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

[cherylsmike]

Here is the review I posted on Trip Advisor. I had seen several poor reviews so I had counter them. We loved our stay at Coronado. It is such a gorgeous resort. I wish we had more time on the hammocks, but we did spend an hour or so just walking around the resort for awhile.

We had a very nice stay at Coronado Springs. I agonized over resort choice. The queen size beds and the romantic atmosphere finally made the descision for me. We checked in at 7:00am and there was no line. We had a tour at Magic Kingdom that morning and needed to get our Key to the World cards.

Of, course our room wasn't ready at that hour. I had requested the Casitas or Ranchos section. We got the Cabanas. I asked to have the room moved, but then I was informed we were in 9B. This is the closest building to El Centro. Close without having to pay perferred price. How could I complain about that?

We went to bus stop #1 and caught a bus to MK in plenty of time for our tour. I got a text message with our room number at 3:01pm. Since rooms aren't supposed to be ready until 3pm I am guessing they just hold the texts till that time and send them out en masse. We had also requested a non-parking lot view. When I checked the resort map building 9B didn't seem to have any parking lot view rooms.

We were at the park until 7pm after a fantastic dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern. Finally we made it to our room. Room #9522. We had a lovely view of a couple of large ponds and could see the main entrance in the distance. It was a very quite room which I really appreciated. It was also a deluxe room. We had been upgraded a bit. The deluxe rooms have crownmolding an arm chair and a DVD player. We never used the DVD player but I enjoyed the crownmolding and the chair. There was no toliet paper at all in our room when we arrived, but a quick call to housekeeping/mousekeeping and two rolls was delivered. The man on the phone did seem quite displeased and aplogized for our incovience.

I thought the resort was very lovely. The beauty was just a little diminshed by some dying plants, but they had had a visit from Jack Frost that had killed some of the vegetation. And it was Jan/Feb. I also thought the resort was very peaceful and quiet. We did run into a few convention crowds but only a few tiimes.

The beds were very firm, but not as firm as the beds at POP on our first night. But after the first night or so I slept fine. We were just two adults in the room so we didn't get towel "animals", but we did get a few towel creations. Flowers, a tuxedo, and we came in one night to find my Duffy bear watching TV. The room was mostly clean. There was a bit of makekup residue on the counter, but over all it was very clean. I know the rooms have been updated recently but some of the furniture was already showing some signs of use. It just seemed like previous guests had not been considerate of the wood furnishing.

We only visited Pepper Market twice. DH really enjoyed the fajitas and the Chicken Alfredo wasn't bad. The Rix Cafe was good for grabbing a snack, but they need a mug washing station (or if they had one we never saw it). My DH hates Disney buses so we drove to all parks except Magic Kingdom. We never waited over the stated 20 mins, but we did wait almost that long once. I thought the rooms were really pretty and loved our location. Maybe I wouldn't have liked Coronado as well if we had been in the back with a parking lot view (we were located close to one so the car was very close but we didn't have to look at it), but I knew it was a possibility. The resort is large but better laid out than Caribbean Beach (we visited to get a pressed penny). The air conditioning unit made a tiny clinking noise but that was drowned out completely by the table top fan we brought. I was very nervous about some of the bad reviews I had seen just before our trip, but for us Coronado was lovely. It has a great location that makes all the parks within a quick drive. We made several visits to Downtown Disney for meals and shopping, too.

I do find it completely ridiculous that you have to pay for internet service at Disney. We filed our taxes while we were there but that is the only day we got internet access. It wouldn't stay connected and we had to call the support line for a code. I love Disney, but they should be ashamed of their internet offerings.

I tried to be honest and fair. We would not hesitate to return to CSR. Thanks to everybody, especially KatMark, for getting me so excited about CSR!

 

[KatMark]

Here is the review I posted on Trip Advisor. I had seen several poor reviews so I had counter them. We loved our stay at Coronado. It is such a gorgeous resort. I wish we had more time on the hammocks, but we did spend an hour or so just walking around the resort for awhile.

We had a very nice stay at Coronado Springs. I agonized over resort choice. The queen size beds and the romantic atmosphere finally made the descision for me. We checked in at 7:00am and there was no line. We had a tour at Magic Kingdom that morning and needed to get our Key to the World cards.

Of, course our room wasn't ready at that hour. I had requested the Casitas or Ranchos section. We got the Cabanas. I asked to have the room moved, but then I was informed we were in 9B. This is the closest building to El Centro. Close without having to pay perferred price. How could I complain about that?

We went to bus stop #1 and caught a bus to MK in plenty of time for our tour. I got a text message with our room number at 3:01pm. Since rooms aren't supposed to be ready until 3pm I am guessing they just hold the texts till that time and send them out en masse. We had also requested a non-parking lot view. When I checked the resort map building 9B didn't seem to have any parking lot view rooms.

We were at the park until 7pm after a fantastic dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern. Finally we made it to our room. Room #9522. We had a lovely view of a couple of large ponds and could see the main entrance in the distance. It was a very quite room which I really appreciated. It was also a deluxe room. We had been upgraded a bit. The deluxe rooms have crownmolding an arm chair and a DVD player. We never used the DVD player but I enjoyed the crownmolding and the chair. There was no toliet paper at all in our room when we arrived, but a quick call to housekeeping/mousekeeping and two rolls was delivered. The man on the phone did seem quite displeased and aplogized for our incovience.

I thought the resort was very lovely. The beauty was just a little diminshed by some dying plants, but they had had a visit from Jack Frost that had killed some of the vegetation. And it was Jan/Feb. I also thought the resort was very peaceful and quiet. We did run into a few convention crowds but only a few tiimes.

The beds were very firm, but not as firm as the beds at POP on our first night. But after the first night or so I slept fine. We were just two adults in the room so we didn't get towel "animals", but we did get a few towel creations. Flowers, a tuxedo, and we came in one night to find my Duffy bear watching TV. The room was mostly clean. There was a bit of makekup residue on the counter, but over all it was very clean. I know the rooms have been updated recently but some of the furniture was already showing some signs of use. It just seemed like previous guests had not been considerate of the wood furnishing.

We only visited Pepper Market twice. DH really enjoyed the fajitas and the Chicken Alfredo wasn't bad. The Rix Cafe was good for grabbing a snack, but they need a mug washing station (or if they had one we never saw it). My DH hates Disney buses so we drove to all parks except Magic Kingdom. We never waited over the stated 20 mins, but we did wait almost that long once. I thought the rooms were really pretty and loved our location. Maybe I wouldn't have liked Coronado as well if we had been in the back with a parking lot view (we were located close to one so the car was very close but we didn't have to look at it), but I knew it was a possibility. The resort is large but better laid out than Caribbean Beach (we visited to get a pressed penny). The air conditioning unit made a tiny clinking noise but that was drowned out completely by the table top fan we brought. I was very nervous about some of the bad reviews I had seen just before our trip, but for us Coronado was lovely. It has a great location that makes all the parks within a quick drive. We made several visits to Downtown Disney for meals and shopping, too.

I do find it completely ridiculous that you have to pay for internet service at Disney. We filed our taxes while we were there but that is the only day we got internet access. It wouldn't stay connected and we had to call the support line for a code. I love Disney, but they should be ashamed of their internet offerings.

I tried to be honest and fair. We would not hesitate to return to CSR. Thanks to everybody, especially KatMark, for getting me so excited about CSR!

Thank you so much for your thorough and honest review. I appreciate hearing the good and bad. I noticed the first time we were in one of the new rooms that there were a few scratches in the new furniture as well; I too believe it is lack of consideration by guests.

I am glad that overall you had a great stay at the CSR. And you were in one of the "Club Level" rooms since you had the DVD player and nicer chairs (when there isn't a convention using the "Club Level", regular guests are often placed in those rooms).

 

[KatMark]

LOVED CSR!!! It was our first trip to Disney and we absolutely loved it!

*The transportation was fantastic, and our wait times were never more than 10 mins in either direction.
*The Dig Site pool was a big hit with the kids (9 and 7) and husband loved the Siesta bar and using a QS for nachos and wings.
*Refillable mug, which I thought I wouldn't do, paid for itself quickly as I had coffee each morning when I woke-up 5:30am from the little window near Maya Grill drank as I reviewed touring plans overlooking Lago Dorado then refilled for husband on return. Also used at pool for sodas/ice tea.
* Ended up cancelling an 'Ohanna ADR one night to eat at Maya Grill as it was a beautiful afternoon/evening and everyone just wanted to stay put. Our server was fantastic as was the salmon for me and steak for husband fajitas for son and yes grilled chz for daughter. The flight of margaritas from the margarita expert was a fun treat (ask her about the horn she wears if you see her -great story).
* Magical Express was a breeze
* We stayed in Cabana 8B and enjoyed the proximity to transportation, dig site never needed a quite pool, laundry and the hammocks out front were glorious!!
*pillows and beds were sooooo comfortable! BEST hotel pillow I have ever had and I've stayed 5 star many times.
*We had to pay for a water view as the standards were gone when I booked 6 months out! We didn't need it as we were never looking out of our room...
*Conventioners were very present in business attire, and I can see where that would detract for some, but for me I felt we got better services and enjoyed the empty pool hammocks and buses as they weren't using them.
*Unless we were staying at a Monorail Deluxe I wouldn't go anywhere else.

One hint - when they put in the queen-sized beds, they kept the full-sized comforters, which is a little short on the sides - BUT if you turn it horizontally there is more width and no one was left short.

Thanks so much for your review; I am so glad that you enjoyued your stay at the CSR.

One thing, though. On the "full-sized" comforters. They are either intended to be that way OR they ordered the wrong size. I say this because it is a totally different style/design from what they had prior to the rehab.

Thanks again for posting your review.

 

[mom2munchkins]

I'm not sure if this was addresses or not but I have aquestion. We are thinking of staying at CSR in June of 2012 with my family. My brother is handicapped and would be needing a motorized wheelchair and a handicap accessable room. Can he rent a chair and use it in the resort and the parks? And are the accessable rooms in all areas of the resort? We would like to have ajoining rooms as well is that possible?TIA

 

[jhalpin]

Does anyone know if they offer laundry service at CSR? I know they have laundry where we can do it, but I am looking to pay to have it done. I don't want to do laundry on my vacation, but don't know if we can go 10 days without. If they have it, does anyone know, is it per pound or how is it priced?

 

[SnowWhite33]

Does anyone know if they offer laundry service at CSR? I know they have laundry where we can do it, but I am looking to pay to have it done. I don't want to do laundry on my vacation, but don't know if we can go 10 days without. If they have it, does anyone know, is it per pound or how is it priced?

I know that it is offered at the deluxe resorts and it was priced per piece, we did not use it because if I remember right it was very pricey-think $2 for a pair of socks,$6 for a pair of shorts/pants, $4 per tshirt. This was not dry cleaning, just standard laundry service.

I understand that laundry is no fun to do while on vacation, but me and DH share the chore while sitting at the pool and having a yummy drink. We went with 3 kids plus 2 adults last June for 10 days and ended up doing laundry twice. $2 wash,$2 dry and we brought our detergent and dryer sheets from home. Change machines are in the laundry room, but we just brought a roll of quarters from home. Oh and we use our suitcases as laundry hampers,1 for whites, 1 for colors. Zip'em up, roll them to the laundry room and they are all pre-sorted and ready to wash.

We always take an afternoon break to get away from the parks and this was a great time to do it.

 

[snykymom]

I'm not sure if this was addresses or not but I have aquestion. We are thinking of staying at CSR in June of 2012 with my family. My brother is handicapped and would be needing a motorized wheelchair and a handicap accessable room. Can he rent a chair and use it in the resort and the parks? And are the accessable rooms in all areas of the resort? We would like to have ajoining rooms as well is that possible?TIA

Here's the link to the Guests with Disabilities page on Disney's website:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guests-with-disabilities/
There's a phone number that you might want to call.

Also, post this on the disAbilities board here on the DIS, and you'll get more responses.

Many posters have recommended getting an ECV from an outside provider who delivers to the Disney resorts.

 

[phabric]

Our flight arrives at 7:50pm. Plan on taking the Magic Express and doing online checkin.

How long does it take to get from the airport to the resort at that time of night?

First time, using Magic Express, so we just walk of the plane and go to the Magic Express desk and get on bus. Our luggage would turn up in our room at some point (correct), how long does this take at that time of night? Or would it be better to pick up our luggage and bring it with us.

The only time we could eat at Ohana's is that night. Is it possible to get to the Polynesian resort, if I can make a late night dining reservation (they say open to 10pm)? How long does it take to get to the Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom is opened until 1am (extra hours) that night so the busses would be running a hour after that.

 

[saskdw]

Our flight arrives at 7:50pm. Plan on taking the Magic Express and doing online checkin.

How long does it take to get from the airport to the resort at that time of night?

First time, using Magic Express, so we just walk of the plane and go to the Magic Express desk and get on bus. Our luggage would turn up in our room at some point (correct), how long does this take at that time of night? Or would it be better to pick up our luggage and bring it with us.

The only time we could eat at Ohana's is that night. Is it possible to get to the Polynesian resort, if I can make a late night dining reservation (they say open to 10pm)? How long does it take to get to the Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom is opened until 1am (extra hours) that night so the busses would be running a hour after that.

Bus ride is about 20mins, maybe 25 from airport. If you don't have any problem carrying your luggage it only takes an extra 5 mins to grab it and then you have everything when you get to the hotel. If you have trouble carrying all your stuff or don't care that it might be 3 hours for your luggage to show up than you can walk right off the plane onto the bus.

To get to Magic Kingdom is about 10 mins once you are on the bus. It's not long at all and CSR is pretty much the most centrally located resort, so its not far to any of the parks.

 

[Glenn&Sharon]

Our flight arrives at 7:50pm. Plan on taking the Magic Express and doing online checkin.

How long does it take to get from the airport to the resort at that time of night?

First time, using Magic Express, so we just walk of the plane and go to the Magic Express desk and get on bus. Our luggage would turn up in our room at some point (correct), how long does this take at that time of night? Or would it be better to pick up our luggage and bring it with us.

The only time we could eat at Ohana's is that night. Is it possible to get to the Polynesian resort, if I can make a late night dining reservation (they say open to 10pm)? How long does it take to get to the Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom is opened until 1am (extra hours) that night so the busses would be running a hour after that.

Sorry - I beg to differ with PP. We've use ME several times.

You need to figure at least an hour from the time you land 'till you get to the hotel - what with getting to the ME desk from the gate and waiting for the next bus to go. That puts you at CSR around 8:50. It would be a mad scramble to get to an ADR at Ohana any earlier than 9:30.

 

[saskdw]

I guess I should clarify. The bus ride itself is about 20-25 mins. How long it takes to get from the plane to being on the bus and it driving down the road can vary. This past December we had an later arrival time like this and I don't think it took more than 20 mins to grab our luggage, ride the tram to the side and board the bus. We pretty much wlked right on the bus at the ME station. I could definately see this takeing longer at busier times.

 

[cindyfan]

Our flight arrives at 7:50pm. Plan on taking the Magic Express and doing online checkin.

How long does it take to get from the airport to the resort at that time of night?...

The only time we could eat at Ohana's is that night. Is it possible to get to the Polynesian resort, if I can make a late night dining reservation (they say open to 10pm)? How long does it take to get to the Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom is opened until 1am (extra hours) that night so the busses would be running a hour after that.

IMHO..... you won't make it. only way you would is if the timing is perfect and luck on your side!
Way too many variables to chance making an ADR and the stress trying to get there would freak me out! and no one wants that the first night on vacation!!

 

[Mikes:)Mom]

Spent 10 days solo in Nov/December at CSR, my first stay there. I was in building 9A Cabanas and it was right over the bridge from the main building and close to bus stop 1. Having said that I am returning again in March and hope to be in the same area but really am not to concerned about location as the resort its self is well lighted and seemed very safe to me when walking about at night. I came back several nights alone very late and really was not concerned. Have a great trip, its a great resort!!

That's AWESOME! Thank you for the review!

 

[clandrum]

Sorry - I beg to differ with PP. We've use ME several times.

You need to figure at least an hour from the time you land 'till you get to the hotel - what with getting to the ME desk from the gate and waiting for the next bus to go. That puts you at CSR around 8:50. It would be a mad scramble to get to an ADR at Ohana any earlier than 9:30.

I agree. Not to mention if the ME makes stops at other resorts it can add quite a bit of time to your trip. On our way to CSR last time we stopped at 3 other resorts before we finally made it to CSR.

 

[Disney before Sally]

Your thread and additional posts from resort guests have made me much more comfortable about this future vacation. I used to stay at moderate resorts when I was younger and lived in Florida. It was so easy to plan a long weekend without worrying about the additional cost of air fare. Now the family is larger and we need to fly. I wasn't planning on spending any time at the resort. After two days of reading the valuable insight made possible by this thread, we will have to consider taking precious time away from the parks in order to enjoy the pool, slide, and hammocks.

We will be there in late August, so the kids won't miss any school. I know it will be hot, but our family did the same week 2 years ago at ASMu. We were at a park for each rope drop and still there when they shut down for the day - every day for a week. The parks are open at 8 AM and close at 11 PM - on average. Does anyone know the hours of operation for the City of Cibola slide at CSR during these late summer days? Will I be able to get coffee before 11AM at the pool bar?

 

[KatMark]

Your thread and additional posts from resort guests have made me much more comfortable about this future vacation. I used to stay at moderate resorts when I was younger and lived in Florida. It was so easy to plan a long weekend without worrying about the additional cost of air fare. Now the family is larger and we need to fly. I wasn't planning on spending any time at the resort. After two days of reading the valuable insight made possible by this thread, we will have to consider taking precious time away from the parks in order to enjoy the pool, slide, and hammocks.

We will be there in late August, so the kids won't miss any school. I know it will be hot, but our family did the same week 2 years ago at ASMu. We were at a park for each rope drop and still there when they shut down for the day - every day for a week. The parks are open at 8 AM and close at 11 PM - on average. Does anyone know the hours of operation for the City of Cibola slide at CSR during these late summer days? Will I be able to get coffee before 11AM at the pool bar?

I am glad the thread has been helpful to you. The pool bar does not normally open until 11 a.m. You can, however, get coffee at the take-out window at the Pepper Market (this is where I get my cappucino every morning) or at Cafe Rix.

We have been in the pool as late as 12:30 a.m. The slide does, however like all slides, close when the lifeguards go off duty.

 

[mom2munchkins]

Here's the link to the Guests with Disabilities page on Disney's website:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guests-with-disabilities/
There's a phone number that you might want to call.

Also, post this on the disAbilities board here on the DIS, and you'll get more responses.

Many posters have recommended getting an ECV from an outside provider who delivers to the Disney resorts.

Thanks for the help

 

[LDCruiser]

Happy Valentines Day to all.

First time on this thread.

Want to all for the great reviews, pics, updates, questions and answers. It took a while to get through all the pages of the thread. WOW, a lot of information and help. It was great to see all the involvement and positive attitudes of the most magical place on earth and how many have made the CSR their favorite resort.

Returned from a great vacation in Dec 2010 at the POFQ. We really like the French Qtr and its size and cozy layout. The boat ride to DTD at night is wonderful. While there we visited each of the resorts and fell in with the theme of the CSR and the grounds. Immediately we wanted to make this our next stay. 5 days after our returned we booked CSR for Sept 13th - 20th, then found this thread. Read through a few pages each day. The thread has just confirmed our original thoughts and feelings as we walked around the grounds back in Dec. We are so, so, excited for this CSR vacation.

Thanks to all and their involvement in making this such a wonderful source of information.

 

[KatMark]

Happy Valentines Day to all.

First time on this thread.

Want to all for the great reviews, pics, updates, questions and answers. It took a while to get through all the pages of the thread. WOW, a lot of information and help. It was great to see all the involvement and positive attitudes of the most magical place on earth and how many have made the CSR their favorite resort.

Returned from a great vacation in Dec 2010 at the POFQ. We really like the French Qtr and its size and cozy layout. The boat ride to DTD at night is wonderful. While there we visited each of the resorts and fell in with the theme of the CSR and the grounds. Immediately we wanted to make this our next stay. 5 days after our returned we booked CSR for Sept 13th - 20th, then found this thread. Read through a few pages each day. The thread has just confirmed our original thoughts and feelings as we walked around the grounds back in Dec. We are so, so, excited for this CSR vacation.

Thanks to all and their involvement in making this such a wonderful source of information.

Welcome. I'm so glad you found the information here to be helpful. If I do say so myself, we have some of the BEST Diser's hanging out on this thread and each one is as friendly as can be and most helpful. It looks as if I will miss you by 5 days.

Please come back often and post and let us know if you have any specific questions.

 

[cjsm&d]

Just did on-line check-in! Only asking for ground floor this time. Since we are stayng only two nights (before we try Swan for the 1st time), we thnk it'll be fun to let the chips fall where they may as far as room location.

This is when it starts to feel like vaca is here!!!