Need CSR help, please!

[2MuchOhana]

Here's my dilema. My family and I are are hoping to go to WDW for Christmas 2008 and New Years 2009. I have seen the pictures of CSR at Christmas time. Thanks Buzz2001 for making them available! The resort looked amazing! I just need that little extra push or words of encouragement to stick with the plan and book CSR.

DH and I are open and willing to give CSR another chance. Our first experience was not what we hoped for or perhaps expected. Sometimes I think you build something up so much that you set yourself for disappointment. I believe that to be true in or case.

This question will seem really silly given the facts. Is it worth the almost $25 extra per night for a water view room? I know there is no private balcony and in general I keep the curtains closed. Yet there was something about that horrible parking lot view we had the last stay that makes me wonder.

Anyone know what kind of actitivies or events they have at Christmas time at the resort? I haven't gone searching for it; but I remember seeing somewhere a few years back that you could actually see a listing of when Santa or characters would come to resort. Not sure if they still do that or not.

So, if you have ever stayed at CSR (espcially at Christmas time) let me know what you like or dislike about it.

Many Thanks!
Jodi

 

[Buzz2001]

Just back from my tenth great trip to CSR!!

I don't think it is worth the extra money for waterview. Since there are no balconies, there is nothing to enjoy. Just put in your request for the building you want when you book your room and then again 5 days prior to check-in.

 

[2MuchOhana]

Thanks for the quick reply Buzz! That's what I was thinking, too. Woo-hoo that will save us a few hundred dollars right there! I think I will need to go see Francisco about a margarita to celebrate!

Can we request a courtyard view or something other than a direct parking lot view? I am not sure which building we would chose, yet. I am not sure that it really matters. We stayed in the Ranchos section last time. The colors were drab which I didn't really care for. I am not sure that would matter this time around since we would probably spruce up the room for Christmas.

I am glad you had another great trip and stay at CSR! Thanks for all the great new pictures! I really appreciate your website, too!
Helps to be informed. It's been a few years since we were there; so it's nice to know about the changes like Cafe Rix.

Thanks again!
Jodi

 

[Buzz2001]

Depending on what building you request, it may not have any parking lot views. Not many do.

Cabana 9b is close to bus stop 1 and the main building with a short walk to the Dig Site (main pool) over the wooden bridge. Most convenient location and most preferred.

Cabana 8a is close to the Dig Site (and playground) and bus stop 4 with a short walk to the main building. (Closest to the Pool)

Cabana 8b and 9a are in between the 2 above. 9a has a quiet pool and is also a smoking optional building.

Ranchos 7b has a quiet pool, is close to the Dig Site and bus stop 4 with a bit longer walk to the main building. 7b is behind cabana 8a.

Casita 1 is attached to the main building and is very close to the restaurants.

Casita 3 has great courtyard and fountain views but you will have to walk or ride the internal shuttle to get to the pool.

Casita 5 has some nice fountain and lake views and is close to the Dig Site but farther from the main building. Close to bus stop #2.

Make your room request as soon as you make your reservation. It’s never too early.

http://allearsnet.com/acc/cro1.htm

 

[2MuchOhana]

Thanks Buzz! I will look it over. Great to know that many building don't have that dreaded parking lot view! Guess we just really lucked out the last time.

Christmas seems like a long way away; but when it comes to resorts I know it's never to early to book or get those requests in!

Jodi

 

[TheresaNY]

CSR Casitas section is beautiful. I have only been there in the summer but can imagine how pretty it is at Christmas ! I love Pepper Market. I wish all the other resorts would follow suit with the food courts because I am tired of standing on lines waiting to pay while me food gets cold and hunting for a table when it is crowded! Pepper Market is fabulous. I would personally request Casitas 2 with courtyard or fountain view. There is a bus stop that isn't too far away as well.

View from our room. Parking lot is immediately to left...

Casitas 1 on our way to our room in Casitas 2:

 

[2MuchOhana]

TheresaNY,

Thanks for the recommendation. I love the pictures! I will definitely keep that one in mind!

Jodi

 

[ElizabethB]

When we stayed there, we booked preferred water view. We were glad we did. Although there is no balcony, we looked out on the lake. We enjoyed the lakeview from our room when we weren't dressing. We were on the top floor and sort of around a corner. There were only a couple of other rooms around that corner so there was almost no traffic going by our winder, which was nice. That, of course, isn't the case with all preferred rooms.

And, we loved seeing the lake as we were coming and going from the room. We were in Casitas 5, which was a pretty good choice since it was not too far from the main pool. It was a bit of hike to the main building. Parking was convenient.

Frankly, I think your bigger worry is the fact that you're trying to go during the most crowded week of the year. If you search on these boards, you'll find numerous posters who were at WDW last Christmas and swore never to do that again. We were once at Disneyland the day after Thanksgiving. We will never do a holiday again at either the CA or FL parks.

 

[karenklo]

I will be there the same time as you at the CSR! We booked a Jr. suite and they are only in a few places so we don't have a lot of choice. But I will see you at the pool!

 

[sullymoscow]

Buzz, You say to put your room request in when booking (which we did) and then again 5 days before departure. Is there any certain way (phone/ fax) that I should put it in and whom should I address when doing so? We are going Dec 6th- 13th and have requested cabana 9B or 8A based on your recommendations but we need connecting rooms one of them being handicapped so I am sure it is not going to be an easy request to fill.
Thanks for all you help.

Lori

 

[Lilolvr]

Make your room request as soon as you make your reservation. It’s never too early.

http://allearsnet.com/acc/cro1.htm

Here is the link.

 

[Buzz2001]

Here is the link.

Thanks!

 

[summerlandjeff]

My opinion: a water view is a waste, ask for a court yard view in casitas...

This may sound strange but we had a better room when we DIDN'T put in a request than when we did! I'll explain;

Our first trip was a business/family vacation with work picking up 4 days and me picking up the other 4. I made the reservation (I was attending a convention) and completely forgot to request a room (non-smoking is what I was thinking). We arrived and were given Casitas 1 (1276) and it was perfect, 2nd floor, fountain and lake view, close to ElCentro and the convention center. Boy did we luck out!

Having such a great experience we booked CSR the next year and asked for a non-smoking room with a court yard view in Cabanas (change of scene from Casitas, what the heck). WRONG move! We got a smoking room with a view of a dieing palm tree near a parking lot ! Since it was Easter, no chance for a room change, oh well. We learned later (too late) that plenty of Casitas rooms were available but the CM thought we had to have Cabanas!

Moral of the story: Nix the water view request and ask for the court yards in Casitas, you won't regret it!