CSR review - just back

[cmhguy]

I couldnt send a single email that contained a picture file. The wifi was HORRENDOUS in my section (cabana 8a). I waited til i was in MK or epcot to send the email. Much better wifi there. Good luck to you! QUOTE]

We stayed in Ranchos 7B - overlooking a wooded area facing Cabanas 8A, and our wifi was perfect! No problems - it was much better than we expected!!!

We used bus stop 4 - loved it - very close walk for us even being in Ranchos. We loved the CSR buses - never had to stand once!

We loved the grounds and the quiet pools too! Felt the same about the PM - but if I weren't on the ddp, I think I would stay at another resort.

We had an unfortunate experience with the condition of our room and management was of no help - we likely won't risk giving it another try as a result, but so many other things made it our favorite resort! I am really bummed about it - especially when I read posts like yours...

 

[goofyintoronto]

I couldnt send a single email that contained a picture file. The wifi was HORRENDOUS in my section (cabana 8a). I waited til i was in MK or epcot to send the email. Much better wifi there. Good luck to you!

We stayed in Ranchos 7B - overlooking a wooded area facing Cabanas 8A, and our wifi was perfect! No problems - it was much better than we expected!!!

We used bus stop 4 - loved it - very close walk for us even being in Ranchos. We loved the CSR buses - never had to stand once!

We loved the grounds and the quiet pools too! Felt the same about the PM - but if I weren't on the ddp, I think I would stay at another resort.

We had an unfortunate experience with the condition of our room and management was of no help - we likely won't risk giving it another try as a result, but so many other things made it our favorite resort! I am really bummed about it - especially when I read posts like yours...

So why is it that i seem to the one of the few ppl who had trouble with wifi? It was awful! I used 3 different devices and nothing. Maybe my particular room has a bad connection? I dunno. Let me tell you thou, i was beyond frustrated.

Loved bus stop 4. Never crowded on the bus or the platform. I couldnt believe how fast the buses came! Thats NEVER happened at other resorts!

Ranchos 7B is actually a great spot as well. That wouldve been my next choice.

Bummer that we never tried out the quiet pools or explored other parts of the resort. oh well, next time. maybe.

Its a shame that management and housekeeping are inconsistent with their service. Glad you enjoyed yourself otherwise.

 

[maxiesmom]

So why is it that i seem to the one of the few ppl who had trouble with wifi? It was awful! I used 3 different devices and nothing. Maybe my particular room has a bad connection? I dunno. Let me tell you thou, i was beyond frustrated.

We had an awful time with wifi in Casitas 4. So much so that my nephew decided hooking up was the way to go. So it wasn't just you!

 

[Minnesota!]

We have stayed at all levels. Just got back today and booked bounceback for pop for 14 nights. After staying at pop I no longer really see the value in mods for us. I know the values aren't for everyone but they work for us.

Im in the exact same boat. I dont see the value in the mods either. We dont use the hot tub or pool slide. Values now provide fridges and wifi. Queen beds makes no difference for us since its just my son and i anyway. so im pretty sure we'll be going with values from now on. I'd rather save the $$ for other stuff. As you said, its not for everyone but it works for us.

My stay at POR last year was short, so i cant comment much on the buses but I have to say CSR was the best ive ever experienced. If only all resorts were that way!

I agree 100% - the value, for us, is in the values. I love love love Pop and sorely missed it this time (we stayed at AKL the first 4 days and while gorgeous and "lush" - again, it wasn't worth the money to DH and I.). At Pop we get great rooms, great food, great pools, great vibe, great CM's, etc....for a fraction of the cost.

So yep, back to Pop we go!

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Thanks for the trip report. I enjoyed reading it. We have stayed at CSR, CBR, and POR. Really, they all were nice. We had the same experience as you with the great bus service at CSR. This was in 2007 though. It was just me and my grandson staying that time. He loved the pool. I liked it because it was never crowded and we could actually sit in the chairs instead of them all being taken up by towels, lol.

My complaint about CSR was the Pepper Market set up. But again, that was five years ago. PM had great handmade pizza, that I do remember.

You mentioned the values/mods. What I noticed when I stayed value was that I realized the resort experience was more important to me than I thought it would be. I found the value (Pop) had more concrete grounds and I really missed the lush greenery of POR. So for this reason, I think I will choose a mod over a value. The lush beautiful grounds make me feel more like I'm on vacation, but I would stay value again if that's what I needed to do. They are an amazing bargain.

CSR is a beautiful resort. I'm glad you and your son enjoyed your stay. I've never stayed at a Disney resort I didn't like.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Thanks for the trip report. I enjoyed reading it. We have stayed at CSR, CBR, and POR. Really, they all were nice. We had the same experience as you with the great bus service at CSR. This was in 2007 though. It was just me and my grandson staying that time. He loved the pool. I liked it because it was never crowded and we could actually sit in the chairs instead of them all being taken up by towels, lol.

My complaint about CSR was the Pepper Market set up. But again, that was five years ago. PM had great handmade pizza, that I do remember.

You mentioned the values/mods. What I noticed when I stayed value was that I realized the resort experience was more important to me than I thought it would be. I found the value (Pop) had more concrete grounds and I really missed the lush greenery of POR. So for this reason, I think I will choose a mod over a value. The lush beautiful grounds make me feel more like I'm on vacation, but I would stay value again if that's what I needed to do. They are an amazing bargain.

CSR is a beautiful resort. I'm glad you and your son enjoyed your stay. I've never stayed at a Disney resort I didn't like.

We always had more fun at Pop for some reason. Loooove CSR & POR, but Pop is the place for us. I know what you mean about concrete grounds vs lush grounds thou.

About the towels on chairs, there was so much of that going on when we were there. Annoying!

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

We will be at CSR a week from today! Thanks for your review. We love it. As for the bugs, we have found that they hover around the door. You almost have to shoo them away before opening the door from the outside, or they get in pretty quickly.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We always had more fun at Pop for some reason. Loooove CSR & POR, but Pop is the place for us. I know what you mean about concrete grounds vs lush grounds thou.

About the towels on chairs, there was so much of that going on when we were there. Annoying!

That's very annoying at any resort! I generally use a chair for most of my pool time (I'll take a dip for maybe 10 minutes each hour, and will spend the other 50 minutes reading) and many times the chairs next to me have stuff on them but no people for the 2+ hours we're at the pool. I understand people need a place to put their stuff (towels, shoes), but if it's just for storage, can't a family of 4 all use 1 chair to stash their things instead of 4 in a row?

Sorry if this is OT, but I'm really hoping for a pool chair in a shady area in 12 days.

Thanks again for your review!

 

[GrumpySue]

All this talk about bugs has me worried. I know it's Florida, but if they are "hovering around the door waiting to get in" it is a problem. Seriously what am I getting into here, I have stayed at almost all the resorts and have never really seen many bugs at all, just lizards and bunnies......

 

[Saratoga Goofy]

I am glad that someone had a great experience there. WE actually stayed there with a group of 45 people, and it was a nightmare!!!!! Staff was rude, the food service stunk, and we waited forever for transportation. We will NEVER stay there again.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

We stayed at CSR last year & loved it. We booked bounceback & are staying there again in December. The bus service there was awesome last year & we rarely waited over 5 to 10 minutes.

We stayed the 3 years before at POR. I love that resort too. However, I found their bus service not near as good. We often waited so to 30 minutes for a bus there.

Also, at POR I love the mansion area ..it is so pretty & I love the rooms. However, I dislike the bayou area & the rooms there. As you take a chance on which area you get we decided to try CSR resort instead as all there rooms look the same. Was a great decision for us. I do miss the boat to DTD though...I love that ride back to the resort at night.

 

[mommyrosa2]

I am glad that someone had a great experience there. WE actually stayed there with a group of 45 people, and it was a nightmare!!!!! Staff was rude, the food service stunk, and we waited forever for transportation. We will NEVER stay there again.

45 people??? can't imagine having a smooth vacation with that amount of people anywhere...no offense intended.

 

[party-of-five]

45 people??? can't imagine having a smooth vacation with that amount of people anywhere...no offense intended.

I was thinking the same thing. However, when we stayed there in 2009, we too were hard pressed to find a friendly CM. But, mousekeeping was great, beds were very comfy, really enjoyed Maya Grill, and had no issues with transportation. So, we're headed back in Dec.!

Goofyintoronto... Glad you had a nice vacation. Thank you for your review. I really wanted to give POR a try this year, but we decided to stick with CSR. Hopefully next time I'll get to give POR a try.