Nervous about Coronado Springs....

[_19disnA]

I never put much stock in online reviews on those various travel sites. Typically you get the chronic complainers who are never satisfied or those are overly dramatic and turn a small issue into a crisis.

 

[malialaine]

Two years ago my 18yo DGS and I stayed in Casita 4, I had just stayed 3 weeks before at POFQ, (which has not reopened yet). I picked CSR because it was cheapest, he only wanted to go because his sister had just gone for a cheer event. It was perfect for us. We were right by bus stop #1 and caught bus easily. For the cheer event this year I had booked POFQ. but since it is closed they moved us to GF, that’s another story. The cheer event was moved from February to April, they rebooked us to CSR at less than $1000 for 5 nights. I refuse to stay at CBR, no elevators. I have booked for November, DH wants to do anniversary celebration so I booked the tower. It was $100 more a night than the casitas, but figure we would try it.

 

[DisMom79]

Have you already made your park reservations? I know availability is extremely limited the next few weeks.

Also, a tip with mobile ordering. Don't wait until you're hungry to order, especially if you plan on eating at busy times. This goes for resorts and theme parks. Order as soon as you can and choose a pick-up time. If you wait until you're hungry, say at noon, you may find you cannot get a pick up time for several hours.

Yes, made park reservations first thing! I tried to go back like four days later to switch something but HS was already filled all days (all had been available when I made mine).

 

[DisMom79]

Two years ago my 18yo DGS and I stayed in Casita 4, I had just stayed 3 weeks before at POFQ, (which has not reopened yet). I picked CSR because it was cheapest, he only wanted to go because his sister had just gone for a cheer event. It was perfect for us. We were right by bus stop #1 and caught bus easily. For the cheer event this year I had booked POFQ. but since it is closed they moved us to GF, that’s another story. The cheer event was moved from February to April, they rebooked us to CSR at less than $1000 for 5 nights. I refuse to stay at CBR, no elevators. I have booked for November, DH wants to do anniversary celebration so I booked the tower. It was $100 more a night than the casitas, but figure we would try it.

I was watching videos on tik tok last night. The towers looks so much brighter and nicer than the casitas (obvi new) but the casitas are closer to food.

 

[cmarsh31]

Line to Mercados is out the door... because it starts at the door.

 

[DisMom79]

Line to Mercados is out the door... because it starts at the door.

Hahaha semantics sheesh. See this is why I came here for actual truths. Thx. And since I haven’t been I don’t know these things.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’ve been reading on TripAdvisor and a few other sites that CS has been a nightmare lately. Can’t get in the pool, horrendous bus waits can’t get food, mobile order taking 2+ hours, grab and go lines at Mercado out the door... etc. I’m not gonna lie I’m scared.... I’ve decided to use Lyft and I’ve made a few dining reservations but since we only booked a month early there’s not a lot available.

We’re essentially first time WDW... My husband and I went once in 2001 kids have never been. We’re frequent DL goers who need our fix and decided to jump on the great prices. I’m not sure what I’m asking... someone to tell me it’s not as bad as they say? I’m also hoping since spring breaks will be over it will be better. Any advice appreciated. TIA!

Hi fellow DLR vet!!

Lyft instead of buses is the right call. The size of WDW will blow your mind. There are literally express ways within the WDW property, it’s crazy to someone used to DLR. There are “quiet pools” you can use instead at CSR if you don’t need the features of the feature pool, they’re reported to be quieter than the feature pool. Pool Bar at the feature pool is accessible to anyone so you can grab stuff and take it to go if you’re after the bar.

Let me throw you a curveball now...
Did you consider Swan/Dolphin? I ask as I didn’t even know that hotel existed on my first trip to WDW. I have not stayed there yet but some info- they are sister Marriott Properties located on WDW property on the lake that all the epcot resorts are on, even shares their boat transport system. Might be worth pricing out as there are more food options if Epcot is only a boat ride away (food festivals!) and you have park hopper tickets. Lots of folks staying in the epcot area get park hopper tickets so they can do dinner in epcot. You can boat or walk to EP and DHS from there. BUT- make sure to add in the daily resort fee when looking at the cost. Dolphin has double beds, Swan queen beds so you’d want Swan.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Yes.... reviews in question were from March. Probably spring break. I keep telling my husband, most spring breaks are done by end of April. Why were you really unhappy at Coronado?

it was a split stay first half pop second corando.
We were put in the casitas a week after they reopened. The gift shop was not open, no snack food available when we got back from the parks.
Even the vending machines were removed.
Ordered Door dash and I had a long walk to the tower to pick up food. The room was not really ready for us. It was obvious that it sat for 6 months the shampoo had rust in it etc. Most of those issues have been worked out by now.

We moved to the tower the next night. I think
we just really like Pop. It's a really busy resort everything was open skyliner etc. It was basically the same room set up.
We did not use the pool because it rained almost everyday we were there but it looked nice
Did not have any issues with the buses except on our HS day but that was prior to the new way of getting boarding pases.
Took a uber down the road to the convenience store next to dolphin to get what we needed they are open late (if not 24/7 by now)

 

[disneyseniors]

One last question... we’re in a preferred room in casitas, should I switch to a tower room?

We have stayed in Casita bldg 3 before it was "preferred". We loved the tropical atmosphere at the casitas. It was close to the main building for food court, etc. If we went back to CS, we would definitely book the preferred rooms. Even the preferred rooms are farther than most preferred rooms, IMO.
I loved the rooms too. They seemed bigger than other resorts, though I know that's not true. Have a great trip and don't be afraid of those reviews.

 

[Piglet77]

We just got back on the 30th and really enjoyed the resort. We have stayed in most of the deluxe resorts and this was our first time at a moderate. I got a great deal on Hotwire thanks to the info on this forum : )
We were there at a busy time so sometimes there was a wait for buses. I would say the average was about 15 min. There were two days that we took a cab because the line was long and I'm impatient lol. Mercado was very easy. They monitor how many people can go in but we always had food within 10 minutes. I didn't try the mobile ordering at Coronado, but when I did in the parks we made our order early and didn't have an issue.
There were 2 days when there was a wait at the pool. We just went to the quiet pool which was fine while we were waiting. It seemed like lunch time and after dark were the busiest. If I had known, I would have gotten on the list earlier but it really didn't effect our trip.

 

[JennyDrake]

I was there in February! Bus service was fine! We only went to Rix, where we were seated and served promptly. Didn't try for the pools... We stayed in the tower and it was an awesome experience!

 

[Nabas]

I was there in February! Bus service was fine! We only went to Rix, where we were seated and served promptly. Didn't try for the pools... We stayed in the tower and it was an awesome experience!

When we were at Rix in November, they had the sound turned off on all the TVs, despite most other patrons wanting to listen to a game. We asked, the manager stopped by, and he would not turn up the volume.

We were told that there had been some sort of incident the weekend before.

Was the volume up on the TVs when you were there?

 

[Disneymomma18]

Can anyone speak to what is currently being served over at el Mercado? We’ll be staying April 18-24 and I’m trying to figure out if I need to plan all eating away from the resort or if we’ll be able to get a decent lunch while we break midday. I have a 1&2 year old so a Caesar salad or turkey sandwich is probably not going to work. Hoping for some chicken nuggets or a cheeseburger option. TIA

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Can anyone speak to what is currently being served over at el Mercado? We’ll be staying April 18-24 and I’m trying to figure out if I need to plan all eating away from the resort or if we’ll be able to get a decent lunch while we break midday. I have a 1&2 year old so a Caesar salad or turkey sandwich is probably not going to work. Hoping for some chicken nuggets or a cheeseburger option. TIA

Can anyone speak to what is currently being served over at el Mercado? We’ll be staying April 18-24 and I’m trying to figure out if I need to plan all eating away from the resort or if we’ll be able to get a decent lunch while we break midday. I have a 1&2 year old so a Caesar salad or turkey sandwich is probably not going to work. Hoping for some chicken nuggets or a cheeseburger option. TIA

The menus are on the Walt Disney world site.

 

[JennyDrake]

When we were at Rix in November, they had the sound turned off on all the TVs, despite most other patrons wanting to listen to a game. We asked, the manager stopped by, and he would not turn up the volume.

We were told that there had been some sort of incident the weekend before.

Was the volume up on the TVs when you were there?

Funny you ask...I hadn't thought about it, but no, it wasn't.

 

[mindeola]

I can see why some of these things bother people about CS currently. They don't happen to be things that bother me though! Or, I guess they aren't things we really use. We get drinks and on the go breakfasts for our room, so we never need breakfast or the refillable mugs. We don't tend to swim in the day anymore( kids are grown).

I stayed there in December, March, and going back in May. Busses were no more then twenty minutes. each stay . We never had to wait for the pool, but only went at night for the hot tub. We got right into Rix in December with no wait. The wait/virtual queue was crazy for Three Bridges in December. 240 minutes I think? We were able to get in with about a thirty minute wait in March. The waitlist time stated 90 minutes.

It is a beautiful resort and I know you will have great time! You will definitely see why it is called the Disney Bubble!

 

[jennyq87]

One last question... we’re in a preferred room in casitas, should I switch to a tower room?

Just here to reassure you that it's a wonderful resort! Gorgeous grounds, one of the most beautiful lobbies, plenty of places to explore, and tons of food options. If it's in the budget, I would 100% switch to the tower. The water view tower room is our favorite "moderate" room on property, and honestly we'll often choose it over a Deluxe resort. The rooms in the Tower are nicer than several of the Deluxe studios I've been in. It's also nice that staying in the tower provides a covered walkway to food/gift shop in case of bad weather -- a huge plus in my book!

 

[DisMom79]

Just here to reassure you that it's a wonderful resort! Gorgeous grounds, one of the most beautiful lobbies, plenty of places to explore, and tons of food options. If it's in the budget, I would 100% switch to the tower. The water view tower room is our favorite "moderate" room on property, and honestly we'll often choose it over a Deluxe resort. The rooms in the Tower are nicer than several of the Deluxe studios I've been in. It's also nice that staying in the tower provides a covered walkway to food/gift shop in case of bad weather -- a huge plus in my book!

Thanks for the encouragement! We are in a preferred room of casitas... was really not sure between booking tower and preferred. Price was not even different? Maybe only $10 or something, I can’t recall exactly but I was minimal. I went back and forth but finally decided this was close to first bus stop And was remodeled at same time so should be as nice (in theory). Really no idea. Lol. Now the tower is sold out. at least we won’t be waiting for elevators I guess.