Just returned from CORONADO SPRINGS: Any Questions?

[jwsteelman]

We always request the Ranchos because it always seems quiet and secluded there. I have read posts of people complaining of how far away the Ranchos are from El Centro, you can ride any park bus to get there. We have never had any kind of bad experience at Pepper Market or anywhere at CSR for that matter and we have stayed there five times so far. We will be there 9/19- 9/30 for free dining again at CSR. Again thanks to Buzz for introducing us to CSR back in 2003.

 

[Buzz2001]

WHOA! I did not know that! Interesting.
Is it just the Pepper Market employees that are not Disney emploees does the same go for other areas of CSR?

I think it is only the PM but not 100% sure about the Maya Grill.

 

[lynninpa]

welcome back

Thank you for your report! We are headed to CSR in October, so I'm looking for great reports like this! I'm hoping for Casitas or Cabanas, but even if I get Ranchos I'm sure it'll be fine. There was a thread about the staff being rude which worried me, but I'm happy to see that it didn't take away from your stay.

Yes, we encountered some miserable employees, yet only at The Pepper Market. And then there was the service at The Maya Grill...After speaking with a CM at the front desk, I found out something interesting. The staff at both eateries are not Disney employees. And no, there was no way a few miserable people were going to take away from an otherwise wonderful stay at CSR!

 

[famsen]

Yes, we encountered some miserable employees, yet only at The Pepper Market. And then there was the service at The Maya Grill...After speaking with a CM at the front desk, I found out something interesting. The staff at both eateries are not Disney employees. And no, there was no way a few miserable people were going to take away from an otherwise wonderful stay at CSR!

Oh, please do tell about the service at Maya Grill. Thanks.

 

[lynninpa]

Thanks so much for answering all the questions.
I have one more: What do you mean by the "mood" of the employees putting a damper on things? Did you encounter this everywhere at CSR or was it specifically at Pepper Market?

We had a similar situation at PORFQ last year. It was really only the employees at the food court that had a bad attitude. They seemed to REALLY not want to be there and were so depressing. I realize no one really wants to get up and go to work each day but I expect CMs to be at the very least, pleasant. The CMs at PORFQ food court (and now that I think about it, the bartender at the poolside bar) were not happy campers and actually bordered on being rude. They never engaged in conversation and just took your order with a sour expression and gave our food like we were bothering them. Other than that, I really liked PORFQ. I was wondering if this was similar to your experience at CSR.

Yes, we encountered some miserable employees, some downright rude-yet only at The Pepper Market. And then there was the service at The Maya Grill...After speaking with a CM at the front desk, I found out something interesting. The staff at both eateries are not Disney employees. Everyone else-the DISNEY CMs wer absolutely wonderful!!

 

[lynninpa]

Although a bit off topic, I did have a question. During our last visit we stayed at the AKL; however, I just booked an unplanned long weekend (with mom) in early December, as neither of us have ever been down during the holidays. I booked "room only," as we have tickets from our last visit. In addition, I already made reservation for the Candlelight procession and Mickey's Merry X-Mas.

In terms of the hotel, I want to stay at a moderate, as I will be leaving on my "planned" vacation a couple of weeks later and do not want to spend too much at WDW. I made reservations yesterday at the Coronado since I read relatively positive reviews on the property. I had also considered the PO French Quarter, but no rooms were available. Rooms were; however, available at the CBR and POR. It will only be myself and my mother, and she is in very good health so walking is not an issue. I read that the Coronado tends to attract fewer families with children, as it is a convention hotel.That is always a plus for me. Given that I have never stayed at any of the moderates, is Coronado a good pick. We will be spending relatively little time at the hotel, but I do want to make an informed decision.

At least when we were there, the ratio of conventioneers to families seemed to favor the conventioneers. Yet it is also a fabulous resort for families, too! I think the way the resort is layed out is what makes it so relaxing and peaceful.

 

[lynninpa]

Thanks for the review! We stayed at CSR for the first time in January and we LOVED it.... so much so that we are headed back for 9 nights in September. Just reading your posts intensifies the excitement and anticipation for me... can't wait!

Glad you had a great trip.

Since my posts help to "intensify your excitement," it only seems fair that you take me with you in September. Deal?

 

[lynninpa]

I'm glad you ahve a had a good experience, I'm getting married at disney next year and have booked here and made our friends and family stay here as well!! We normally stay at all stars but wanted a little bit extra this time. I have been on tripadvisor and there is mainly bad reviews on there and I was worried I had made a bad decision

Rest assured, Coronado Springs is a wonderful place to stay!

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Welcome back. Thanks for the CSR info. We will be staying there in a few weeks. A few more questions?

1. How was the bus service (if you used it)?
2. Was the main pool crowded?
3. Were you at all bothered by the conventioneers?
4. What time did you check in? Was your room was ready right away or did you go do something else until your room was ready?

Thanks a bunch!
tink
*cabana girl wanabe at CSR*

 

[lynninpa]

Woo-Hoo! So glad to hear a good trip report for CSR! We'll be there in less than 2 weeks and we can not wait!!

Deb*

Have a wonderful adventure!

 

[lynninpa]

We had requested Casita 3. Knowing a request is just that-only a request-I was disappointed when we were given Rancheros. Yet the manager was incredibly wonderful and got us a room in Casita 3 although other CMs checked and all verified that the Casitas were all full. The magic started with that wonderful manager! /QUOTE]


To each their own! Our family prefers the Rancheros. We don't go to the reception area much and we hardly ever eat at the resort. My DW likes the decor at the Rancheros and the convenience of both the bus stops and main pool. In fact, at this time, 4 weeks from today, I should just be finishing up at the registration desk and heading for the pool with the DW and 2 DD's!

Four weeks from today?! I am so jealous!! Seriously, have a wonderful time!!

 

[lynninpa]

One week from today, I'll be checking into our room at CSR. This will be our second trip to CSR.

Beth

How wonderful! Have a great trip!

 

[lynninpa]

It sounds like you had a wonderful trip!! That's awesome!!

I'm going with my DH and the kids in September and we chose to stay at the Coronado Springs Resort after MUCH research!!

After reading all your answers it sounds like we made the right choice!!

I must say, I have heard alot of feedback where it is mentioned that some of the staff (particularly in the PM) is not as friendly/helpful as they would have liked. I wonder why? Well, it's not stopping me from going!!!


I have a question though.....is there a microwave available? Either in one of the restaurants or for a fee in your room?

Edit:
(I saw a pic of a microwave in Buzz's un-official site - Is that for guests to use?)

Actually, I am Amy in RI- not Lynn in PA. I needed a "secret identity" as I was planning our Fortune Cookie Surprise Grand Gathering last year. I found out during our stay that the staff at both the PM and at The Maya Grill are NOT Disney employees. The DISNEY CMs were fantastic! There is a microwave in The PM near the dessert station that guests were using when we were there.

 

[lynninpa]

Thank you very much for your posting on CSR. DH, DD5 and I are staying there for the first time in December. We have stayed at CR, Poly, YC, BC, AKL, CBR, and whatever the heck Dixie Landings is now, but never at CSR, so we are looking forward to it. From your postings, it sounds like we have made a good choice.

My DH, DS and I can not wait to return to Coronado Springs!

 

[lynninpa]

WHOA! I did not know that! Interesting.
Is it just the Pepper Market employees that are not Disney emploees does the same go for other areas of CSR?

When we were there we were told that the employees at both The PM and the Maya Grill were NOT Disney employees yet everyone else working in CSR are Disney CMs-who were absolutely wonderful and many times went out of their way for us and other guests.

 

[lynninpa]

I think it is only the PM but not 100% sure about the Maya Grill.

We were told by a few CMs that The Maya Grill used to be owned by Disney but is now also run by an outside company. One of the CMs went into great detail and seemed to know just what she was talking about.

 

[lynninpa]

Oh, please do tell about the service at Maya Grill. Thanks.

We had breakfast there as we wanted a quiet relaxing breakfast at the resort one morning. The atmosphere was just that-very relaxing and quiet-just wonderful! The food was basic "buffet" food yet everything was so fresh and warm and the fruit station had a huge variety of fresh yummy fruit. The coffee was quite good-although we never got a refill...onto the service...The place was basically empty with our server only having two other tables besides us. He started off as the perfect server. Yet as he walked away, he turned and asked if we were on the Dining Plan. After we said yes, he smiled and walked away. That was the last time he ever came to our table although he was standing close by at the server station during most of our meal. He asked the next table that was seated after us the same thing yet they siad "No, we are not on the dining plan." Man, I kid you not-they were treated like Royalty while we never got refills on juice or coffee and our dirty dishes were never removed-still piled up when we left. Just wanted to add that we have been on the DDP 3 years in a row now, including the free Dining Plan and never thought until now that people were treated differently on The DDP.

 

[lilyv]

Can you walk to Animal Kingdom/Animal Kingdom Lodge from CSR? Just wanted to know if it's do-able. If you have any tips or directions, I'd be very appreciative!

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

We have'nt stayed at CSR yet our first trip will be aug/sept and we are very much looking forward to it. We have gone to the hotel to check it out and eat at the pepper market. When I went over to the section with the chinese food the cook their was in a very bad mood I placed my order and waited as the food was being cooked and he was slamming things around and rambling on to himself I could'nt wait to get my food and go sit down. I think the food is good and I like the way you get your food first and eat and then pay instead of standing in line at other resort food courts with your tray of food waiting to pay. I did'nt like the way the people that serve you your drinks hang around so much while you are eating, we only ate there twice about a year apart and had the same server she stood very near our table the whole time I guess the place was'nt busy enough at the time we went, maybe it's just her that does that. Anyhow we did enjoy the food and that was one of the reasons we are staying there since we will be on the ddp and also buzzes website and I mostly here good things about CSR it is a very pretty resort.

 

[lynninpa]

Welcome back. Thanks for the CSR info. We will be staying there in a few weeks. A few more questions?

1. How was the bus service (if you used it)?
2. Was the main pool crowded?
3. Were you at all bothered by the conventioneers?
4. What time did you check in? Was your room was ready right away or did you go do something else until your room was ready?

Thanks a bunch!
tink
*cabana girl wanabe at CSR*

1. How was the bus service (if you used it)? We had no problems with the bus service at CSR There are 4 bus stops and so staying in Casita 3 we had stop 1 and stop 2 close by. A little hint: Bus stop 1 was usually the last stop and so the buses were a bit crowded at times so we often went to bus stop 2.
2. Was the main pool crowded? We went to the main pool twice and both times there was plenty of seating available and the pool never seemed crowded although there were many people enjoying the pool.
3. Were you at all bothered by the conventioneers? Not at all! I actually felt bad for them toting their briefcases to the convention center as we headed off to the parks.
4. What time did you check in? Was your room was ready right away or did you go do something else until your room was ready?We checked in about 5 pm. We knew our room would be ready that late in the day. We checked in and went straight to our room, only stopping to make a quick call home. When we opened the door to our room, we found that our luggage was there-it had arrived before we did! How cool is that?!