Thanks for the info everyone, very helpful. We are staying in a standard room, so I am going to have to look at the map of the resort to see all the potential spots we can be placed. And go through he monstrous threads that were sent to me so I can learn all I can about CSR!
Thanks again!
We always book a standard room at CSR and request the cabanas section. Cabana 9B is business class (new this year), but the rest are standard and waterview rooms. We like cabana 8A the best - very close to the Dig Site pool and close to the cabanas bus stop. Other favorite standard room requests are casitas 4 and 5 (near the casitas bus stop, fitness center, and lap pool) and ranchos 7B (near the Dig Site and the ranchos quiet pool). Ranchos 6A and 6B are about as far as you can get from the main building, so if you don't want to walk, you might ask not to be there. The front desk CMs are very accommodating if the resort is not full, but you can request a location in advance as well.
Preferred rooms are casitas 1, 2 and 3. Business class is cabana 9B. All other buildings have some standard rooms.
The distance around the lake is not even a mile, and the farthest ranchos building is about a half mile from El Centro. I don't know how it could take anyone 20 minutes to get anywhere at CSR unless you walk very slowly - I can walk around the whole resort in less than 20 minutes.
We have stayed at CSR four or five times and have always had great stays. The rooms are nicely appointed and the beds are among the most comfortable of any resort at Disney (better than Poly, AKL and OKW, as nice as the Boardwalk beds). The rooms have a sliding door in the vanity area so you can have some privacy while getting ready (and not wake the kids if you are traveling with kids).
Bus service has always been excellent for us at CSR. The buses to/from the parks stop first at the casitas (bus stop #2), then ranchos (bus stop #3), then cabanas (stop #4), then the main building (stop #1). Buses to DTD stop first at the main building then go in order around the resort.
CSR has several quick service locations. The Pepper Market is the food court, and people either love it or hate it. It is a bit more expensive than other moderate food courts, but it is a great value on the
DDP. You are seated by a server, who gets your drinks and refills, and brings your silverware. PM has several food stations - you order your food, it is made fresh, and you go eat. You pay at the end. There is a 10% service charge at Pepper Market for your server - some people don't like this, but I would rather pay 10% and be seated, have real silverware, have someone get my refills, etc. than try to find a seat with a tray full of food that is getting cold. You can avoid the 10% by getting your food to go - there are several nice tables out by the lake.
CSR also has Cafe Rix, which is the grab n go quick service restaurant. It can get very busy in the mornings. You can refill your mug here. There is also Siesta's at the pool, which offers food, drinks and mug refills (generally from 11-6 daily). The laguna bar is outside and offers sandwiches, pizzas, etc. It is family-friendly. Maya Grill is the table service restaurant - we haven't eaten there in a long time.
Feel free to pop in the CSR thread and ask any questions - there are lots of helpful regulars there!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3023399
