Just returned from CSR...

[MomPOM]

and while it is a beautiful resort, I can't say that we would stay there again. Like I said, the resort itself is beautiful. Lots of palm trees and the lake. Unfortunately, that doesn't really save it. I really, really, really wanted to like it and while I didn't hate it, I can't see going back.

Some of the things I didn't like:

1) The food. We did a lot of eating at the resort and it is RIDICULOUSLY expensive. $15 for a quesadilla? Seriously? $10 for what is basically a large slice of pizza? This is not a cheap place to eat and the quality is just not that great.

2) it's really too spread out. We were in Casitas 3 and that was after begging and pleading to not be in Casitas 5, completely out in no-man's land. After walking in the parks all day I really don't want to have to walk all over creation to get to the pool or my room. Yes, I know they have those golf cart things but good luck finding one and good luck trying to figure out where to catch it. Why is the pool all the way away from the main part of the resort? Unless you're lucky enough to be staying in the buildings near the pool you are taking a long trek there.

3) The noise in the rooms. Now, the walls are insanely thick cement so I don't know how the heck sound is traveling but I could hear every single word from the neighbors next door.... at 12:00 at night.

4) Room decor. I know they are redoing the rooms so I feel bad even listing this but the old decor is horrid. Those staying in the new rooms will be much happier.

Good things? CMs were wonderful. The buses ran quickly and efficiently with little crowding. The beds were FABULOUS! I slept so well (except for the snoring hubby). Panchitos market was a cute little place. The outside bar is a very cozy place to sit and relax.

I know there are CSR devotees and I know nothing I say wil sway them from their adoration but I wanted to give my two cents.

 

[Mortimer Mouse]

and while it is a beautiful resort, I can't say that we would stay there again. Like I said, the resort itself is beautiful. Lots of palm trees and the lake. Unfortunately, that doesn't really save it. I really, really, really wanted to like it and while I didn't hate it, I can't see going back.

Some of the things I didn't like:

1) The food. We did a lot of eating at the resort and it is RIDICULOUSLY expensive. $15 for a quesadilla? Seriously? $10 for what is basically a large slice of pizza? This is not a cheap place to eat and the quality is just not that great.

2) it's really too spread out. We were in Casitas 3 and that was after begging and pleading to not be in Casitas 5, completely out in no-man's land. After walking in the parks all day I really don't want to have to walk all over creation to get to the pool or my room. Yes, I know they have those golf cart things but good luck finding one and good luck trying to figure out where to catch it. Why is the pool all the way away from the main part of the resort? Unless you're lucky enough to be staying in the buildings near the pool you are taking a long trek there.

3) The noise in the rooms. Now, the walls are insanely thick cement so I don't know how the heck sound is traveling but I could hear every single word from the neighbors next door.... at 12:00 at night.

4) Room decor. I know they are redoing the rooms so I feel bad even listing this but the old decor is horrid. Those staying in the new rooms will be much happier.

Good things? CMs were wonderful. The buses ran quickly and efficiently with little crowding. The beds were FABULOUS! I slept so well (except for the snoring hubby). Panchitos market was a cute little place. The outside bar is a very cozy place to sit and relax.

I know there are CSR devotees and I know nothing I say wil sway them from their adoration but I wanted to give my two cents.

Thanks for your honest opinion......

 

[Buzz2001]

Thanks for sharing. Sorry it wasn't for you.

 

[kapoof]

hi neighbor i'm from wheaton!

we were thinking of staying csr next trip but we are also interested in the akl. so it might be a toss up. thanks for your review. i know what you mean about not liking the room decor, i felt that way about wl. glad you had a good trip overall!

 

[KatMark]

No, you won't sway me. But I do thank you for your honest opinion and am sorry it wasn't for you. Thanks for trying it.

 

[cassmat]

And we liked it, but just as a regular hotel...we too could hear our neighbours...
The Golf carts? The driver we found once told us, that they only have one that is used for passengers, and I thought he said it only ran at night???

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Welcome back. Sorry you didn't enjoy CSR as much as you had hoped. We felt the same way when we stayed there last spring. I agree, it is a beautiful resort (I think all the moderates are beautifully done), but there were several things we didn't care for either. I'm glad we tried it but we wouldn't go back.

Hope the rest of your vacation was great!

 

[MAGGIED]

I can understand... that's how we felt about our recent stay at CBR... it just wasn't for us.... we actually love CSR... we are going to try POR for our trip in May... right now if I was to rank the moderates... in our book it would be CSR, POFQ and then CBR... we always pay the extra for a preferred room so maybe thats has made a difference in our stays at CSR...

hope the rest of your trip was great!!

 

[MomPOM]

we always pay the extra for a preferred room so maybe thats has made a difference in our stays at CSR...

hope the rest of your trip was great!!

We had a water-view room but it didn't really matter.

Like, I said, it is a gorgeous place. You can really lose yourself there. It's very quiet and peaceful. And for those of you worried about convention people.. don't. There were a couple of them there when we visited and I rarely saw them. A few would be in the lounge area at night but otherwise they weren't around. The enormous group of Argentinian teenage girls however. Yikes!

Seriously though, if the resort were a bit smaller and the dining issue was different it would be a perfect resort. I don't think we'll try any other moderates as I really feel that CSR is the best of them. Perhaps Caribbean Beach so our son can have a premium room.

I will say though, I would consider a stay at CSR again if we were to get a Club Level room (if they are ever available again) and found the dining plan more cost effective to use.

 

[frdeb1999]

THanks for posting your review. Nice to hear different opinions on resorts.

 

[KatMark]

We had a water-view room but it didn't really matter.

Like, I said, it is a gorgeous place. You can really lose yourself there. It's very quiet and peaceful. And for those of you worried about convention people.. don't. There were a couple of them there when we visited and I rarely saw them. A few would be in the lounge area at night but otherwise they weren't around. The enormous group of Argentinian teenage girls however. Yikes!

Seriously though, if the resort were a bit smaller and the dining issue was different it would be a perfect resort. I don't think we'll try any other moderates as I really feel that CSR is the best of them. Perhaps Caribbean Beach so our son can have a premium room.

I will say though, I would consider a stay at CSR again if we were to get a Club Level room (if they are ever available again) and found the dining plan more cost effective to use.

I will agree with you. The Pepper Market is very pricey. I guess we don't pay attention to it as much because we are on the dining plan so it really doesn't affect us. I think the reason is it is higher is because of the set up, the portioins are bigger and the fact that it is not owned by Disney and geared toward the convention group and those people probably get their meals reimbursed.

You will find that the CBR is just as spread out and large as the CSR, but if you try and pay for a preferred room it might be a little closer to what you want to be close to. We always stay in Casitas 5 at CSR and love that section.

Again, I'm glad you tried the CSR and liked some things about it. We appreciate your honest review.