Coronado Springs Resort -- New Unofficial FAQ Thread -- October 2010

[KatMark]

I had read somewhere that the cabana quiet pool was going to be closed for rehab until 2/11. Can't find that anymore. Does anyone know if this is true? We will be in Disney during that time and planned a quick stay at CSR.

The Cabanas quiet pool is closed from Jan 18 – Feb 11, 2011. The other quiet pools remain open.

 

[Susiesnowflake]

Thanks Katmark. I was hoping it was open, because I wanted to request the cabana section. I prefer to be in a section whose quiet pool is open though.

 

[sjbond]

Thanks Kathy for all the work you've done on this site (as well as thanks to everyone else who has shared their insights into CSR)!!

Now that I've finally made it through the entire thread, I'm very happy that my DH insisted that we stay at CSR for our next trip to the World in August, 2011 (even though the only reason he REALLY wanted it was the queen beds - he's 6'3")

I'll give the details we have of our trip, and then ask for advice:

This is our 4th trip to WDW since 2008, never staying at the same resort twice. We're flying down from British Columbia on 18-Aug, with me and my DD12 arriving at MCO at 7:00, 10 hours before my DH and DS15 (don't ask - it's all to do with Alaska Air miles and the "girls" volunteering to fly the red-eye in order to make the trip work)

We'll hopefully be at CSR by 8:00ish, ready to check in. We have booked a room-only reservation for the 18th and a Free Dining package for 19-Aug - 27-Aug. The package is booked as a Standard room, but we could only get a Preferred room for the one-night room-only booking.

Here's my question: What do you think our chances are that:
a) Our room would be ready that early?
b) That we won't have to move after the first night?
c) That we could get a room in Cabanas for the whole stay (knowing that it's been posted that Casitas will be the Preferred rooms)?

Thanks again for all your great posts and keep the reviews coming!!

 

[WishesOnMyMind]

I've talked my husband into returning to WDW this summer for a anniversary trip; yippee! We were all set to try CSR since we were able to get it at a 35% off rate. Then I happened upon a SOG post that said you could get a room there for as low as $69/night! So I told my husband, he called SOG, and we can get a room for $79/night at the end of July. Since he is not completely, overwhelmingly in love with Disney like I am, he is mainly concerned about the cost of everything. Naturally, he thinks we should go with SOG. I am torn, because I really want to stay at CSR (visited the resort before and thought it was beautiful), but I also understand where he is coming from. Can you please give me some reasons to keep our reservation at CSR, even if it is approximately $300 more than SOG? On the other hand, if you think the money saved is enough of an incentive to stay at SOG, please let me know also. Thanks for your help!

 

[Rantybaby]

I've talked my husband into returning to WDW this summer for a anniversary trip; yippee! We were all set to try CSR since we were able to get it at a 35% off rate. Then I happened upon a SOG post that said you could get a room there for as low as $69/night! So I told my husband, he called SOG, and we can get a room for $79/night at the end of July. Since he is not completely, overwhelmingly in love with Disney like I am, he is mainly concerned about the cost of everything. Naturally, he thinks we should go with SOG. I am torn, because I really want to stay at CSR (visited the resort before and thought it was beautiful), but I also understand where he is coming from. Can you please give me some reasons to keep our reservation at CSR, even if it is approximately $300 more than SOG? On the other hand, if you think the money saved is enough of an incentive to stay at SOG, please let me know also. Thanks for your help!

Can you get the dining plan with SOG?

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I've talked my husband into returning to WDW this summer for a anniversary trip; yippee! We were all set to try CSR since we were able to get it at a 35% off rate. Then I happened upon a SOG post that said you could get a room there for as low as $69/night! So I told my husband, he called SOG, and we can get a room for $79/night at the end of July. Since he is not completely, overwhelmingly in love with Disney like I am, he is mainly concerned about the cost of everything. Naturally, he thinks we should go with SOG. I am torn, because I really want to stay at CSR (visited the resort before and thought it was beautiful), but I also understand where he is coming from. Can you please give me some reasons to keep our reservation at CSR, even if it is approximately $300 more than SOG? On the other hand, if you think the money saved is enough of an incentive to stay at SOG, please let me know also. Thanks for your help!

I'll step up since I've stayed at both resorts. I think it's best summed up by my then-6-yr-old son. When we left SOG, we drove by CSR on our way off property and he looked longingly at the entrance and said, "Can we go back to Coronado next time?" He was not impressed with SOG - none of us were, actually. It was OK, but it could have been anywhere, except for the big Mickey statue in the lobby. There was really nothing special about it. The food choices were poor, our room was shabby (but I understand they were refurbed not long after we were there), we thought the transportation was less efficient than CSR. Our room was a long walk from the lobby, then we usually walked another 15 minutes to the Poly to take the monorail to MK, or another 15 min walk to the TTC to monorail to Epcot. The SOG buses only leave once per hour for AK and DHS, otherwise you can take the TTC bus and get a Disney bus there to DHS or AK -- just seemed very long compared to hopping on one bus at CSR and being dropped off at the park gates. The best things about SOG are the larger rooms and balconies/patios (we were on the 1st floor and had a patio) -- for us, we don't spend that much time in our rooms so the size isn't that important, but the patio was nice, although in our location we only had a view of the restaurant.

Also, if you are driving or renting a car, realize that you have to pay either $5 or $10/ day in parking fees at SOG; if you are flying, realize that Magical Express does not service SOG, so you'll need a shuttle service, which adds expense.

When we stayed at SOG, we were with 2 other families; none of us plan to return. It was a nice resort, but like I said, it could have been anywhere - nothing special about it, IMO.

BUT, we LOVE CSR. It has a personality, which is sorely lacking at SOG. Is it worth $300? That's up to you!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

That's correct - no DDP at SOG.

WishesOnMyMind: if you're military, are you aware of the current military discount offer? 30% off values, 35% off Mods, 40% off Deluxes, and you can add the DDP to the discounted room rate (at regular price). We're using that package in May at CSR.

 

[WishesOnMyMind]

Thanks Claire&TheBoys for your thoughts; I like that you've stayed at both, so you have personal experience with both resorts! You've given me even more to think about!!!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Here's my question: What do you think our chances are that:
a) Our room would be ready that early?
b) That we won't have to move after the first night?
c) That we could get a room in Cabanas for the whole stay (knowing that it's been posted that Casitas will be the Preferred rooms)?

Thanks again for all your great posts and keep the reviews coming!!

I would first call and make sure the two reservations are linked. Have it noted on the reservation that you want the Cabanas section. Then, do online checkin ahead of time, noting that your arrival time will be early morning. I think that's probably the best way to have a room ready when you arrive. When you get there and check in, find out where your room is located and if it's not where you'd like to be, ask the CM about a different room. Explain that you would like to stay in the same room for the whole trip. I imagine theyll be accommodating.

Have a great trip!

 

[bucci818]

My family will be staying at CSR in a few months, and I have a quick question. We have an early morning ADR at Chef Mickey's. Would it be cost effective to just take a taxi to the Contemporary? And if we do, do we need to call and order one, or do some park outside the resort waiting? We are a family of 4, and our ADR is for 7:45am.
Thanks!

 

[KatMark]

My family will be staying at CSR in a few months, and I have a quick question. We have an early morning ADR at Chef Mickey's. Would it be cost effective to just take a taxi to the Contemporary? And if we do, do we need to call and order one, or do some park outside the resort waiting? We are a family of 4, and our ADR is for 7:45am.
Thanks!

I would take a cab. I know the buses start early in the morning, but I think it is around 7 a.m. and I'd be afraid to take a chance. There are usually cabs in front of the CSR; if not, bell services will call one for you.

 

[bucci818]

I would take a cab. I know the buses start early in the morning, but I think it is around 7 a.m. and I'd be afraid to take a chance. There are usually cabs in front of the CSR; if not, bell services will call one for you.

Thanks Kathy! I think that's what we will do. Last time I was in Disney it took us over an hour to get to the Beach Club! I don't want to have to leave CSR at 6:30am!

 

[emcclay]

Hi everyone! I am new to the DIS boards and have only been to Disney once for a school trip back in 2003. This year, I will be taking my parents and staying at CSR 10/10-10/15. It is still a surprise to my parents. But, I think I have made the right resort choice. 260 days can't go by fast enough!

 

[SnowWhite33]

Hi everyone! I am new to the DIS boards and have only been to Disney once for a school trip back in 2003. This year, I will be taking my parents and staying at CSR 10/10-10/15. It is still a surprise to my parents. But, I think I have made the right resort choice. 260 days can't go by fast enough!

to the Disboards!!!

There are many, many friendly and helpful people on here-and this is the best thread on the Dis

 

[tinacaplan]

I'll step up since I've stayed at both resorts. I think it's best summed up by my then-6-yr-old son. When we left SOG, we drove by CSR on our way off property and he looked longingly at the entrance and said, "Can we go back to Coronado next time?" He was not impressed with SOG - none of us were, actually. It was OK, but it could have been anywhere, except for the big Mickey statue in the lobby. There was really nothing special about it. The food choices were poor, our room was shabby (but I understand they were refurbed not long after we were there), we thought the transportation was less efficient than CSR. Our room was a long walk from the lobby, then we usually walked another 15 minutes to the Poly to take the monorail to MK, or another 15 min walk to the TTC to monorail to Epcot. The SOG buses only leave once per hour for AK and DHS, otherwise you can take the TTC bus and get a Disney bus there to DHS or AK -- just seemed very long compared to hopping on one bus at CSR and being dropped off at the park gates. The best things about SOG are the larger rooms and balconies/patios (we were on the 1st floor and had a patio) -- for us, we don't spend that much time in our rooms so the size isn't that important, but the patio was nice, although in our location we only had a view of the restaurant.

Also, if you are driving or renting a car, realize that you have to pay either $5 or $10/ day in parking fees at SOG; if you are flying, realize that Magical Express does not service SOG, so you'll need a shuttle service, which adds expense.

When we stayed at SOG, we were with 2 other families; none of us plan to return. It was a nice resort, but like I said, it could have been anywhere - nothing special about it, IMO.

BUT, we LOVE CSR. It has a personality, which is sorely lacking at SOG. Is it worth $300? That's up to you!

Agreed with everything the above poster said. I can't compare CSR to SOG, but I can say that we loved CSR and it sounds like CSR will be more convenient in many ways, especially if you want to take advantage of Magical Express and the dining plan. I could get a nice teacher discount at the Swolphin (or a AAA rate for that matter) and while I love the look and location of the resorts, I'm always thrown by giving up the free Magical Express service and the dining plan, which we happen to enjoy.

CSR is beautiful and the rooms are quite lovely, with flluffy, white down comforters and nice, soothing colors in the rooms. The pool is not to be believed and there is a fantastic playground area. And we found CSR's bus service to be top notch. And I don't think $300 is that much, but that's a more personal decision. Now, when we were looking at paying $1000++ to stay at a deluxe...different story.

to the Disboards!!!

There are many, many friendly and helpful people on here-and this is the best thread on the Dis

 

[deslynnpatterson]

just stopping by the CSR thread I just wanted to add my 2 cents about CSR! My mom and I stayed there for the first time last sept and it is a beautiful resort!!! The grounds are gorgeous, we loved staying in Cabanas 8B and laying on the hammocks at night drinking a adult beverage ( however take a towel to cover your legs of you might get eaten alive by bugs) The quiet pool was wonderful, the bus stop was nice a close to our budiling-- and by far had the best bus service than any other resort I have ever stayed in before! We are going again this Sept-- and booked at ASMU to save money-- however last night we changed to CSR because we rather spend a little more to stay at this beautiful resort. We also really enjoyed the pepper market and loved the nachos which was a nice snack to share or for a lunch The dig site pool was great-- the slide at the pool was great--- and food at the poolside bar was good too! Just beware for squirels they were trying to help us eat lunch And to top it all off-- you have a nice HUGE hot tub on resort to soak your tired legs and feet at the end of the day It doesn't get any better than CSR!

 

[5terre]

I just called CSO to put in a room request and they said I can't do that until 10 days before. How is everyone else doing this in advance?

 

[cjsm&d]

I just called CSO to put in a room request and they said I can't do that until 10 days before. How is everyone else doing this in advance?

I call reservations and have them add the requests to our ressie. Then I put them in again when we do online check-in ten days out.

 

[snykymom]

I just called CSO to put in a room request and they said I can't do that until 10 days before. How is everyone else doing this in advance?

Did you make the reservation through a travel agent? If so, CSO is correct. Your travel agent can make the request

If you made the reservation directly with Disney, call again and see if another CM can help you.

 

[MAMA GRAVE]

Hi, we have a trip booked for CSR in May and would like to know if all the buildings have elevators?

Love this thread!!

Thanks.