What's up with Coronado Springs? Is it a terrible resort!!!

[djm99]

My husband is going to a convention in August and its held there. Of course you don't have to pull my arm to get me to Disney World (already cancelled my Disneyland reservations).

Well, the convention is held in Coronado Springs, but that is probably the resort I hear the least about.

Do you not like this resort?

Who's stayed there? How was it? Would you return?

Does anyone have a Trip Report that they did while visiting????

 

[DisneyKidds]

Coronado Springs is a great resort. We've stayed there several times and next to POR it is our favorite moderate resort. The themeing is nice, the pool is one of the better ones, and the resort amenities are better than most of the other moderates. Pepper Market is an interesting combination of counter service/sit down eating that has good food, and there is a nice full service restaurant as well. You'll enjoy your stay.

 

[Greg K.]

I think it may be the closest you can get to "deluxe" amenities at "moderate" rates.

Among other things:

It's the only WDW moderate resort with a health club; it has a hair styling salon; it has a large and elaborately themed swimming and recreation area; you can rent bikes, boats, kayaks, a water mouse or surrey bikes, and you can even fish (catch-and-release) in the lake. There's an extensive system of walking and jogging trails and -- get this! -- the buses go DIRECTLY to the theme parks, without making stops at other resorts! There's also a large and innovative food court, plus a full-service sit down restaurant and a couple smaller eateries for snacks and drinks.

Oh: and this resort is arguably the most beautifully landscaped moderate in The World. We're going there for Thanksgiving, and can't wait!

 

[MEM]

I have to offer a dissenting opinion. It is by no means a "terrible" resort, but in my family's opinion, it lacks the warm and fuzzy Disney magic. It is hard to explain but for such a "hot" resort it left us "cold".

We thought the food at the Pepper Market ranged from mediocre to inedible and we resented the aggressive CMs both there and elsewhere on property.

The Dig Site pool is gorgeous, the quiet pools are often empty and the resort itself seems well-maintained. The buses ran pretty well and the resort is centrally located. Those are the plusses.

It is an attractive resort but pales in my mind next to Port Orleans Riverside which I would argue has the best landscaping of the moderates, the best CMs and the best overall special "feeling".

 

[mm6mm6]

djm99-

First off, it's WDW, there is no such thing as a 'bad' resort!

We stayed at the CSR in 2003. We had been at the CBR in 2002 and just loved the wide open space and true 'resort' feel (as opposed to a 'hotel' feel).

So we decided to try another moderate, the Coronado.

It's outstanding!

Great sized room!

Just beautiful fountains, flowers, shrubs, decorations, building designs, painting, and colors! Gorgeous lake, pure white sand beaches with palm trees and hammocks to lounge on.

We were right by the Dig Site main pool and it's just awesome!

My DD6 loved the pool, it's just huge! I think it's the biggest square foot pool at WDW! We were in it every night and some days. There is a huge stone temple pyramid with a flaming fire at the top. Water cascades down the steps to the top. At 10am, when they open the pool and turn on the water, the guards have all the kids sit on the sets and chant, "Water! Water! Water!" then the water (ice cold!) comes pouring down the temple from the top. It's a riot! True Disney magic!

The Jaguar slide is great fun and my DD6 must have gone down it 200 times! I went down it about a dozen!!!!

The pool side food area refills your mug too, which is very convenient!

You just can't go wrong at the Coronado Springs Resort! You'll love it!

Our pics our at:
http://community.webtv.net/sktracy
http://community.webtv.net/rtteacher
http://community.webtv.net/tipony

(I forget which one has the CSR pics though...sorry)

 

[mom2cinderella]

We stayed there April '03 because dh had to go to a convention. I absolutely loved it! So much so that dd and I are going back in January. I thought the Pepper Market was great and I really like the themeing of CSR - while I don't like the looks of Port Orleans at all! I love how there's something for everyone at WDW.

Michele

 

[HopperFan]

I can't think of one negative we experienced there. I thought the Ranchos were awesome, and would try Cabanas also. We stayed in Casitas and thought they were nice, but I wanted to be by the pool more next time.

Where is Buzz ? He has a great website !

 

[caribear]

We stayed at CSR for 1 night in August and had a wonderful time. The Dig Site (main pool) is awesome and dd (2) did not want to leave. The playground is also very large and one of the best I have seen on property. We stayed in the Cabanas, right next to the Dig site. The view across the lake towards El Centro at night is beautiful. Hammocks in the sand along the lake were very relaxing late at night too. We will definitely be back for a longer stay!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

The only negative that we experienced there was the long walks to get to the main building. Of course that's not different than many resorts and I'll have to say it was my first non-deluxe hotel. I've since stayed at CBR, Pop, and will soon stay at POR and POFQ. My thought after staying at CS was that I would make sure that next time I had a car, but that there would be a next time.

T&B

 

[ahoff]

We stayed at CS a few years ago, and liked it a lot. Pool is great, and we liked the Pepper Market. Was our second moderate, and liked it better than PO. Someone said the walks are long, but they are pleasant, but I am someone who walks to MGM from BW everytime.

We have since bought into DVC, but it seems almost every trip we go to the market for one of our meals.

 

[djm99]

Thanks for your responses. I was getting a little frightened!!! Do we have an "Unofficial everything we need to know about CSR" thread? If so please leave the link or better yet - start a new one!!!!

 

[KevinFSU]

Other than Wilderness Lodge at Christmas time, CSR is absolutely my favorite resort.

 

[ciera321]

We've stayed at CSR 2 times now and wouldn't hesitate to return. The themeing is wonderful and the resort is gorgeous!! I know some don't like the long walks, but I love to walk and use it as an excuse to have dessert every night!! The pool area is great and the Pepper Market is above (IMO) the other food courts!!

 

[Kimickey]

Just check out my sig. I think that speaks volumes in itself

 

[DukeStreetKing]

I've stayed at CSR and loved it! The southwest theming is awesome! My GF and I belong to DVC but since we live in Florida, we like to take quick weekend trips and not use our points. Our next such trip will be at CSR and I can't wait.

 

[Trish5768]

I stayed there in May with my Mom. We absolutely loved it. Its a beautiful resort and its big. We really enjoyed walking around and looking at all the different things. We also got massages at the fitness center. Very nice, definately would go back.

 

[Micca]

Very nice resort. Have stayed there 3 times. We usually go deluxe, but are satisfied with our room when we stay at CSR. The grounds are beautiful. Pepper Market isn't what we would think of as a destination restauant(like Boma or Ohana) but it's ok as a food court for convenience(i.e. you've been in the parks all day and can't take another step but the whole family is hungry).

 

[cobbler]

Coronado is my favorite moderate that I have been to so far. I would not hesitate to stay there again by any means. I loved the resort

 

[DisneyJen0504]

We love CSR! Have stayed there the last two trips.
We have stayed in the Ranchos which we loved the fun theming, close proximity to CSR's awesome pool area and the Ranchos section is a little more secluded and quiet. This past trip we were given a perfect 3rd floor room non smoking with a comp upgrade (it was our honeymoon) to a King Waterview in Casitas. We had the best view overlooking the lake. The rooms at CSR are nice and spacious and we have always found them to be clean and fresh.
The grounds at CSR are beautiful and we always take a few walks around the resort during our visits.
The food court at CSR is by far the best. At the Pepper Market the food is fresher b/c much of it is made to order and you can sit down and have a real meal not fast food meal. If you take it to go you can skip the 10% gratuity added on for having a waitress in the Pepper Market. We have always enjoyed our meals here.
We also enjoyed our previous stay at CBR but found CSR to be so beautiful and quiet and romantic. As for POR, in my opinion it is very dull has never appealed to us when we are planning trips to WDW.
We absolutely love CSR and recommend it to everyone! Best of luck!

 

[maciec]

The first time we stayed there I was not thrilled with the resort at all. However, the second time that we stayed I just loved it. We had a great room in the Cabanas on the first floor and it was just wonderful. We actually got to spend a lot of time at the resort and take everything in. We had great experiences with the food in the Pepper Market. I was pregnant and I ordered a taco salad and the CM hooked me up big time. It was a huge salad and it was awesome tasting. We ate there almost every day and didn't have one bad experience for breakfast or lunch. Oh, except I got a chicken caeser salad once and the chicken tasted funky so I just picked it off and ate everything else.

The dig site pool is great! Plenty of lounge chairs, great refreshment bar. We spent our last day there killing time while we waited for our flight out. They have showers in the bathroom so you can get the chlorine and suntan lotion off of you.

All of the cm's that we encountered we very polite. Actually, one night I got really bad reflux and I needed some milk after the store and Pepper Market had closed, but the CM at the front desk got another CM to open up the store and get me some. They were wonderful.

Here are 2 links to great sites with pictures to a page owned by of our fellow DIS'ers with some great pictures of CSR. link1 link2

I think you will enjoy your stay there, just be opened minded because it's not quite like the other WDW resorts in my opinion.