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

[Cafeen]

I know my question should technically be in another section, but I prefer to ask you all since I know some of you are pros at all of this...

I am just trying to check and see if it is best for my husband and I (no children) to stay with the FD promo for my travel dates between 2/11 (check in) and 2/18 (departure) which is 7 nights...or to pay OOP for food without a dining plan and use the 30% off RO discount that was released to the public today.

It seems like when I do the math, there is a difference of about $500 in favor of the RO discount, but I'm not sure if my math is correct. We want a standard room. Nothing available at the moment on Disney's website but rooms seem to always open up. Anyway, with a $500 difference it still seems better to stick with FD because that would only allow about $70/day for 7 days paying OOP for food for two adults as the break-even point. No doubt we would spend more than that even without ordering dessert.

Did I do my math right? If the RO discount doesn't beat FD for a standard room with two adults, when on earth would it be better? Deluxe only? A family with kids would be better off any day with FD I would think.

The "break even" point for standard CSR rooms is pretty much at 1 adult. This means that 1 adult on the RO offer plus buying DDP should be close to the same price as 1 adult on the FD offer.

I haven't redone the math yet for 2012, but I feel it's still pretty close to the following. (All math considers buying the DDP and getting a RO discount vs using the FD offer).

• Value: FD offer always better (with the impossible exception of 1 child)
• Mod: Break even point around 1 adult. CSR and higher end rooms shift slightly in favor of RO, lower cost resorts and lower end rooms shift slightly in favor of FD.
• Low End Deluxe (~$350/night). Break even around 3A 1C.
• High End Deluxe (~$500/night). Break even around 4A 1C.

In your case, if you feel that you'll get decent (doesn't have to be optimal) use out of the dining plan, then I'd stick with the FD promotion. If you feel you're going to get little to no use out of it, then I'd go over to RO and pay OOP for food.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

The "break even" point for standard CSR rooms is pretty much at 1 adult. This means that 1 adult on the RO offer plus buying DDP should be close to the same price as 1 adult on the FD offer.

I haven't redone the math yet for 2012, but I feel it's still pretty close to the following. (All math considers buying the DDP and getting a RO discount vs using the FD offer).

• Value: FD offer always better (with the impossible exception of 1 child)
• Mod: Break even point around 1 adult. CSR and higher end rooms shift slightly in favor of RO, lower cost resorts and lower end rooms shift slightly in favor of FD.
• Low End Deluxe (~$350/night). Break even around 3A 1C.
• High End Deluxe (~$500/night). Break even around 4A 1C.

In your case, if you feel that you'll get decent (doesn't have to be optimal) use out of the dining plan, then I'd stick with the FD promotion. If you feel you're going to get little to no use out of it, then I'd go over to RO and pay OOP for food.

Allan,

We are so fortunate that you hang out here for so many reasons! I've seen your analysis on the restaurants board and am glad I don't have to recalculate it for LJSquishy. Thanks for the answer!

LJSquishy,

We almost never get the DDP. We have gotten it once when it was free dining. For us, room only and OOP meals win every time since the DDP is not a good value for us, but if the DDP fits your plans, free dining is generally the best deal when staying at a moderate.

We don't get the DDP because we eat more character breakfasts than dinners, we like to try the signature restaurants but often order appetizers instead of entrees (did that at Jiko last trip and will order appetizers and sushi at California Grill this trip), and we prefer to eat a Mickey bar for dessert later rather than eat a restaurant dessert during lunch or dinner. We don't usually book the most expensive TS meals (the DDP can be a good value if you do), and we usually eat at least a couple of meals offsite. I will actually run the number for regular and deluxe dining this trip since we want to do California Grill and Hoop De Doo, but I think OOP will still make sense for us. But if it makes sense for you to purchase the DDP, free dining will almost certainly be a better discount than the RO. Standard CSR rooms during your trip range from $164 to $234 per night, so a RO discount gives you a discount of $50-70 per night. Free dning for two adults is over $100 per night.

 

[archdandy]

Does anybody know if you can get the nachos from Siestas as a snack credit? And are they the same as the ones you get from Pepper Market?

 

[cindyfan]

Help...... doing online checkin and it doesn't give me anywhere to request area YET, I'm at the part where I'm here

Room Requests
Ground floor
Near transportation
Housekeeping Requests
Pack 'n Play® Playard

so do I pick near transportation they all are no? ground floor? need some expert help

Honestly I don't see any advantage to online check in.
If you haven't already completed it.... I'd say skip it.
You can call to add the request and then when you get there just do regular check in and they can make changes if they are available.

When we went in May the line for online check ins was LONGER than the line for regular check ins. I was watching! and I saw someone arrive the same time as us..... he got in the "online check in" line behind 3 others. and he was still there when we were at bell services getting help with our luggage to head to our room!

Also.... we requested Casitas (which was full) and they had us scheduled for Cabanas (our least favorite area).... so we asked to be moved. They let us pick which building in Ranchos! and it worked out to be the BEST location we've ever had at CSR!!!

 

[szubieta]

Also.... we requested Casitas (which was full) and they had us scheduled for Cabanas (our least favorite area).... so we asked to be moved. They let us pick which building in Ranchos! and it worked out to be the BEST location we've ever had at CSR!!!

If I may ask which building or room # did you have? We are thinking the Ranchos would be best for us too. We want to be closer to the main pool/spa and not too far from bus stop #3.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Just got home on Monday from a 3 night weekend stay at CSR!

We were in building 8A room 8247 which was right near the pool and a corner room!

When we got there to check in on Friday, the system was down and we were told to wait an hour or more but they were writing vouchers for park tickets, meals, and giving parking passes out. Within 30 mins they were back up and our room was ready.

Mousekeeping was good but no towel animals this trip! We did get a bunch of the soaps/shampoos and even got double them when we checked in!

Buses were so-so this time around. It's all hit or miss. It seemed that MK took the longest at 15-20 mins and the others were fine and less than 10 mins. Leaving MK and other parks we didn't wait more than 10 mins.

Pool area was great as always. We loved the daytime music and watching the kids play games. There were a ton of kids which I didn't expect for early Oct but they all had a blast and were very well behaved!

We only ate at the QS grab + go twice for breakfast but it was good! I got a turkey sandwich with grapes for a dinner and both were good and fresh!

Overall we had a great stay once again and would return! We'll be staying at AKL in Dec so we'll see if the extra money for a Standard room was worth it or if we wish we would have saved money and stayed at CSR!!!

 

[LJSquishy]

The "break even" point for standard CSR rooms is pretty much at 1 adult. This means that 1 adult on the RO offer plus buying DDP should be close to the same price as 1 adult on the FD offer.

I haven't redone the math yet for 2012, but I feel it's still pretty close to the following. (All math considers buying the DDP and getting a RO discount vs using the FD offer).

• Value: FD offer always better (with the impossible exception of 1 child)
• Mod: Break even point around 1 adult. CSR and higher end rooms shift slightly in favor of RO, lower cost resorts and lower end rooms shift slightly in favor of FD.
• Low End Deluxe (~$350/night). Break even around 3A 1C.
• High End Deluxe (~$500/night). Break even around 4A 1C.

In your case, if you feel that you'll get decent (doesn't have to be optimal) use out of the dining plan, then I'd stick with the FD promotion. If you feel you're going to get little to no use out of it, then I'd go over to RO and pay OOP for food.

Allan,

We are so fortunate that you hang out here for so many reasons! I've seen your analysis on the restaurants board and am glad I don't have to recalculate it for LJSquishy. Thanks for the answer!

LJSquishy,

We almost never get the DDP. We have gotten it once when it was free dining. For us, room only and OOP meals win every time since the DDP is not a good value for us, but if the DDP fits your plans, free dining is generally the best deal when staying at a moderate.

We don't get the DDP because we eat more character breakfasts than dinners, we like to try the signature restaurants but often order appetizers instead of entrees (did that at Jiko last trip and will order appetizers and sushi at California Grill this trip), and we prefer to eat a Mickey bar for dessert later rather than eat a restaurant dessert during lunch or dinner. We don't usually book the most expensive TS meals (the DDP can be a good value if you do), and we usually eat at least a couple of meals offsite. I will actually run the number for regular and deluxe dining this trip since we want to do California Grill and Hoop De Doo, but I think OOP will still make sense for us. But if it makes sense for you to purchase the DDP, free dining will almost certainly be a better discount than the RO. Standard CSR rooms during your trip range from $164 to $234 per night, so a RO discount gives you a discount of $50-70 per night. Free dning for two adults is over $100 per night.

Thank you both for your help and explanation. I redid my math, and it seems to be about $500 less to book a RO discount vs paying rack rate and getting FD (which is the number I came up with earlier). But, the thing I'm confused about I guess is that if I pay OOP for meals while using the RO promo, if we spend $71 per day as a couple (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, & beverages), we would break even. If we purchased the DDP on top of using the RO discount, it would cost us $729.56 which wouldn't make sense to do.

So, am I correct that if we're planning on spending more than $71 in meals per day, it is better for us to keep the FD promo? I think that would be correct...but like everyone else, I seem to feel dumb when trying to calculate the best option!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

So, am I correct that if we're planning on spending more than $71 in meals per day, it is better for us to keep the FD promo? I think that would be correct...but like everyone else, I seem to feel dumb when trying to calculate the best option!

Well, sort of. It depends not only how much you plan to spend per day, but what you plan to spend it on. The DDP gives you one TS and one CS per day, plus one snack per day. You will also each get a refillable mug, worth about $15. Is that enough for you, or would you be spending money OOP anyway for a third meal? We usually eat breakfast in the room (unless we have a character breakfast), but if you want to buy something for breakfast, that is money OOP whether you have the DDP or not (assuming you use the DDP credits for lunch and dinner). Do you like to order appetizers? They are not covered by the DDP, so that is money OOP whether you have the dining plan or not. You might spend more than $71 per day, but it might be on things that are not covered by the DDP, like appetizers or another CS or TS meal.

I usually check out the menus on the DIS or on allears.net to get a rough idea of what the OOP cost would be based on the places we plan to eat. For example, when we go to California Grill, DH and DD will get sushi (not covered on the DDP) and I'll probably get a flatbread (also not covered). California Grill is two TS credits on the DDP and includes an entree and dessert per person. I probably won't order an entree, and I might get a specialty cake that night for DD's birthday. So I wouldn't want to spend ten TS credits that night on that meal (DH, me, DD12, DD8, DD12's best friend). We could choose to pay OOP for that meal even if we are on the DDP, but then I have ten credits I need to use somewhere to get the full value of the DDP. I haven't run the numbers for the whole week, but usually it isn't a good value for us because we choose to spend money on things that aren't covered. Does that make sense at all?

You don't need to use your credits in any particular order or use only one TS or CS per day. I'd just try to figure out where you might eat and if you would order an entree or appetizer. You can split meals at TS restaurants (except buffets and family style restaurants) if you pay OOP, but you can't split if you are on the DDP. If you and your DH like to split an appetizer, then split an entree and split a dessert, the DDP might not be a good fit.

You can order one CS meal and split it (even on the DDP), but for TS meals, you can only do that if you pay OOP and it is a restaurant where you order off the menu instead of a buffet.

 

[*love*2*shop]

have never stayed at either. we are booked in 20 days for CBR for just 2 adults in a king bed/ preferred room..I am TOTALLY second guessing it...HELP

 

[LJSquishy]

Well, sort of. It depends not only how much you plan to spend per day, but what you plan to spend it on. The DDP gives you one TS and one CS per day, plus one snack per day. You will also each get a refillable mug, worth about $15. Is that enough for you, or would you be spending money OOP anyway for a third meal? We usually eat breakfast in the room (unless we have a character breakfast), but if you want to buy something for breakfast, that is money OOP whether you have the DDP or not (assuming you use the DDP credits for lunch and dinner). Do you like to order appetizers? They are not covered by the DDP, so that is money OOP whether you have the dining plan or not. You might spend more than $71 per day, but it might be on things that are not covered by the DDP, like appetizers or another CS or TS meal.

I usually check out the menus on the DIS or on allears.net to get a rough idea of what the OOP cost would be based on the places we plan to eat. For example, when we go to California Grill, DH and DD will get sushi (not covered on the DDP) and I'll probably get a flatbread (also not covered). California Grill is two TS credits on the DDP and includes an entree and dessert per person. I probably won't order an entree, and I might get a specialty cake that night for DD's birthday. So I wouldn't want to spend ten TS credits that night on that meal (DH, me, DD12, DD8, DD12's best friend). We could choose to pay OOP for that meal even if we are on the DDP, but then I have ten credits I need to use somewhere to get the full value of the DDP. I haven't run the numbers for the whole week, but usually it isn't a good value for us because we choose to spend money on thing sthat aren't covered. Does that make sense at all?

You don't need to use your credits in any particular order or use only one TS or CS per day. I'd just try to figure out where you might eat and if you would order an entree or appetizer. You can split meals at TS restaurants (except buffets and family style restaurants) if you pay OOP, but you can't split if you are on the DDP. If you and your DH like to split an appetizer, then split an entree and split a dessert, the DDP might not be a good fit.

You can order one CS meal and split it (even on the DDP), but for TS meals, you can only do that if you pay OOP and it is a restaurant where you order off the menu instead of a buffet.

I think you helped me to make the decision to stick with free dining. I already had our meals planned out for the entire trip using the DDP and the format of it works great for us. For instance, we will be using some snack credits for breakfast muffins/cinnamon rolls and also bringing cereal with us for other days. We don't like being stuffed in the morning. We never order appetizers when we eat out and typically don't order desserts, but I've already planned on being able to try lots of special treats on the DDP. I can't see us using the mug much but maybe a few times each. I just know without the DDP, we would be spending a lot more OOP when you add beverages and taxes to meals. And, of course, if we added on a few desserts here and there.

Thank you for your help.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

have never stayed at either. we are booked in 20 days for CBR for just 2 adults in a king bed/ preferred room..I am TOTALLY second guessing it...HELP

Well, posting on the CSR thread is bound to get you some CSR love. We haven't stayed at CBR - we live near the coast, so the theming doesn't really appeal to us. DH and the kids are not particularly into Nemo or pirates, so the room decor doesn't excite us. We travel with the kids and don't want double beds, but you have a king room, so that doesn't matter.

I have visited CBR, and I think it is a good fit for families with young children (preschool and toddler). The rooms are bigger at CBR (340 square feet vs. 314 at CSR), the pool is zero entry, and there is a cool pirate ship splash area for kids (under 48 inches tall, I think). CBR rooms have two sinks.

I think CSR is better for school aged kids (mine are 12 and 8 and have loved CSR for years), teens, and adults. The beds are very comfortable and the rooms were redone in 2009 and are understated but nicely decorated, with white duvets and flat screen TVs. CSR offers a fitness center, spa, salon, night club, room service, a slide that is fun for adults as well as kids, and a large hot tub. The toiletries at CSR are the same as they are at the deluxe resorts (except Grand Floridian). CBR has the shampoo/condtioner combo, while CSR has separate shampoo and conditioner (a little thing, but I don't have to pack hair stuff). CSR rooms only have one sink, but they have lots of counter space.

CSR also offers palm trees and a sandy beach like CBR, but it has two other themed areas - the casitas, which are very romantic at night with fountains and subtle lighting, and the Ranchos, which are themed like the desert Southwest. It is a very beautiful and relaxing resort.

If you are on the DDP, CSR's counter service, Pepper Market, is a great value with more upscale choices like a steak for dinner as a CS credit. The bus service has been excellent during all of our stays.

CBR has its fans, too, so I'm sure you will hear about its good points. But we do love CSR and think it is a great resort for the price.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I think you helped me to make the decision to stick with free dining. I already had our meals planned out for the entire trip using the DDP and the format of it works great for us. For instance, we will be using some snack credits for breakfast muffins/cinnamon rolls and also bringing cereal with us for other days. We don't like being stuffed in the morning. We never order appetizers when we eat out and typically don't order desserts, but I've already planned on being able to try lots of special treats on the DDP. I can't see us using the mug much but maybe a few times each. I just know without the DDP, we would be spending a lot more OOP when you add beverages and taxes to meals. And, of course, if we added on a few desserts here and there.

Thank you for your help.

Glad to be of service. Just a reminder, tips are not included on the DDP, so be sure to budget for that. You'd be paying tips anyway if you went OOP, but I wasn't sure if you knew they were not included.

 

[cheerbaybee]

So.. I am going to Coronado Springs for the first time this December, and I am really excited. I have do have one question. I am taking my sister to disney for the very first time. She has a very weak stomach in the mornings and she takes medicine for it. She can't have dairy or juice or anything like that when she first wakes up. I was thinking about bringing her oatmeal but the rooms at coronado do not have microwaves.

So my questions are...
Would I have a chance of requesting a microwave for the room?
Should I just upgrade to perferred to be close to a microwave?

I would not like her to be sick for her first disney trip. I want this on to be memorable.

 

[*love*2*shop]

how are the busses here and do you think this is more ADULT-ish for us

 

[LJSquishy]

So.. I am going to Coronado Springs for the first time this December, and I am really excited. I have do have one question. I am taking my sister to disney for the very first time. She has a very weak stomach in the mornings and she takes medicine for it. She can't have dairy or juice or anything like that when she first wakes up. I was thinking about bringing her oatmeal but the rooms at coronado do not have microwaves.

So my questions are...
Would I have a chance of requesting a microwave for the room?
Should I just upgrade to perferred to be close to a microwave?

I would not like her to be sick for her first disney trip. I want this on to be memorable.

What a horrible thing for her to have to deal with every morning! I'm sure it gets old quick! You will be able to request a microwave at no charge when you check in on arrival day. I haven't ever heard of them running out of microwaves before so I'm not sure if it's ever an issue but I would assume you would be fine. If for some reason you can't get a microwave, I'm sure you could explain your reasoning for needing one and they would find some way to accommodate your needs.

 

[LJSquishy]

how are the busses here and do you think this is more ADULT-ish for us

The bus system seems to be very efficient at CSR. There are 4 bus stops within the resort so you never have to walk far. Additionally, CSR does not share busses with any other resort which means you should get to the parks faster and they should be less crowded.

My husband and I chose CSR to stay at in February. We do not have children and wanted a more "upscale" Moderate resort that didn't cater too much to young children. I think it is the most adult-friendly Moderate resort and the decor is tasteful and doesn't scream DISNEY! It has a few Disney touches here and there but CSR is a convention resort so it is very business-like compared to many of the other resorts.

 

[Julie521]

I noticed this thread is getting close to 250 pages, is there a way I can make sure to subscribe to the new version of the thread? Thanks!!! Hope everyone is having a good week. Cant get enough CSR info

 

[szubieta]

So my questions are...
Would I have a chance of requesting a microwave for the room?
Should I just upgrade to perferred to be close to a microwave?

I would not like her to be sick for her first disney trip. I want this on to be memorable.

What a horrible thing for her to have to deal with every morning! I'm sure it gets old quick! You will be able to request a microwave at no charge when you check in on arrival day. I haven't ever heard of them running out of microwaves before so I'm not sure if it's ever an issue but I would assume you would be fine. If for some reason you can't get a microwave, I'm sure you could explain your reasoning for needing one and they would find some way to accommodate your needs.

If there isn't any microwaves available, use the coffee pot to heat the water for her oatmeal. I pray you have a wonderful and memorable trip. Are you there at Christmas? We will be.

 

[Cafeen]

I noticed this thread is getting close to 250 pages, is there a way I can make sure to subscribe to the new version of the thread? Thanks!!! Hope everyone is having a good week. Cant get enough CSR info

No way to do it automatically, just have to keep an eye on the boards. Though, I'm sure if you ask nicely, Kathy (Katmark) may be able to send you a PM when she sets it up so you can get a heads up. (Assuming Kathy is setting up the next one... otherwise, replace that with whoever sets it up , most likely stitchanpooh'smom if Kathy doesn't do it)

 

[cheerbaybee]

What a horrible thing for her to have to deal with every morning! I'm sure it gets old quick! You will be able to request a microwave at no charge when you check in on arrival day. I haven't ever heard of them running out of microwaves before so I'm not sure if it's ever an issue but I would assume you would be fine. If for some reason you can't get a microwave, I'm sure you could explain your reasoning for needing one and they would find some way to accommodate your needs.

Thank you so much! DO you know how hard it will be to tell her no.. you cannot have cereal or waffles while we are there.

If there isn't any microwaves available, use the coffee pot to heat the water for her oatmeal. I pray you have a wonderful and memorable trip. Are you there at Christmas? We will be.

Can you believe i never thought about the coffee pot. This whole time I was thinking omg i need a microwave! lol

I will not be there during christmas... I will be there from Dec 16th-20th. Right before christma! lol But I think this trip is going to be amazing!