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

[KatMark]

Kathy I chatted with the waitress about this when Dan and I ate there on the 18th. She said that Disney used to cover the gratuity with their dining plans but phased that out awhile back. We were told by her to leave it on the table, when we checked out and paid with our credits, the cashier didn't mention a thing about it. To me that seems like a stiffed tip waiting to happen for those servers. To me it was worth it, she brought our drinks, cleared our plates and when we first sat down explained everything to us. But for our two week trips, it would add up quick.

We had planned to take it to the lake to eat but it was so blasted hot and it felt so good in there I even got my cheap husband to agree eating inside was well worth the gratuity!

And when we ate there last September, our waiter told us that it was included with the dining plan (but only at the CSR restaurants because of the fact they are not owned by Disney and it is "automatic."). They really need to figure this out and have everyone on the same page.

 

[Muscateer]

Muscateer- Thanks so much for the review. Glad to hear you had a lovely time. You mentioned spending time at the bars.....any good specialty drinks you would recommend? At Poly I LOVE the Pina Colava so I am on the prowl for something yummy for our first trip to CSR in October.

I just worked my way through the list of cocktails on the board I did enjoy the Strawberry Daiquiris though. Oh I loved Pina Colavas. Never saw or asked bar people to make them at CSR but did try them at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.

 

[saskdw]

Kathy I chatted with the waitress about this when Dan and I ate there on the 18th. She said that Disney used to cover the gratuity with their dining plans but phased that out awhile back. We were told by her to leave it on the table, when we checked out and paid with our credits, the cashier didn't mention a thing about it. To me that seems like a stiffed tip waiting to happen for those servers. To me it was worth it, she brought our drinks, cleared our plates and when we first sat down explained everything to us. But for our two week trips, it would add up quick.

We had planned to take it to the lake to eat but it was so blasted hot and it felt so good in there I even got my cheap husband to agree eating inside was well worth the gratuity!

This is correct the tip is not included and needs to be left on the table.

 

[Disney Bunny]

Does anyone know if the Dig Site or quiet pools are heated in October and if so what is the temp?

Thanks.

 

[Cafeen]

Does anyone know if the Dig Site or quiet pools are heated in October and if so what is the temp?

Thanks.

They are heated all year round. I think it's in the 80s or so? Someone else has the temp, but all pools on property are heated to around the same temp (well, when the heaters are working, and excluding the Shark Reef at TL)

 

[snykymom]

Does anyone know if the Dig Site or quiet pools are heated in October and if so what is the temp?

Thanks.

84 degrees, year round.

 

[JKMJ441724]

oh... me like-y.

 

[tipsytrtle]

Just paid off our balance for our2week holiday at CSR!! Excited to see this resort in person

 

[lovethattink]

And when we ate there last September, our waiter told us that it was included with the dining plan (but only at the CSR restaurants because of the fact they are not owned by Disney and it is "automatic."). They really need to figure this out and have everyone on the same page.

Kathy, they need to figure it out for non dining plans too, lol. It seemed to be pot luck for us in March. The first night the waiter got stiffed Went back looking for him and nobody seemed to know where he was. Looked for him the whole trip, never to be seen again. The next night, the server got double, because we left it on the table AND we were charged on at the register. The 3rd night we wised up and dh paid the bill while we sat and waited for him. It was charged at the register.

Does anyone know if the Dig Site or quiet pools are heated in October and if so what is the temp?

Thanks.

Heated year round. But in March we had one day where the pool felt extremely cold, the next day it felt pleasantly warm. I think the cold night we had affected how well the heater worked.

They are heated all year round. I think it's in the 80s or so? Someone else has the temp, but all pools on property are heated to around the same temp (well, when the heaters are working, and excluding the Shark Reef at TL)

Yep! When they are working properly!

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Do any of you know if Panchitos sells pool noodles? We bought 2 of these on our last trip(at SAB) and the kids had a blast with these the whole trip then we gave them to another family on our last day at PBH, I need to know if Panchitos sells these or if I should order them from gardengrocer. Thanks

 

[rpiff]

Hi y'all,
We're staying at CSR this December, in two rooms that don't have to adjoin. My folks are seniors who can't walk too far. We'd all like quiet rooms with nice enough views (even if from the balcony). We're likely to prefer the quiet pool, and want to be near to El Centro restaurants & bus stop. What do you suggest we request when booking room?
Thanks,
RPiff

 

[KatMark]

Do any of you know if Panchitos sells pool noodles? We bought 2 of these on our last trip(at SAB) and the kids had a blast with these the whole trip then we gave them to another family on our last day at PBH, I need to know if Panchitos sells these or if I should order them from gardengrocer. Thanks

I do not recall ever seeing them there.

Hi y'all,
We're staying at CSR this December, in two rooms that don't have to adjoin. My folks are seniors who can't walk too far. We'd all like quiet rooms with nice enough views (even if from the balcony). We're likely to prefer the quiet pool, and want to be near to El Centro restaurants & bus stop. What do you suggest we request when booking room?
Thanks,
RPiff

First, there are no balconies. The values and moderates do not have balconies. If you are not paying for a preferred room, I would ask for Cabanas 9A or Casitas 4. Cabanas 9A will have you closer to the main building and also a quiet pool; Casitas 4 will have you close to a quiet pool and the first bus stop picked up and dropped off.

 

[rpiff]

Thanks, KatMark!

 

[Lilybee]

Hi everyone,

The DB and myself are staying at this resort for the first time so need a little help as to which building would be the best for us.

We would like some where it's not too busy but nearish a small pool and parking. We don't mind walking to the main building. We don't have kids and in our 20's.

Thanks for any help you can give

Lilybee

 

[lovethattink]

Hi everyone,

The DB and myself are staying at this resort for the first time so need a little help as to which building would be the best for us.

We would like some where it's not too busy but nearish a small pool and parking. We don't mind walking to the main building. We don't have kids and in our 20's.

Thanks for any help you can give

Lilybee

Casitas 4 or 5 would be great for 2 adults who don't mind walking. The fitness center, spa and a quiet pool are at building 4. building 5 is next door.

 

[milmore104]

Does CSR have elevators? We are a family of 5 w/ 2 babies and a double stroller. I don't want to lug it up stairs at the end of a long day in the parks. Thanks

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

We just checked out after a 3 night/4 day stay. We loved the resort again and were in Building 8A which we loved in Oct! It's near the parking lot, main pool, and a short walk to the main building! Our Mousekeeping was good, the nachos at the pool bar are awesome, and we ate 3 meals at Pepper Market all of which were good!

We will however, research the conventions there next time. I noticed in passing that there was a huge convention there the 1st-2nd and didn't think of it as a huge deal until we got there and saw several groups of teens and kids running everywhere, no manners, cutting in front of you in the dining lines, screaming/slamming doors in the hallways, and having the pool/hot tub overrun and loud. We quickly noticed that the kids/teens with parents/supervisors were very well behaved but not all of them were!

In Oct when we stayed there, there were at least 2 conventions there at the time but they were mainly just adults but this was totally different this time!

We love the resort but next time, we'll research the conferences more!

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

We just checked out after a 3 night/4 day stay. We loved the resort again and were in Building 8A which we loved in Oct! It's near the parking lot, main pool, and a short walk to the main building! Our Mousekeeping was good, the nachos at the pool bar are awesome, and we ate 3 meals at Pepper Market all of which were good!

We will however, research the conventions there next time. I noticed in passing that there was a huge convention there the 1st-2nd and didn't think of it as a huge deal until we got there and saw several groups of teens and kids running everywhere, no manners, cutting in front of you in the dining lines, screaming/slamming doors in the hallways, and having the pool/hot tub overrun and loud. We quickly noticed that the kids/teens with parents/supervisors were very well behaved but not all of them were!

In Oct when we stayed there, there were at least 2 conventions there at the time but they were mainly just adults but this was totally different this time!

We love the resort but next time, we'll research the conferences more!

Thx for the quick review. Glad to hear you had a good time despite some rude folks. I know families with bad manners can happen at any resort but it is so NOT FUN when it impedes on your vacation. I am hoping for *good* conventioners for our first trip to CSR in Oct. So far, I haven't seen any scheduled for my time Oct 22-29 but have heard there is a huge convention over in the Swalphin BC/YC area at the beginning of our trip. Wonder if any of these folks will spill over into other convention resorts. Anyone know????

PS--We had some rude folks during our first stay at WDW when at the CR. There was this lady who would stare us down at the pool everyday. We also had neighbors from the looney bin next to us our last night. Kids literally jumping off the beds and furniture screaming and yelling until past 2am. I suspect the parents left them in the room and went to the parks alone. I called the front desk around midnight but I don't know if it did any good. We gave up since we were leaving anyway.

 

[iloveeeyore]

I just booked a last-minute (for us) surprise sneak-in for the week leading up to Labor Day under the FD promotion at CSR!!!! We are so super-excited and I wanted to share and to thank everyone on this thread (esp. KatMark) for giving such wonderful descriptions of CSR to make it our mod of choice. We didn't think we could afford to go back this year but thanks to FD, decent air fares, some diligent saving and the generousity of DH, we are just doing it!!! We usually stay deluxe but decided to give a mod a try again because of the budget. Our daughter is going into senior year in HS...you know what we have to think about!

I requested building 7b because DS(14) likes the look of Ranchos the best and we are celebrating his 8th grade graduation.

I will be doing a live report this year like I did last year from the Poly and AKL. Really looking forward to it!!!

 

[saskdw]

Does CSR have elevators? We are a family of 5 w/ 2 babies and a double stroller. I don't want to lug it up stairs at the end of a long day in the parks. Thanks

All the buildings that have 3-4 floors have elevators. I'm not sure about the Cabanas buildings which have only 2 floors.