Help 2 adults, no kids which CSR bldg Casita's or Cabana's?

[wdisneelvr]

I've just read on the CSR FAQ's thread that the buses are horrible for both Casita's and Cabana buildings saying it was a complete disaster during their stay... so which one am I supposed to stay in that has good bus service?

Should I be worried about the bus system now at CSR?

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We've always had good luck with the buses at CSR, but I've read the same reports you have. Sometimes you just have good luck and sometimes you don't. It's that way at any resort, really.

Bus Stop #2, which is the Casitas stop, is the first one to get picked up going to the parks and the first one dropped off (provided the bus remains a park bus and doesn't switch to the DTD route). So, if getting a seat is very important to you, either pay for preferred (Casitas 1, 2, 3) or request Casitas 4 or 5. Ranchos is the next stop (labeled Bus Stop #3), followed by Cabanas (#4) and finally, El Centro (which is labeled at Stop #1). Since Cabanas and El Centro are the last 2 stops, the buses will be the most crowded when they get to those stops. Sometimes, yes, the bus is full and has to skip El Centro. (Note: buses going to DTD go in order from Stops 1-4.) I thnk if you use the stops in Casitas or Ranchos, you should definitely get a seat.

We have stayed in Cabanas twice - the first time we used El Centro (this was back in 2003) and the second time, we used Stop #4 (2007). We have been in Ranchos twice - first time we used Stop #3 (2008), second time we used #4 (2011). In all those stays at CSR, we did have to stand a couple of times going to the parks, but never had a full bus drive past us. I will say that on our last stay in 2011, after we got on at Stop #4, the buses were usually pretty full and the folks getting on at El Centro had to stand. I probably would not use El Centro again after that experience. A lot has to do with the time of year you visit, also. Three of our stays there have been in Sept, which is a slower time for WDW, so everything in general was less crowded. Our stay there last year was in May, and the resort and the parks were more crowded.

Again, I don't think you need to worry about the bus service, but I'd lean more towards Casitas or Ranchos than Cabanas if you'll be there at a busy time.

Hope this helps!

 

[wdisneelvr]

wow your answer was sooooo helpful, thank you so much!!!

I'm not sure what made the earlier mentioned poster say that the bus system was horrendous at CSR but I will be sure to follow your advice.

 

[dtstampz]

I've stayed at CSR five times in the past 2+ years, and the bus service has always been GREAT! So try not to worry too much.

 

[mamamary]

I've only stayed at CSR once but we had very good bus service.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

On our last trip in May, we were in Casitas. As long as we used the Casitas bus stop, we had no problem with the buses. Longest wait was 20 minutes and that's when we'd just missed a bus. We always had a seat because all routes except for DTD pick up at the Casitas bus stop first.

On my first trip to CSR a couple years ago, I also stayed in Casitas but generally was using the El Centro bus stop because I was stopping by for breakfast or other reasons before heading to the parks. I thought the bus service was horrible that trip. On our May trip, the only time we had to wait for a long time to get on a bus was the day we went to the El Centro bus stop. We were headed to the MK. The first bus (which came right as we were walking up to the stop) was packed and only a few people were able to squeeze on. The second bus was already completely full when it got to El Centro and no one was able to get on. We were finally able to get on the third bus but were standing. After that I made sure we always boarded at the Casitas stop.

From what I observed, anyone who got on at Casitas or Ranchos got a seat. By the time the bus stopped at Cabanas, there might be a few seats still available but most had to stand, and often that packed the bus completely full. The people at El Centro either couldn't board at all or were just barely squeezing on.

 

[goofyintoronto]

we stayed at CSR the last week of August 2012....so two weeks ago. And let me tell you, the buses were FANTASTIC! We were in the cabanas 8a section. FANTASTIC section to be in! Youre right across the main pool, and a short walk to bus stop #4!!! 8a or 8b are both amazing sections to be in.

RE: the bus, we were closest to bus #4, and no lie, we didnt have to wait more than 5 minutes for any given bus EVER. The buses were the best ive ever experienced. And would you believe we didnt stand once either?? we'd normally be waiting at the bus around 9-10am. So i guess thats not considered peak-time but its still pretty busy. I love the buses at CSR!!

During our stay we found out from another couple that they waited 1hr for a MK bus. But something must have happened for it it to take that long!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We have always had great bus service at CSR (four trips). The casitas (bus stop #2) are picked up and dropped off first when going to and from the parks, so if seats on the bus are your priority, I would recommend casitas. Preferred buildings are casitas 1, 2 and 3. Casitas 4 and 5 have standard views and water views and are by request.

We prefer cabanas (bus stop #4, third picked up and dropped off) and have never had trouble getting on the bus. The only time we have had to stand is coming back to CSR after Wishes.

El Centro (bus stop #1) is picked up last when going to and from the parks, so people getting on at the main building will be the ones most likely to complain about full buses, especially in the morning as people keep coming to the earlier stops and the buses get close to full before they get to El Centro. El Centro is picked up first when going to Downtown Disney.

Two people at the same resort for the same days can report two completely different bus experiences. It depends whether or not you have often just missed the bus and have to wait 20 minutes for the next one or if you are frequently walking up to the stop as your bus is coming. Sometimes it is all about attitude - I noticed that at the bank yesterday when the two people who got in line just in front of me were immediately tapping their feet, looking at their watches/phones, sighing heavily, and looking generally annoyed. I was third in line and was done in less than 5 minutes - I expect each of the other people went on to their next destinations and complained about the 20 minutes they had to wait at the bank. It's just funny how the same experience can be perceived (and tolerated) in totally different ways.

 

[wdisneelvr]

ok great, with it just be the two of us ( we are going to our 15th wedding anniv) I wanted something on the quiet side of the resort. I had orginally thought the cabana's 9a or 9b but now looking at 8a or 8b? Is it quiet there too or since you're close to the pool and bus stop it gets alot of guest traffic?

Thanks for the reports I love reading them!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

There are no rooms around the Dig Site pool, so you would generally only have people walking by your room who are in your building.

CSR in general is a very quiet resort. The ranchos are the quietest because they are the least requested. The cabanas are very popular with families, so you can expect more of the rooms to be occupied. But the cabanas are not loud, unless you have the misfortune of being next to a loud family (which can happen in any area).