CSR experts...will I be disappointed???

[kerryk74]

Hello!

We typically stay at the CR and LOVE it!!! However, with the recent 4/3 deal, I got a great package at CSR that was too good to pass up! The resort looks gorgeous and with the queen beds (not to mention double sinks which I wish we had at CR), it doesn't seem like we'll miss much as far as the room goes. Do you think we'll be pleasantly surprised???

I will add that we usually fly, but this time we are driving, so we'll have a car. Also, any helpful tips on room requests? We are a family of five with kids being 10, 7, and 2!

I'd love some honest opinions!

Thanks,
Kerry

 

[KatMark]

Hello!

We typically stay at the CR and LOVE it!!! However, with the recent 4/3 deal, I got a great package at CSR that was too good to pass up! The resort looks gorgeous and with the queen beds (not to mention double sinks which I wish we had at CR), it doesn't seem like we'll miss much as far as the room goes. Do you think we'll be pleasantly surprised???

I will add that we usually fly, but this time we are driving, so we'll have a car. Also, any helpful tips on room requests? We are a family of five with kids being 10, 7, and 2!

I'd love some honest opinions!

Thanks,
Kerry

First, sorry to disappoint you off the bat, but there are NOT double sinks at the CSR. It is a single sink with a lot of counter space and space beneath it:

We have stayed at the CR a couple of times, the Poly numerous times and the CSR seven times. It is by far our favorite resort, followed by the Poly. I think the thing you will notice most is that the doors are outside and not inside (truthfully, we prefer this...it is not as dark and noisy and we like being able to step out of our room into the Florida sunshine).

You will get pros and cons at every resort you stay at...from value to deluxe. You have to go with an open mind.

As to what area to request, here is some helpful information, depending on what you want to be closest to. We always stay in Casitas 4 or 5 (but we are two adults--ages 56 and 51); it takes us about five mintues to walk to the main building and eight minutes to the main pool.

For adult couples, especially honeymooners or those celebrating anniversaries Casitas 4 or 5 with a water view is exceptional. Casita 4 has the quiet pool, fitness center, spa, salon, and both are close to bus stop #2.

For “leisure guests with children” here are some great locations; Cabana 8a, Rancho 7b, Cabana 8b, 9a, Rancho 6b, and 6a...in that order. Nearness to El Centro is usually of no importance to many guests. It's much more important to be close to the park bus stops and the “Dig Site”. Leisure guests may come to El Centro once or twice; but they will be at the buses twice a day (at least) and the pool often when they are at the resort.

For adults or large families who wish to be close to a park bus stop and to a “quieter pool” but are not interested in the theme pool, building 7a is great and has close proximity to parking.

Building 2 also is close to parking and usually one of the quietest buildings, especially from the 4th floor. The fourth floor of building actually includes part of the upper floors of building 3 and has easy access to the convention center by way of the elevator courtyard of building 1 (especially in a rainstorm).

In other words, there is no “best location for everyone”. Each building has its own plusses and minuses. The cast members will be happy to guide you into the building that fits your needs best……..if you let them know what those needs and expectations may be.

Also, for a reality check…….when there is a large convention……not everyone is going to get a room next to the convention center. In fact, most of the rooming blocks are set up by the group having the convention long before any of the convention guests arrive…… Sometimes, there is little cast member latitude on changing those assignments.

As always, if there are special needs that must be addressed, fax the resort a week before arrival. Be sure you are faxing to the resort and not to Walt Disney Travel Company, their booking agency. The resort cast is best able to accommodate special needs. Often guests call the reservation desk with these requests and do not understand that this is not the resort; but a central reservation desk for ALL of Walt Disney World. The fax number is available by calling Walt Disney World information and asking for the front desk operations fax number.

Cabana 9b is close to bus stop 1 and the main building with a short walk to the Dig Site (main pool) over the wooden bridge.

Cabana 8a is close to the Dig Site (and playground) and bus stop 4 with a short walk to the main building (closest to the pool).

Cabana 8b and 9a are in between the 2 above (9a has a quiet pool).

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.

Casita 1 is attached to the main building and is very close to the restaurants.

Casita 3 has great courtyard and fountain views.

Casita 5 has some nice fountain and lake views and is close to the Dig Site but farther from the main building. Close to bus stop #2.

If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to ask.

 

[DemonLlama]

I don't know when you are going, but the refurb is not complete. We are here now, in Casitas 4, on the fourth floor, and no new room. If the queen beds are a deal breaker and you'll be here before the end of summer, just be advised.

I overdid the quiet pool earlier this week, so while hubby is doing conference work, I'm spending the day in the room trying to rehydrate and manage this sunburn. The quiet pool is great, although the TV says all the pools are heated and this one is definitely NOT. Plus you can get a pedicure and workout at the gym all right here at this building.

And you can't get any closer to bus stop #2, which is the FIRST drop off from all the parks. We love it, new room or not!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

As KatMark said, CSR has one sink with lots of counter space... but having stayed at CR several times, we've always had double sinks.

If dbl sinks are most important, then CSR will not fit your needs....

All other mods do have dbl sinks, but CBR is the only one with any counter space besides CSR ...PO resorts have dbl pedestal sinks and no counter space.

CSR is lovely and in the process of being refurbished.

Have a great stay no matter where!

 

[KatMark]

I don't know when you are going, but the refurb is not complete. We are here now, in Casitas 4, on the fourth floor, and no new room. If the queen beds are a deal breaker and you'll be here before the end of summer, just be advised.

I overdid the quiet pool earlier this week, so while hubby is doing conference work, I'm spending the day in the room trying to rehydrate and manage this sunburn. The quiet pool is great, although the TV says all the pools are heated and this one is definitely NOT. Plus you can get a pedicure and workout at the gym all right here at this building.

And you can't get any closer to bus stop #2, which is the FIRST drop off from all the parks. We love it, new room or not!

Did you reqport the quiet pool to the front desk? It has been heated in the past when we've been there. Perhaps something is wrong with it.

You are right. The rehab will be completed October 09. You said you are in Casitas 4 on the 4th floor. Do you have the queen beds? The queen beds should all be in except for the 100 rooms getting king beds, rehabbed or not.

As of now, Cabanas 9A and 9B, 8A and 8B, Ranchos 6A, 4th floor of Casitas 1, 2 and 3 are done. They are working on Ranchos 6B and will then go to Casitas 5 from there.

I'm glad you love CSR!

 

[kerryk74]

Thanks so much!!!!

Yes, the queen beds are a must (we share with the baby)...so I may need to re-think!

And yes, we did have "double sinks" at the CR, but I completely forgot!!! I think it was the sink "set-up" we didn't care for, as there was not much room in between the sinks for our stuff!


Thanks again! Looks like I may be back to the drawing board...

 

[KatMark]

Thanks so much!!!!

Yes, the queen beds are a must (we share with the baby)...so I may need to re-think!

And yes, we did have "double sinks" at the CR, but I completely forgot!!! I think it was the sink "set-up" we didn't care for, as there was not much room in between the sinks for our stuff!


Thanks again! Looks like I may be back to the drawing board...

When are you going? You should be fine with getting the queen beds. 90% of the people who have recently come back and written a review have gotten the queen beds. The only rooms that don't have them, as I said, are the rooms that are getting the king beds. If you want to stay with CSR, I would simply request queen beds in the "Casitas" section (I used Casitas as an example).

 

[mef78]

We love CSR. You CAN pay extra to guarantee a king bed if you're concerned about bed size.

I really hope you enjoy it; it's more laid back than CR, but really relaxing. And the staff are wonderful!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

kerryk74...I forgot to say

Yes, the new set of CR sinks is not great!! No wonder it felt like one sink!!

 

[paintnolish]

Are the kings handicapped accessible, like at ASMo? They put us in one there (not by request) and I didn't like it. Sorry to hijack- just something you should be aware of.

 

[KatMark]

Are the kings handicapped accessible, like at ASMo? They put us in one there (not by request) and I didn't like it. Sorry to hijack- just something you should be aware of.

I am sure they have some but, no, they are not all handicapped accessible. We were in one in our suite last year and it was a standard king room.

 

[joan4mickey]

We went last week and did not get a renovated room. Our first room smelled like smoke and we asked to change and I"m glad as come Monday morning we would have been looking at and listening to renovations all week. We had a nice stay, but I'm not sure we would go back. I like the spa and have been there before this last trip. The spa is quite-not busy or hasn't been when I've gone. The quite pool wasn't quite. There are families staying there too and children make noise as they swim and have fun. I'm not complaining about the children just saying it is not a quite pool.

 

[KatMark]

The quite pool wasn't quite. There are families staying there too and children make noise as they swim and have fun. I'm not complaining about the children just saying it is not a quite pool.

Unfortunately, you will find that at any quiet pool at any of the resorts that have them (CBR, POR, etc.). Kids are kids and they make noise.

Sorry you didn't have a great stay at the CSR, but glad you gave it a try.

 

[DemonLlama]

Nope, fourth floor Casitas are NOT all done. Double beds, old decor, no refurb crew in sight. When she told us 4th floor at check-in, she seemed to think it might be done, but no luck.

I'd be surprised if this were becoming a king room. I peeked in open curtains along the walk and none of the rooms on this side (parking lot) are done yet.

 

[Disneychix]

We just got back last night from our first (and not last) stay at CSR. We loved it! We did get a room in Cabanas 8B. No complaints! I will agree that the pools were a bit cold. I was thinking that was strange as I've never felt a cool (not cold) WDW pool. Usually they are like bath water.
I feel we really lucked out and had a great room location and a great vacation!!

 

[KatMark]

Nope, fourth floor Casitas are NOT all done. Double beds, old decor, no refurb crew in sight. When she told us 4th floor at check-in, she seemed to think it might be done, but no luck.

I'd be surprised if this were becoming a king room. I peeked in open curtains along the walk and none of the rooms on this side (parking lot) are done yet.

No, Castias 4 has not even been started as far as the rehab (not even their 4th floor...only the 4th floor of Casitas 1, 2 and 3 have been done up to this point). I'll be curious if the room you have is getting a king bed as they move along?

 

[KatMark]

We just got back last night from our first (and not last) stay at CSR. We loved it! We did get a room in Cabanas 8B. No complaints! I will agree that the pools were a bit cold. I was thinking that was strange as I've never felt a cool (not cold) WDW pool. Usually they are like bath water.
I feel we really lucked out and had a great room location and a great vacation!!

So glad you enjoyed your stay at CSR! I hope you'll do a full trip report when you have time.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We just got back last night from our first (and not last) stay at CSR. We loved it! We did get a room in Cabanas 8B. No complaints! I will agree that the pools were a bit cold. I was thinking that was strange as I've never felt a cool (not cold) WDW pool. Usually they are like bath water.
I feel we really lucked out and had a great room location and a great vacation!!

How wonderful!! So glad you had a great trip and stay at CSR.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Thanks so much!!!!

Yes, the queen beds are a must (we share with the baby)...so I may need to re-think!

And yes, we did have "double sinks" at the CR, but I completely forgot!!! I think it was the sink "set-up" we didn't care for, as there was not much room in between the sinks for our stuff!


Thanks again! Looks like I may be back to the drawing board...

When are you going? We are staying at CSR in 3 weeks, as first-timers. Would be glad to share info with you once we see what we're dealing with if you want to PM me your info.

My DS is 2 1/2 and my DD will be 6 mo. I called last week to make sure that we could get 2 double beds plus a pack 'n play for baby. I'm NOT sharing a full or king with my DH and DS! We share with DS sometimes at home, but I'm going to need the rest! They told me they will take room requests 10 days before check-in, so call them, bug them until someone gives you an answer!

 

[KatMark]

When you call the CSR, you do not actually get the front desk. You get a call center. Unless you get one of the rooms that are being converted to a king bed (and they still have the double beds), the rooms have two queen beds now. I know there are about 100 rooms still with the two doubles, but those are the ones being converted to kings.

We always put our request in when we make our ressie and then fax it three days ahead of time. We know they read them...because they've shown us our fax.