Is Coronado Springs as bad as they say and can I change?

[jeanigor]

We stayed there for the 2014 Food & Wine Festival and Wine & Dine Half marathon; ten days, nine nights. It is my choice of moderate resorts, due to it's location and amenities offered. As we drove to WDW we drove to the theme parks and such, so I cannot speak to the bus situation, except that I witnessed frequent buses at the stop near where I parked my car. I know it's a convention hotel, but the only time I encountered any conventioneers was in the late evening going to the refill station for my last Diet Coke of the day.

Even if I didn't like CSR, I don't think I would change now at the cost of losing the free dining plan and 700 pounds.

A stay at my 'least favorite' Disney resort is still a good stay. The things that make them non-preferred in my book are not reasons big enough to ruin a trip. Kepp an open mind when trying something new and make your own opinion.

 

[minnie mum]

I booked 2 weeks at Coronado Springs last year for this April. At the time I did not carry out much investigation into reviews as it is Disney so I expected them to be great (silly me). I have since started reading reviews and am seeing continuous bad reviews. One is how big it is which I ignore as I am fit and healthy. I have contacted my Travel Agent (I am UK based) who has said I will lose the Free Disney Dining and have to pay about £700 more if I want to change hotel. Is this hotel as really bad as people say or are they just complaining for nothing? Also does anyone know if Disney can change your hotel when you get there if it is as bad as I am imagining.

I see a lot of PPs have only commented on the size of the resort, which you say is not a concern for you. But you don't say what complaints DO concern you. Is it cleanliness? Staff helpfulness? The state of repair of the facilities? Transportation concerns? Lack of decent food options? There is a particular popular travel advice site that I visit frequently. Usually when I need a good laugh. Because some of the reviews are so off base and coming from someone who has done absolutely no advance research before making their booking.

CSR is my least favourite mod resort, yet I'll be staying there in just a couple of weeks because DH wants to stay BC. But my opinion is based solely on the layout and theming of the resort. I have no concerns about any of the other factors I listed above. Have a look at the CSR resort thread, especially the first few posts that discuss the resort amenities. Here's a link: http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-new-disneys-coronado-springs-faq-thread-may-2014.3270962/

Given the costs that you are citing, I wouldn't change resorts unless you encountered a really objectionable problem. But you could certainly ask. It would depend on availability at the time.

 

[MadMadamMim1]

Don't know if you listen to the DIS podcast at all, but they visited CSR during their "7 Resorts in 7 Days" program in 2013. They were all pleasantly surprised by the resort, found hardly anything to complain about. Ever since then Pete has raved about CSR when it is brought up. I don't know how to link it here but the episode was on 6/04/13.

 

[Minnesota!]

Have stayed twice. It is a beautiful, HUGE, resort. We have not had luck with bus service, room service, food service, or customer service. So, we will not stay there again. However, there are thousands of people who have stayed there that love it and have wonderful experiences.
I would try it out and see for yourself. I cannot say enough about how beautiful it is, though.

 

[L&Lfan]

We nearly always stay deluxe but the one moderate we've stayed at is Coronado Springs last September and we had a blast. We'd definitely stay there again if a deluxe room were not available. We stayed in Casitas 3 with a lake view. We especially enjoyed walking around the lake for daily exercise, Las Ventanas restaurant, the Rix Lounge and Panchito's Gift Shop. We had no problem at all with buses.

 

[cjhudson]

We stayed there last May and loved it. It is large but the walk is nice and beautiful as long as you aren't rushed. Someone mentioned the Refill Mugs being useless if you are not by the food court...we were near the pool and they did free refills in our mugs at the snack shack by the pool. We also loved the food in the restaurant there and we just walked up and got a table so no ADR needed. Hope this helps, you will have a blast there!

 

[nkereina]

As PPs have mentioned, it's all subjective. Literally every resort will have bad reviews out there. And as a rule of thumb, people only speak up when they have something negative to say - which is why we often see more bad reviews than good.

We stayed at CSR last year and enjoyed it. Housekeeping, buses, and the main pool were the highlights for us. Only thing we did not like was the QS options, especially Pepper Market. This was a big negative for us because we eat at our resort QS quite often. It opened at 7am which was a bit late for us, the food was all made to order which meant quality varied depending on who was cooking and also backed up the lines, and we thought it was lacking in options. Other than that, we enjoyed the resort.

 

[HopperFan]

Our favorite moderate. Beautiful resort, awesome pool amenity, lots of places to get eats - way more than any other moderate, centrally located and great bus service. Day or night it is stunning to walk around!

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

We enjoyed CSR. I do advise sitting down with the map immediately and finding the shortest path from your room to the main walkways. LOL I had a good location, but for the first several days, it was like a maze getting to my room based on following the direction signs on the buildings.

 

[tzolkin]

What were the bad reviews that concern you?

We only stayed once, but loved the resort. Very relaxing and we thought the theming of the main pool area was wonderful. My parents, grandparents, and brother with young children have all also stayed at this resort and had nothing but positive comments. We Would love to stay again, but as a family of 5 we have outgrown the occupancy limits so it is less expensive for us to stay elsewhere than book two rooms at CSR.

I can't see any reason at all for you to change your plans.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

This thread makes me nervous. Keeping an open mind though.

 

[k1koala]

I have read all of the posts on this thread as well as ALL of the CSR thread as well. I am staying at this resort for the first time in April, and my only concern is how far the main pool is from where we will be staying. However, I am not sure how often we will use it...so no biggie we can take a leisurely stroll. Which brings me to my point here; I have read some place that there are workers driving around in golf carts on the resort who will give you a ride to the pool or back if you need/want it. I have NEVER seen anyone post about this. Does this really actually happen at all?? or is this something from the distant past?? Just wondering if this is available to the guests at all if your child is exhausted and you need a ride....

 

[RmeDad]

We have stayed there several times. While it is not a Deluxe Resort, it is nice, clean, acceptable food available. They upgraded out last stay from a standard to a suite. Asked for specific building and was granted our request. We would stay there again if necessary.

 

[Metz172]

There are negative reviews for every resort, restaurants, park and attraction on the boards. Every place has pros and cons and every person has there own definition of what makes something horrible. Your best bet is to look at pictures and the facts about the resort and not listen too much to the negative voices. We had a marvelous time when we stayed. Loved everything about the place.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

I have read all of the posts on this thread as well as ALL of the CSR thread as well. I am staying at this resort for the first time in April, and my only concern is how far the main pool is from where we will be staying. However, I am not sure how often we will use it...so no biggie we can take a leisurely stroll. Which brings me to my point here; I have read some place that there are workers driving around in golf carts on the resort who will give you a ride to the pool or back if you need/want it. I have NEVER seen anyone post about this. Does this really actually happen at all?? or is this something from the distant past?? Just wondering if this is available to the guests at all if your child is exhausted and you need a ride....

I haven't stayed at CSR yet (first time will be in August) but I can say that at POR we got a ride back to our room. It was our first night, and Space Mountain and the bumpy, packed bus ride back to the resort didn't agree with my daughter. We got off the bus as soon as we could, and it dropped us off somewhere in the AB. I had forgotten my map, and we had no idea how to get back to our room. We came across a man driving a golf cart, and asked him how to get to our building. My daughter was looking pretty green, so I asked if it would be possible for him to drive us there. He happily said yes, and took us right to our room. It was a chilly night, and the breeze on my daughter's face actually made her feel better. This was 2 years ago, but I think if you see someone driving a golf cart they would probably be more than happy to give you a ride.

 

[fitmom0f2]

Have stayed once in Feb 2013 and my next trip to Coronado is this June. I loved it, a beautiful property with great amenities. In my opinion, if I didn't like walking (which is expected on vacation) and I didn't want a sprawling peaceful landscape I would choose a cramped chain hotel. Enjopy your stay! It is a lovely place for sure!

 

[FofMM]

We Love CSR because it is spread out. The grounds are beautiful and delightful to walk. It has one of the nicest Hot Tubs and Pool areas for adults and kids. Food court, Pepper's Market, has a good variety of decent food but it is unusual they add on a gratuity since they bring your Drink (refills too) to the table but you get your own food and pay on way out. Outdoor Bars (2), Rix's Lounge, grab and go and Maya Grill make for additional food choices. If renting a car there is plenty of parking close to rooms. If using Disney Transport ask for a room (TA could make room request for you before hand) close to a bus stop. We have stayed there many times and count it as one of our favorite Moderate Resorts. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!

 

[TheLittles]

I Loved it there but, that may have a lot to do with the fact that our room was very close to the main building. I thought it was beautiful. I had many drinks down at the bar by the water. I liked the Maya Grill. I did not really gave a complaint. I will say that I may not have liked it as much if I was in a building say out by the pool.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

As bad as who says? I stayed there a lot before I got DVC. It wasn't bad at all.

All of the moderate resorts with the exception of POFQ are spread out.

 

[Lauren's_Dad]

BIG fan of CSR - the fact that it's not quite as "Disney-themed" as most of the other resorts is a big plus. Also like the fitness center, HUGE hot tub, and my daughter loves the pool and jaguar slide. Going back there in less than 3 weeks!