Hi everyone - just a quick post to tell you that we checked into CSR on Friday night and it has been WONDERFUL. I am so glad we decided to stay here then a value during the
free dining plan. We checked in at 8pm and had no wait at check-in - everyone was so helpful. Ryan (who checked us in) was disney magical - so much fun!!! I did request Cabanas on our reservation and sent a fax in a few days ahead of time with my preference of 9B or 8A and we are in Cabanas 8A, 3 rooms all together and on the first floor.

This section is ideal and for our needs, I am glad we are here then 9B anyway. We are steps away from Bus Stop 4 and steps from the Dig Site, which we will use daily on our afternoon breaks.
So after check-in we looked around the resort and it is beautiful!! Our room was clean and it is a perfect size for us. I actually prefer the sink outside the bathroom as opposed to the Poly. Easier for the 3 of us to get ready. The decor isn't my favorite (a little too many colors, shapes, textures) but it is in better physical condition then any other disney hotel we have stayed at - that is more important to me. The beds are actually comfortable and the a/c works well. My sis and her very loud family are next door. Haven't heard a noise thru the walls and my little niece is loud!! No toilets flushing. The overall resort is very calming. No noisy hallway right outside the door so it is actually quieter then the deluxes.
The resort "shuttles" are constantly running. I don't think we have walked more then 60 seconds before we see one and they offer us a ride, if we don't ask them to stop ourselves. The shuttle drivers were also stopping just to hand out mickey stickers to the kids

yesterday morning!!!
The bus service to MK yesterday AM was very slow. We were at the bus stop at 9am and waited until 9:28am to get a bus and watched 2 of every other bus pull thru the stop, my dd was almost in tears as she was so excited for her first day at MK . However, we came back for a break and the next 3 bus waits were less then 5min each. Must of just been a fluke. The lines for the value buses at MK were horrible

but CSR was closest stop

and hardly ever anyone in it. Have seen some convention people here and there but nothing crazy and if it keeps the buses empty, who cares anyway!
Pepper Market - ate there on Friday night after we checked in. I have NO IDEA how anyone can not like that place. YUMMY!!! My parents had chicken caesar salads that had to have had 2+ chicken breasts on it. It was huge and delicious. I had shrimp quesadillas that were perfect and stuffed with shrimp - made to order. My DH had the wok sampler and it was HUGE HUGE HUGE. Oh my - you could probably split that with 3 people and still have leftovers. Our dd had the pizza and no complaints. Our server was always over for refills and we were seated promptly. We didn't start the meal service until Sat AM so we paid OOP for this meal and had no problem paying the 10%. The meals were reasonably priced, esp for the amount of food you receive. Now we haven't been there during a prime time yet so I don't REALLY know what it is like during a busy time but so far so good!
Oh and the frozen orange dreamsicles at Siesta's have already made this trip worthwhile!!
Anway - I am off to Epcot this AM. I will report more later in the week.
HTH everyone!!!
I will posting a brand new thread the next chance I get but wanted to report to the CSR diehards first!!