Coronado Springs - stay or change?

[zkat]

For my upcoming trip for 5 nights w mom and kids 9 and 4, I booked 2 adjacent rooms at Coronado Springs.
My mom's 75 and my 9 year old DD recently had a sprained ankle, so we can't do much walking.
I requested Cabana 9B. What if they don't give it to me? Any ideas?
I also read reviews about the hotel, they are very mixed. And I read there are alligators, which I know will freak out my mom...
Should I change resorts?
Can I change a week before the trip?
Should I upgrade to a luxury one? Is it worth the extra $100+ a night?
Thanks!!!!
zkat

 

[Suzanne74]

you are going to get mixed reviews at EVERY hotel at WDW. If you are really leaving in a week, I wouldn't go thru the trouble. One, you might not be able to upgrade anyway and two, what if you do and do not like the hotel that much AND paid more Then you will be kicking yourself. We are leaving for Coronado in a few days and I have seen enough to know that I will like it. I have stayed at only deluxes before but unless you are spending a lot of time at the actual hotel, it isn't worth the upgrade. Spend that money elsewhere - not in a room you will hardly be in. When you check in, explain the situation and ask for a room that is near a bus stop if they can not give you Cabanas. Also - remember that there is internal shuttle too so really, you don't have to walk at all. Most resorts don't have that option and there is a lot of walking in AKL and WL unless you stay right by the lobby.

Don't worry what others say - go with an open mind and enjoy yourself

 

[klj27]

We did not love CSR, but I think that is because we stayed at POR for the first part of our trip and we really loved it there!

Hopefully this will reassure you about CSR:
The first floor cabana rooms did not have any steps leading to the rooms.
I believe there were elevators
They have carts that shuttle you around the resort
I didn't even see the alligator until our last day there and it didn't scare me at all. I even let my kids take a look at it and I am a worrywart.

No matter what you decide, enjoy your trip and the special time with your Mom and kids.

 

[staci]

Make sure to let them know that the request is for a MEDICAL REASON.

 

[brando5111]

We have not stayed in the Cabana's, but were in the Casitas in July. We just didn't care for it at all, and this is after a 1 night stay before our cruise a year before in the Rancho section that we liked. For the 8 days we spent there, we just wished we'd stayed at PORiverside (we moved so my husband would have a gym on premise). It just does not have the same charm as POR in my families opinion. If it were me, I would switch to POR - no matter where you end up in this resort, is just charming. CSR just cannot compare.

Good luck and enjoy no matter what you do, YOUR IN DISNEY!!!

Brando

 

[brando5111]

PS. The internal shuttle was running when we stayed there but it was very scattered and not reliable. Just so you know. Now POR is a huge resort, so you may want to consider the French Quarter instead as it's a very small compact resort that may work better for you. Although I've found the staff at POR to be very understanding and will accommodate you if they can - so I'm sure you'd be OK.

Good Luck!

 

[brando5111]

Just wanted to make sure you know I was speaking of CSR shuttle as "scattered and not reliable". POR does not have a shuttle.

Thanks,
Brando

 

[robinb]

I stayed at CBR last month and I sprained my ankle 2 days before check-in. They gave me 9B (at my insistance), but in retospect that was a mistake. It was *just close enough* to everything that I walked. If I have been in Casitas 5 where they originaly put me I would hop on the internal shuttle and go everywhere I needed to go without walking. CSR's internal shuttle ran about every 5-10 minutes on the inside loop.

 

[Suzanne74]

I stayed at CBR last month and I sprained my ankle 2 days before check-in. They gave me 9B (at my insistance), but in retospect that was a mistake. It was *just close enough* to everything that I walked. If I have been in Casitas 5 where they originaly put me I would hop on the internal shuttle and go everywhere I needed to go without walking. CSR's internal shuttle ran about every 5-10 minutes on the inside loop.

You meant CSR - right??

In response to other replies, I have never heard of the shuttle being scattered, is that new Everyone I have talked to on this forum says it takes no more then about 10min to get a shuttle (which is a long golf cart) and drops you off wherever you want. HMMMM??

If you do choose to change resorts due to the size - I agree with the other poster, that POR is NOT the way to go. No shuttle AT ALL and I think it is even bigger then CSR. I would go with POFQ although I doubt you will be able to get a room there at this point. You can NOT go by people's interpretations of what the front desk gave them - nothing is EVER guaranteed. So just because someone accommodated someone at POR, or even CSR for that matter - doesn't mean it will happen to you. You need to be persistant about it being a medical condition to get what you want - if they aren't being helpful in the beginning.

 

[dixiedizfan]

CSR is very pretty, but seeing all the business people walking around takes away from the "Disney" feel of the place. We stayed in the cabanas, and there were no elevators at all. We also had to do a LOT of walking. If I were you I'd call POFQ ... much more compact and they DO have elevators!

 

[wdwfan26]

We've stayed at CSR several times in the past. The first time we stayed there I requested Cabanas 9B- they gave us Ranchos 7A- it was a perfect location. So perfect i actually requested it the next time we stayed there- and wouldnt you know it, they gave us Cabanas 9B that time! Go Figure! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Buzz2001]

For my upcoming trip for 5 nights w mom and kids 9 and 4, I booked 2 adjacent rooms at Coronado Springs.
My mom's 75 and my 9 year old DD recently had a sprained ankle, so we can't do much walking.
I requested Cabana 9B. What if they don't give it to me? Any ideas?
I also read reviews about the hotel, they are very mixed. And I read there are alligators, which I know will freak out my mom...
Should I change resorts?
Can I change a week before the trip?
Should I upgrade to a luxury one? Is it worth the extra $100+ a night?
Thanks!!!!
zkat

That's your call but here is some info that might help.

CSR has an internal shuttle system so there is no walking if you don't want to walk. Just wait at the designated stops and a shuttle cart will bring you to and from the main building to your room.

Cabana 9b is close to bus stop 1 and the main building with a short walk to the Dig Site over the wooden bridge. Most convenient, most preferred.

Cabana 8a is close to the Dig Site and bus stop 4 with a short walk to the main building.

cabana 8b and 9a are inbetween the 2 above. 9a has a quiet pool and is also a smoking optional building.

Ranchos 7b has a quiet pool, is close to the Dig Site and bus stop 4 with a bit longer walk to the main building. 7b is behind cabana 8a.

The casitas are close to the gym, spa and have great fountains and courtyards. casita 5 is close to the Dig Site with a good walk to the main building. The lower the casita number the closer towards the main building. Casta 4 has a quiet pool.

Remember, with the new internal shuttle system, room location isn't as crucial as it used to be.

 

[robinb]

You meant CSR - right??

In response to other replies, I have never heard of the shuttle being scattered, is that new Everyone I have talked to on this forum says it takes no more then about 10min to get a shuttle (which is a long golf cart) and drops you off wherever you want. HMMMM??

Yes . CSR and not CBR. My experience is that the shuttle ran very frequently. It usually passed me while I hobbled to the main building or the pool. The CMs running it were very friendly and would stop and ask people if they needed a ride even if they were not at an official stop. I was there for 6 days.

 

[ciera321]

We've stayed at CSR 3 times (with a 4th stay booked) and don't have one negative thing to say. You will always get bad reviews now and then at ALL resorts, so it all balances out. I have never seen an alligator, but heard they have one, but so does the MK and other resorts, it's Florida and they are all around... You are never guarenteed a building or area, but we have always gotten the building at CSR that we have requested. I love the deluxe resorts, but just can't always justify the extra $100 per night everytime. You will love CSR!!! Have a great trip.

 

[gopack]

I can't speak for all of the Cabana buildings but 9B does have an elevator.

 

[klj27]

I can't speak for all of the Cabana buildings but 9B does have an elevator.

I am glad you wrote that because I was fairly certain that our cabana (either 8a or 8b) had one also.

 

[gopack]

Oops, I also meant to tell poster that I think you just need to take a look at Buzz's website, and maybe allearsnet to get a feel for the resort. We all come to these hotels with varying experiences etc. I too had read all the negatives about CSR, but I could tell that our family would love it. In fact, my husband liked it even more than I did and sees no reason to ever stay anywhere else on the Disney property. Many people rave about POFQ. I have stayed there twice and I think it is nice, however, there is very little to do at the resort itself. The pool is cute for very young children. As for POR, that place holds no appeal to me whatsoever, but is the favorite of many wonderful disboarders. One thing I can tell you is CSR had BY FAR the best bus service we have ever encountered at Disney and we have stayed in both mods and deluxes over 15 times. I hope you and your family have a great trip!

 

[10drum]

CSR is the the best moderate IMHO, they have the best bus service of all the resorts, deluxe included. The food court is very good (split meals they're huge), & the pool is nicer than most deluxe resorts. Before the shuttle service the house keeping, bell service, & maintenence folks always would offer rides in their carts.

GO, HAVE FUN! You all will love it.

Check out this picture of the Cabanas:

http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/images/CSR/csr_caban6.jpg

 

[Crazy Kanga]

The best bus service we have ever had at a Disney resort has been at CSR. I loved it there, and will most likely stay there again this spring. I wouldn't hesitate.

 

[Cindy B]

We have not stayed in the Cabana's, but were in the Casitas in July. We just didn't care for it at all, and this is after a 1 night stay before our cruise a year before in the Rancho section that we liked. For the 8 days we spent there, we just wished we'd stayed at PORiverside (we moved so my husband would have a gym on premise). It just does not have the same charm as POR in my families opinion. If it were me, I would switch to POR - no matter where you end up in this resort, is just charming. CSR just cannot compare.

Good luck and enjoy no matter what you do, YOUR IN DISNEY!!!

Brando

CSR has a wonderful gym on premises. It was in the Casitas section near the quiet pool.