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

[workinmom]

I tried searching for this answer but had no luck & I'm sure it's been asked before but I wanted to confirm what I think the answer is....

We have an 8:05 ADR at Crystal Palace when MK opens at 9 am. Am I correct that the busses to the parks begin at 7 am? We will have a car & I thought about driving to some of the parks but MK seems like it could be a hassle since we actually have to go to the TTC.

Online check-in tomorrow....getting so excited!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I tried searching for this answer but had no luck & I'm sure it's been asked before but I wanted to confirm what I think the answer is....

We have an 8:05 ADR at Crystal Palace when MK opens at 9 am. Am I correct that the busses to the parks begin at 7 am? We will have a car & I thought about driving to some of the parks but MK seems like it could be a hassle since we actually have to go to the TTC.

Online check-in tomorrow....getting so excited!

We had an 8:10 ADR at CP on our last trip. I think the buses actually start running at 6:30. We got onto a MK bus at 7:00 and got there in PLENTY of time. We were some of the first through the turnstyle, and when they started 2 lines at the rope, we were at the head of the 2nd line so we were among the first through the gates. They didn't let us in until about 8:00 so we were actually seated about 8:20. We really enjoyed the breakfast - definitely worth it!

 

[KatMark]

I am going to WDW the first week of December 2011 and it was originally going to be me and my BFF....when I go with her we usually stay at POP because its the cheapest and we like it the best of all the values. BUT, I just found out she may not be able to go anymore due to money issues. Which would be a really bad thing EXCEPT for the fact that my parents (who went with me in 2009) have decided that they really want to go back. So if she ends up not being able to go this year, they have already said they will go with me.

That being said, in 2009 we stayed at CSR for the first time and absolutely LOVED it. I was quite surprised at that, mainly because we aren't into the southwestern/desert/mexico/mayan look, etc. In fact, we only chose it because it had recently been redone with new queen beds and my mom said there was NO WAY she was sleeping with my dad (who flops around like a giant fish when sleeping) in a double bed. Lol! Anyway, in the early 90s, which was the last time they had gone, we stayed at POR. I was looking around the other day thinking that maybe we should stay at POR because dad would just LOVE that there was a boat going to DTD and he would be taking it all the time (he just loves boat and train rides, its quite funny). But I looked at the pics of the grounds and well, they just didnt do anything for me! I dont know if it was because it just reminded me of the old days, back when WDW was not really my thing because we only knew to go to one park and we didnt know what we were doing and thus it held no good memories for me, or what. And THEN I looked at my CSR photos I had downloaded from this thread onto my computer in 2009 when I wanted to sell my parents on the resort (hope that was ok, ya'll had some great photos) and I was like, ahhhh! So pretty! I fell in love all over again with the fountains and the color of the casitas buildings and the greenery and the check-in building.....I don't think I'm going to ever be able to stay at different moderate ever again.

P.S. Just as an aside, I have also stayed at CBR (I think it was early 2000's with my friend's family) and it didn't really do anything for me either. Go figure! I guess I am officially a CSR gal! So thanks to all of you who have posted pictures and told about the resort over the years, especially KatMark who started this thread which I first found mid-2009, because if it hadn't been for ya'll I never would have given CSR a chance!!!!

Thank you for the very kind words...you warmed my heart. In all fairness, I did not start this thread, but when the person who did left, I took it over using some of his stuff and combining mine. I am so glad that it was helpful to you and that you, too, have turned into a "CSR gal." Welcome to the Club.

 

[Haileys Nana]

Hello everyone! I just joined the dis. I'm not sure I know what I'm doing yet with posting so please bear with me. I do however, know there are some great people here because I've been following for a long time. I found this site 3 years ago before our first Disney trip. I've not joined before cause I always found answers to my questions by just keeping up with the post. Kathy, you do a terrific job here. Husband and I have a Dec. trip booked so I'll have some questions I'm sure. Thanks to you all .

 

[KEPE]

Hi all!!

So I know I posted before about DME and was told they pick up approx. 3 hours prior to your flight. I have a 3:30 flight so I'm guessing they will pick us up around 12:30. I wanted to make an 8:15 ADR at CRT. What time is check out? Can you request a late check out? What time would that be? Do you think an 8:15 ressie is reasonable for a 12:30 pickup? Ideally, I'd like to have the ressie, be done by 9:30ish, pick up a few last minute souveniers and head back to the hotel around 10:30 so we could be back shortly after 11 (with waiting time for the buses or taxi if nothing comes). Then gather the last of our things while DH heads down to check out around 11:30 and do a few last pics or walk around the hotel to be ready for DME by 12:30. Does that sound right or does anyone have any other suggestions to help make this work??

 

[Haileys Nana]

Just checking to see if my avatar is working. Can someone please tell me how to get the ticker to show on my post? Thanks.

 

[KatMark]

Hello everyone! I just joined the dis. I'm not sure I know what I'm doing yet with posting so please bear with me. I do however, know there are some great people here because I've been following for a long time. I found this site 3 years ago before our first Disney trip. I've not joined before cause I always found answers to my questions by just keeping up with the post. Kathy, you do a terrific job here. Husband and I have a Dec. trip booked so I'll have some questions I'm sure. Thanks to you all .

to the DIS and to our wonderful family here on the CSR thread. Thank you for the kind words. There are lots of wonderful people within this thread (as well as throughout the DIS) who will be happy to answer your questions.

Hi all!!

So I know I posted before about DME and was told they pick up approx. 3 hours prior to your flight. I have a 3:30 flight so I'm guessing they will pick us up around 12:30. I wanted to make an 8:15 ADR at CRT. What time is check out? Can you request a late check out? What time would that be? Do you think an 8:15 ressie is reasonable for a 12:30 pickup? Ideally, I'd like to have the ressie, be done by 9:30ish, pick up a few last minute souveniers and head back to the hotel around 10:30 so we could be back shortly after 11 (with waiting time for the buses or taxi if nothing comes). Then gather the last of our things while DH heads down to check out around 11:30 and do a few last pics or walk around the hotel to be ready for DME by 12:30. Does that sound right or does anyone have any other suggestions to help make this work??

We don't use ME (we rent a car) so I'm going to let someone else answer your question who has a little more knowledge.

Just checking to see if my avatar is working. Can someone please tell me how to get the ticker to show on my post? Thanks.

Hi again. You need to go to the User CP up near the top left of the page; then click on "edit your signature." You will see something like this where you created your ticker:

and you need to copy and paste it into your signature and then save it. I hope that helps.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Just checking to see if my avatar is working. Can someone please tell me how to get the ticker to show on my post? Thanks.

First, go to the top of the page and click where it says "Tickers." Create your ticker. When it's complete, you'll get several options of different lines of code. One of them starts with "URL" and ends with "url." Copy that one. Go back to the main DIS screen and click at the top where it says "User CP." One of the choices down the left side of the screen will be to "Edit Signature." Click that, then paste the URL code into the text box. Click "Preview Signature" to make sure you copied the right code in its entirety.

Hope this helps!

 

[aubriee]

First, go to the top of the page and click where it says "Tickers." Create your ticker. When it's complete, you'll get several options of different lines of code. One of them starts with "URL" and ends with "url." Copy that one. Go back to the main DIS screen and click at the top where it says "User CP." One of the choices down the left side of the screen will be to "Edit Signature." Click that, then paste the URL code into the text box. Click "Preview Signature" to make sure you copied the right code in its entirety.

Hope this helps!

I wonder why they don't have any CSR counters though? I used this site instead to create my count downs and then just cut and pasted after I clicked on 'Edit Signature':
http://www.**************/

 

[snykymom]

Hi all!!

So I know I posted before about DME and was told they pick up approx. 3 hours prior to your flight. I have a 3:30 flight so I'm guessing they will pick us up around 12:30. I wanted to make an 8:15 ADR at CRT. What time is check out? Can you request a late check out? What time would that be? Do you think an 8:15 ressie is reasonable for a 12:30 pickup? Ideally, I'd like to have the ressie, be done by 9:30ish, pick up a few last minute souveniers and head back to the hotel around 10:30 so we could be back shortly after 11 (with waiting time for the buses or taxi if nothing comes). Then gather the last of our things while DH heads down to check out around 11:30 and do a few last pics or walk around the hotel to be ready for DME by 12:30. Does that sound right or does anyone have any other suggestions to help make this work??

Check-out is generally around 11, I believe. You can request late checkout but it's not guaranteed. And if you are using RAC, so that they put your luggage on the plane for you, you need to have your luggage there at least 3 hours before your pickup.

I would just pack up, check out, drop the bags at RAC and then hit the buses.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Hello everyone! I just joined the dis. I'm not sure I know what I'm doing yet with posting so please bear with me. I do however, know there are some great people here because I've been following for a long time. I found this site 3 years ago before our first Disney trip. I've not joined before cause I always found answers to my questions by just keeping up with the post. Kathy, you do a terrific job here. Husband and I have a Dec. trip booked so I'll have some questions I'm sure. Thanks to you all .

to the DIS! You have come to the right place. I've always wanted to see CSR at Christmas - the pictures I have seen are gorgeous!

Hi all!!

So I know I posted before about DME and was told they pick up approx. 3 hours prior to your flight. I have a 3:30 flight so I'm guessing they will pick us up around 12:30. I wanted to make an 8:15 ADR at CRT. What time is check out? Can you request a late check out? What time would that be? Do you think an 8:15 ressie is reasonable for a 12:30 pickup? Ideally, I'd like to have the ressie, be done by 9:30ish, pick up a few last minute souveniers and head back to the hotel around 10:30 so we could be back shortly after 11 (with waiting time for the buses or taxi if nothing comes). Then gather the last of our things while DH heads down to check out around 11:30 and do a few last pics or walk around the hotel to be ready for DME by 12:30. Does that sound right or does anyone have any other suggestions to help make this work??

Yes, you will be picked up approximately three hours before your flight (domestic). It could be 12:20 or 12:40, but it will be around 12:30. Check out is at 11:00, and late checkout is usually at 1:00. I'd request late checkout, but plan to be back by 11:00 anyway so you can get something to eat (unless you are eating at the airport) and be ready to go. I'd have your DH take any checked bags down in the morning before your ADR whether you get late checkout or not so you don't have to wait in the bag line as it gets close to time for the bus. Then you can either leave the carryons in the room (if you get late checkout) or drop them by Bell Services (if you have to be out by 11:00). For an 8:15 ADR, you probably want to be at the bus stop by about 7:00-7:15, so I'd pack most things the night before and send your DH to check the suitcases while everyone else gets ready.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I booked a Junior Suite for June 9-16, 2012! We are hoping to bring DD12's best friend with us, which makes us a family of five and means we also need two bathrooms for all the girls. There were no AAA rates available, so I gulped a bit at paying rack rate, but I am holding out hope for a discount as we get closer.

Now I get to make another CSR ticker!

 

[KatMark]

I booked a Junior Suite for June 9-16, 2012! We are hoping to bring DD12's best friend with us, which makes us a family of five and means we also need two bathrooms for all the girls. There were no AAA rates available, so I gulped a bit at paying rack rate, but I am holding out hope for a discount as we get closer.

Now I get to make another CSR ticker!

You are going to LOVE the Junior Suite! I will keep my fingers crossed for some sort of discount for June.

And I'm counting on you to watch this thread when I go in two months.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

You are going to LOVE the Junior Suite! I will keep my fingers crossed for some sort of discount for June.

And I'm counting on you to watch this thread when I go in two months.

I'm excited about the Junior Suite! It costs as much as a room at the Poly, but it gives DH a little privacy (since DD and friend will be 13 next year, and our other DD will be 9), and the two bathrooms are pretty critical with a couple of teen girls. As usual, CSR offers us a better value for the price. Hope it all works out for the trip - we haven't asked her parents yet since it is so far away, but I'm planning just in case.

Happy to watch the thread, along with anyone else who wants to chime in. I never get to go anywhere in September anyway. I can't wait to hear what you think about the AKL one BR - it is my second choice if a discount comes out and it ends up less than the junior suite - I'm hoping the junior suite is not excluded from any offers that might be released. I have wanted to check out the junior suites for a while, but I couldn't justify the cost increase with just four of us.

 

[Muligan21]

I've been reading several recent reviews that Coronado is becoming a very hectic, convention centric resort in less family oriented. My family is now asking to postpone our Winter trip to a larger family vacation for Star Wars weekend. So, I have to reset my mind and re-educate myself on everything..

Do you guys agree that Coronado would not be best suited for 8 adults and about 6 children that are 8 years of age down to 1 year?

Any suggestions are welcomed as other resorts. We have stayed at CBR and loved it but would love something different. The summer months may push a Deluxe out of financial reach. A beach is pretty important to my family eventhough its not a "real" beach.

$2500 is about the budget for each family.

 

[KatMark]

I've been reading several recent reviews that Coronado is becoming a very hectic, convention centric resort in less family oriented. My family is now asking to postpone our Winter trip to a larger family vacation for Star Wars weekend. So, I have to reset my mind and re-educate myself on everything..

Do you guys agree that Coronado would not be best suited for 8 adults and about 6 children that are 8 years of age down to 1 year?

Any suggestions are welcomed as other resorts. We have stayed at CBR and loved it but would love something different. The summer months may push a Deluxe out of financial reach. A beach is pretty important to my family eventhough its not a "real" beach.

$2500 is about the budget for each family.

You could say the same thing about the GF, the CR, the Boardwalk, the Y&B Club -- all convention resorts. I just think some people don't like to see people working while they are on vacation, despite the fact that you rarely see them in anything but business casual shorts, shirts, etc., and a nametag.

We took both of our boys when they were young -- 8 and 10 and there was a convention and it did not affect us at all.

I always link this review when someone asks about traveling with young kids and hopefully it will ease your mind: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2490217

Let us know if you have any other questions.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I've been reading several recent reviews that Coronado is becoming a very hectic, convention centric resort in less family oriented. My family is now asking to postpone our Winter trip to a larger family vacation for Star Wars weekend. So, I have to reset my mind and re-educate myself on everything..

Do you guys agree that Coronado would not be best suited for 8 adults and about 6 children that are 8 years of age down to 1 year?

Any suggestions are welcomed as other resorts. We have stayed at CBR and loved it but would love something different. The summer months may push a Deluxe out of financial reach. A beach is pretty important to my family eventhough its not a "real" beach.

$2500 is about the budget for each family.

My kids are 8 and 12, and they have been staying at CSR since they were 6 and 9. My DD8's favorite resort in all of Disney is CSR - she has also stayed at Poly, AKL, OKW and Beach Club. She loves the pool and slide, the flowers, the turtles and alligator, and the playground. DD12 would say Beach Club is her favorite resort (due to the pool and big slide), with CSR second. DH's favorite resorts are CSR and AKL, then Beach Club in third. I like CSR and Poly, with AKL coming in third.

We have always found CSR to be family friendly, even though the decor is not as kid-centric as the values. The CMs at the pool play games with the kids, the CMs at Pepper Market bring them coloring sheets, and everyone is always ready with a "Good morning, Princess" (to the slight embarrassment of my pre-teen but to the delight of my eight-year old) . The rooms are great for families with queen beds and with the sliding doors that separate the bathroom from the room - I was able to get up, shower and blow dry my hair without waking the kids. The pool is huge and is rarely crowded, probably due to the convention guests. We have seen people walking around with nametags like they were attending a convention, but we have never been adversely impacted. We usually request Cabanas, which is closer to the pool, instead of casitas, which is closer to the main building and the convention center. DH and I have stayed in the casitas and they are beautiful, but it is nice with kids to be close to the pool. It is hard to get my kids off the slide to go back to the parks in the evening.

Most people at CSR will be families enjoying their vacation, not business people, although I'm happy for the business people when I can get on the bus at the last stop and still have plenty of places to sit!

 

[Muligan21]

Thanks everyone for quick and helpful responses. This really puts my mind at ease. I really did not know what to expect from a convention resort. We will probably look to stay in the Cabana's. Beach Club has come up in several of our conversations but not sure if our little ones would benefit from the pool.

Thanks again!

 

[workinmom]

Did online check-in tonight! Now praying that the next 9 days go by quickly!

 

[lisam427]

we are using magical express from the airport to Coronado. does the magical express bus stop at other resorts first or is Coronado the first stop when going from the airport to the resort?