Coronado Springs Resort - Review

[ls3015]

With the new breakfast and lunch buffet, the tip is no longer required.

Good to know, now if they can do away with the tip charge for dinner we will be back home.

 

[ls3015]

It has nothing to do with Disney. The restaurant is not owned by Disney and they have no say in the matter.

Trying to blow smoke here? The entire resort place is owned by Disney and they DO have a say in the matter, or it woundn't be there.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Trying to blow smoke here? The entire resort place is owned by Disney and they DO have a say in the matter, or it woundn't be there.

The restaurants at CSR are operated by an outside company. They are not run by Disney. The resort is owned by Disney, but they do not determine the menus or prices at the restaurants. Not to say that Disney doesn't have any influence, but like several of the Epcot restaurants, the restaurants at CSR are privately owned and operated. I'm sure if Disney thought the prices or the service charge was out of line, they could exert some pressure on the company that owns the restaurants. For most guests, it is not a big enough deal to prevent them from staying at CSR - it operates at a high capacity year-round.

I never understood the heartburn about a 10% service charge. For that 10%, I am seated at a table instead of searching for one, brought my drink refills, and given real silverware and napkins instead of paper and plastic. Well worth 10% to me to get the same level of service I get at Crystal Palace or any other WDW buffet.

Food can still be taken to go from the Pepper Market (dinner only) to avoid the 10% charge. The tables by the lake are wonderful if the weather is nice. Also, Cafe Rix doesn't charge 10% if all you want is grab n go food.

 

[shenaniganzz]

Great review! We stayed there in September and are staying there again next Sept/Oct. ITA that if you do your homework, you can set reasonable expectations and really enjoy your stay! My husband and I also found that the atmosphere was a nice break after non-stop Disney all day.

 

[creativeamanda]

My daughter and I are staying at CSR this spring and we are excited about it. We were originally booked for the Wilderness Lodge, but decided that we would prefer another mod and being able to stay at Disney for a couple more days. I hope the breakfast buffet sticks and that we are able to use the DDP for it in the spring, because it would really be nice to have a big breakfast, use our snack credits for lunch in the parks (along with taking a couple of bottles of water) and then having our TS credits for dinner. When I do the DxDP, that is what I do with the credits and it really works best, but we are doing DDP.

I was also worried about being disappointed, because our last stay was at the Beach Club, but we really cannot afford BC again. We were only able to because of earning National Board Certification last year. In looking at CSR, if we have to move down from deluxe to mod, CSR is the best choice.

 

[charliesmom86]

Wow im so glad to hear you had a great stay at csr. We are going endto be there end of May.

 

[aubriee]

I never understood the heartburn about a 10% service charge. For that 10%, I am seated at a table instead of searching for one, brought my drink refills, and given real silverware and napkins instead of paper and plastic. Well worth 10% to me to get the same level of service I get at Crystal Palace or any other WDW buffet.

Food can still be taken to go from the Pepper Market (dinner only) to avoid the 10% charge. The tables by the lake are wonderful if the weather is nice. Also, Cafe Rix doesn't charge 10% if all you want is grab n go food.

I agree! As a frequent solo traveler, I hate trying to find a table at a CS restaurant. I'v never had a problem paying the 10% gratuity charge at the Pepper Market. I loved having them seat me and having real silverware and plates, instead of plastic. I am not a fan of the new breakfast and lunch buffets however. I loved being able to run in there and grab my chicken nachos or fruit plate to go. Some days I just want to curl up on a lounger at the quiet pool, eat a quiet lunch, and read.

 

[Magalex]

Food court question! Are the breakfast & lunch buffets considered QS for the dining plan at CSR?

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Food court question! Are the breakfast & lunch buffets considered QS for the dining plan at CSR?

Yes! Dinner is also still QS, but it is a la carte. CSR continues to be a great value on the DDP.

 

[avw1295]

Loved your review! I'm getting really excited now for our March trip. We will be staying at CSR for the second time. I think CSR is a great alternative to the deluxe resorts and I think the pool might very well be the best on property.

 

[T1gger]

Thank you for the review!

We just booked CSR as our first time stay on-site and it is so great to hear about people who have stayed and loved it.

And thanks also to those who have posted about the Pepper Market, the tipping & the buffet changes - would love if they keep the buffet (fussy teen!).

It feel like such a gamble picking a resort even though I keep telling myself that any resort at Disney is going to be good - so this puts my mind at rest!