CSR - Was I missing something

[stemikger]

Hey everyone,

First let me say I am a self-described Pop Century freak. This place is my family's favoriate resort. We have been there two years in a row and on our last trip, we made a trip to see CSR because we were thinking about staying there next year 2006.

I took the bus there and got off at El-Centro and (it was a very hot August day) and we just couldn't believe how spread out everything was. Maybe we got spoiled at Pop (staying in the 60s section) is just so convienent, but we kind of changed our minds about staying there next year because it seems to overwhelming.

Now admittingly we didn't walk to the pool area, because it was just too hot for us and we were just too tired, but was I missing something on my short trip there, or is it hard to get around.

Also, I was a little turned off seeing so many business people. There seemed to be more business men then vactioners. Any advice would be appreciated, because a part of me still wants to try this place for next year. In other words, I am not totally ruling it out. I also know it is more money, but I am willing to pay the extra to try a new place.

Thanks.

 

[widget]

We loved the landscaping of CSR and the quietness during the afternoons. For us we didnt see many men in suits until the evening when they came into the bars but never seemed a problem. We found it a large site but easily walked around. The varied theming of the 3 areas was great too. I suppose its not very Disneyish when it is compared to the all star areas, more of a grown ups area IMO but we found everyone very cheerful and friendly and for us the concrete of the all stars didnt do it.

 

[MScott1851]

You know, we stayed one night here last year, and I thought the grounds were really lovely, but the rooms only so-so. However, it WAS only for one night, so we didn't have to hike back and forth to El Centro or the pool. I could see how that would get old REALLY quick. I guess you have to decide what you want to be closer to.

Seriously...if you could swing an extra $30 per night, why not try to get AKL or WL? They often go for $119 during value season!

 

[Buzz2001]

You definitely missed out on a great resort. 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.

 

[Buzz2001]

 

[Buzz2001]

THE PROS
No sharing bus service with other resorts
Centrally located with short rides to the parks
Largest hot tub on WDW property
Awesome main pool area with bar, snack bar, playground and kiddie pool
3 quiet pools
New shuttle service eliminates long walks to any of the villages
High speed internet service
WiFi available too
Free use of the gym
Spa
Fridge in the room
Coffeemaker in the room
Iron and ironing board
full room service menu
2 arcades
beautifully landscaped
central air, not a noisey wall unit

THE CONS
Full size beds (kings size beds are available)
one sink

IN THE MIDDLE
The Pepper Market is either a love it or hate it place. We love it but some folks just don't care for it.

Convention resort - some guests don't like seeing other guests at work. Doesn't bother us and helps keep the buses empty. GF, Cont, BW, Y & B Club are also convention resorts.

Check out my website below

 

[Buzz2001]

Check out this thread too.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Buzz, stop it! Stop it now!!!!!!!! Keep those posts up and I am going to have to leave for my December trip 58 days early!!!!!!!!!

 

[Buzz2001]

 

[nhpooh]

I really love this resort, we have been to Mexico and it reminds me of being there. I don't find it to far to walk anywhere. When we went it was with another family and we even had connecting rooms. The kids loved the pool, we would use both the quite pools and the main one.

Keep the pic's coming I love seeing them.

 

[threeboysmom]

Wow!! Those pictures, Buzz, are AWESOME!! My DH and I will DEFINITELY have to try this hotel in the spring!

 

[Moomduck1]

Hi,
I wasn't thrilled with the idea of CSR, my kids really wanted to stay there. I was afraid of the same things you mentioned....too spread out, too "corporate business-like", etc. I loved it. We all did. My kids were in their early teens at the time. We liked the Pepper Market and loved the pool. We had a bit of a walk (not much) but we didn't care because it was all so beautiful to look at. Plus, we stayed at Christmas-time, and the decorations in this resort were my favorite of all of them. We will definitely stay at this resort again.
Chris

 

[dcgrumpy]

We're are staying at CSR for the second time this November. I didn't find the walking to El Centro every morning a problem. We stayed in Rancho 6A. The first day I walked around the lake which took a while. The second day I realized it was quicker to cut across the Dig site bridge to the cabanas. Then again I don't mind my early morning stroll to get coffee.

 

[MonkeyPants]

I thought it was a grgeous resort, but when I was down there in june we definitely had issues with it.

Yes there are a lot of business people but then it is a convention center so that was to be expected.

1. It is huge and therefore can be hard to get around. While we were down there their internal bus service was HORRID with a capital....well a capital HORRID! often times only 1 'people' bus that never seemed to be around and half a dozen luggage buses that nearly ran people over as they zipped around the resort ignoring the dozens of people at the shuttle stations. I personally dont mind the walking, but then I am only 33, you had people in business suits, children and elderly people who just dying in the heat and no one was picking them up.

2. I wasn't impressed with the way their main restaurant the Pepper Market was run at all. Every time we went it was crowded, which is understandable as its a huge resort. We were always seated quickly and the food was decent. But paying and getting out of the place was as bad as the wait for splash mountain on a 100 degree day. For some reason there was always only 1 person doing the checkout registers. They had 6 or 8 registers!!! WHY IS ONLY 1 open? They have half a dozen managers standing around...even bussing the occasional table..do they not know how to work a register!?!?!

This was JUNE..peak season...full resort and 1 seemed to be magic number for that week. 1 internal shuttle bus and 1 person working the register.

As I said, I thought the resort itself was gorgeous, the front desk people were typical of the excellent quality I've come to expect from Disney, but the shuttle service and Pepper Market checkout were so substandard I shocked.

I hope I just caught them on a bad week.

 

[PortieOwner]

CSR is less spread out than it looks. Walking from the farthest side of Cabana 9B to the Dig Site was MAYBE 5 minutes and probably less (and I was wearing flip flops and had a bum foot). I think a big majority of the rooms are 5 or so mins. from the Dig Site.

Really wish I had been able to go down that Jaguar slide after dark.

The conventioneers are just fine, even the sleazy jewelry mongers--better than screaming kids as neighbors. When we were in the WL we had one family who could not walk down the hall without one kid shrieking their head off. Very annoying.

Portie

 

[maxaroni]

We went over to see CSR in August, as well. However, we went at night and as pretty as it was, it isn't for me. DH liked it better than I did, ds12 liked it alot. We didn't stay there, nor will we. However, I understand that it's all subjective and we all have different tastes. We have stayed at CBR which has it's own bus system, as well and IMO, it was as bad as sharing POFQ-POR because there were so many stops in the resort itself. Also, at CBR, the internal bus service wasn't as great as we thought it should be. Don't get me wrong, we loved CBR and would stay there again, the inconveniences weren't enough to keep us from staying there. However, as far as CSR, the Mexican theme just didn't do it for me, it is a big resort (and why we prefer POFQ) and wasn't thrilled with the 'conventioney' feel to it.

 

[CharlesTD]

This is a convention resort so you will always see lots of business people but the nice thing about that is those people rarely go to the parks and seldom se the pool or other facilities. There is a shuttle that will take you to your room and the pool is very centrally located to all teh buildings at the resort give it a try you won't be sorry you did.

 

[Cindy B]

We were there in August as well, and the last week of August there were two large conventions when we were there.

Did they bother me? Not at all. In fact, there were more busses, more cashiers at Pepper Market, and more concierge staff avaialable.

The walk isn't far at all, it was at most walking slow with two kids less than 10 minutes.

 

[Kay1]

I know I'm coming in late to this thread and will make my question a quick one: Do you think they'll make us vegetarian meals at the food court? The menu has Mexican food and stir fry but everything contains meat.

 

[PortieOwner]

I know I'm coming in late to this thread and will make my question a quick one: Do you think they'll make us vegetarian meals at the food court? The menu has Mexican food and stir fry but everything contains meat.

I don't think that would be a problem at all. They make a lot of the food to order. You could definitely get a pizza without meat. Might want to give the resort a ring and ask them, but vegetarian is pretty much expected most places at WDW.

Portie