Just back from CSR lukewarm experience

[Judgekw]

We just got back from CSR and it was definetly not my favorite Disney property. Before I get blasted from all you CSR fans, let me say it was not bad and for the money it is still a great deal. First the positives: the dig site pool was really neat and the bus service was exceptional. The bus service was just a million times better than the bus service at Wilderness Lodge, BoardWalk, or the Swan.

On the negative, there were cigarette butts everywhere! I read a previous post where a guest complained of the problem at Port Orleans Riverside and I had a hard time believing there was a problem. Usually Disney properties are kept immaculate. But it was true that they were everywhere at CSR. They were all over the sandy beach. We stayed in the Ranchos section and they were all over the walkways and in the stairwells. I am not talking one or two but piles of butts. It was really gross.

In addition, check in at CSR was awful. I requested Cabanas and we checked in at 6:00 p.m. Not only did they not have Cabanas the host said in an almost gleeful manner they did not have any rooms at all ready! I could not believe it . After much discussion he went back behind the counter and spent about 10 min. then he came back with a room in the section connected to the convention center and I said that it was just too far to the dig site pool. He then left for another 10 min. and gave us a room third floor Ranchos section and we just took it. I was very unhappy. He did not give us any information about the parks and I had to go back to another host to get the park schedule etc.

When we got to our room and I was unpacking I opened the drawer below the television there was a dead bug in the drawer and a bunch of crunched up cereal.

The room was fine besides the bug and before you freak out my children liked the resort a lot. I did not mention the bug or the cigarette butts to them, and they loved the pool. The overall stay was okay but I would definetly not stay at this resort again.

 

[padams]

We also just returned from a stay at CSR, where DH attended a conference. We requested Cabanas 9a or b, or Casitas 1 or 2 to be close to DH's conference, and faxed our request 4 days prior to arrival (no request at time of booking). We checked in at 10pm and were given Cabanas 9b. We walked right up to the cm for check-in (we stood in long lines on previous trips to Poly and WL) and she was extremely helpful.

The location of Cabanas 9b was great. Even with all of the rain last week, we stayed pretty dry at CSR as the bus stop was so close to the building (closer than our previous rooms to bus stops at WL, CR and Poly).

After 5 trips to WDW, we thought that our housekeeper was the best that we have had at WDW. She even made towel animals, which we had never had before! We also thought that CSR was the cleanest WDW resort that we had visited. We never went to the Ranchos or Casitas sections.

Because of the almost constant rain, we never played at the Dig Site, but it looked like lots of fun. We were also disappointed that the rain precluded us from renting bikes and boats.

We ate 1 dinner at the Pepper Market and weren't impressed. We are just not food court type people, I guess.

I did think the CSR was a good value for the rate that we had ($89/nt).

Would we stay at CSR again? Not likely...I want to try the BC, and DH and DSs want to go back to CR.

 

[pooh6890]

Judge, thank you for your post. Although I have no desire to stay at CSR (we want to try every resort at least once and have only Y&B left other than CSR), I am so sorry that you did not find the resort up to par. Cigarette butts, bugs and left over cereal is definately not a standard that Disney would or should aspire to right? I really don't think I will be trying CSR when there are so many other resorts at DW to choose from. I don't like the idea of the food court added gratutity and it seems most people don't like the convention feel either. I would rather spend little $$ for an Allstar or get a really great discount at a Deluxe. I find the mods to be mediocre and not worth the $$$... And, please you should not have to apologize for your report, everyone's opinion whether I agree or not, is valid.

 

[Mickey76]

Sorry to hear that you didn't fully enjoy your stay at the CSR. When Piglet203 and I were there a few weeks ago, the grounds were immaculate. We saw a lot of groundskeepers tending to areas that needed maintenance and I rarely saw a cigarette butt nor any other garbage. Although there were some issues with some of the service that we had received, we had a great time and we would return.

Mickey76

 

[DancingBear]

Sorry you did not enjoy your visit. We've enjoyed our two visits to CSR, but there is really no excuse for cigarette butts or rooms not being ready by 6 p.m. Bug and food in the drawer would be disconcerting but I imagine the maids don't check inside every drawer.

 

[Disney-Kim]

judgekw......we did not have a good stay at the
CSR in May. Checkin was awful and there were not very accomidating and we were on our honeymoon.....

we will never stay there again......but......for every bad review there are 10 good ones. So for those thinking about staying there.....go for it.

Everyone has a different opinion or experience but I will admit that I think WDW's service has been very spotty this year.

 

[pooh6890]

Why shouldn't the maids check all the drawers? Don't you check them before you leave in case you left something in them? We check the drawers, closets and under the bed. Cereal and a bug in a drawer is unacceptable at any hotel.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I can see where the service at CSR was lukewarm. We felt the same, and the water was lukewarm (literally) in the *hot tub* and a few times in the shower too. (January '01)
But I still liked our CSR stay much more than POR last month. DH and I agree we have crossed POR/FQ off our list, unless unusual circumstances happened.
It's always good to hear the bad along with the good. If we read nothing but rave reviews, and the resort doesn't meet our expectations (like what happened to us at POR) I think it makes the stay even more disappointing.
For us, we would give CSR another try without hesitation. We had a few inconveniences, but nothing terrible. And we really liked the food court.
So far our best CM resort service has been hands down at ASMo!
Hope the rest of your trip was perfect!

 

[maryj11]

I agree it's good to hear the bad and the good. Everyone does have different experiences. Things are not always perfect that's a part of life. Maybe CSR just had a big convention with alot of smokers that day is why the room wasnt ready and it wasnt clean. That isnt any excuse for them to fall behind on their jobs but could be a reason. I always find some things I enjoyed and some things that I was disappointed in at the Disney resorts I have stayed at. I think it is good not to build them up so much that when others get there they are disappointed. Dont get me wrong I love staying at Disneys resorts and I would love to try each one out. I have enjoyed my stays at 3 different resorts so far and only disappointed in one, but still had fun.

 

[epcotfan]

Originally posted by Judgekw
In addition, check in at CSR was awful. I requested Cabanas and we checked in at 6:00 p.m. Not only did they not have Cabanas the host said in an almost gleeful manner they did not have any rooms at all ready! I could not believe it . After much discussion he went back behind the counter and spent about 10 min. then he came back with a room in the section connected to the convention center and I said that it was just too far to the dig site pool.

Although I've never stayed at CSR I'm not surprised the Cabanas were not available. That is the most popular area people request to stay in. Faxing request by no means guarantees you will get the area you want. It is a request not a guarantee. In order to have a better chance of being able to stay in area of a hotel you want the best bet is to check in as early as possible.

 

[safetymom]

I am here at CSR right now. The grounds are beautiful. Too many small kids with no parents in the hot tub. I was not impressed with the Pepper Market and the 10 percent charge for them to bring you your drinks. We went grocery shopping and will fix sandwiches and snacks in the room.

 

[Buzz2001]

The hot tub sign clearly states children under 12 be supervised. The kids shouldn't be allow to play in there.

safetymom - I hope you are having better weather.

judgekw - sorry you didn't enjoy CSR.

 

[SandraC]

We stayed at CSR in April 2002 ~ I had luke warm reviews too. I like it well enough, the price was right, got great codes. I had housekeeping issues too. We had the same two people clean our room ~ they were very nice, but they over looked A LOT! The Pepper Market wasn't great for our family ~ maybe when my kids are older, but not now. Dig Site was GREAT! We did get the room we requested in Cabanas 8A. Check in was fine ~ better than fine really. Got all the pamplets and info we needed. However, one of the CM's hands and nailed were so dirty I had to wash my hands afterwards. We had two ressies, so checked in twice. The second time was with a young man with the dirty hands and nails. I generally would not have noticed this type of thing, but his hands were so obviously dirty. I saw lines of dirty under his nails. Our room had some problems, sink and wall unit needed work. They were fixed immediately, once I mentioned it. I liked CSR, but I didn't LOVE CSR. I am happy we stayed there, but I wouldn't stay there again. On the other hand! CBR was GREAT! We stayed there in April 2001 and we were so totally impressed. Several times during CSR vacation, dd asked to go back to CBR! I missed CBR too! I would stay there again in the milli-second! I think I built up CSR to be a better than moderate WDW resort and it wasn't. It's just a moderate. If someone had their heart set on staying there I would definately recommend it ~ but I wouldn't go back again. Still thinking about next resort! HMMMMMMMMM! S

 

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by SandraC
The Pepper Market wasn't great for our family ~ maybe when my kids are older, but not now.

Curious why? Is it a food court thing or something about Pepper Market in particular---they seem to have about the same selection of kid-type foods as everyone else (burgers, pizza, chicken fingers, hot dogs...). We didn't have children on our last visit to CSR, so would appreciate the input for possible future trip.

 

[PamNC]

That is totally unacceptable and unlike Disney resorts to be so filthy. I would definitely complain to the manager of CSR.

It hurts me too because we have stayed there twice - it was awhile ago - I think 3 years ago. and, we loved CSR. I hate to think that it is going downhill. we were there a few years ago for our wedding anniversary and the CM's were wonderful. Upon check-in (which went smooth as silk) we were given a free dessert at Maya Grille (we mentioned it was one of our favorite restaurants) and a champagne toast at the lounge they have. I can't remember the name of the lounge.

We requested Cabanas and we got it. Everything was wonderful.

I hope this isn't a pattern.

I will say that since these trips we've stayed at deluxe resorts and of course they exceeded CSR. But up until our first deluxe experience, CSR was our favorite.

PamNC

 

[padams]

Dancingbear- The Pepper Market does have the standard kid food items. Our problem was that DSs are 4 and 6, and not old enough to get their own food. DH went with DSs to the kid food station while I got my food. In hindsight, DH and I should have agreed on one station to get his and my food (and then we would have had our food as well as DSs' food at roughly the same time.). I went back to the table with DSs and our food while DH got his meal. DH's meal (a stirfry, as I recall) took longer than it should have. DSs and I began to eat our food while it was still hot. By the time DH made it back to our table, DSs and I were more than 1/2 finished with our dinners.

Also, we weren't told that the waiter would get our drinks. Immediately afer being shown our table by the host, we went to the food stations. We missed having our server take our drink order first. By the time, he came back to our table to get our drink order, we were almost done eating. DS ordered a fruit smoothie. The waiter returned with everyone else's drinks, and said that the smoothies weren't made, and DS should order something else. DS said he wanted milk. It took at least another 5 minutes to get the milk.

The Pepper Market would probably work well for a family with older children, who could get their own food. However, as we approached the food stations, a girl, about age 10, dropped her tray of pasta. She clearly was not accustomed to balancing a tray, as it was one of those moments where you just knew what was about to happen. Before I could back up far enough with DSs to get away from her, the tray fell forward, and DS and I were splattered from head to toe with spaghetti sauce.

The manager on duty was kind enough to reimburse us for the cleaning bill for our clothes.

 

[SandraC]

Pepper Market's food was fine ~ I didn't like the lay out, or the fact that we had servers, kinda, sorta, not really. The staff at the food counters were so nice and funny. I found the wait staff to be watching the clock and they seemed like they couldn't wait to get out of there. It's not a sit down/ not a food court type of place. I loved CBR food court, felt more freedom to move around and get a drink and relax. Pepper Market was a lot of effort with my kids ~ they are great kids, but I was up and down and up and down getting stuff, wasn't quite sure why they have wait staff when I'm doing lots of wait tasks too. I felt like I was eating a train station restaurant. It's seems to be a restaurant that doesn't know what it wants to be. We paid visits for dinners and desserts at other food courts; CBR, WL, AKL, GF, ASMu and Pepper Market is last on my list. Does that answer the "kids" question? My kids are 2 and 8 ~ if I know what type of restaurant it really is, I can prepare the kids better. If we go to McDonalds, the kids know they can be a little louder and kid-like, if we dine in a fine french restaurant, my kids know to be nice, polite and quiet. Pepper Market wasn't quiet but wasn't my kid friendly. S

 

[pooh6890]

I believe the purpose of a food court at the resorts is so you are able to get something hot, fast and less expensive than the sit down restaurants. They are defeating the purpose at CSR from what most people are posting. I don't need anyone to get my drinks and charge me 10%. I think I can get my own food at my own pace thank you.

 

[SandraC]

Since we are talking food court, I'd like to add a little something about ASMu food court and CBR food court where they DO NOT charge 10% extra ~ We wanted to visit most of the WDW resorts and try out their food courts. As we walked into the ASMu food court area and looked at the menus, dh and dd wanted something from the right side of the court (chicken, I think) while ds wanted pizza, on the left side. A lady working there over heard me tell dh that I'll go get pizza, this GREAT lady said, "I'll go get your pizza, what do you want on it, you can go with your family." OMG! Wasn't that just the nicest thing! She was just so wonderful! We started chatting and all the staff joined in ~ they are welcoming and friendly!

At CBR food court ~ I was getting coffee and the CM that cleaned the area started chatting to me. He told me that he's a cook at CBR, but injured himself so he works cleaning up now ~ for a while anyway. We ended up running into him a couple other times. One time he gave my kids FREE Mickey straws! I know they are only 49 cents, but I thought he was very thoughtful. I saw his kindness with everyone! Another lady that worked there always chatted with customers in the best manner.

No one was ever intruding ~ just friendly and kind! I guess I just expected that at Pepper Market too. Now, I do have to say that the cooks at Pepper Market were sooooo funny! A few times we had the one-liners going back and forth. Got extra food for that LOL! S

 

[Judgekw]

Hi everbody,

It is so interesting to read everybodys experiences at CSR. It is a huge resort so you are bound to have different opinions and experiences. Really it was not that my stay was terrible. We were only there for three night and frankly we were not at the resorts much more in the parks. We still had a great trip to Disney. I have stayed at both CBR and POR in the past as well as Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Club, Swan and Poly. I am interested in staying at all the resorts.

I just felt like it was my least favorite property of all the above. It is just so huge and spread out that unless you get the Cabanas, it is on top of my problems stated above, just not convienent. Who wants to walk a mile to refill their mug after walking all day at the parks! I think Pepper Market in my opinion is not good for kids because the whole point of fast food is to get in and out. The concept just adds a layer of waiting, and tipping without offering much in return.

Obviouslly Disney has so many different types of resorts because everybody is looking for something a little different. CSR just wasn't my cup of tea so to speak.