Coronado Springs vs. Deluxe

[DisDad4Life]

I've become spoiled over the past several years by only staying in Deluxe (AKL, WL, Poly, YC - yes we do visit 1-2 times per year because, well, we're hooked on Disney!) but this year we're considering a June stay at a moderate (some budget considerations) with Coronado Springs currently being the front-runner. I have to admit, I'm somewhat clueless about the moderates and would love some insight (and maybe some encouragement) from those that have stayed at moderates and deluxes.

This will be an adults only trip, so there are no kid considerations for the resort, although we do enjoy a good pool.

Will I be disappointed with a "downgrade" to a moderate, or should I even consider it a downgrade?

Are there any other moderates that you might suggest over CSR?

TIA for any insight you can provide!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

What do you like about deluxes? That would be the big thing. Dining? Room size? Transport? Room amenities?

 

[DisDad4Life]

What do you like about deluxes? That would be the big thing. Dining? Room size? Transport? Room amenities?

Good question. Dining really isn't an issue since we eat most of our meals in the parks. Room size is important but won't be a make or break decision (although queen vs. double beds would be). I do love walking into the awesome lobbies and feeling like we're somewhere special. The indoor hallways and balconies are a plus, but again not make or break. What it comes down to is that we're really there for the Disney parks and overall experience, but a comfortable place to return to each night is definitely important.

 

[jezebel73]

We stayed at CSR in 2014. Beds are queen, but hallways are outside. We liked the pool - it is not unusual but has a good slide and good size bar and lots of seating. The multiple restaurants and inside lounge were a nice plus, just to give some options for food instead of the one or two choices available at other moderates. It also has a fitness center and business class rooms are an option, making it like a deluxe in those ways. CSR is one of our favorites and the grounds are gorgeous; lobby area will not blow you away but walking around the perimeter path of the full resort was beautiful and has three different styles. It really is sort of in between moderates and deluxe in category.

 

[Mollydolly334]

To be honest, my mother and I were a twinge disappointed with our moderate (CBR) last trip. Like you, we've stayed at mainly deluxes (Poly, BC, and YC). We did stay at Dixie Landings in 2000, but I was too young to remember much about the hotel. Our main concern with CBR was the sheer size. We stayed over in a more remote point of the hotel, and it took about 15 minutes to walk to the main food court/pool area. What we liked most about deluxe (especially YC) was how compact they are and the fact that they have indoor hallways. I have heard similar reports about CSR being huge, so you might want to be prepared for a lot of walking if you stay there. Also, transportation was disappointing, because we had to bus everywhere we went, and nothing beats walking/boating to a park or using the monorail. Overall, CBR was a nice fit for us because we had a short, 5-night trip and hit the parks all day. We really only used the hotel to sleep. But, if you are having a longer stay and want to take a day to enjoy the resort, I would probably do a deluxe!

 

[VAfamily1998]

I have stayed in most of the same Deluxes as you (Poly, WL, YC, and BWI) and I have stayed in all the moderates except CBR. I LOVED CSR! While I agree that the main building(s) and some of the amenities are better at WL and Poly, I just felt my overall experience was nicer at CSR. We had a water view room in Casitas, and even though it wasn't a private "balcony" we could step outside our door and see fireworks every night (this was last summer when they had some fireworks show at HS.)
The pool and the grounds are gorgeous---I felt walking around the lake/grounds of CSR was nicer than WL or Poly--I am an avid runner and most mornings got in a very early run and watched the sunrise---beautiful!

So, in my order of "favorite resorts" CSR would only come behind YC and BWI, and ahead of Poly and WL.

 

[mmouse37]

I have stayed at all the deluxes except GF and AKL. We have stayed many times at CSR and I just booked 5 days there for later this month. I prefer CSR over all the other moderates (have stayed in all the mods). I really like Deluxes and I found that if we stay Business Class at CSR it is closer to deluxe than regular moderate rooms. With business class you get a preferred building (there is only one and it is closest to the main lobby building and bus stop). Business class also gives you access to the small private lounge (for business class guests) that offers continental breakfast and snacks/drinks in the evening. We love the fact that we can get unlimited beer, wine or sangria in the evening in the lounge. There is a thread with all the breakfast items listed as well as the snacks in the evening.

Business Class is NOT like deluxe concierge but is a step above regular moderate amenities. Love the CSR pool and I believe they have the largest hot tub of all the resorts.

MJ

 

[Olaf63]

CSR does not have everything in one building or interior walkways but you do get a bit more for your money than other moderates. There is an option for business class rooms with access to a lounge for breakfast and snacks at night (concierge lite), a spa, salon, fitness center, and a dance club. Its a beautiful resort, especially at night. Transportation is very good and the main pool is one of the best at Disney.

 

[GPC0321]

I've only stayed on WDW property once, and it was 17 years ago at CSR, so I can't really compare it to anything else. I just know that when planning this much-anticipated return to the Mouse, I originally booked CBR, and after about a month of then researching the resort after the fact, I switched to CSR. When we went to CSR all those many years ago, I remember being so impressed with the place and wishing we had more time (it was a quick trip) to explore it. I have never been to any of the other resorts, but based on videos and pictures alone, they just don't seem as...sophisticated...as CSR.

We're doing Business Class this time, which makes it even more exciting. Along with the lounge and fantastic location (short distance to the main building and the main pool), the rooms are also slightly nicer and have things like bathrobes, upgraded mattresses, DVD/Blu-Ray players, etc. Most have water views too, I believe. They cost a bit more, but still not as much as a Deluxe.

I've seen CSR called "Deluxe Lite" before, so that might give you an idea of how it compares too. And it's always touted for the best bus service in WDW, one of the best pools on property. There are also plenty of options for food with three quick service locations (Pepper Market, Cafe Rix, and the Siestas Cantina pool bar which serves hot meals), two table service restaurants (Maya Grill and Las Ventanas), and two lounges (Rix Lounge and Laguna Bar), not to mention Coconino Cove (the business class private lounge).

I can't wait to get back there. It's one of the main reasons I want to make this return trip to WDW! I have such fond memories of the Coronado.

 

[mmouse37]

Here is the info thread on CSR.....

http://www.disboards.com/threads/disneys-coronado-springs-resort-information-questions.3270962/

MJ

 

[_auroraborealis_]

One thing to note is that the Mods (including CSR) aren't built out as destinations. No Chef Mickey, no Ohana, no non-resort guests trying to use the pool. So it can actually be quieter at a Mod.

They are bigger, and rely on buses. But the bus service to places like HS is actually better, as that's an area where the MK deluxes tend to suck.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

If you enjoy more compact size resorts, have you considered POFQ?

 

[hamilkm]

We loved the pool at CSR but our favorite moderate is POFQ. We love how compact it is and the boat to Disney Springs. Our rankings would be POFQ then CSR then POR (we always seem to get bad transportation there). We are trying CBR this fall with free dining bounce back.

 

[BLLB]

If you enjoy more compact size resorts, have you considered POFQ?

I completely agree. We have DVC now, but before that stayed at lots of different resorts. For the moderate category I always recommend POFQ. Having stayed at other moderates it is my top choice. Beautiful grounds, boat to Disney Springs, can't beat it.

I have stayed at CSR, enjoyed it.

 

[raddisneyfan]

I really enjoyed the theming of CSR, especially the main building and the restaurants. I liked that it had a gym. I liked the walks around the resort--it is spread out--especially in the evening. It has a very nice pool area. The rooms at the moderates are not quite as nice as deluxe resorts though, but the size of the room to me was certainly not that much different than AKL. You've stayed at some of the best themed resorts already--AKL, WL and Poly. One thing that I don't enjoy is not having a balcony, which I think really brightens up a room and therefore the mod rooms seem a bit darker to me. The only mod I've stayed at has been CSR, but I am currently booked for the POR during the Flower and Garden show in April (I might have to cancel since it looks like I will be going overseas in May--good to go to UK, bad not being able to go to the Flower and Garden show). I heard that POR has great landscaping. In the end, you do save quite a bit by downgrading to a mod from a deluxe. I'm trying to get in the habit of going twice a year to WDW now and will probably do one week in a mod and the other in a deluxe. We'll see.

Hope you have a stupendous time no matter where you stay.

 

[DisDad4Life]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! Really great info! I hadn't considered POFQ when looking at late June options mainly because I don't think it was included in the Spring discounts (not that we'll be going in the Spring though). Any chance it might be included in the Summer discounts when they're released?

 

[Mousemommy1]

If you enjoy more compact size resorts, have you considered POFQ?

^^^this^^^

POFQ is my favorite moderate. I'd even pick it over some of the deluxes.

 

[Aurora0427]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! Really great info! I hadn't considered POFQ when looking at late June options mainly because I don't think it was included in the Spring discounts (not that we'll be going in the Spring though). Any chance it might be included in the Summer discounts when they're released?

I disagree with the choice of POFQ. If you're used to a deluxe, POFQ may feel like a motel. We've stayed at all the deluxe properties except BWI & AKL, and we've stayed at POFQ, and AoA. We felt like POFQ felt like a motel. I've looked at all the mods, and I think my pick would be POR. Go to trip advisor and try to find recent traveler pictures of the rooms. I don't pay attention to the reviews, but real traveler pictures of the rooms, hallways, buildings, and grounds may help you decide.

 

[BLLB]

Also, check out Allears

 

[izzylovesmickey]

I'm a tad spoiled too! 5 trips in 2 years and almost all the stays have been at a Deluxe. The one moderate i have stayed in was CSR and that was after stays at AKL, BC, YC. We stayed at CSR then WL and I would stay at CSR again with no complaints. It is beautifully landscaped. We eat most of our meals either in the parks or at one of the signature restaurants so the dining options were fine for us at CSR. Did breakfast at Pepper Market and found it fine. Kids got snacks there and liked it. We never found the walks that far-we were in Casitas 4 so bus was easy to get to and El Centro wasn't more than a 5 minute walk. Took us almost that long to go from our room at BC to the lobby!