CS questions

[JDY]

My wife and I are going to CS for 9 days in October. We have loved PO, WL, and even CBR, but with some of the posts I've seen, I am a bit concerned about CS. What should I look out for? What are your recommendations?

I guess what I am really needing is a bit of reassurance....

Thanks!

 

[Eeyore1954]

My DW and I stayed there a couple of years ago.

Likes:

Great pools; loved the big pool, spa; really loved the quiet pools.
Hammocks! Great to rest in before or after dinner.
Quiet -- we noticed it was somewhat quieter than other resorts we stayed at.
Walkways -- loved taking walks on the long walkways.

Dislikes:
Room felt kind of small, but that may be just me.
Restaurants -- didn't like any of there there.
Bus stops -- we had a long walk every day to the nearest stop. Finally decided to drive to the parks because it was faster taking the Trams and parking than walking/waiting for the bus.

Overall, we probably would not go back. CS seemed designed more for conventions than for resort guests. But that's just one person's opinion.

 

[jiminyfan]

I guess each person likes or dislikes a resort for different reasons. This is good or everyone would be trying to stay at the same place. That said, we really like CS and have stayed they 5 times already and given the choice I'd stay at CS over BWI (of course the price is right).

The pool is great, bus service is wonderful (we thinkit is above the norm for moderates due to it being a convention center as well), plus a lot of the guests may be there for conventions which lower the use of busses during the day. New bus stop at Ranchos helps the distance to the stops for those in that area. We stayed there before the stop was installed and it was a hike to the nearest stop. The Pepper Market gives many choices of different foods. The grounds are nice and have a good layout to them.

The negative depending where your room is it can be a HIKE to the main building. Noisy outside corridors, can hear the maid carts coming from a good distance way.

I think that you will enjoy your stay at CS.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR is great! Best transportation, awesome food court (but not an ordinary food court), best pool. We love everything about it. Check out me website below for more info.

Read Sonya Francisco's thread

 

[Garretts92]

CS is pretty neat, but I'd have to say I wouldn't stay there again. We had a hike to the bus stop. There was no elevator near our room and when you have to carry a 55lb sleeping child up 3 flights of stairs after being in a park all day long, you had better be in great shape. It is definately a sprawling property. If you have young children that are past the stroller stage, I would stay somewhere else.

 

[Buzz2001]

Why would you carry your child up the stairs, take the elevator. Even if your room is not near it it would beat walking up 3 flights with a child. Each building has an elevator

 

[Garretts92]

You would choose to carry him up the stairs when the elevator was so far away that it wouldn't be worth it to hike to the elevator and then backtrack all the way to your room. Trust me, it was that far away!

 

[DancingBear]

We've stayed there twice and loved it. Every building should be pretty close to a bus stop since Ranchos section now has its own stop.

We like the Pepper Market food court. Plenty of different food choices. Takes a minute to get the hang of the card stamping system, but certainly no more difficult than having different lines for each type of food as in other moderate food courts. I don't mind paying the 10% gratuity to eat with real plates and silverware, and have my beverages refilled by the server. I believe they will waive this 10% charge on request.

The main pool is great, there are quiet pools in each section, and the landscaping is beautiful. Go and enjoy!

 

[cruisnfamily]

Well, as Buzz already told you, my family really enjoyed CSR. My trip report is titled "Quick Trip" on the trip reports board if you want to read more details on what I thought about it.

Let me address the negative posts I saw all of which proved to be unfounded in my opinion:

1)Rooms:
I had read that the carpet was old, fraying and dirty. I paid particular attention to this in our room (8850 Cabanas 8b) and the carpet was not worn or dirty, it appeared to be in fine shape!
I also read that the rooms were small, they seemed average size to me and fine for our family of 4.

2)Pepper Market:
I had read that the Market was very complicated to use. It isn't complicated at all. They give you a ticket, you wander around, make your choices, grab your food and have your ticket stamped. You pay on the way out.
I had also read that it was overpriced mediocre food. We found it to be really great both in quality and quantity. Many things to choose from and large satisfying good food. It may be considered pricey for a "food court" meal but it was well worth it!
Lastly I had read that it was difficult to communicate with the folks working here and we didn't have any problems at all. Some of them did have heavy accents but I could understand them as well as make myself understood. No problem at all!

3)Large sprawling Resort:
Yes, it is! But really no more than a few minutes from anywhere I wanted to go. We were right next to "the dig" pool which was less than a minute from our room. "el centro" which is the main building was under 10minutes away. My son and I walked this 3 times there and back one evening to do the gift shop, the arcade, and then ice cream. It was a nice little stroll we didn't mind at all. My son is 6 by the way. One time one of the guys on golf carts offered us a ride which was cool too.
The bus stop was out in the parking lot behind our building, right nearby.

4)Convention Resort:
So what! Guys in suits don't spoil the atmosphere for me. As long as I don't have to dress up! Anyway, I hardly saw anyone dressed for work anyway, maybe one or two guys.

So, you decide, but the negative reports all proved to be untrue and we really enjoyed our stay there and would definitely stay there again.

 

[JDY]

I really appreciate all of your help. I think since it's just me and the DW we will have a great time.


Thanks Again!