Coronado Springs Resort - New Unofficial FAQ Thread - November 2011

[smidgy]

I think the cabanas are the most convenient over all, but have the least theming.

 

[aubriee]

We are booked for 8 nights at CSR for next April. Seriously considering a change due to the new PM buffet. An example of a typical meal for us would be to share an 8 inch pizza ($10) & Caesar Salad ($9). Or possibly fajitas ($12) & a dessert ($5). We don't want yet another buffet that would not only cost us $34, but be way more food than we want or need! I guess I really don't do so good with change, eh??

Hey, don't feel bad. I don't either. I was there when the change took place and didn't know anything about it until I walked in that Sunday. The Pepper Market has a great fresh fruit plate that I like to get to go. They really fill that box up and the fruit is really, really good. There is enough for lunch, with enough left over for breakfast the next morning. I got it on Saturday 12/03 and ate it beside the Cabanas quiet pool for lunch, while I was reading a book. I went in the very next day to get it again, just to be told they were no longer doing take out orders for breakfast or lunch and I couldn't get it. What the heck! I had gotten it just 24 hours before.

 

[KatMark]

So, I just moved our reservation for June from Wilderness Lodge to CSR. I just was not in love with the pictures of WL's rooms, believe it or not. I booked standard view, but what kind of room request would you all recommend?

We love Casitas 4 and 5 -- they are our favorites, but Cabanas 8A is a very close second. It really depends which theme you like (the Ranchos are more of a desert theme and we've yet to stay in that section in our nine stays but want to try it the next time we stay at the CSR).

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

So, I just moved our reservation for June from Wilderness Lodge to CSR. I just was not in love with the pictures of WL's rooms, believe it or not. I booked standard view, but what kind of room request would you all recommend?

We like the cabanas best, but we travel with kids and they want to be at the pool every afternoon. I think the casitas are the prettiest, though.

If you want to be closer to the main building, casitas 4 or 5 or cabanas 9A or 9B.

Closest to the first stop picked up on the way to the parks (actually bus stop #2) - casitas.

Closest to the Dig Site - Cabanas 8A (our favorite), 8B or Ranchos 7B.

Quietest location - any of the ranchos.

WL rooms don't do anything for me either - camping is not my idea of a vacation, although I do go because my family likes to camp.

 

[creativeamanda]

We love Casitas 4 and 5 -- they are our favorites, but Cabanas 8A is a very close second. It really depends which theme you like (the Ranchos are more of a desert theme and we've yet to stay in that section in our nine stays but want to try it the next time we stay at the CSR).

Thanks, I did make a request for just top floor in the Cabanas section. I'm expecting that we'll be on the parking lot side after we got a Standard View room.

We like the cabanas best, but we travel with kids and they want to be at the pool every afternoon. I think the casitas are the prettiest, though.

If you want to be closer to the main building, casitas 4 or 5 or cabanas 9A or 9B.

Closest to the first stop picked up on the way to the parks (actually bus stop #2) - casitas.

Closest to the Dig Site - Cabanas 8A (our favorite), 8B or Ranchos 7B.

Quietest location - any of the ranchos.

WL rooms don't do anything for me either - camping is not my idea of a vacation, although I do go because my family likes to camp.

Thanks! And we're neighbors, kind of! We live near Lumberton, close to Fairmont, NC.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Thanks, I did make a request for just top floor in the Cabanas section. I'm expecting that we'll be on the parking lot side after we got a Standard View room.



Thanks! And we're neighbors, kind of! We live near Lumberton, close to Fairmont, NC.

I've been there!

Even if you are on the parking lot side, you most likely won't view the parking lot. We were steps away from the bus stop when we were in 8A, but looking out of the room, we saw grass and bushes.

 

[L-Harper]

Is there any other place at CSR to get breakfast besides the Pepper Market? Since we aren't huge breakfast eaters, there is NO way we'd get $15 worth of food. Are you able to take food "to go" from Pepper Market and just pay for what you get?

 

[smidgy]

we haven't been there in a few years, but I remember a grab and go type place. no seats. just and entrance, with a cafeteria type counter and an exit with a cash register. they sold newspapers (whcih was why we were there, but lots of things like donuts, sweet rools, bagels? croissants, etc. coffee? it was located along the walkway between cafe Rix (which was just a bar at the time) and the entrance to pepper market.

 

[aubriee]

Is there any other place at CSR to get breakfast besides the Pepper Market? Since we aren't huge breakfast eaters, there is NO way we'd get $15 worth of food. Are you able to take food "to go" from Pepper Market and just pay for what you get?

Cafe Rix has a few breakfast options.

I was down there Nov 26th-Dec 4th. Dec 3rd I got a really good fruit plate 'to go' at the Pepper Market. The next day (Dec 4th) is when they started the new buffet. I asked for a 'to go' ticket and was told they no longer do 'to go' orders for breafast or lunch, only dinner. I told her all I wantd was the fruit plate I had gotten the day before. She said that if I wanted the fruit plate I would have to pay the full buffet price and eat it there. I was polite, but told her no thank you. I also politely let her know I was not happy about the change, before I walk out. The people checking in behind me heard us talking and also walked out, after expressing their displeasure. I hadn't heard about the change before I left home, so was just blindsided by it. I had gotten lunch to go on Sat, but was refused on Sun.

 

[lovethattink]

Is there any other place at CSR to get breakfast besides the Pepper Market? Since we aren't huge breakfast eaters, there is NO way we'd get $15 worth of food. Are you able to take food "to go" from Pepper Market and just pay for what you get?

Cafe Rix has some breakfast items with limited seating shared with the Rix Lounge.

Each time we have lucked out with being able to get a microwave for our room. Made our own quick breakfast.

I asked about "to go" when I was at the Pepper Market the other day for lunch. Our server Georgiana said only in the evening when they have the cards to stamp.

 

[geckodani]

Here's a quick review of our stay on December 13 - 19, 2011.

When we first arrived we had been placed in the Ranchos. I asked if there was anything closer to El Centro and ended up in Cabanas 9B! It was just about perfect - close to a bus stop, El Centro and the pool.

We had a King room facing the interior of the resort. The bed was comfortable; we brought our own pillows. The sliding doors into the bathroom were great and helped when the other person was sleeping. I brought a night light and was glad I had, as it was a bit dark in the bathroom without one once the lights were off. I ended up using a towel as a makeshift bath mat in front of the sink as the tile was a bit cold on bare feet. Bathroom vanity was nice and wide, and the shelf underneath was great for storing things. Overall the bathroom was more than sufficient, if a bit dated. The blue grout looks like mold until you get close enough to realize that it is blue!

Both bed side tables had drawers, and the dresser had plenty of space. There was a light out above the vanity that was fixed without us asking on our third day. The fridge kept beverages cool. It had a bit of a wobble, but I folded up a park map and stuck it under one corner and the problem was solved.

Coffee was terrible until we started using filtered water. The coffee provided was fine, but I used the Folgers filter packs I'd brought as I slightly preferred the taste.

AC worked just fine. It wasn't overly noisy and did a good job cooling the room.

Housekeeping was adequate if a bit hit or miss with what they did and did not do. We had clean towels (tons of 'em!) and emptied trash every day. The bed ranged from fully made up complete with runner and pillows to sort of half made up with just the duvet and our two pillows on it. I tipped daily. Received a towel mickey on the day that I realized I had forgotten to tip the day before (I left the money, but forgot to leave the note and the money was not touched. I left a note and the tip for both days). Never seemed to be vacuumed, but wasn't an issue; we had stuff all over the place anyways.

Pepper Market was fine the one time we ate there for dinner. Beer from Panchitos was handy as well.

I did laundry twice with no issues. The dryers were fine, but I was doing small loads (think two pairs of jeans, a few shirts and socks etc.). I heard some comments from folks doing larger loads that indicated they took a while to dry. Might be worth the extra $2.00 to split the load into two dryers.

Overall I was very happy with Coronado, and would definitely stay again.
Happy to answer any questions.

 

[JennyT2]

Does each section have it's own laundry facility? Are they near the pools like at POFQ?

 

[KatMark]

Here's a quick review of our stay on December 13 - 19, 2011.

When we first arrived we had been placed in the Ranchos. I asked if there was anything closer to El Centro and ended up in Cabanas 9B! It was just about perfect - close to a bus stop, El Centro and the pool.

We had a King room facing the interior of the resort. The bed was comfortable; we brought our own pillows. The sliding doors into the bathroom were great and helped when the other person was sleeping. I brought a night light and was glad I had, as it was a bit dark in the bathroom without one once the lights were off. I ended up using a towel as a makeshift bath mat in front of the sink as the tile was a bit cold on bare feet. Bathroom vanity was nice and wide, and the shelf underneath was great for storing things. Overall the bathroom was more than sufficient, if a bit dated. The blue grout looks like mold until you get close enough to realize that it is blue!

Both bed side tables had drawers, and the dresser had plenty of space. There was a light out above the vanity that was fixed without us asking on our third day. The fridge kept beverages cool. It had a bit of a wobble, but I folded up a park map and stuck it under one corner and the problem was solved.

Coffee was terrible until we started using filtered water. The coffee provided was fine, but I used the Folgers filter packs I'd brought as I slightly preferred the taste.

AC worked just fine. It wasn't overly noisy and did a good job cooling the room.

Housekeeping was adequate if a bit hit or miss with what they did and did not do. We had clean towels (tons of 'em!) and emptied trash every day. The bed ranged from fully made up complete with runner and pillows to sort of half made up with just the duvet and our two pillows on it. I tipped daily. Received a towel mickey on the day that I realized I had forgotten to tip the day before (I left the money, but forgot to leave the note and the money was not touched. I left a note and the tip for both days). Never seemed to be vacuumed, but wasn't an issue; we had stuff all over the place anyways.

Pepper Market was fine the one time we ate there for dinner. Beer from Panchitos was handy as well.

I did laundry twice with no issues. The dryers were fine, but I was doing small loads (think two pairs of jeans, a few shirts and socks etc.). I heard some comments from folks doing larger loads that indicated they took a while to dry. Might be worth the extra $2.00 to split the load into two dryers.

Overall I was very happy with Coronado, and would definitely stay again.
Happy to answer any questions.

Thanks for the review. I'm glad you enjoyed your stay at the CSR. Sounds like you had a great location.

 

[rhonda_2003]

We check out in the morning. Don't want to go, but am booking a bounce back in the a.m. for April. Will have to do a diff't resort because of the # of people that will be coming.

Just because I need to tell it, I saw and talked to TRACE ATKINS at Crystal Palace yesterday morning His deep voice is wonderful! I had heard him at the Processional in Epcot the night before. And I saw BRETT FAVRE there too, but didn't talk to him, but hubby did. We were very unobtrusive, so as not to interupt their vacation, just talked a second when standing in line together for the buffet.

Will be back with a more detailed report once we are home

 

[MickeyMoguls]

Rhonda, that is so cool that you got to talk to Trace Adkins! He's one of my favorite singers. I would have loved to see & hear him at the Processional but we saw Edward James Olmos, who did a wonderful job! I'm jealoous that you go to hear Trace read the Christmas Story. Hope you had a magical trip!

 

[aubriee]

Does each section have it's own laundry facility? Are they near the pools like at POFQ?

Yes. Well I said yes, but have never been over to the one in the Rancho section. I'm sure they have one though. I've used the one close to the Casitas quiet pool and had rooms twice in Cabanas 9A and had to walk past their laundry room every day. It's literally right there at the quiet pool.

 

[lovethattink]

Yes. Well I said yes, but have never been over to the one in the Rancho section. I'm sure they have one though. I've used the one close to the Casitas quiet pool and had rooms twice in Cabanas 9A and had to walk past their laundry room every day. It's literally right there at the quiet pool.

Does each section have it's own laundry facility? Are they near the pools like at POFQ?

Yes, each section has a laundry facility near their quiet pool.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Yes. Well I said yes, but have never been over to the one in the Rancho section. I'm sure they have one though. I've used the one close to the Casitas quiet pool and had rooms twice in Cabanas 9A and had to walk past their laundry room every day. It's literally right there at the quiet pool.

The Ranchos laundry is near 7B, next to the quiet pool. I used that one last trip when we were in 8A - it was a little closer than the cabanas laundry room.

Yes, each section has a laundry facility near their quiet pool.

 

[JennyT2]

Thanks for the laundry info!

 

[rhonda_2003]

We are currently driving home so I have a few minutes to try to do my review. We really enjoyed our stay at CSR. The resort is beautiful. DH was disappointed by what he considered to be a lack of Christmas decor.

The computers were down when we got there so the line was huge but it came up not 10 minutes after we got in line. The people at the beginning of the line had been waiting almost 2 hours! My daughter and son were given balloons and stickers to help occupy them while we waited. We were assigned to Casitas 5124. We had not paid for a water view, but did have a lovely fountain view. Our little boy loved that fountain!

Mousekeeping was hit or miss. Never had any towel animals, which was fine. However on our next to the last day, the bagged up trash was left in the middle of the room, only two towels were left and the beds were rather haphazardly made, which was not okay.

We had to use urgent care while we were here, when my daughter had a fever of almost 103. We just used the facility printed on CSR's resort info. They were WONDERFUL. They send a van to pick us up and she was seen, given medicine and back to the resort in a little less than 3 hours. I would highly recommend them if anyone unfortunately needs those services.

We ate at Cafe Rix once and took our food out to the lake, which was nice. The food was okay, nothing spectacular but fine. We ate at Pepper Market very late the night we came back from urgent care. My chicken fajitas were wonderful, as good as our local Mexican restaurant, which is very good. We had a very sweet server, who could tell my daughter didn't feel well and she tried everything to make her smile.

The gift shop was nice. I did do some shopping there and they have a decent selection available.

We did take advantage of the luggage room because our room wasn't quite ready when we arrived. But we got a text not ten minutes after the luggage room took our luggage into storage. So we just called them and they had it at our room in about 10 minutes. We also used Garden Grocer while we were here and it was stored in the luggage room while we were in the park and they brought it right to us when we got back. Very friendly and helpful.

Bus service ROCKED! We never waited longer than 15-20 minutes for a bus and that was only once when we had just missed one. We always had boring drivers (have had very entertaining ones in the past).

I think that pretty much summed it all up for the resort. I would definitely come back here. We did book a bounceback for May, but not to CSR because we are going to be coming with some friends and staying in a 2 bedroom villa at Old Key West. I've never stayed in a deluxe before