Coronado Springs Resort

[ourtrip]

We are considering staying at a moderate resort in January for a week. We typically stay at AKL but in the past have done the All-Stars and the Caribbean Beach as well. We like the transportation at AKL since the bus is only "shared" with the AKL vacation club resort and if Blizzard beach is closed there are no stops there.

Can anyone offer some insight into the CSR?

Do the buses stop at other resorts?

How close to the parks? Seems like DHS is in the distance.. We spend a lot of time at AK and DHS and the site description places CSR in the middle of those two.

Food court and restaurants?

Pros & Cons?


Thanks

[GusMan]

Overall, I've had some nice stays at csr. I think it has a nice layout, good transportation, and I like the decor. However, I'm not the biggest fan of the food options on site and that sometimes gets compounded if there are large groups there as well. (after all, it is a conference resort. ).

I would surely stay there again as I think the cons are minor in most situations.

[Drince88]

Coronado Springs doesn't share a bus with other resorts, but there are multiple stops WITHIN the resort. When we stayed there, I only recall going to Blizzard Beach once, and I think that was a 'roundup' tour through the parking lot to make sure nobody was stranded there.

We weren't enamoured with the Pepper Market, which is the quick serve location there. You are seated at a table and the server brings your beverages. You still go to the various stations to get your food, though. They also charge a mandatory service charge (I think it's 10%). For the way my sister and I visit and eat at the resort, this wasn't what we were looking for. There was a very limited menu of hot foods at another location (bakery?) which was a well-used option for us.

The lounge there, is also, more night-club-y then we look for on vacation. We look for a place to relax with an adult beverage at the end of a day that surrounded us with by lots of stimulation - and it was just too much stimulation for us. Some really like that, though -- just not our style.

The grounds are gorgeous, and not quite as spread out as Caribbean Beach, but close. There was a smallish conference when we were there - and I had fun doing an internal taunting of those with nametags ("Ha ha ha, you have to work and I get to go play at Epcot", sort of thing). It was a small happy moment for me! (I was really enjoying not being at work!) I personally didn't care for the room-decor, but some like it or don't care so much about it because of the time they don't spend there. (Heavy carved dark wood divider at the sinks, the only 'artwork' was the mirror over the desk having a dark wood carved frame - the only color was the bed runners and pillow shams.)

It's not top on our list of moderates, but if we were able to get a deal there that we couldn't get at the others, you can bet we would stay there! It was also the first moderate to get queen sized beds, so that was a really nice distinguishing fact for a while.

[buzz2001]

I'd recommend CSR in a heartbeat! Besides having a great main pool area, CSR also offers many deluxe amenities at a mod price.

CSR has queen beds and the rooms have been recently renovated and are gorgeous. The rooms also have a sliding wooden door separating the sink area from the room instead of a privacy curtain like the other mods (can be good for little ones napping in a pack n play).

Amenities include a fitness center, spa, free wi-fi, tanning beds, a sauna, salon, full menu room service and a night club.

The resort offers the same toiletries as the deluxes (except GF). CSR has separate shampoo and conditioner instead of the shampoo/conditioner combo at the other mods and values (a small thing, I know, but it means I don't have to pack shampoo and conditioner).

CSR has the largest hot tub of the mods and one of the longest pool slides on Disney property. The pool, slide and playground area is great and all located in one area at the main pool. The also have the nightly movies, campfires and daily kids activities.

Bus service is terrific and is not shared with another resort.

You'll definitely want to check out my CSR website below. There is also a CSR Forum with lots of information including up-to-date convention and rehab schedules. Have a great trip!

[mxrapu]

I agree with Drince and Gusman about the food service at CSR. In addition to their comments, we found the food service at this resort to be extremely slow. DH waited for a pizza one night at the cafe (mostly cold stuff, but also a limited carry-out counter menu) for almost an hour--and he was 4th in line. Another time he had to wait about 20 minutes for a salad at the Pepper Market. We moved to this resort from the Pop midway through our stay, and the difference in food service was very noticeable.

I also agree with Drince's comments about the room decor. Sometimes the Disney rooms are a bit over the top for my tastes. I actually prefer simple. But I think they went a little too far with the simple and dark decor at CSR.

The kids loved the pool and the slide. We loved the size of the room and the queen beds. The divider between the bedroom and sink area was very useful. All in all, we had a nice stay, but we are not in a hurry to try this resort again.

[scoobydooby]

I've never stayed there but another thread discussed that there was no deep part to the pool. That would be a deal breaker for my family.

[danyoung]

Correct - no deep end at the main pool (I think the "quiet pools" scattered around have a regular deep end, though).

CSR is by far my favorite of the moderates. I don't disagree with most of the negative comments above. Food service is kinda strange, although I usually find something I like from the Pepper Market. The Maya Grill sitdown restaurant is to be avoided - nothing special there. But the big selling point for me is the whole vibe of the place, with the buildings surrounding the beautiful Lago Dorado Lagoon. It's a very plush feeling resort for a moderate price, which all works for me!

I also wanted to make a comment about location. This is one of the biggest mistakes people make about WDW - that location is really that big a deal. While WDW is a big property, it's not THAT big. The difference in a bus from CSR to the MK or a bus from CSR to DAK is maybe 10 to 15 minutes - really not that much difference. You're not walking anywhere from most of the hotels. Course, if you stay at the Beach Club you have Epcot and DHS within walking distance. Or if you stay at the Contemporary you have the MK and Epcot just a monorail or 2 away. But if you're staying at any of the WDW resorts that don't connect directly to a park, distance really isn't an issue at all.

[danyoung]

There was a smallish conference when we were there - and I had fun doing an internal taunting of those with nametags ("Ha ha ha, you have to work and I get to go play at Epcot", sort of thing).

I've worked a couple of conventions at the CSR. And you're right - while I'm schlepping to work with my corporate nametag on, I'm totally jealous of everyone who's just there to vacash!!!

[buzz2001]

Not sure if this is known but the Pepper Market at CSR is a buffet for breakfast and lunch now. Its very good. Dinner is the same as always.

[danyoung]

Is it a buffet in the traditional sense, as in pay one price and be able to eat any of the food items?

[buzz2001]

Yes, you pay one price and its all you can eat.

Breakfast Buffet Adult - $14.99 Child Ages 3-9 $8.99. Ages 2 and under eat free.
Lunch Buffet Adult Buffet $16.99 Child - Ages 3-9 $9.99. Ages 2 and under eat free.

http://coronado.forumotion.com/t1648...-12-pg-3#10255

[danyoung]

Interesting. I liked the scatter service, but I'm anxious to experience the new buffet in September!

[GusMan]

I wanted to elaborate on my comments from earlier. (iPod keyboards are NOT designed for lengthy replies.)
Personally, minus the food offerings, I really think that CSR is a great choice. I love the decor, the simple yet elegant design, and the overall feeling of the place. The transportation was excellent that last time I was there, even with dealing with larger groups. People there were generally friendly - always an important factor.

The queen beds are also really a selling point with me - and they are comfy.

Sure, the resort is somewhat spread out. However, many of Disney hotels are - a point that is somewhat overlooked. I think the transportation system makes up for it.

[miltimo5]

I have only stayed there once and it was a long time ago....right after they opened...our room was quite a walk to the pool (traveling with a 5 yr old in june) who wanted to keep going to the (really cool) pool. but i had asked for a bldg close to the main so that was my choice too.
at the time, we did not share buses with any other resorts...and it was a nicer trip compared to the all star resorts where i usually stay, since they usually stop at all 3 resorts...buses get really crowded

[momof three]

I've never been a huge Coronado Springs fan but have stayed here several time when a great AP/FL resident rate was offered. Up until now it was more of a personal thing. I prefer POFQ. I have to say this change is the nail in the coffin for me. When I have to shell out almost $54.00 to grab breakfast for my kids (13,12 & 8) and I at the only quick service choice at the resort I'm looking else where.

Mily

[GusMan]

While CSR does have a quick serve choice outside of pepper market, its offerings are extremely limited and can get very crowded / overwhelmed to the point where its just not worth it.

In essence, CSR is a place where I think getting breakfast items to enjoy in the room makes a lot of sense.