Disney's CORONADO SPRINGS RESORT Information & Questions

[ElsaColon]

I've stayed in both the Ranchos and the Casitas and in my opinion the Ranchos were far better and a completely different experience.

The Ranchos were very close to El Centro and had its own pool but not too far from the dig site either. I loved the view from the Ranchos area as well, looking out to the main building over the lake, it was so grand and beautiful.

Another pro was how close it was to the bus stop! I also loved the sand, hammocks and the overall feel of the Ranchos much better.

The casitas were okay don't get me wrong but for being a "preferred" room I felt as though it was further from El Centro, bus stops and definitely the dig site. The area was so drab and I didn't get that beautiful view like I did near the Ranchos. Everything felt so closed in.

The Casitas may have had its own pool but i don't recall seeing it. It was also a maze to get to our room so I didn't bother searching for another pooll. Again, I found it much easier to navigate around the Ranchos area.

As far as parking I had to park much farther from my room in the Casitas area and the Ranchos was just the opposite.

This is all just my opinion and maybe I just got a really great Ranchos room location but if I stay there again I will only request Ranchos as my room choice! It's such an amazing resort. It was my favorite moderate until I stayed in the POR Princess rooms. Now that is my favorite mod! lol

 

[missnic07]

I've stayed in both the Ranchos and the Casitas and in my opinion the Ranchos were far better and a completely different experience. The Ranchos were very close to El Centro and had its own pool but not too far from the dig site either. I loved the view from the Ranchos area as well, looking out to the main building over the lake, it was so grand and beautiful. Another pro was how close it was to the bus stop! I also loved the sand, hammocks and the overall feel of the Ranchos much better. The casitas were okay don't get me wrong but for being a "preferred" room I felt as though it was further from El Centro, bus stops and definitely the dig site. The area was so drab and I didn't get that beautiful view like I did near the Ranchos. Everything felt so closed in. The Casitas may have had its own pool but i don't recall seeing it. It was also a maze to get to our room so I didn't bother searching for another pooll. Again, I found it much easier to navigate around the Ranchos area. As far as parking I had to park much farther from my room in the Casitas area and the Ranchos was just the opposite. This is all just my opinion and maybe I just got a really great Ranchos room location but if I stay there again I will only request Ranchos as my room choice! It's such an amazing resort. It was my favorite moderate until I stayed in the POR Princess rooms. Now that is my favorite mod! lol

I've requested Cabanas, but after reading this I don't think I'll be disappointed with Ranchos either

 

[Dismomof2boys]

A couple of questions about CSR:
1. We have a party of 13 staying there and we really want to use the sand volleyball area for a friendly game between family members . Do they have a ball there or should I go out and buy one and bring it along?
2. Are there bikes to rent at the resort? My son just learned to ride and he really wants to ride a bike there. He wants us to bring his bike, but no way are we fitting it in the van

 

[ElsaColon]

A couple of questions about CSR:
1. We have a party of 13 staying there and we really want to use the sand volleyball area for a friendly game between family members . Do they have a ball there or should I go out and buy one and bring it along?
2. Are there bikes to rent at the resort? My son just learned to ride and he really wants to ride a bike there. He wants us to bring his bike, but no way are we fitting it in the van

I never played on the volleyball court so I can't answer your question about the ball. My guess would be that you might want to bring your own just in case.

As far as the bike rentals, the Marina located right behind El Centro used to have kayak, pedal boats, electric boat rentals, and bicycles, both regular and surrey bikes. The hours were 10:00am to 6:00pm (more or less). But the last time I was there which was May 16, 2014, I saw nothing there. The Marina was completely closed, not one boat or bike in sight. I also did not see any staff at the Marina, it was completely closed up. I didn't think about it too much since I never rent those type of things but after hearing one of DIS unplugged's recent podcasts, Pete mentioned that boat rentals were taken out of resorts like Caribbean Beach and Coronado. So now I am wondering if the same goes for bikes. All I know is I didn't see them there 2 weeks ago but you might want to call just to be sure.

I know bikes are still offered at Boardwalk and Fort Wilderness! I hope this helps.

 

[saskdw]

A couple of questions about CSR:
1. We have a party of 13 staying there and we really want to use the sand volleyball area for a friendly game between family members . Do they have a ball there or should I go out and buy one and bring it along?
2. Are there bikes to rent at the resort? My son just learned to ride and he really wants to ride a bike there. He wants us to bring his bike, but no way are we fitting it in the van

1. Yes they provide a ball.

2. Unfortunately the boat and bike rental is no longer operational. It apparently didn't generate enough interest.

 

[leeber01]

So much great info on this thread!!!

A quick parking question--on the map, are the light blue areas all parking? Generally, how close can you get to your building?

Thanks everyone!

 

[saskdw]

So much great info on this thread!!!

A quick parking question--on the map, are the light blue areas all parking? Generally, how close can you get to your building?

Thanks everyone!

Yes, there is parking behind every area except Cabanas 9B. The parking lots are quite a bit bigger than the map makes it look. The parking is first come first serve, but yes there is parking spots that are steps away from the buildings.

This map is a little better:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/map/#/id=coronado-springs-resort/

 

[Koh1977]

Just changed back to POR for the first part of our split stay...

Happy Planning!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[leeber01]

Yes, there is parking behind every area except Cabanas 9B. The parking lots are quite a bit bigger than the map makes it look. The parking is first come first serve, but yes there is parking spots that are steps away from the buildings.

This map is a little better:

Ahh, perfect, thank you!

Getting so excited for our stay...just need to decide if I want to bite the bullet for a BC. There cost difference for our 6 night stay is $338. I think it might be worth it for the 9B location, but looking at the map now, I wouldn't mind most of the building locations.

I guess I'm debating whether it's worth it to definitely NOT get a room in a building I don't want, which is the Casitas or 6A and 7A.

 

[EpcotBill]

nevermind

 

[CDolacki2003]

We were at WDW in October for MNNSHP and when we returned home DH said he wanted to travel to other places for the next few years since we have done everything in Disney. The other day when I was talking to him about our planned 2016 cruise he said he misses Disney and wants to go back, I said "really"! Of course I jumped on that and am planning already. See I suffer from OCVP (obsessive compulsive vacation planning), so I just knew I had to start researching resorts. We have stayed at CBR and POR and DH wants something different, so despite the fact that I really was not impressed with staying at the convention hotel, I came on this thread to see what you all had to say. After reading all 50 pages I am super stoked and cannot wait to stay here, I dont know what my hangup was? I know I am early but I am going to be around planning our December 2016 trip for MVMCP (my DH is obcessed with the Osbourne lights!).

So thank you all for posting and changing my mind about CSR, I cannot wait!

 

[desiree71081]

I know I was reluctant to give up our preferred room and switch to waterview. Weeks ago we wanted to possibly stay and extra night at the end of our trip. When I called to get prices they said that they didn't have a preferred room available for the extra day so I just put it out of my head.

Now that they switched us to Water view I called back and.....we can stay the extra night meaning we wouldn't have to leave until the 5th. We were scheduled to leave on September 4th which also happens to be our son's 1st anniversary of his open heart surgery. I was pretty bummed that we were going to have to spend 12 ours with him buckled in a car seat driving home on a day that is sooooooooo special.

We also hadn't planned on going to Animal Kingdom this time because during our last trip (March) Animal Kingdom was my least favorite park. I don't know if it was just the park or if it was the fact that it was during the very end of our vacation and the kids were driving us bananas at this point. I pretty much stayed around benches holding the baby while DH took the other kids to do stuff. Now that it will be just DH and I and the baby, I am thinking I might regret not giving Animal Kingdom another try.

With adding a day we are only paying $300 more. So excited!!!!

 

[shyjade]

Ahh, perfect, thank you!

Getting so excited for our stay...just need to decide if I want to bite the bullet for a BC. There cost difference for our 6 night stay is $338. I think it might be worth it for the 9B location, but looking at the map now, I wouldn't mind most of the building locations.

I guess I'm debating whether it's worth it to definitely NOT get a room in a building I don't want, which is the Casitas or 6A and 7A.

This is my same struggle! Our flight doesn't land until 12:30am so I really don't want to be pulling luggage to 6A at 2am in the dark (it will just be DD16 and I). BC seems like a waste when we are spending so much time in the parks. I keep going back and forth...should I spring for BC (I've already booked it just in case because I know it books up fast) or should I chance it with Standard? Wondering if I note on our ressie we are 2 women traveling alone and arriving during the night and would like to be somewhat close to the lobby, they will take that into consideration? We check in on a Tuesday (Nov 4) during a slower week...no discounts or FD and still lots of resort availability.

I've been struggling with this decision so much. Part of me is tempted to just go back to Pop and save the $600 over CSR's BC, but I really want to stay at CSR! And if I'm going to spend the money on preferred or water view, I might as well spend the extra $150 and stay BC, KWIM? And I've read so many "never again" posts about the standard rooms that it makes me very nervous. We were stuck in the boonies at AKL once and it really ruined our stay. It was a hike to food, pool, lobby, bus, etc. and one night we didn't even eat because DD was young and so exhausted and refused to leave walk anywhere else, and I couldn't leave her alone in the room.

Last year we didn't eat dinner our first night because we couldn't leave our room at Pop because our MB's wouldn't unlock the door (and the key card machine was broke). Hmmm....I'm seeing a trend here. Maybe I should go ahead and book BC (or pack a lunch?!)

 

[saskdw]

This is my same struggle! Our flight doesn't land until 12:30am so I really don't want to be pulling luggage to 6A at 2am in the dark (it will just be DD16 and I). BC seems like a waste when we are spending so much time in the parks. I keep going back and forth...should I spring for BC (I've already booked it just in case because I know it books up fast) or should I chance it with Standard? Wondering if I note on our ressie we are 2 women traveling alone and arriving during the night and would like to be somewhat close to the lobby, they will take that into consideration? We check in on a Tuesday (Nov 4) during a slower week...no discounts or FD and still lots of resort availability.

I've been struggling with this decision so much. Part of me is tempted to just go back to Pop and save the $600 over CSR's BC, but I really want to stay at CSR! And if I'm going to spend the money on preferred or water view, I might as well spend the extra $150 and stay BC, KWIM?

I don't think I can give you anymore info than you've already collected in this thread to help with your decision. But just so you know, Bell services will still take you to your room at that time. They put you and your luggage on a power cart and take you to your room. You should tip them $5-$10, but well worth it for you at that hour.

Last trip we were in BC and it was busy at checkin, so rather than waiting I just hauled the luggae myself. But BC is so close it wasn't a big deal. Every other time though Bell services has taken us to our room and brought the luggage to the room.

 

[shyjade]

I don't think I can give you anymore info than you've already collected in this thread to help with your decision. But just so you know, Bell services will still take you to your room at that time. They put you and your luggage on a power cart and take you to your room. You should tip them $5-$10, but well worth it for you at that hour.

Good to know, thanks! I had no idea. I'd ask if they were available a few months back on a separate thread and the responses I got were that we were likely on our own with luggage that time of night. And it's not the luggage that bothers me (just 2 suitcases) so much as walking around a resort we've never been to in the middle of the night trying to find our room.

 

[vikster1]

This is my same struggle! Our flight doesn't land until 12:30am so I really don't want to be pulling luggage to 6A at 2am in the dark (it will just be DD16 and I). BC seems like a waste when we are spending so much time in the parks. I keep going back and forth...should I spring for BC (I've already booked it just in case because I know it books up fast) or should I chance it with Standard? Wondering if I note on our ressie we are 2 women traveling alone and arriving during the night and would like to be somewhat close to the lobby, they will take that into consideration? We check in on a Tuesday (Nov 4) during a slower week...no discounts or FD and still lots of resort availability.

I never felt uneasy or nervous walking around late. We go during Easter, sometimes we got got back 3am because of Magic hours. As pp stated you can take the luggage cart. Security does cruise around on carts. They also stop and ask if you want a ride sometimes.

As for the first week of Nov being slow, I don't know about that. When no discounts are offered that is premium time. Most of NJ gets the week off. I know several dozen families that vacation in Nov to Disney. When we were there in April, it was peak time and the resort was 48% full. But hey, isn't disney always crowded. You will have a great time no matter what you pick. If your not going to be in the room much at all or at the resort, why not save the bucks and spend on goodies.

 

[IZHAYMAMA]

Does anyone have past experience of any characters dressed in their Christmas attire during the week leading up to Christmas? I know I read somewhere that lots of resorts have visits from various characters that week but couldn't find anything for CSR specifically.

 

[georgina]

Just back from my solo trip and I booked a bounceback offer for Dec for DH and I. Stayed in Casitas 4 which was fine with me, I did not make any specific requests and don't mind the walk to El Centro. This was my first time using Disney transportation, as a family we always rent a car. The buses were great. I got to all my early morning plans easily and only had to stand once (after Illuminations).

A great trip, other than the airlines losing my bag on the way home. My souvenirs were in it and I am not sure I will ever see them again!

 

[pigletto]

Does anyone have past experience of any characters dressed in their Christmas attire during the week leading up to Christmas? I know I read somewhere that lots of resorts have visits from various characters that week but couldn't find anything for CSR specifically.

I wonder if you could find the activities schedule online for December of last year? Maybe a google search would turn something up? Last year we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge for the week leading up to Christmas and there were characters in the lobby some evenings. It was listed on the activities schedule.

 

[Ceryssa]

Does anyone have past experience of any characters dressed in their Christmas attire during the week leading up to Christmas? I know I read somewhere that lots of resorts have visits from various characters that week but couldn't find anything for CSR specifically.

The only resorts I've seen reports of characters visiting are the deluxes, but they may come to the other ones.

I've been looking for the activities calendar from last November but haven't had any luck finding it. If anyone finds somewhere that has last year's archived I'd love to see it!