Returned from CSR! 7/29 - 8/5

[plutospup]

Coronado Springs is a GREAT resort! We've stayed in deluxes, moderates, and All Stars, and CSR ranks near the top of the list. Why...

CSR is a beautifully landscaped resort. The reflections of the buildings on the lake is really quite spectacular. All villages have a unique theme, but are all tied together with the southwestern/Mexican CSR theme.

The castmembers were quite friendly, and really went out of their way to help you. Checkin only took a matter of minutes. The CM was really nice. I'm sure she's the one responsible for the "Pixie Dust" balloons, and autographed Minnie Mouse card for DD8 that arrived on day 2. Also, one young man who worked the snack bar near the Dig Site made sure he had coffee brewed in the afternoon. By day 3 he knew I would be by stopping for iced coffee. At the Pepper Market everyone was helpful trying to explain their system (actually quite simple), and making sure everything was ok.

Housekeeping...Maria, bless her heart...we really aren't messy people at home. I don't know what happens when we're on vacation! Despite the tornado Maria walked into each day, our room was cleaned, and she came up with window designs (stuffed animals, balloons, MouseEars, etc) almost everyday!

The Pepper Market was GREAT! Normally,our WDW lunches consists of hot dogs/hamburgers/chicken fingers. We were on the Disney Dining Plan. The Pepper Market is considered 'counter serve'. So instead of burgers, we enjoyed calzones, chinese, fettucine alfredo, and a rib eye steak, along with smoothies, and all types of deserts. The German chocolate cake was delicous, but then again so was the Tiarmisu, and apple pie alamode, etc.... With the dining plan the Pepper Market is a bargain! Without the DDP though, I'm not sure. None the less is was a great place for a meal.

The rooms were the typical 'Moderate' size. Well themed, and comfortable.We were in Cabanas 8b. Overall, roomy enough for our family of three. Bigger than All Stars. Smaller than 'Deluxes'. BIG ADVANTAGE...central airconditioning! It was very quiet. Much quieter than the airconditioning units at other moderates. This made up for the single sink. The double sinks are nice, but we made do with the single sink. When DW, and DD8 were finished I took my turn.

Parking was very convenient...right down the steps from our second floor room. The only other WDW resort where parking is better is the Ft Wilderness Cabins (right outside your cabin door!). At the WL, AKL, & BC you seem to have to walk a mile just to get to your car!

Dig Site...great pool and playground area-well themed! The Jaguar slide was enjoyed by young and old alike, and was a LOT of FUN! Unfortunately, the hot tub doesn't turn on until 8 am. I'm an early riser, and like to relax in a hot tub while my family sleeps.

Morning Coffee...Although it really isn't far to the Pepper Market from Cabanas 8b, for some reason it seemed like a long morning walk just to get a cup of coffee. Coffee pots are available in the rooms, though.

Proximity to Parks/Water Parks...VERY close to everything! We seemed to be right in the middle of everything. Normally, we drove to the parks, however, when we took busses to MK, and DownTown Disney they were very good, with minimal waits. As much as I dislike busses, I have to admit our CSR bus trips were quite good!

There are my thoughts on CSR! Again, we really enjoyed it, and highly recommend this resort! Any questions?

 

[bab31]

Is that section the smoking optional area where you stayed? And if so how were the rooms there? And how did you find the dining plan? I was thinking of doing that but I am concerned about having to plan where I will be when. Did you think it was finacially better than how you would have normally spent your dollars on food? Did you just get assigned that area or did you ask for a certain area when you arrived? Thanks so much

Babs

 

[JenniferC0025]

thanks were stayinng next month and I'm glad to hear how nice it is. Except it sounds like we'll need the fan for some noise. How crowded was it? How was wait at the pepper market.
How can you tell if its counted as a service meal or sit down? Do you pick one entree dessert and drink for the quick service at one station or from different. Sorry this is our first time and it seems a little confusing

 

[kimberh]

We are staying there on Aug 23. It will be our first time at this resort.

 

[Buzz2001]

Welcome back!! Glad you enjoyed CSR!!!

 

[plutospup]

Our room at Cabanas 8b was a Non smoking room.

Pepper Market...This is a 'counter service' credit.

We normally budget $100 dollars/day for food (DW, DD8, & 'The Pup'), and eat off property, with a sit down lunch at Tony's Town Square, and Teppanyaki. For our 7 day vacation the Disney Dining Plan was less than $700, and we ate VERY well. So for less than our normal budget we had a sit down meal on property, plus character meals, plus GREAT counter service options at Pepper Market.

Initially, I was confused with the Pepper Market, too. After the first day, though, no problem

1. At podium hostess will seat your party.
2. At your table server will take your drink orders (DDP includes smoothies!), and give you a card with blank spaces.
3. Take card to the area where you want to order your meal. As you wait for your food to be prepared a CM will stamp your card. Take your food back to the table.
4. After you eat your entree, go to the dessert area. Same routine. Select dessert, and CM will stamp your card.
5. After you're finished, take your card to the register next to the Pepper Market exit. Pay/use DDP. If you're using DDP your receipt will show how many counter service credits you have remaining.

Pepper Market is THE BEST CS BARGAIN on property when using DDP.
Have a great time at CSR!

 

[tinkamom]

How were the busses going back to the resort at closing? Were the busses so crowded that people had to stand a lot?

 

[Suzyq9241]

any fireworks on site?

 

[TinkrBeth]

We are leaving 9/23 for CSR and I am happy to hear you had a great trip! Can you tell me what deserts your family got at Pepper Market with the DDP? (I am curious about the fireworks also!)

 

[buffalogirl]

Staying at CSR in 3 1/2 months ... awaiting more details from

plutospup.

 

[jmcross]

According to latest reports, all restaurants are excluded from the DDP at Coronado Springs. We thought the Pepper Market and the DDP was a great value.

Check it out for yourself through this link:

http://www.allearsnet.com/din/restnews.htm

 

[buffalogirl]

Aren't the CSR restaurants included until 2007?

 

[plutospup]

Busses...We never found the busses to be overly crowded. At CSR we got on at bus stop #4 (Cabanas), and always found a seat. The last CSR bus stop before the MK however, was at Registration/Pepper Market. A lot of people got on there. Overall, though, it never was too crowded. Our return trips from MK were not bad either. On Friday (evening EMH) MK was PACKED! The return bus to CSR(following Wishes) was full, and people were standing in the aisle, but still not as bad as I've experienced at other resorts.

Fireworks...Yes, you can see some of the fireworks from MGM's Fantasmic. We were by the Dig Site pool one evening when we saw them. Not a great place to view fireworks, but you could see them over the treetops at the Dig Site.

Desserts...ahhhhh, now we're talking! German chocolate cake, chocolate cake, creme brulee, flan, apple pie alamode, tiarmisu, danish, cookies. Yep, they were all good!

Maya Grille...enjoyed a nice dinner with DD8. Not the typical childrens menu. She order chicken parmagian, with a nacho appetizer. I ordered filet mignon, with the crab cake appetizer. Service was good, and we enjoyed our food. Dessert was chocolate ice cream, and vanilla creme brulee.

Disney Dining Plan...Currently available at CSR through the end of the year. I also saw that several EPCOT, Downtown Disney, and CSR restaurants were dropping the plan. I would not be surprised if many restaurants come back on the DDP, but maybe under different terms. As of now the Pepper Market is the best value for counter serve meals on WDW property.

Any more questions? Happy to answer!

 

[kim]

Hi Plutos Pup--

I've got CSR booked for the week before Christmas and we've never stayed there.

Can you tell me the approximate travel time (wdw bus) to each of the parks and DTD?

Thanks!!
kim

 

[plutospup]

Travel time to the MK was about 15 minutes. The other parks were less. Downtown Disney seemed to take forever, but in all honesty it was probably no more than 20 minutes.

 

[Iluvthemouse]

I am so excited to hear your good review. We are staying for the first time at CSR September 15. I cant wait now!!!

 

[Tinkergirl1]

Thanks for the great info! We are heading to CSR on Aug. 23 for nine days. We booked it on the advice of our travel agent. I have been a little nervous as some reviews (Trip Advisor etc.) have been really negative about this resort. Travelling with husband and two daughters. Very excited, we have never been to Disney before. Glad to hear the parking was good, we decided to rent a min-van as we are travelling with daughter who has some medical issues. Thought it might save us some grief.

 

[buffalogirl]

Hello plutospup! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and answering

questions.

I'm even more excited about our stay at CSR

One last thing...just how big is the room refrigerator, is it square like in some

other hotels or is rectangular, like you would use in a dorm room?

Also is there a small freezer section for an ice pack?

 

[bdink921]

Thanks for the review--87 more days until we're at CSR!!!!!

 

[Buzz2001]

Hello plutospup! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and answering

questions.

I'm even more excited about our stay at CSR

One last thing...just how big is the room refrigerator, is it square like in some

other hotels or is rectangular, like you would use in a dorm room?

Also is there a small freezer section for an ice pack?

Yes, it is like a dorm fridge. It does not have a freezer section. It will freeze items if you turn the temp cold enough.