The *NEW* Coronado Springs FAQ Thread (Part II)

[buffalogirl]

My Quick Review - we stayed 9/9-9/14....had a wonderful time!!! We stayed in Cabanas 8a, closer to the laundry station between 9b/8a....which I ended up using, very convenient (bring lots of quarters ;-))

The room was very clean, service was nice....we did end up eating at Pepper Market a few times....our first time was lunch and it was super crazy since there was a convention going on and must have just gotten released for lunch. I ended up waiting at the kids station for over 3 minutes before asking another station to come help me...and it was our first time using our QSM dining option, and the restaurant host was not helpful in explaining how it worked..the kid drinks were ordered at the table, but supposed to be included with their meal at the station, they didn't charge us extra, must be a common mistake. I liked all the choices and checking out was very easy IMO. We also ate breakfast and dinner there over the 5 days....those experiences were much better since it wasn't super busy. Some of the custom choices took longer to cook, but were always done in a few minutes.

We loved the dig site, the kids (and us) enjoyed the slide and DS enjoyed the sand area. We also rented the family bike and toured the resort, it was a lot of fun!

The bus service to the parks was very convenient, and I loved the fact that Coronado Springs was always the first or so bus stop to come back to the resorts, less walking. We did have to stand on the bus a few times at park close time, but that is expected.

My tip for Sept: Bring ponchos - it rained every night, we even missed some shows because they had to cancel them with the lightening being too close....saw many many people buying the Disney ones - not sure what the price was, but ours were $4 at Walmart.

Thanks to everyone on here for helping me prepare and plan - my DH was very thankful for the tips I had learned before we arrived - it really was a magical stay at Disney!!!

Photos around Resort:

Great review, love the pics!! Thanks for posting.

 

[Lilolvr]

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to quickly post about my first moderate stay that I just got home from late on the 12th.
It was my sister and I and my DD11. We usually stay in a deluxe (GF or Poly), but we really loved CSR. The grounds were beautiful, I thought the staff was very friendly, and my sister loved the fitness room and running/walking trails. My DD11 loved the food court, and it never seemed that crowded in there to us. It was a little confusing, but we did not eat in there much. The food portions were huge! My sister loved the taco salads there.
The last day we were there there must have been a huge conference or something, because the Magical Express check-in at 8 am the day we left was very crowded, as well as the ME bus to the airport, and the PM later that day was crowded too. I was very happy to be leaving because there were ALOT of people there for that gathering/conference.

The best part for me was the busses! I don't know if I just hit it lucky, or CSR is the best on property, but everytime we got to the bus stop there was a bus to our destination waiting. Alot of times we had to hurry because it was already there. And if there was not one there, I never waited more than 5-10 minutes, save 1 or 2 rare instances where it was closer to 10. They always took notice if someone was running to the stop and would wait for them. I appreciated that, and was not used to that from the monorail . Our bus stop locations at the parks were also one of the closest to the entrances. MGM, Epcot, and MK coming to mind.
Having always rented a car, and using the monorail, it was so convenient to get to the parks.

We requested Cabanas or Casitas and got Ranchos , but we did check in a little later in the evening. They were sold out (Labor day weekend) but were able to get us into 9B on Labor Day (we checked in on Saturday evening, so not bad.) We loved the location of Cabanas 9B!
Every time we had something to work out with the hotel, including the room switch, the staff was very nice and friendly.

All in all, it was a great trip, and I would not hesitate to stay at CSR again!

Welcome back! Thanks for posting!! It's my favorite mod too.

 

[Lilolvr]

My Quick Review - we stayed 9/9-9/14....had a wonderful time!!! We stayed in Cabanas 8a, closer to the laundry station between 9b/8a....which I ended up using, very convenient (bring lots of quarters ;-))

The room was very clean, service was nice....we did end up eating at Pepper Market a few times....our first time was lunch and it was super crazy since there was a convention going on and must have just gotten released for lunch. I ended up waiting at the kids station for over 3 minutes before asking another station to come help me...and it was our first time using our QSM dining option, and the restaurant host was not helpful in explaining how it worked..the kid drinks were ordered at the table, but supposed to be included with their meal at the station, they didn't charge us extra, must be a common mistake. I liked all the choices and checking out was very easy IMO. We also ate breakfast and dinner there over the 5 days....those experiences were much better since it wasn't super busy. Some of the custom choices took longer to cook, but were always done in a few minutes.

We loved the dig site, the kids (and us) enjoyed the slide and DS enjoyed the sand area. We also rented the family bike and toured the resort, it was a lot of fun!

The bus service to the parks was very convenient, and I loved the fact that Coronado Springs was always the first or so bus stop to come back to the resorts, less walking. We did have to stand on the bus a few times at park close time, but that is expected.

My tip for Sept: Bring ponchos - it rained every night, we even missed some shows because they had to cancel them with the lightening being too close....saw many many people buying the Disney ones - not sure what the price was, but ours were $4 at Walmart.

Thanks to everyone on here for helping me prepare and plan - my DH was very thankful for the tips I had learned before we arrived - it really was a magical stay at Disney!!!

Photos around Resort:

Welcome back! Thanks for posting!! It's my favorite mod too.

 

[Lilolvr]

Just got back from Coronado (with free dining)!

We were in 7B Ranchos (again). We had an excellent mousekeeper! Everyday a different animal or set up! The kids (and DW) loved it.

We were very close to the laundry facilies and used it for the first time at CSR. The washers and dryers were high capacity and worked very well (they were much better than those on the Disney Cruise Line (which we were on the week before). Granted they were $2 a load and the DCLs were $1 a load... but in this instance you got what you paid for.

I had one very positive laudary experience. We had some stuff in the dryer. Went to Chef Mickey's for dinner. When we came back, all out clothes were folded for us (how nice)!

We had a very positive Pepper Market experience as well. After getting all our food my younger DD has a hissy fit as she now wanted the same meal as her older DD. The server got us the meal she wanted and did not charge us for it (very nice of her). Have her a special tip.

***BTW free dining is quite a deal****

A post a while back spoke about low water pressure in the showers. Fearing it I brought down a wrench and new shower head. I did not change it as I thought the flow was fine.

In addition I did not see the need to override the AC. I thought is was fine as well (and I was there starting on Aug 31).

Welcome back! Thanks for posting!! It's my favorite mod too.

 

[Lilolvr]

Hi,
We were there over Labor Day weekend. We had room 8241 in the Cabanas. Buzz was right on. Are building was close to the dig site and pepper market. My only complaint was the room smelled like smoke. I called the front desk and asked the guy if it had been a smoking room. He said "the resort is non smoking" I told him I know as of June. But I asked him if it had been a smoking room. He said no apoligized and said he would send housekeeping up to deodorize. I don't know if he did or not but the room still stunk. It was really bad when you walked in then I guess after a while we got used to it. Until we walked back in. Now my DH use to smoke a few years back but he would always smoke outside were ever we were even at home. So it really pisses me off that people are so disrespectful. . Anyway if I had to do it over again I would have asked to be moved. We got home and the clothes smell like smoke. Even the ones that we didn't wear. But the resort was pretty it was our second time there. Not to impressed with the pepper market but I don't have anything to compare it too. We normally don't eat at the resort food court. My kids had the pasta and they loved it. I had the bourban chicken just ok. DH had the quesadillas and hamburger. He said it was ok but not enough. Boy mayby I should rethink the Dinning Plan. The CM's were very nice. Oh DH said the pool looked dirty. I didn't get a chance to check it out I had a huge headache. I told him the Disney doesn't use chlorine so mayby it looks different. My husband takes pride in our pool water so mayby he just wanted to pat himself on the back . Anyway besides the room smell which had nothing to do with resort just some jerk who smoked in the room. It was great. Sorry it just bugged me about the clothes smelling. I'll try to post some pictures later.

Welcome back! Thanks for posting!! It's my favorite mod too.

 

[Lilolvr]

We also just returned from CSR, thanks buzz for all the advice we loved it and already booked it again for next Aug/Sept. We also stayed in the Cabanas 9A, what a great location not far from El Centro or the digsite and we loved the quiet pool for a quick dip, after the parks. My DH threw in some laundry and sat by the quiet pool and read the newspaper which he got right at the machine by the laundry room, there are also bathrooms at the quiet pool and the pools were open till 12 am. We enjoyed dinner at the Maya grill and lunch at the pepper market. The food at the poolside snackbar was just okay, but more convenient than drying off and going into the foodcourt like the values, and plenty of tables for eating and plenty of poolside chairs. A couple of times we caught a ride on the courtesy shuttles they have riding around the main walkways. Everyone was very friendly and helpful with any questions we had. It's a very peaceful and relaxing resort even during the labor day weekend. We can't wait to return. Linda

Welcome back! Thanks for posting!! It's my favorite mod too.

 

[lustergirl]

Good Morning Everyone and Happy Monday!! I've got 73 days until my first stay at CSR and I am so excited, wish I was leaving tomorrow...

 

[Lilolvr]

Hi! We just got back from CSR, also our very first time staying on Disney property, and we loved it. We stayed in the Ranchos 6A room 6102, the room was great, not a bad view, and not a far walk to the pool. The resort is very pretty in the morning with the reflection on the water, I really liked our area with the rocks and the cactus. We saw bunnies in the morning, those white birds with yellow beaks, and of course the lizards. On our last day as we were leaving my husband didn't see the poor toad on the ground and stepped on him, the poor thing made a pop sound like a balloon breaking when he got squished. I wanted to throw up.
I didn't find the walk to and from the Pepper Market bad at all, we had breakfast there twice and dinner once and it was fine.
The buses were great, with little or no wait, only one time we had to stand and that was late at night. I though that the ride times to the parks were very good, with the longest being to Downtown Disney.
We must have kept our room the cleanest our maid has seen because we were always getting notes saying thank you and your the best, I kept it the way I would keep my own home, bed made, towels folded and garbage in it's place. No towel animals though, and yes we always left a tip.
All in all we really enjoyed our 25th anniversary and I hope we can stay on property again.

Thanks for sharing! CSR is my favorite resort too!!

 

[disneymoon_0307]

We leave tomorrow night for check in on Wednesday. This is my first time staying at CSR. We requested Cabanas 9a or 9b. Quick question...does anyone know where the conventioners stay? Is Cabanas a good choice? I know it is just a request but I want to make sure it's a good request. Thanks!

 

[Lilolvr]

We leave tomorrow night for check in on Wednesday. This is my first time staying at CSR. We requested Cabanas 9a or 9b. Quick question...does anyone know where the conventioners stay? Is Cabanas a good choice? I know it is just a request but I want to make sure it's a good request. Thanks!

Cabanas are a great choice. Convention guests are limited to one area.

 

[Diznejen1]

Hi Everyone!!

My DH and I are taking a three day weekend break from work( we both work in retail and December is a BEAR) December 14-16,2007. We have never stayed at CSR and are very much looking forward staying at a new and exciting resort. Does anyone know if things will be different in December? Pools closed? Are they heated? Any unique activities going on at the resort that we shouldn't miss?
This thread has been SO helpful! Thanks a bunch!

 

[disneymoon_0307]

Cabanas are a great choice. Convention guests are limited to one area.

That's great. There is an IRS convention going on while were there and I want to avoid them at all cost.

 

[JSDisneyMommy]

Cabanas are a great choice. Convention guests are limited to one area.

I am a former meeting and event planner who did a conference at CSR in 2000. Perhaps things have changed since then...it was 7 years ago...but we had our staff staying all over the place. As the head of the event, I was placed in Casitas 1, but I had other staff members and convention goers who were placed as far away as the Ranchos...

Any other meeting planners out there who can offer some more current info??

 

[Lilolvr]

I am a former meeting and event planner who did a conference at CSR in 2000. Perhaps things have changed since then...it was 7 years ago...but we had our staff staying all over the place. As the head of the event, I was placed in Casitas 1, but I had other staff members and convention goers who were placed as far away as the Ranchos...

Any other meeting planners out there who can offer some more current info??

Oops, I meant to say NOT limited to one area. They are all over.

 

[JSDisneyMommy]

Oops, I meant to say NOT limited to one area. They are all over.

I'm sure they wish they were limited to one area...

 

[Buzz2001]

Correct, the convention guests are not limited to one area of the resort.

 

[darlene9947]

This is silly, but do the buildings have elevators?? I can't walk down stairs as easily as walking up, so elevators are nice. This is my first time staying at CSR and I am looking forward to it. I am attending a 4 day meeting in Oct. and have an additional 3 days booked to have a little fun! I'm going to try to get a Casitas building to be closer to the convention area.

Looking forward to my first MNSSHP!!

 

[Buzz2001]

This is silly, but do the buildings have elevators?? I can't walk down stairs as easily as walking up, so elevators are nice. This is my first time staying at CSR and I am looking forward to it. I am attending a 4 day meeting in Oct. and have an additional 3 days booked to have a little fun! I'm going to try to get a Casitas building to be closer to the convention area.

Looking forward to my first MNSSHP!!

Yes, all the buildings at CSR have elevators.

 

[JSDisneyMommy]

Buzz,

Did you happen to know anything about the Mickey head straws that might be for sale in the food court?

 

[DznyDreams]

We brought a twin size (self inflating) air mattress with us on our trip and it was a little tight we moved one bed over to the wall and put the air mattress in the middle we thought about moving the table and chairs on the other side of the armoire but then my DS could'nt watch the TV before going to sleep, my ds14 was happy to have his own bed, although this is not the perfect set-up we prefer to stay onsite and we really enjoyed our stay at CSR and we will do this again on our next trip. Linda

It's good to know this. I am hoping to secure a rollaway when we check in, but I'm going to bring along our Aerobed just in case one is not available. DH & I sleep in a king at home, so we'll all need our own beds. DD11 is way too restless at night for me to be able to sleep well beside her.

ROLLAWAY Questions: Is it better to ask ahead of time for a rollaway, or is it okay to wait until you check in? Also, I assume that since I’ll be paying for the rollaway that Mousekeeping will take care of this bed the same as the 2 doubles, right?