allears.net/menu/menu_laguna.htm

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Staying at CSR for the first time in a few weeks, and I have a question about lunch. We plan to arrive early and spend the day at the resort/pool, so I was wondering where to eat for lunch. It doesn't look like CSR has a counterservice restaurant like I'm used to at the other mods - is that right?

Cafe Rix looks more deli/grab-n-go casual and Pepper Market is a buffet, but we aren't interested in that since we have a big birthday dinner planned for that night.

So any suggestions for a nice lunch? Thanks!

The food at the main pool lounge (counter service) is basic but pretty good! We checked in early and hung around the pool until our room was ready (actually we were having fun so it was awhile after our room was ready).

Here is the Siesta Pool bar menu (Some items change probably)
http://allears.net/menu/men_siesta.htm

The Laguna bar, behind the main building by the water also has pizza and sandwiches.

http://allears.net/menu/menu_laguna.htm

Lunch counter service options at CSR are Cafe Rix, Pepper Market, Siesta's and Laguna Bar (which is fine for kids despite the name - there are tables outside). If you are on the dining plan and plan to use a quick service credit, Pepper Market's buffet is only one quick service credit (if you can stop yourself from eating too much yummy food since you have a dinner that night). If you are paying out of pocket, the other restaurants offer lighter and less expensive options.

 

[HLAuburn]

The food at the main pool lounge (counter service) is basic but pretty good! We checked in early and hung around the pool until our room was ready (actually we were having fun so it was awhile after our room was ready).

Here is the Siesta Pool bar menu (Some items change probably)
http://allears.net/menu/men_siesta.htm

The Laguna bar, behind the main building by the water also has pizza and sandwiches.

http://allears.net/menu/menu_laguna.htm

Lunch counter service options at CSR are Cafe Rix, Pepper Market, Siesta's and Laguna Bar (which is fine for kids despite the name - there are tables outside). If you are on the dining plan and plan to use a quick service credit, Pepper Market's buffet is only one quick service credit (if you can stop yourself from eating too much yummy food since you have a dinner that night). If you are paying out of pocket, the other restaurants offer lighter and less expensive options.

Thanks for the suggestions! Siesta's seems to get pretty positive reviews, and since we'll be at the pool anyway, that might be a good option. We are paying OOP (and with the issue of eating too much before a big dinner!), I think we'd prefer to keep it light and less expensive.

Can't wait! Thanks again for the replies

 

[westgrove]

I have been reading your reviews and I see that you had spent a fair amount of time in DTD. How was the CSR to DTD bus service? I've heard it can be sketchy.

We found the bus was always good - although we always seemed to get to the stop in time to see a bus leave and had to wait 20mins!!!


Also, for anyone who's interested I added my review to the UK forum and added some pics - if you've looked at CSR pics already it wont be anything new but here the link http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=45423778#post45423778