Coronado Springs Resort - New Unofficial FAQ Thread - November 2011

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Post #604 has the pictures of the lunch buffet that I posted. I tried to quote it and wasn't able to for some reason??

StitchandPooh'smom, anyway you can add the buffet pics to the beginning of the thread?

If Kathy can help me - I am photographically challenged.

I think she is in WDW now, but hopefully she can help when she gets back.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Just to clarify--On Jan 28, Disney will discontinue Grand Gatherings. The information is here: http://www.wdwinfo.com/Grandgathering.htm

I thought it was just the special activities that were being discontinued. I thought you could still do a booking as a GG so you could link the rooms.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Hi all. Staying at CSR and using ME for the fist time. Our flight lands aprox 915am. Can anyone give me an aprox time I would be at CSR? Plz incl airport time and shuttle to resort. Many thx.

The average time to the resort is about 75-90 minutes. The ME bus will go to about three resorts - it depends how quickly the bus fills and in which order it drops off.

 

[nahla1204]

So, we are currently booked into POP for our May trip but I am thinking that maybe an upgrade to CSR is in order. I'm wondering what all of you Disney Resort guru's think of that. I've been to Disney 4 times but only stayed on site once and that was at CBR. We liked it, but I think CSR looks nicer. We'll be travelling with 4 adults and 3 four-year-olds.

The things I like about CSR that POP doesnt have are the water slide at the main pool, the hot tub (to relax sore feet), and the queen size beds. We do plan on taking breaks every day to spend a little time at the resort.

I am a little confused at how their food system works. I've read things that say they are a-la-carte and others that they have buffets. And I'm not sure how their food court compares to POP, since I believe POP has the best rated one.

So, thats it. Just looking for some input on whether you think it would be worth it to upgrade or better just to stay at POP.

Thanks!
Kim

 

[Rienchen]

Is it a lot more to upgrade for you guys?

The reason I booked CSR is because to me it had more of an adult feel to it and since it's just my mum(51) and I(29) that's perfect for us.

The foodcourt is now a buffet, costing you 1 counter service credit on the dining plan for breakfast or lunch.
breakfast costs $14.99 for an adult, and $8.99 for a child. The lunch buffet costs $16.99 for an adult and $9.99 for a child.
Dinner is still served a la carte.

I personally am hoping to take a trip to POP's foodcourt for the tie dye cheesecake and/or ice cream sundaes ;-

 

[nahla1204]

Is it a lot more to upgrade for you guys?

The reason I booked CSR is because to me it had more of an adult feel to it and since it's just my mum(51) and I(29) that's perfect for us.

The foodcourt is now a buffet, costing you 1 counter service credit on the dining plan for breakfast or lunch.
breakfast costs $14.99 for an adult, and $8.99 for a child. The lunch buffet costs $16.99 for an adult and $9.99 for a child.
Dinner is still served a la carte.

I personally am hoping to take a trip to POP's foodcourt for the tie dye cheesecake and/or ice cream sundaes ;-

$500 for the entire party of 7!! My kids will probably find POP pretty cool. BUT I think they will find the water slide at CSR pretty cool too. And I think the queen beds are a big plus since 3 of us will be sharing with one child. I like my space and chances are I wont be sleeping alone very much. Thanks for your input!

 

[LoriNKY]

We stayed at Pop last year, and decided it would probably be the last time we tried a value. While the rooms were very nice, the bus stop situation was such a pain that we ended up driving to all the parks, and normally we've always found the busses to be more convenient. The food court was also usually a zoo unless we timed it just right, so we usually went during off hours.

This year, we're back to a moderate with CSR. The in-room fridge is an added bonus for breakfast/drinks/snacks and we've never had much of a wait for busses with the moderates. We've noticed the food courts generally tend to be less crowded, and I'm going to guess it'll be even better with the buffet at CSR this year. The better pool and hot tub don't hurt either!

 

[lovethattink]

$500 for the entire party of 7!! My kids will probably find POP pretty cool. BUT I think they will find the water slide at CSR pretty cool too. And I think the queen beds are a big plus since 3 of us will be sharing with one child. I like my space and chances are I wont be sleeping alone very much. Thanks for your input!

I am biased. I prefer CSR over POP!!!! CSR just feels like home to me! It the perfect resort fit for my family.

I seem to stay at either POP or CSR the most. My kids (7 and 18) love both!! Without a doubt the pool is better at CSR. If you are definately allowing for pool time during your vacation that might be taken into consideration.

There is a campfire at CSR, there is no campfire at POP.

Both resorts have nightly movies on big screens outdoors.

We prefer the food selection at the Pepper Market over the food selection at Everything POP, but prefer Everything POP over the selection at Cafe Rix.

The queen beds really do make a big difference in sleeping if you have to sleep with someone. However, the mattresses at POP are more comfortable to me, than the matresses at CSR.

They both have totally different atmospheres. POP is fun and exciting, where CSR is more laid back and relaxing.

When we were at POP in November they were doing alot of refurbishment, painting icons, fixing the pool. Sidewalks were blocked. I think the refurbishment is still going on. We check in again at POP on Feb 7.

The values are suppose to be getting beverage coolers this winter. Though I haven't seen any reports of any rooms getting them yet.

$500 is quite a bit of money. If you are going to make full use of the resort, I'd say it's worth the extra to stay at CSR. But if you are only using the resort as a place to sleep, and a quick swim then go with POP.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I updated the first page with lovethattink's photos from the Pepper Market buffet - thanks lovethattink! I wasn't able to put all of them there - apparently I am limited to 25 images per post - who knew? I linked to page 41, which has all the photos in post #604. Does anyone know how to link to a single post?

 

[aladams2]

Am I the only one disappointed that Pepper Market is now a buffet? We are not going to be on the dining plan and I refuse to spend that money for breakfast. I'm not thrilled with the small selection at the Rix either. I was hoping for pancakes and french toast or something like that for a quick meal in the AM. I guess we'll be doing lots of pastries during our June trip.

 

[AngelCTMH]

We are headin to see Mickey and Crew soon!! Can't wait! And haven't stayed at CSR before.

 

[AngelCTMH]

Added my ticker!

 

[LJSquishy]

Am I the only one disappointed that Pepper Market is now a buffet? We are not going to be on the dining plan and I refuse to spend that money for breakfast. I'm not thrilled with the small selection at the Rix either. I was hoping for pancakes and french toast or something like that for a quick meal in the AM. I guess we'll be doing lots of pastries during our June trip.

The new buffet prices are actually very reasonable. Previously, each of the breakfast entrees was around $10. So with a single entree and beverage, you are realistically in the $13 range. The buffet is $14.99 for adults and $8.99 for children ages 3 to 9. You will get to choose from any foods available which I do think includes French toast, pancakes, etc. Having a nice variety to choose from is worth the price, I think, and it is all you care to eat so if you are REALLY hungry one morning it might be a bonus. Cafe Rix has breakfast sandwiches and pastries if you don't want to shell out $14 for breakfast...but you would have been paying $14 anyway without a buffet for your French toast with a beverage.

 

[avw1295]

Does anyone have an opinion about on line check in at CSR? We will be arriving in 37 days. I was wondering if anyone knows if on line check in has an effect on existing room requests? Are all room assignments made ahead of time or only those that have checked in on line?

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Does anyone have an opinion about on line check in at CSR? We will be arriving in 37 days. I was wondering if anyone knows if on line check in has an effect on existing room requests? Are all room assignments made ahead of time or only those that have checked in on line?

We have done it both ways. Room assignments are made in advance, whether you check in online or not. We have found the online check-in line to be shorter, but others have reported that it is not always the case. Once when we did online check-in, we didn't get our room request. I asked to be moved to a different area, and the CM quickly found us a new room and printed new keys.

Some people wait to do online check-in the day before so that their room has already been assigned (typically assigned a few days in advance). Online check-in can be helpful if you are planning to arrive early in the morning - your chances of having a room ready seem to be greater if the resort knows you are coming early. If it is your first time at a resort (or especially the first time at WDW), it is helpful to do regular check-in - the CMs go into a bit more detail regarding resort amenities, extra magic hours, transportation, etc.

 

[nahla1204]

Am I the only one disappointed that Pepper Market is now a buffet? We are not going to be on the dining plan and I refuse to spend that money for breakfast. I'm not thrilled with the small selection at the Rix either. I was hoping for pancakes and french toast or something like that for a quick meal in the AM. I guess we'll be doing lots of pastries during our June trip.

I'm thinking it would kind of suck because we planned on getting our 3 kids 2 meals to share because they eat like birds. I imagine we'd have to pay for 3 kids buffets if they're all going to eat. BUT I don't even know if POP allows sharing of meals either.

 

[aladams2]

I'm thinking it would kind of suck because we planned on getting our 3 kids 2 meals to share because they eat like birds. I imagine we'd have to pay for 3 kids buffets if they're all going to eat. BUT I don't even know if POP allows sharing of meals either.

We shared at Pop in Dec 08. That was our big thing here. We would share two meals. Now for my newly 10 yr. old who doesn't eat much and myself, who also doesn't eat much it seems like a waste. I did LOVE the POP food court. Always excited to go in there and pick our meals. So, we'll have to eat at the Rix and share that instead.

 

[Rienchen]

Anyone who's been recently, is there any fruit available for a snack credit at CSR?

Some mornings we might prefer some fruit and a granola bar or something like that instead of a full buffet. It seems like Cafe Rix sells grapes for $4.25, so that should hopefully be a snack credit but just wondering if anyone knows more

 

[LJSquishy]

Anyone who's been recently, is there any fruit available for a snack credit at CSR?

Some mornings we might prefer some fruit and a granola bar or something like that instead of a full buffet. It seems like Cafe Rix sells grapes for $4.25, so that should hopefully be a snack credit but just wondering if anyone knows more

Yes, you are able to get a mixed fruit cup for 1 SC that has cantaloupe, grapes, and honeydew maybe? They also have whole single pieces of fruit if you want an apple or something like that.

 

[MSSANDRA]

There was a GREAT selection of fruit there. We got a huge container of yummy grapes. There was mixed fruit and fresh whole fruit too. I think the strawberries for some reason were a CS credit????? but everything else was a snack credit.