We just got back on Sunday. The slide was open at least until last Thursday, Nov. 29, not sure about after that. The water in the pool was cold to me.
The hot tub is open until midnight and was never very crowded.
I requested Cabanas 8A (like everyone else) to be close to the hot tub, but got Casitas 3 - just about as far away as you can get! However, I'd made up my mind to be happy wherever they put us, and it was fine. I actually like the look of the Casitas better, and DH was glad to be close to the Health Club. We were also on the first floor, which I wanted but forgot to request (probably a good thing - if they knew I wanted it, I'd have ended up on the top floor - LOL)
We had a couple of Mousekeeping issues when we checked in. The top of the armoire had trash and crumbs all over it, and there was no coffee. Since it was 2 am I waited until the next morning to call. They sent someone over immediately with 4 packages of coffee and the Mousekeeper arrived within 20 minutes. No problems after that with Mouskeeping.
The beds were okay for the first few nights (except that we're used to sleeping on a queen size and DH and I are both Pooh-sized, so it was cramped). The 4th or 5th day we both woke up with a back ache, so I think the mattress was too soft for us.
We ate at the Pepper Market twice, plus DD got a late-night calzone a couple of other times. It was okay - the food was pretty good and not too crowded, but we did eat at off times - around 4 in the afternoon and around 7:30 at night. The first time we got it "to go" and ate outside by the lake. It was really nice and peaceful! We saw a huge turtle swimming in the lake.
Buses - just like everyone has said - never very crowded (except at park closing and even then not bad). After staying at PC many times and having to walk to the very last bus stop, I was so excited to find out that the bus stop at the MK for CS is the first one!
We decorated our windows with Disney Christmas clings and the 3rd day someone stole the one with Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore

I did take a picture and I'll try to post it later. I walked around and only saw one other window decorated.
Final thoughts: We really enjoyed CS and would definitely stay here again. I've stayed at all the mods and this is my 2nd favorite (after POFQ). We've mostly stayed at values in the past few years and I'd forgotten how nice it is to have a coffee pot, refridgerator, ceiling fan, more toiletries, hot tub, etc.
Really, the only negative, and I know this is not important at all, is that I just can't love the decor. I'm not a big fan of Southwest decor (although the Casitas are lovely), and all the different patterns and colors in the room drive me crazy!