Jumping on the CSR Bandwagon!

[susy]

WOW! Just back from a one night stay at CSR. This place is gorgeous! We have yet to visit POR/POFQ, so we can't compare, but I totally LOVED it!!!! Much more so than CBR!

Okay, okay.... The rooms at CBR are a little nicer (more recently refurbished) with the double sinks, privacy curtain, shelf with hooks and bench with storage.

What I LIKED about the CSR rooms was the fact that everything was there! No calling down for a hairdryer, etc. The convention hotel aspect certainly does have it's good points! Room service for breakfast would be one of them!

The whole resort was beautiful. I liked all of the sections and it was neat that there are three very different themed areas. We stayed in Cabanas 8B. The room was cute enough and had all we needed. We were right by the quiet pool and not far from the Dig Site or El Centro. The ranchos were really something and I was really surprised, since I've seen pictures before and though it did not appeal to me. The Casitas are amazing- I love that fountain with the lions !

It's funny that the two reasons that are brought up a lot on these boards as to why people don't like CSR, are two of the reasons that I did!!!!

1. The pepper market-

I guess if you stay for a week or more the 10% thing can get old, but I absolutely love the Pepper Market and they really need to keep it the way it is, if they want to attract business and convention travelers. It is not at all "food courty", since the cashiers are right at the exit. I liked the real plates and cutlery, cloth napkins and the whole ambience of the place. We had breakfast there and it was delicious!!!

2. convention atmosphere. Okay, so I like seeing people dressed up! The resort didn't seem as over run with kids as some of the others and not all of the conventions are business type. The International Poet Society was there and a Women's Health Awareness convention, so there was a nice mix of people.


On to more---- the pool!!!!!!! The slide was better than at AKL and no fear if you are there and you are hungry- they have a few goodies at the Siesta Bar. Hamburgers, Chicken Fingers (were delicious), Chicken Caesar Wraps... can't remember what else.

The playground was adorable and there was a sandy area for the kiddies right there. My Ds would have loved it, but this was an adults only trip!!!! For the money, this place is unbeatable (IMHO). By the way, we did get it for $109 (FL Resident rate) and I feel that was a very fair price.


Oh yeah, breakfast buffet at the Maya grill was wonderful and I can't wait to try dinner there!!!!

There is so much more to this resort, but I am exhausted!!!

 

[epcotfan]

I'm with you Susy. I thought the Pepper Market was amazing and loved the atmosphere. The pool can't be beat. I hope to get back their this summer

 

[tiberius]

We have stayed there twice and loved it. My girls could not get enough of the pool, unless we were heading out to the parks.

 

[Pig Pen]

Can't wait for CSR in May! Thanks for the update.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I'm gald to see that more and more people are liking this hotel. We had the option of staying at the Poly, Beach Club or CSR this summer and despite TRYING to convince ourselves we'd like the deluxes as much we decided to go to CSR and book a longer trip than we would have at the deluxes. Double Bonus!!

 

[colleen costello]

We stayed last summer for a night before moving over to DVC. We LOVED this resort. We had a wonderful night. The pool was amazing and I especially loved the super-sized hot tub -- so nice after a long drive. We walked to dinner at the Pepper Market and each of us was able to order something we liked. The servers were friendly and attentive. The whole area is gorgeous at night. We also took a dip in the quiet pool. Overall, we packed a lot of fun into that one night. I would never hesitate to recommend this lovely place.

 

[DisneyVa.]

We stayed at CSR several years ago in the Cabanas. We are going again this summer and have been thinking about requesting a room in the Ranchos section. Anyone stay there before and have a specific room or building suggestion?

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR all the way! Glad you had a great trip Susy

 

[DISFANS3]

CSR for us in 23 days, First time at this resort. Any building we should request?? Looking for some fun in the sun, still cold here in Sw Mo.. Time to pack the bags............ CBR99 Allstar Movies Feb01 Allstar Music Aug01 Dolphin-Allstar Movies Aug02

 

[SuzEm]

DisneyVa: I stayed in the Ranchos in 2000 and had 6B - room 6522 which was on ground floor right behind the bubbling pool (standard room). We could hear it bubbling at night and it was very peaceful. They were in the process of building a new bus stop that would be extremely convenient to that room. It is one of the "inside" buildings so we didn't have a view of the parking lot. We were very convenient to the dig site and pool, as well as the quiet pool and laundry for the Ranchos. And although it was across the resort from the Pepper Market, I didn't feel like it was that far away for me. It was a pleasant walk. And with coffee makers in the room, we usually didn't visit El Centro in the mornings unless we wanted to do the breakfast buffet at Maya Grill (which is excellent). HTH

 

[sprtnfan]

We stayed at CSR for my DH's convention in Feb 2000. We loved CSR! I don't remember the exact room number, however we stayed in Ranchos 7B on a bottom floor room that looked towards the pool area. It was lovely there. Wonderful walking paths, it was quiet and peaceful and everyone was very friendly. It was one of my all-time-favorite Disney trips ever! We are going back for the same convention in 3 weeks, however I have to experience AKL, so we'll be staying there this time. It was a tough choice though!

 

[becka]

I am glad that you enjoyed your stay at CSR. We love this resort.

It is nice to see that CSR is getting so many new fans. When I was first planning our CSR trip for January 2001 you just did not see much about CSR here on the Resort Board. There were a few people with great info who knew how wonderful the place was but most people seemed to turn their noses up at it for various reasons (convention resort, Pepper Market, etc.). Now that I am back to plan another trip it is nice to see CSR getting such great reviews.

 

[mm6mm6]

Under six months until we stay at the CSR! Then we can compare it to our only other trip last June at the CBR!

 

[susy]

DISFAN,

fro convenience to El Centro and the pool I would choose Cabanas 9B or Cabanas 8A. Cabanas 9B is close to El Centro and across the path (bridge) to dig site. CAbnas 8A is the opposite. If you are looking for something other than a beachy theme (too much like CBR), I would go for Casitas or Ranchos. Both sections are gorgeous!


I have a plan of attack for this resort (when we return with our DS) that would help solve the problem of being "far away" from things.

In the morning-
get ready and go eat breakfast at the Pepper market- catch the bus to the park from that stop.

Get dropped off for your break at the bus stop near your room
Go to the digsite for a swim . They have a great bar there, where you can refill your mug and get lunch, if you didn't eat at the parks.

For dinner, you can get ready, eat at Pepper market and head at at that bus stop or get the bus from near your room, if you eat at the park.

Believe me, when you see this place you will want to walk all around see it all! We did this several times in two days! better yet, rent a surrey bie. we saw a large family riding around and having a ball! You could definitely spend a whole day here relaxing!

Don't miss the buffet breakfast at Maya grill!!!!
I'm getting as bad as Buzz!!!!

 

[Buzz2001]

I'm getting as bad as Buzz!!!!

Alright Susy!

It's much better coming from someone else who has experienced CSR. Everyone is sick of hearing me brag about it.

 

[onceuponadream]

Has any CSR expert actually timed the walk (at a normal pace) from the Ranchos to El Centro? We are still thinking of saving the money and staying at CSR instead of AKL. How far is it really from the Ranchos to El Centro??

 

[epcotfan]

I'd say it is about a 5-7 minute walk depending on which Rancho you are in.

 

[madthemouse]

I agree with you Suzy! CSR is a great resort. We have stayed at CBR and POR each has its good points and not so good. CBR depending where you stay could be a long....long walk. POR beautiful landscaping and nice boat ride to DD. But the bus can be very crowded with people from POFQ.

CSR I feel is a GREAT resort in location and because it is a convention resort, getting a seat on the bus when you leave a park to return to your room....as the comercial saids,"Priceless".
We stayed in the Cabanas 8B also can't beat that location. At a slow pace, 90 seconds to the Big Dig. Maybe 60 seconds to the parking lot or bus stop. And your right between the Ranchos quiet pool and the Cabanas.

Onceuponadream, to answer your question. Walking from the Ranchos, depending on what location your walk to El Centro, at a slow pace to take in the ambiance no more than 10 min.


And the poll at the Big Dig.......outstanding !

 

[Franky4fingers]

I love Dixie Landings but the PC name change has turned me off. I have stayed at the farside of El Centro and it never seems like a far walk to El Centro. The pool is the best of all of the resorts. The Pepper Market is great for lunch and dinner. Breakfast, well no pancakes boo.

 

[onceuponadream]

Thanks! So is it smaller than CBR (around the lake)? It seemed like the remote rooms at CBR were soooo far away. We had about a 5 minute walk from our room in Trinidad North (probably because we kept getting lost LOL). Really didn't like the pool there though....