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

[Claire&TheBoys]

We are back from our trip to Florida. And I wanted to thank lovethattink, claire&theboys and any others who answered questions while I was away to make my life easier when I got back.

And to all of those who recently came back and posted a review, we appreciate your offering your opinion. Whether a good or bad review, it is always helpful to those planning a trip.

Welcome Back, Kathy! We missed you!

Hope you enjoyed some time in our Florida sun!

 

[KatMark]

Welcome Back, Kathy! We missed you!

Hope you enjoyed some time in our Florida sun!

Thanks, Claire. We had a blast...the weather was perfect and I came home with a little tan. We were in Jacksonville, Daytona, Melbourne, Coconut Grove, Tamarac and Naples (it was 90 in Naples the last two days). We had some great meals with our good friend, Nicki, from here on the DIS.

 

[lovethattink]

Welcome back Katmark!

 

[aubriee]

Thanks, Claire. We had a blast...the weather was perfect and I came home with a little tan. We were in Jacksonville, Daytona, Melbourne, Coconut Grove, Tamarac and Naples (it was 90 in Naples the last two days). We had some great meals with our good friend, Nicki, from here on the DIS.

Welcome back Kathy! Glad you guys had a great time.

 

[doodle&june]

Thanks for all the wonderful information! We are booked at CSR June 19-25 with my DH, DD 16, and DD 4 and just made the final payment! It is the first trip since 1982 for my husband and I and the first trip ever for our girls. We are VERY excited...or at least I am. DD 4 is not a "Disney" kid. She only likes Toy Story and could care less about Princesses so we aren't going for the characters, just the fun! I'm sure by the time we get back I'll have a princess loving Disney girl. I have a question I haven't seen addressed anywhere. Several people have mentioned they don't utilize the bus system since they bring their own cars. Is there a charge to park at the park or the other resorts? How does that work? I understand we won't be charged to park at CSR. My husband says he wants to park the car for the week so it probably won't matter but I'd like to be prepared "just in case".

 

[snykymom]

Thanks for all the wonderful information! We are booked at CSR June 19-25 with my DH, DD 16, and DD 4 and just made the final payment! It is the first trip since 1982 for my husband and I and the first trip ever for our girls. We are VERY excited...or at least I am. DD 4 is not a "Disney" kid. She only likes Toy Story and could care less about Princesses so we aren't going for the characters, just the fun! I'm sure by the time we get back I'll have a princess loving Disney girl. I have a question I haven't seen addressed anywhere. Several people have mentioned they don't utilize the bus system since they bring their own cars. Is there a charge to park at the park or the other resorts? How does that work? I understand we won't be charged to park at CSR. My husband says he wants to park the car for the week so it probably won't matter but I'd like to be prepared "just in case".

First of all, to the boards!
To answer your question, though, all on-site resort guests get free parking at the parks. When you check in, they'll give you a pass to put in your car. Just show it at the parking plaza, and they'll wave you in. The only charge at other resorts is for valet parking. You'll generally be able to park at other resorts for about 3 hours; they'll give you a pass there, too, at the entrance to the parking area.

 

[doodle&june]

Thank you. I wasn't overly concerned but it's nice to know in case we feel like driving one day. Everyone we have talked to about the trip says wonderful things about the CSR. Since we are not a "Disney" family it's actually a bonus that it's not as Disney themed as some other resorts...and the queen beds were a definate sell. Crossing our fingers that DD 4 reaches 40 inches before we go. In Dec she was mere centimeters away...

 

[KatMark]

Thank you. I wasn't overly concerned but it's nice to know in case we feel like driving one day. Everyone we have talked to about the trip says wonderful things about the CSR. Since we are not a "Disney" family it's actually a bonus that it's not as Disney themed as some other resorts...and the queen beds were a definate sell. Crossing our fingers that DD 4 reaches 40 inches before we go. In Dec she was mere centimeters away...

WELCOME! Not only to the DIS, but to our friendly group here on the CSR thread.

You will LOVE the queen beds at CSR...they are heavenly. Here's some for those "centimeters" to 40 inches.

 

[doodle&june]

We have a 6 day trip planned and so far we have decided to do DTD on our first day, parks on day 2 & 3, rest at resort on day 4, and parks on days 5 & 6. Considerring our discrepancy in ages of our girls (16 & 4) does anyone have recommendations for places to definately go and places to avoid? We have park hopper tickets for 4 days.
Have called Central Reservations several times and always have wonderful CM who are able to answer all questions. Interestingly enough I had the same CM 2 days in a row when I called. I started to feel like he was my new best friend. Have decided to leave the room assignment up to the Disney gods and go with whatever we are assigned. All I asked for was close to a DSA (we are those horrible people who pollute the air ). I was able to put in a request for a microwave on our reservation so we will see how that goes. Will also request when we check in. Oh one more question...we have nightlights all over our house. Are the rooms pitch black at night? Wondering if I should bring some nightlights with us?
Thanks for all the help! Reading this ENTIRE thread has really answerred a lot of questions.

 

[momtob&t]

I was just reading some reviews of Pepper Market and kept coming across the "service charge". We will be on the QSDD when we go down in a couple of weeks and I just want to make sure we won't be expected to pay that since we are on the plan. Also, does anyone know exactly what it is for?

 

[KatMark]

I was just reading some reviews of Pepper Market and kept coming across the "service charge". We will be on the QSDD when we go down in a couple of weeks and I just want to make sure we won't be expected to pay that since we are on the plan. Also, does anyone know exactly what it is for?

This is the million dollar question. It used to be if you were on the dining plan that you did not have to pay it; then it changed and you did. HOWEVER, some people say they have had to pay it and some have not had to pay it the last year. We avoid all the messiness of it and take our food to go and sit at one of the tables by the lake.

It is a 10% gratuity because you are seated at the table, given real silverware/napkins and a server brings your drinks.

 

[raz1969]

We were just at CSR 3/29 - 4/4 and ate a few times at the pepper mill and did not have to pay the service fee. We were told by the cashier that anyone on the dining plan does not pay the service fee.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

We were just at CSR 3/29 - 4/4 and ate a few times at the pepper mill and did not have to pay the service fee. We were told by the cashier that anyone on the dining plan does not pay the service fee.

But you were still expected to leave a tip for the server right? Just trying to make sure I get it right.

 

[snykymom]

Oh one more question...we have nightlights all over our house. Are the rooms pitch black at night? Wondering if I should bring some nightlights with us?
Thanks for all the help! Reading this ENTIRE thread has really answerred a lot of questions.

If it's too dark in the room, you can leave the lights over the sink on and just keep the door open a little bit. That should work as a nightlight.

 

[saskdw]

But you were still expected to leave a tip for the server right? Just trying to make sure I get it right.

You are expected to tip in cash on the table, they process DP at the till and don't take tips at the till. We ate at the Pepper Market 4 times in December. Twice we left a tip and twice we didn't. Because you get your food yourself it is very subjective as to whether a tip is warranted. I've seen this debated online a million times. The 2 times we left a tip our "server" went out of their way to make sure our meal was pleasant and we felt the tip was deserved. The 2 times we didn't it took forever to get our drinks and we actually had to flag someone down to get our drink order taken and then 2 "servers" were fighting over whose table it was....lol!! No tip was deserved and I had a clear conscience not leaving one. I think most people would rather just get their own drinks and not worry about it. I'm not sure if they are trying to give the food court a more upscale feel by having you seated and your drinks delivered or if they are hoping the tips will allow them to pay the buspeople less? The bottom line for us was that the food court was really good as far as food courts go, we didn't find the process confusing at all, and refused to let this tipping/service charge thing impact our vacation.

 

[S.S.Oceanlover]

You are expected to tip in cash on the table, they process DP at the till and don't take tips at the till. We ate at the Pepper Market 4 times in December. Twice we left a tip and twice we didn't. Because you get your food yourself it is very subjective as to whether a tip is warranted. I've seen this debated online a million times. The 2 times we left a tip our "server" went out of their way to make sure our meal was pleasant and we felt the tip was deserved. The 2 times we didn't it took forever to get our drinks and we actually had to flag someone down to get our drink order taken and then 2 "servers" were fighting over whose table it was....lol!! No tip was deserved and I had a clear conscience not leaving one. I think most people would rather just get their own drinks and not worry about it. I'm not sure if they are trying to give the food court a more upscale feel by having you seated and your drinks delivered or if they are hoping the tips will allow them to pay the buspeople less? The bottom line for us was that the food court was really good as far as food courts go, we didn't find the process confusing at all, and refused to let this tipping/service charge thing impact our vacation.

What is the service charge for? I ate there a few times and always tipped and then when we left I noticed there was a service charge on there.

Next time I went I forgot and tipped again.

Bill

 

[cindyfan]

we have nightlights all over our house. Are the rooms pitch black at night? Wondering if I should bring some nightlights with us?

We use a lot of night lights too.... and I will be bringing a couple with us.
We have left the bathroom light on with the door just a-jar, but it is still so bright it's so annoying. When I lay in bed I can see the bright light through the cracks in the door.....
We are used to a dim light down near the floor. We just need enough to see that we don't trip on anything. and I don't want it shining in my eyes when trying to get to sleep.

 

[Susan595]

Geez I was bored and went seaching for some pics of 2 bedroom villas at Wilderness Villa's did a google came upon Trip Advisor read a little for my bff who's going in August with her family, then got bored even more so checked out our resort people are VERY rude at times and hard to please. Glad I learned a long time ago to not listen to reviews like on that site because if you were just researching of where to stay and read some of that crap you'd think twice, grrrrrrrr wonder if they sit down and think how many negative things can I write, god forbid be happy you were ON vacation and didn't have to cook once plus your AT disney hello ! ok vent over with lol

 

[cajunbaby1]

The Dollar Tree is great to pick up all those little things like Night Lites( that way if u forget them..no worries).
As for trip advisor...I think alot of those reports are just made up. Really..that many people have problems with disney? Take it with a grain of salt.

 

[saskdw]

What is the service charge for? I ate there a few times and always tipped and then when we left I noticed there was a service charge on there.

Next time I went I forgot and tipped again.

Bill

The service charge is the tip for non-dining plan customers. For DP customers you are supposed to leave cash tip on the table.