Just back, hated CSR!

[marijeff]

Just back yesterday... spent first 3 days at POR then switched to CSR. Thought from everything I read on the boards that we would love CSR. WRONG! We left after one tense night. The absolute worse thing was the room noise. I don't mean that we had loud people around us...just the normal noise associated with being in your room. We were on the ground level and could hear everything from upstairs. Whenever the guests up there opened their dresser it sounded like a giant metal rod being scraped across the ceiling. We could even hear them use the bathroom....I mean we could hear every little noise! I cannot stand that! Also, after being in the nice beautiful shady/green POR, the CSR seemed so hot and desolate. I don't mind walking in a resort that size, but give me a bit of shade. After numerous phone calls and negotiating, we were switched back to POR for our remaining 2 nights. The resort is beautiful and the dig site is great, but just too noisy and hot for us. Also, Pepper Mkt not really geared to kids/families as it appeared to be sit down oriented. My DH was annoyed that no one at Pepper Mkt could understand him or vice versa. He had a tough time getting it across that DS wanted pasta, no sauce, and the hostess could barely get it out how the mkt worked. It was a bit frustrating. We were so glad to go back to POR. LOVED it there!! Any questions just ask away!

 

[cottontail]

I have to be in a shaded area as well. Glad you enjoyed the POR part of your trip. Were you in mansions or alligator bayou?

Deb.

 

[darlene walker]

Sorry you had a bad stay at CSR, but I am glad you enjoyed POR. We are staying there in Oct.. So, POR has alot of shade? I hope so because after being in the parks all day shade sounds good. Especially since we have young children. Did the food menus offer dishes most children want like mac and cheese, fries etc...? Was the noise level in the room kept minimal? How were the pools, were they real crowed? Any info will help.
Darlene

 

[gumdrop]

Sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy CSR . My boyfriend and I will be there in August so I like to hear reviews from all viewpoints regarding the resort. But at least POR saved your trip! What section did you stay in at CSR? I assume you were in the lower floors to hear all of that noise?

--Maren

 

[Blondie]

Sorry you were unhappy with CSR. We really enjoyed the resort when we stayed there in August of 1999. The landscaping and theming is totally different than that of POR. I think people either love it, or hate it!

The Ranchos theming of CSR is almost like that of a desert, what with the cactus and dried up river beds, etc. So, that does give off an arrid and hot atmosphere!

We prefer the Cabanas area, which is themed to a Mexican beach resort area.

 

[hmp2z]

Hi! What building did you stay in at CSR? We were in Casitas 4 for our April trip, on the 2nd floor with a pool view room, and didn't hear much noise at all. We could hear some people from the pool, but I think that's just normal noise for a room with this location.
We were actually pleased with CSR, b/c we got a free upgrade to a king bedroom, when we told them that we were there for a planning session for our fairytale wedding. We loved lying in the hammock on the beach, too - very relaxing and peaceful. I didn't find it too dry at all. They have that long walkway covered with trees, but I do think it depends on what part of the resort you're in. I definitely did not want to be in one of the Ranchos buildings.
I agree with you completely about the Pepper Market being a big disappointment. We got better food at the McDonald's in DD, for 1/2 the price! Way overpriced for the quality, we thought... After 1 time eating there, we learned our lesson.
Cheers!
Heather P

 

[Tink]

Once, I left CSR before I was even assigned a room. We had checked in and no rooms were availbale yet, so since our flight was very early in the morning, we headed over to the food court for an early lunch. I hated the food court set up! I had a pizza, fries and a coke and spent nearly $15.00. I didn't like the way servers brought the drinks and then the tip was added. I wanted a regular food court.

It also seemed very spread out to me and there were lots of conventions going on that took away from the vaction atmosphere. We were lucky and were able to check into POFQ.

I was beginning to think that I was the only one who did not like CSR.

I know people who love it. It's funny how some people have their preferences and the opinions are so different. I guess that is what I like about these boards.

 

[Ricola]

Glad to hear you enjoyed POR! I agree that the greenery and large beautiful trees there just make the place seem cooler after a hot day in the parks. Since I'm one who burns easily, the less time in the direct sun, the better!

It sounds like CSR just wasn't for you. Happily, WDW was able to accomodate your wishes and move you back to POR! At least you can say you tried it!

Personally, there are things I love about both resorts, and if given the choice, I too would pick POR or POFQ, but I'm sure we'll end up at CSR again in the future.

darlene walker -- Yes, there is a lot of shade at POR in general, nice tree-lined walkways, and an island with great big oaks on it. There are also plenty of open spaces with lawns, and plenty of sunshine for those who want it. As for the food court, yes, they have all the standard kids favorites; burgers, pizza, mac and cheese, PB&J, etc. The crowds at the pools can vary. There is a main pool area that probably attracts the biggest crowds, and then there are several (5 I think) "quiet pools", without slides or lifeguards, which are usually less crowded. W've never really noticed noise problems there, but then again, I've lived in apartments and townhomes for years, so I'm used to being one wall away from neighbors. I'd say the upper floors are definitely quieter. Enjoy your stay!

 

[JulesMom]

We were hoping to stay at CSR instead of PO-R. I guess I should be glad they had no availability at CSR!

 

[Disney-Kim]

We just stayed at the CSR for 1/2 our trip earlier this month. We hated it too.
it just wasn't for us. We love the POR too........

 

[ilovdisney2]

I know what you mean! You can't go wrong with POR, you have the boat to downtown disney and love the magnolia smell. I also think the food court at POR is awesome. If you want shade POR has lots of it. Glad you were able to switch back.

 

[wdw4us2]

We, too, do not care for CSR. We stayed there on two different occasions and were not at all pleased - especially after all the good things I read about it on the DIS! The room was run-down (when the resort was 1 year old), we didn't like the Pepper Mkt., and it was too spread out.

We have stayed at every other Disney Resort except GF, and have always been very satisfied. That wasn't the case on either trip to CSR. My friends were there two weeks ago, and they also did not have a pleasant experience there and said they would never go back.

Lisa

 

[Laura's Dad]

We had a decision to make: PO for $94 a night (with code) or CS for $84 per night (postcard code). Guess which we took ???? Note: see signature

 

[A1A1]

I am so disappointed to read of people not enjoying their CSR trips. DD and I stayed there a year ago and loved it. I really felt that I was in the southwest. I even liked the Pepper Market. I thought it was the greatest food court, because the food was different from the other "fast food" types. I didn't mind the gratuity, because I thought the servers helped me a lot with drink refills, ketchup, etc.

I loved the theming of CSR. I would definintely stay there again. I live in the cold northeast, so that theming was very different and interesting to me.

I thought the room was okay with a nice view of the water. Never heard anybody else. We really enjoyed our evening walks around the lake.

I have never stayed at POR or POFQ. Many people love it there, it seems.

I'm wondering if the people who didn't like it at CSR had ever visit Mexico or the southwest, and if the theming is authentic. I would probably like a visit to Mexico, I think, if the theming is pretty authentic.

 

[Buzz2001]

marijeff, sorry to hear you didn't enjoy CSR.

I'm with you A1A1. CSR is awesome! Best food court (my nephew had no problem getting the kid's size and adult size pasta w/o sauce 2 weeks ago when we were there), best pool area, best transportation. The rooms are in great shape. We have never had a problem with noise regardless of floor or section.

 

[marijeff]

thanks for all your replies guys. We were in cabana 8A on the lower floor. I am sure it would have been much quieter on the second floor. I do still think CSR is a beautiful resort. We rented a surrey bike there while waiting for our room and it was very nice to bike around. The food court and shade just suited us better. I too am one of those people who after spending all that time in the sun at the parks, feels better to get back into the tall shade. How about the wildlife at POR? Ducks, squirrels, rabbits, birds of all sorts, skinks and armadillos running amok! loved it. As far as what our kids ate, the usual of hotdogs/hamburgs, chicken fingers/fries, spaghetti/pizza. Pancakes/bagels/french toast. Also good to note that the POR food court had small packages of grapes or fruit salad. We got the celery stix/carrots with a package of dip a couple times. It was only around $1.69 which was great. Pool was not crowded when we were there. When we were switched back to POR, we got a room right overlooking a quiet pool. the kids enjoyed that more than the big pool. Not many people in the pools during the day!

 

[marijeff]

Forgot to tell you that initially we were in Alligator Bayou lodge 14. We were very close to the food court/check in and fairly close to the main pool. When we switched back to POR, we were still in Alligator Bayou, this time lodge 24. Farther from the food court but directly overlooking a quiet pool. We all decided we preferred 24, DSs 5/8 loved to hop out and take a swim! No real noise - in room or out, if you take away a couple of screams from the pool area! One other interesting note about POR - the buses were GREAT. Never had to wait but a couple minutes. However, POR was almost always the farthest/second farthest away from the parks - longer walk at night when you are tired, but still was OK for us.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Sorry to hear you didn't like CSR. I have never stayed there, I hope we can someday. When we go again we will probably need two rooms, so it's a little easier on the budget at ASMo.

We also love POR, but I've read a lot about CSR and would like to try it sometime. Actually, I would like to try all of the resorts. I think they all have good points and bad points. Although I grant you, POR does have a lot of good points.

But that is why I love this board. You get so much information. If I ever do get to try CSR, I'll know to expect certain things, like; not a traditional food court that might cost a little extra (but most reports say it has really good food), and that it is a convention hotel, that it is themed after Mexico(which I have been to along with the southwest, and it is pretty dry, hot, and not very shady). These things won't be a surprise for me because of all the great info here.

And the two times we stayed at Dxl, I noticed also the buses at the parks seemed like they were the furthest out, and CSR was always up front. Must be because of it being a convention hotel, at least that is what I was thinking.

Sorry again your stay wasn't up to your expectations. I am glad though that so many people DO like CSR. Can you imagine if everyone wanted to get in to one or two of the WDW hotels??? I'd never be able to get a room!! It's hard enough as it is.

 

[Buzz2001]

well said mom

 

[marijeff]

Too true about everyone wanting the same resort! It's nice that there is a wide variety of themes to choose from! I had some great food at pepper mkt. Great wet burrito and dh had a great caesar salad. Just wasnt the easiest with kids 5/8.