HRH & Coronado Springs - Just Back!

[BertieT]

Just back from a brilliant vacation - 5 nights in Universal & 9 nights at WDW (did quite a few character meals too!) also had a day at Busch Gardens with Guided Adventure Tour, a day at Kennedy Space Centre and a trip to Gatorland.

Any questions?

Bertie T



WDW Dolphin 08/00
HRH/Coronado 08/02

 

[corvair]

Tell me all about the HRH. How do you compare it to the WDW resorts. We have stayed at WL and French Quarter. We would love to try HRH. How was their pool?? Please post all about your character meals also. Any great advise on HRH and room location would be great. What did you think of Coranodo Springs? Thanks...amy

 

[A kid at heart]

I'd like to hear about CS!

 

[LisaNJ25]

Corvair.. I spent one night at the HRH on 8/25. It was great. The pool was so cool. It was my sons favorite hotel out of all we went to this vacation. You can lay in the pool like you are on a beach and we watched the U2 concert and a large screen. They also had a great waterslide. It take a few minutes to walk to the entrance of universal studios or you can take the boat which will help if you are going to Island of Adventure. Also you cant beat the front of the line access. I cant remember my room number but I had a garden view on the 4th floor. The hotel is a little large as has alo of corridors to walk down. Oh and I loved Universal studios. It was so hot and they had so many places to cool off and fans with waters blowing mist on you. It really helped with the heat.

 

[BertieT]

(I've replied to Corvair about HRH on the US/IOA forum)

We all loved the Coronado. After reading the reports on this board, DH & I thought we'd like to stay in a Rancho, (we thought they'd be quieter and we didn't mind walking to El Centro) When we checked in they said - no problem and gave us a room in a Rancho, the room was very nice, but there wasn't much of a view, so DH phoned reception to ask if it would be poss to move to a room with a lake view, we ended up in a Casita (top floor as requested #4432) with a beautiful view of the lake, which was particularly pretty at night with all the lights (and the moon)reflected in the water also we could see the Tower of Terror in the distance and could view (the high) fireworks at Epcot.

It is quite a spread out resort but we loved it, very pretty. It was approx 1 mile (full circle) round the lake, but in the daytime there is a 'shuttle bus' (a golf buggy-type thing) which picks you up and drops you wherever you want.

It took approx 4 mins to walk to El Centro (reception, shop & pepper market (food court), etc) It took approx 7 mins to walk to the main pool (my boys again loved this pool, although they thought the slide at the HRH was better). There was also a quiet pool right by us, (which was quiet, but had no lifeguards on duty - only at the main pool). There is a quiet pool for each of the 4 sections as well as a bus stop. Our bus stop was #2 and we seemed to be the first picked up and dropped off. We never had to wait very long for a bus.

One of the highlights of the day for our 2 boys (especially the youngest) was going back to our room at the end of the day to see what the maid had done with their cuddlies, it really made their day!

Although, before we stayed at the Coronado, the Casitas would have been our last choice (after reading the Disboards), we would definitely stay in a Casita again - especially if we had such a good view again! The rooms are all identical whether Cabana, Rancho or Casita, just slightly different colouring for the bedding and slightly different headboards, so wherever you stay it will be nice. I understand now why the Cabanas are popular as they are the closest to the main pool and El Centro, so families with younger children would probably prefer these.

We would definitely stay at the Coronado again!

Hope you enjoy it too!
Bertie T

 

[mickeyluv71]

Thanks for the info on CS Bertie! That's where I'm staying when I go to visit my sister ~ she made the reservations for me "wherever" and that's where I ended up. I was getting excited from looking at pictures, but hearing first hand that it's nice makes me really excited!
I'll let ya know how I like it when I get back!

~Beth

 

[GordonGlaswegian]

Thanks for the update. We are going to CSR on December 4. I know that CSR has iron board and iron in each room - but I don't see anything about a laundry on site. Can you advise?


Previous Stays

1992 Hilton Downtown
1994 All Stars Music
1996 All Stars Sports

 

[Rneighh]

Yes they have a laundry room. If I remember $2 to wash $1 to dry I think.

Renee

 

[GordonGlaswegian]

Thanks for the ultra quick response!

Gordon

 

[LisaNJ25]

I know cbr was 2.00 and the WL was 1.00. but that was 1.00 for only 15 minutes. If CS is only 1.00 it may be that way also.

 

[Buzz2001]

Great report BertieT! Glad you enjoyed CSR.

Check out my CSR website for laundry pictures and info

 

[TooBoyz4us]

Loved hearing about your stay at CSR Bertie!!
We will be there exactly one month from TODAY !
I have been reading everything I can get my hands on regarding CSR........I'm so excited!!

Thanks for sharing


~Chris

 

[epcotfan]

I too would stay in a Casita again at CS. There are plenty of great views such as the lake, courtyards, and fountains! They are especially good if you like being closer to El Centro.

 

[4our4kids]

BertieT, sounds like you had a great time!

How much time did you allow for each destination? We are planning a 10 day vacation for the begining of Feb. We want to do US/IOA, Sea World, WDW, and Kennedy Space ctr. Not sure how to fit in all in though, and in what sequence. I was thinking 3 nites at HRH (for US/IOA and Sea World). 7 nites BCV for WDW and take aday for Kennedy in there somewhere. How long a drive to Kennedy? We have a 17, 16, 13, and 2 yr old. Any suggestions would be appreciated!! Laura

 

[BertieT]

GordonGlaswegian

I used the laundry facilities twice, there are laundry facilities in each section i.e. El Centro; Cabanas; Ranchos & Casitas, I think. It costs $2 per wash & $2 to dry (in quarters - change machine provided), I took my own detergent & softener, but there was a machine and I think it was $1 for Bounce Sheets, not sure about cost of powder or liquid softener. (You'll need your room card to open the door to the laundry too.)

I thought the washers were quite quick - about 20mins for full wash, the dryers took a little longer.


4our4kids

Like I've said staying at HRH and using the Express Pass for US & IOA will save you loads of time (see reply on US/IOA forum), you should be able to do the two parks very comfortably in 2 days and see & do EVERYTHING!

Your plan sounds fine, you'll probably feel like us though - totally worn out when you get home! We did try to end the day with a swim (for the boys at least) even if only a short swim in the hotel pool - just for them to cool down and relax.

Although we'd originally planned to drive to Kennedy ourselves, we ended up going on an organised tour through our Reps, because we found out when we arrived there was a rocket launch scheduled. So, it took us quite a lot longer to get there (with numerous stops to pick up other guests) and also (I imagine) Kennedy was a lot busier than on a normal non-launch day. Security was quite high. I reckon to drive there yourself from HRH would take about an hour. We got picked up from HRH at 9:20 am and had 3 additional stops on the way and after long lines and security checks to get in (we weren't allowed to bring in our backpack, had to leave this on the bus - only essentials, we actually got a plastic bag from the gift shop to put our things in once inside), we got into Kennedy around 11:45. We were told to go straight for the bus tour as otherwise we mightn't get to do it (again I presume this was because it was a launch day), which we did, there were only two scheduled stops on the tour, the first was a viewing platform with telescopes, we didn't do this one; the second was the Saturn V, which was brilliant, we had lunch there and then got the bus back to the Visitor Complex, where we saw the IMAX film - "The Dream is Alive" (there are 2 different IMAX films, but we only had time for 1 and were told this was the better of the 2) We got in line for the 4:00 film, only to be left (it was full) to be first in line for the next and last showing at 5:00 (the film is approx 45 mins long), we waited, and it was worth it. The rocket was launched at 6:05 and it really made our day! If you can, check the Kennedy website or phone before to see if there is a launch scheduled for when you go, this could dictate whether you go from HRH or WDW.

Have a brilliant time!

Bertie T

 

[4our4kids]

BertieT thank you for all of the info!

I'm sure we'll have a great time!!
Laura

 

[GordonGlaswegian]

Bertie T

Thanks for the info on the laundry - very helpful

Gordon

 

[GordonGlaswegian]

Bertie T

Thanks for the info on the laundry - very helpful

Gordon

 

[Luv2Roam]

Thanks for the reviews! I think HRH sounds very interesting!
Last January we drove there and to the City Walk to buy pins.
What little I saw of the hotel was very nice. How does HRH range in price as compared to a WDW resort?
How are the HRH rooms in comparison?
Better service, same, worse?

I would like to stay at CSR again sometime too. I used the laundry facility in Castias 4. Like an above poster, I always take detergent tabs and a few sheets of fabric softener.

 

[A kid at heart]

Thanks for the info on CS! I'll be there sep 26/27! It sounds wonderful and I have a water view so I can't wait to see the view at night as you described!