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

[KatMark]

Paid my resort balance in full last night so that I can add deluxe dining on before we go! We, (my daughter and I), keep coming back to look at pics on this thread and we are getting so excited to stay here. I can't wait to try out the Jaguar slide and get a margarita by the pool!!!

I'm sure they do, but just in case I thought I'd ask, can you use the DDP at the pool bars for their limited menus? I would rather eat poolside with a drink than go into the Pepper Market all the time, especially if I get my 8a room request.

Yes, you can use the DP at Siestas which is right next to the pool bar. Be sure to try the nachos and cheese -- not bad at all!

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Yes, you can use the DP at Siestas which is right next to the pool bar. Be sure to try the nachos and cheese -- not bad at all!

I have ordered chicken fingers for my kids there before on DDP and they put them in to-go containers and a bag so I could take it back to the room with sleepy, worn out kids. Really nice!

 

[Haileys Nana]

Unless you specifically want to go to DTD for shopping or dessert, AVOID the DTD buses at all costs!!! They are horrendous, and seriously, your trip on DTD buses from WL to DTD to CSR might take almost 3 hours.

Regarding the Epcot bus, it really depends. Do you catch one right away, or do you have to wait? How about when you reach Epcot? Have you just missed one or is one sitting there? Honestly, I recommend a taxi, but I promise you the park bus will be more eficient than the DTD bus 99 out of 100 times.

Eeyore,
Three hours! Seriously! HOLY COW!!! Thanks so much for the warning. Now I have to decide to chance the Epcot bus or try to reschedule our ressie. So far dining has been hard to get booked so I hate to cancel anything. I'm still trying to get some worked out. I've been trying to lose weight, maybe this is the man upstairs way of telling me I don't need to eat!

 

[KatMark]

Does anyone know how time consuming it would be to get from Wilderness Lodge (dinner ressie, and to see Christmas deco) back to Epcot to get a bus back to Coronado? I heard WL has a direct bus to Downtown Disney in the evenings. Would this be any better? Any other suggestions? MK will be closed when we are finished with dinner. Also, Coral Reef, to do or not to do? Anyone been lately? Thank you .

Why not just take a cab? I really don't think it is that expensive and that way you could take your time admiring the Christmas decorations at WL. Or were you planning on spending time at Epcot?

We've not done Coral Reef in over ten years but I have read a lot of good reviews for it over the last year.

 

[Haileys Nana]

Why not just take a cab? I really don't think it is that expensive and that way you could take your time admiring the Christmas decorations at WL. Or were you planning on spending time at Epcot?

We've not done Coral Reef in over ten years but I have read a lot of good reviews for it over the last year.

Thanks Kathy. I've just been told that the busses run during Mickeys Christmas Party (I didnt know) so we should still be able to go to MK and bus back to Coronado. Even got a suggestion to boat from WL to MK, then bus to Coronado. After a nice dinner, that sounds very relaxing. I'm so greatful for all of your help (and hard work) you do such a great job! Someone on these boards always has an answer. I love it.
We were considering Coral Reef for another night. I've seen good reviews too lately.

 

[iloveeeyore]

Thanks Kathy. I've just been told that the busses run during Mickeys Christmas Party (I didnt know) so we should still be able to go to MK and bus back to Coronado. Even got a suggestion to boat from WL to MK, then bus to Coronado. After a nice dinner, that sounds very relaxing. I'm so greatful for all of your help (and hard work) you do such a great job! Someone on these boards always has an answer. I love it.
We were considering Coral Reef for another night. I've seen good reviews too lately.

If MK is open for the christmas party, you will absolutely be able to take either the bus or the boat to MK and then bus to CSR. The bus will be your fastest option (after direct taxi). We did not have good luck with the MK boat to/from WL. We found the lines to be exceedingly long, and sometimes we had to wait a few boats before we actually boarded, especially after dinner. The bus, on the other hand, was so convenient. We never had to wait more than 10 mintues, and the bus was less than a 5 minute ride. I would say if you are in a rush, do the bus (oh, yeah, did anyone mention TAXI?)...if you don't mind waiting and want the more scenic route, take the boat.

Don't miss the WL decorations. You are lucky to be there during that time of year to enjoy them.

ETA: We loved Coral Reef last summer!

 

[lsunursing05]

Soooooo excited! Just put our deposit down for Coronado this November! It will be me (last visit 1996), DH (last visit 1996), DS3 (first visit), DS6mo(first visit), sister, BIL, neice 4, nephew 22mo, and my mom (last visit!

Been skimming through this thread and LOVE all the pics! And the first pages have so much great info. This will be our first time at Coronado and at a moderate resort and we can't wait!

Just wondering if anyone has experience when requesting a microwave? Are they easy to get? My son is a picky eater and I will have to bring a few things from home that I'll need to heat up. I would hate to have to walk back and forth to the ones at the restaurants.

TIA

 

[lovethattink]

Soooooo excited! Just put our deposit down for Coronado this November! It will be me (last visit 1996), DH (last visit 1996), DS3 (first visit), DS6mo(first visit), sister, BIL, neice 4, nephew 22mo, and my mom (last visit!

Been skimming through this thread and LOVE all the pics! And the first pages have so much great info. This will be our first time at Coronado and at a moderate resort and we can't wait!

Just wondering if anyone has experience when requesting a microwave? Are they easy to get? My son is a picky eater and I will have to bring a few things from home that I'll need to heat up. I would hate to have to walk back and forth to the ones at the restaurants.

TIA

We got a microwave in March. I forgot to ask when I checked in. But was able to request one from mousekeeping once we got to our room. It was really nice to have! The portions at the Pepper Market were too large for us, so we reheated leftovers for snacks or a meal. Also used it to make breakfast in the morning.

 

[Leagle123]

I have reservations at CSR; have never stayed there and have been researching everything there is to know about it (primarily from this thread). Yesterday, I received an email offering me an upgrade to AKL. Excited at that prospect (it's also a resort I've never stayed at), I called this morning to inquire. However, the only available upgrade was Saratoga Springs. I don't know anything about this resort and really am not sure if it's really an "upgrade" from CSR. If anyone on here has any experience with both resorts, I'd love to hear your comments. Thanks in advance.

 

[lovethattink]

I have reservations at CSR; have never stayed there and have been researching everything there is to know about it (primarily from this thread). Yesterday, I received an email offering me an upgrade to AKL. Excited at that prospect (it's also a resort I've never stayed at), I called this morning to inquire. However, the only available upgrade was Saratoga Springs. I don't know anything about this resort and really am not sure if it's really an "upgrade" from CSR. If anyone on here has any experience with both resorts, I'd love to hear your comments. Thanks in advance.

Are you thinking of upgrading to a studio room, a 1 br villa, or 2 br villa?

I've stayed at SSR 3 times, and CSR 4 times, next week will be the 5th. CSR is "home" to me. I do want to stay at SSR next year to try out the Paddock Club pool, since that is new since our last stay.

The food court at SSR does not even compare to the Pepper Market or Rix Cafe. It is more comparable to Siesta's at the Dig Site. I really like the Turf Club Restaurant though at SSR. Their onion rings with dips is to die for, the tomato soup with goat cheese is yummy too, as is their crab cakes.

Here is my TR from our first stay at SSR. We had a studio room.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1525906

 

[adi1138]

I've been lurking for a bit now and just wanted to say thank you to all of you! I'm going to Coronado for the first time in two weeks and your information, insights, and photos have been such a big help in planning! So thank you!!!

I cannot wait for this trip - it's been the first time I've gone to WDW since 2003. One of the new features they've introduced since I last went is online check-in. What do you all think about that? Reading other threads, it seems split about 50/50, some people using it and liking it and others not bothering. Do you guys think it is worth it? My only request was Casitas or Cabanas - would it just be easier to talk to a CM when we arrive to hopefully get one of those locations?

 

[mimiecp]

I have reservations at CSR; have never stayed there and have been researching everything there is to know about it (primarily from this thread). Yesterday, I received an email offering me an upgrade to AKL. Excited at that prospect (it's also a resort I've never stayed at), I called this morning to inquire. However, the only available upgrade was Saratoga Springs. I don't know anything about this resort and really am not sure if it's really an "upgrade" from CSR. If anyone on here has any experience with both resorts, I'd love to hear your comments. Thanks in advance.

When are you staying at CSR? We also got an e-mail yesterday offering to move us to Saratoga Springs. Our dates are 9/25-10/1. I think CSR is sold out and that concerns me because I thought we were going at a quiet time of year. Any thoughts from past September travelers?

 

[Miss Hunnybee]

Soooooo excited! Just put our deposit down for Coronado this November! It will be me (last visit 1996), DH (last visit 1996), DS3 (first visit), DS6mo(first visit), sister, BIL, neice 4, nephew 22mo, and my mom (last visit!

Been skimming through this thread and LOVE all the pics! And the first pages have so much great info. This will be our first time at Coronado and at a moderate resort and we can't wait!

Just wondering if anyone has experience when requesting a microwave? Are they easy to get? My son is a picky eater and I will have to bring a few things from home that I'll need to heat up. I would hate to have to walk back and forth to the ones at the restaurants.

TIA

Hi! My sister requested a microwave at check in. Her room wasn't ready yet, as she was the first one in our gathering to arrive. Later, when her room was ready, the microwave was inside waiting for her. She had no complaints!

And you will LOVE, LOVE, LOVE CSR. We want to go back so badly, but there never seems to be enough room at the inn during our dates. Have fun!!!

 

[Miss Hunnybee]

When are you staying at CSR? We also got an e-mail yesterday offering to move us to Saratoga Springs. Our dates are 9/25-10/1. I think CSR is sold out and that concerns me because I thought we were going at a quiet time of year. Any thoughts from past September travelers?

It's the first weekend of Food & Wine Festival and there is also a marathon that weekend. That could be why! Love CSR, but take heart, SSR is lovely!

 

[buzznina]

Page 1 of this thread, Podst #4 near the bottom. Please be aware this is NOT a conclusive list; this was put together from research and people alerting us to conventions they knew of.

The conference that I am going to (SUGA Regionals), just now had the dates finalized for October 17-19. They still have not even released the room rates for us to make a reservation. They really dropped the ball on this one, the dates are usually set about 4 months in advance.

 

[MylilTink]

When are you staying at CSR? We also got an e-mail yesterday offering to move us to Saratoga Springs. Our dates are 9/25-10/1. I think CSR is sold out and that concerns me because I thought we were going at a quiet time of year. Any thoughts from past September travelers?

We traveled 9/25 - 10/01 in 2010 and the parks were not busy at all! All of our rides were walk-ons, literally, except for Dumbo at MK (it was a half hour, but DD had to ride it... over and over... and over...). The only 'bad' about the trip was the crazy heat and humidity. But, that's my fault for thinking the weather would have been a bit less humid in FL... I was completely wrong.

 

[KatMark]

I have reservations at CSR; have never stayed there and have been researching everything there is to know about it (primarily from this thread). Yesterday, I received an email offering me an upgrade to AKL. Excited at that prospect (it's also a resort I've never stayed at), I called this morning to inquire. However, the only available upgrade was Saratoga Springs. I don't know anything about this resort and really am not sure if it's really an "upgrade" from CSR. If anyone on here has any experience with both resorts, I'd love to hear your comments. Thanks in advance.

When are you staying at CSR? We also got an e-mail yesterday offering to move us to Saratoga Springs. Our dates are 9/25-10/1. I think CSR is sold out and that concerns me because I thought we were going at a quiet time of year. Any thoughts from past September travelers?

I'm wondering if perhaps because the "values" are sold out and they are asking people to pay a small fee for an upgrade to a "moderate" that they are not doing the same thing to free up some extra space at the moderates for those upgrading from the values by asking some of the "moderate" guests to pay a small fee to upgrade to a "deluxe."

 

[jennipooh]

I have reservations at CSR; have never stayed there and have been researching everything there is to know about it (primarily from this thread). Yesterday, I received an email offering me an upgrade to AKL. Excited at that prospect (it's also a resort I've never stayed at), I called this morning to inquire. However, the only available upgrade was Saratoga Springs. I don't know anything about this resort and really am not sure if it's really an "upgrade" from CSR. If anyone on here has any experience with both resorts, I'd love to hear your comments. Thanks in advance.

I have stayed at both SSR and CSR. I love them both, but I believe SSR for same price is an upgrade and I would definitely take it. SSR is DS12's fave resort.

 

[mimiecp]

Thanks for everyone's input. We are going to stay put at the Coronado. We've been looking forward to it for so long now. It still concerns me that a lot of the value and moderates are sold out, but I guess I have to stop worrying about it and just go with the flow since I can't do anything about it! I'm sure we'll have a great time no matter what. Five weeks from today we'll be there!

 

[DJFan88]

Thanks for everyone's input. We are going to stay put at the Coronado. We've been looking forward to it for so long now. It still concerns me that a lot of the value and moderates are sold out, but I guess I have to stop worrying about it and just go with the flow since I can't do anything about it! I'm sure we'll have a great time no matter what. Five weeks from today we'll be there!

I would do the same thing in your shoes. I've heard on other boards people not happy about "upgrades" to SSR or OKW. If it really was AKL, I would totally grab that. The thing that concerns me about SSR is the ability to get to the main facilities. I could be wrong, but I believe that you have to cross parking lots and things to get there, and it's not like being in a moderate where you have the whole complex with nice walking paths. (I am only speaking as someone who has not been to SSR, so forgive me if I'm wrong, but I have been trying to look into this because I am worried about them offering me this - it seems it happens more and more now.).
CSR is beautiful. We loved it, and I'm sure you will too.