Planning a trip for mid December, with wife and two daughters aged 11 and 8, thinking about staying at the Coronado Springs Resort. Can anyone give me any tips for this moderate resort. In 2006 we stayed at WL which was great especially the proximity to the MK. How is travel around WDW by bus at this place? Is there a specific building that we should request? Can we swim in December? How is the food there? Do they decorate it nicely for Christmas? Thanks.
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Coronado Springs
- Thread starter joesupra
- Start date
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
I stayed there for the Christmas Season in 2006. The resort is modestly decorated. There is a tree near check in and lights and such are strung through the resort. Nothing that is overkill.
Travel around property isn't a problem from the resort. There are 4 bus stops at the resort, so whatever section you are in will have a bus stop nearby. Bus is the only mode of transport from this resort, so you will use it to get you anywhere on property.
As far as specifics, it is up to what you want to do. I was in the Casitas section and really liked it. The gym is in this area and we were very close to that and the main building area. Take a look at the map and see what you might like from there.
Swimming can be hit or miss in December. You can have a day where it is 80 degrees, and then a day where it is 40 degrees. Weather in the winter is very unpredictable.
The food is a little different here than at other Disney resorts. I have heard that the Maya Grill is good for a sit down meal. I haven't eaten there, so I can't tell you anything from personal experience. The Pepper Market features a very large selection, and handles itself different than any other food court (since it isn't owned by Disney). They will hand you a card when you enter and stamp anything that you want when you walk through. You bring the card to a cashier where you are charged for the food and a gratuity. The prices here are also the most expensive that I have seen at a Disney resort food court. Needless to say, I wasn't a big fan and we only used the resort for mug refills and quick snacks.
Overall, this was my least favorite moderate resort. I would rather stay at Port Orleans (esp French Quarter) than Coronado Springs.
Travel around property isn't a problem from the resort. There are 4 bus stops at the resort, so whatever section you are in will have a bus stop nearby. Bus is the only mode of transport from this resort, so you will use it to get you anywhere on property.
As far as specifics, it is up to what you want to do. I was in the Casitas section and really liked it. The gym is in this area and we were very close to that and the main building area. Take a look at the map and see what you might like from there.
Swimming can be hit or miss in December. You can have a day where it is 80 degrees, and then a day where it is 40 degrees. Weather in the winter is very unpredictable.
The food is a little different here than at other Disney resorts. I have heard that the Maya Grill is good for a sit down meal. I haven't eaten there, so I can't tell you anything from personal experience. The Pepper Market features a very large selection, and handles itself different than any other food court (since it isn't owned by Disney). They will hand you a card when you enter and stamp anything that you want when you walk through. You bring the card to a cashier where you are charged for the food and a gratuity. The prices here are also the most expensive that I have seen at a Disney resort food court. Needless to say, I wasn't a big fan and we only used the resort for mug refills and quick snacks.
Overall, this was my least favorite moderate resort. I would rather stay at Port Orleans (esp French Quarter) than Coronado Springs.
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Coronado is not one of my favorites. It is set up to be more of a convention resort and I do not think you will enjoy you experience there anywhere near to the level that you did at WL. The resort itself is very spread out which can make getting from A to B quite a haul. The food court there can also be pretty polarizing. Either you love it or you hate it...kids generally do not care for it. Due to multiple bus stops around the resort bus travel can be a bit hit or miss.
Generally you should be ok for swimming but it will be game time decision...in central Fl it can be 30 one day and 70 the next.
If you can not do WL again I would highly recommend either Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter. Both have better layouts, are more kid friendly, closer to Magic Kingdom, better food courts, water access to Down Town Disney and in the case or French quarter more consistan bus service
If you need any assistance in planning or booking do not hesitate in contacting me. You can reach me by PM and my e-mail address in in my signature. I would be happy to make you next Disney trip you best one yet.
Generally you should be ok for swimming but it will be game time decision...in central Fl it can be 30 one day and 70 the next.
If you can not do WL again I would highly recommend either Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter. Both have better layouts, are more kid friendly, closer to Magic Kingdom, better food courts, water access to Down Town Disney and in the case or French quarter more consistan bus service
If you need any assistance in planning or booking do not hesitate in contacting me. You can reach me by PM and my e-mail address in in my signature. I would be happy to make you next Disney trip you best one yet.
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This resort is AMAZING!!!! The architecture and overall feeling of this resort are spectacular. You really feel like you are in Mexico/Spain. The giant Mayan pyramid pool is also AWESOME!!! The 100 ft. slide is great, and you can spend hours here. However, this is not the only pool at the resort. There are many smaller, but less eccentric pools conveniently located near almost every section/building.
There is a HUGE lake in the center of the resort. You can rent boats to go around it, as well as bikes to ride around the resort. In the morning, the view of the main lobby from across the lake is stunning!!!
We only ate at the resort for breakfast at the Pepper Market, but we dream about going back. The breakfast items are scrumptious and are influenced by the Spanish Culture. The best breakfast item there is the breakfast burrito, it is really really really good!!!
Plus, since this resort is so large and is a convention center, it is really quiet. There are no children running outside your room screaming at night, and it has a more laid back feeling. It is really nice to be able to come back to your room, after spending all day at a park, where you can relax and have some peace.
We loved it soooooo much, that we are bringing my dad and brother back to this resort for our vacation again this year.
There is a HUGE lake in the center of the resort. You can rent boats to go around it, as well as bikes to ride around the resort. In the morning, the view of the main lobby from across the lake is stunning!!!
We only ate at the resort for breakfast at the Pepper Market, but we dream about going back. The breakfast items are scrumptious and are influenced by the Spanish Culture. The best breakfast item there is the breakfast burrito, it is really really really good!!!
Plus, since this resort is so large and is a convention center, it is really quiet. There are no children running outside your room screaming at night, and it has a more laid back feeling. It is really nice to be able to come back to your room, after spending all day at a park, where you can relax and have some peace.
We loved it soooooo much, that we are bringing my dad and brother back to this resort for our vacation again this year.
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Dwarful
Well-Known Member
I agree with DisneyInsider and Master Yoda on this one. We stayed at CSR for Christmas 2005. We had three rooms with 12 in our group. Our kids wanted to use the pool, the slide was hit and miss on when it was open. Also, we were close to the main area (food/check in) but then we were a hike and a half away from "The Dig Site" main pool area. Christmas morning we witnessed a fist fight at the main bus stop. There is just one general waiting area for all of the buses, so there was no organization. This large group came running up and tried to cut in front of another group and the dad's went at it. What a way to start off Christmas Day.
For us, this just wasn't our most magical resort. We would make it our last resort option. If it was CSR or off site, we'd opt for CSR. But we wouldn't make it our first resort option.
For us, this just wasn't our most magical resort. We would make it our last resort option. If it was CSR or off site, we'd opt for CSR. But we wouldn't make it our first resort option.
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SchultzFamily
New Member
We love the CSR--it is our home away from home. We've never been during the holidays so I can't comment personally on the decorations but I have seen some beautiful pictures (I will send you a private message with a link for the pictures). Yes, it is a convention resort and there has been a convention or two every time we have stayed -- seven times (with numbers 8 and 9 booked). In all of that time, we've seen maybe three people in a suit (and they could have been CSR managers for all we know). The good thing about it being a convention resort is that it leaves the pool and the buses empty. We have stayed, with our kids, at the All-Star Sports, Contemporary and the Poly, and the CSR was by far their favorite resort of all time (they don't travel with us anymore as they are both in college). With the age of your kids, I think they'd like the CSR a lot. There is a fitness center/spa, a sand vollyeball court, the largest hot tub of all the moderates and a great pool and slide.
I can't compare it to WL as we've never stayed. We've visited twice and, although it is a beautiful resort, it is just not our thing--we are not the outdoorsy type and we hated the food at WCC and we had two very rude CM's there when we asked some questions about the resort.
If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to answer them by private message or here. I will go look for that link and send it to you shortly.
I can't compare it to WL as we've never stayed. We've visited twice and, although it is a beautiful resort, it is just not our thing--we are not the outdoorsy type and we hated the food at WCC and we had two very rude CM's there when we asked some questions about the resort.
If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to answer them by private message or here. I will go look for that link and send it to you shortly.
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Victoria
Not old, just vintage.
I just got home tonight from 4 days at Coronado Springs. It was my first time staying there and I absolutely loved it. That being said, I am in my 20s and was staying there by myself. I don't think it is a place that would really appeal to kids. The theme of the resort seemed very sophisticated and adult oriented to me. There are a lot of business people running around in suits and business attire in the mornings. I felt under dressed at times. :lol: Plus, the Rix Lounge is a great bar/nightclub that has been added fairly recently.
Bus transportation was great. There are 4 stops and I happened to be very close to the main building and Stop #1. I also was in a freshly renovated room in Cabanas 9b. I really loved the decor and it far exceeded my expectations. The only drawback I really encountered was the food court. I found it to be unbelievably expensive and time consuming for me to have breakfast there.
All in all, I loved my experience there and I will definitely be back. I am not convinced it is the best resort for kids though. I saw very few of them while I was there. I think a better option could be Carribean Beach or Port Orleans Riverside if you are looking to stay with a Moderate.
Bus transportation was great. There are 4 stops and I happened to be very close to the main building and Stop #1. I also was in a freshly renovated room in Cabanas 9b. I really loved the decor and it far exceeded my expectations. The only drawback I really encountered was the food court. I found it to be unbelievably expensive and time consuming for me to have breakfast there.
All in all, I loved my experience there and I will definitely be back. I am not convinced it is the best resort for kids though. I saw very few of them while I was there. I think a better option could be Carribean Beach or Port Orleans Riverside if you are looking to stay with a Moderate.
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Tip Top Club
Well-Known Member
I actually stayed here during the holiday 2008 season, so perfect timing. First of all, I had a pretty great experiance at this resort. The holiday decor is modest, but on the other hand the check-in area features an icon tree, so what more do you really need.
We stayed in the Casitas which was really nice as it is closest to the lobby and all the restaurtants and gift shops, and not too far away from the main bus stop. Yes there are Bus stops all around the resort, but if you wait at the one outside the lobby, you can go strait to the parks instead of making your way around the entire resort, so we always went there. I would almost reccomend requesting the Cabana section, as it is still close to the lobby area (the Rancheros are on the other side of the lake from the lobby) it's close to the Mayan Pyramid themed pool (which we took advantage of in December, as well as a Hot Tub) There's also a small cafe, and a play area for kids.
The food at this resort...is hit or miss. I would not reccomend the pepper market, it is severly overpriced for food that...quite frankly was dry, unoriginal, and let's just face it, bad. We didn't get a chance to visit the Rix Lounge, or the Maya grill, but I've heard decent things about both of them. My favorite food items were at the Rix Cafe, where I had a small breakfast almost every morning. It's a quick cafeteria style bakery essentially, with danishes, doughnuts (in the mornings obviously) and of course juices etc... and it was a great way to start the disney day for me eating a danish and and some orange juice while overlooking the lake.
All in all, it was a very nice resort, and we had a pretty good experiance.
We stayed in the Casitas which was really nice as it is closest to the lobby and all the restaurtants and gift shops, and not too far away from the main bus stop. Yes there are Bus stops all around the resort, but if you wait at the one outside the lobby, you can go strait to the parks instead of making your way around the entire resort, so we always went there. I would almost reccomend requesting the Cabana section, as it is still close to the lobby area (the Rancheros are on the other side of the lake from the lobby) it's close to the Mayan Pyramid themed pool (which we took advantage of in December, as well as a Hot Tub) There's also a small cafe, and a play area for kids.
The food at this resort...is hit or miss. I would not reccomend the pepper market, it is severly overpriced for food that...quite frankly was dry, unoriginal, and let's just face it, bad. We didn't get a chance to visit the Rix Lounge, or the Maya grill, but I've heard decent things about both of them. My favorite food items were at the Rix Cafe, where I had a small breakfast almost every morning. It's a quick cafeteria style bakery essentially, with danishes, doughnuts (in the mornings obviously) and of course juices etc... and it was a great way to start the disney day for me eating a danish and and some orange juice while overlooking the lake.
All in all, it was a very nice resort, and we had a pretty good experiance.
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TinkSassy
Member
We stayed at CS over Christmas 08. I loved the resort, we were in Cabanas 9b and the walk to the bus stop and main building was really short. As this is the convention hotel the stops at all the theme parks are the closest to the gates of all the moderates. We loved our view of the lake - it was so quiet and peaceful.
We were convenient to the pool, but didn't spend much time there, as we don't tend to swim much on vacation. Especially when the Parks are so close
We were convenient to the pool, but didn't spend much time there, as we don't tend to swim much on vacation. Especially when the Parks are so close
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coltow
Well-Known Member
When we stayed here we were in Ranchos and loved it. It wasn't far from lobby and close to pool. We loved the pool, but were not fans of Pepper Market. My cousin stayed there last year and had big time bus issues. Her thought was that because of so many "convention people" not going to parks the buses didn't come often to/from any where.
We had a great time at POFQ and highly recommend it. It's very small, very nice pool and the food court is great.
Also I can tell you first hand that December weather is wacky. We were there the 8-14. We had very nice weather the first 2 days. We did go to the pool those days, but not for very long. Then it rained for a day and got VERY cold. We all needed our coats and the kids needed their winter hats.
We had a great time at POFQ and highly recommend it. It's very small, very nice pool and the food court is great.
Also I can tell you first hand that December weather is wacky. We were there the 8-14. We had very nice weather the first 2 days. We did go to the pool those days, but not for very long. Then it rained for a day and got VERY cold. We all needed our coats and the kids needed their winter hats.
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MKCP 1985
Well-Known Member
joesupra, what was it that drew you to the Coronado Springs Resort? If you chose it because you like the Southwestern theming around a large lake, you will find plenty of beautiful scenery all around the spacious grounds.
The bus transportation is the best of any moderate. Because many who stay attend conventions on site, the buses are never overfilled, but seem to run as often as any other. I've stayed at Coronado twice and have never had an extended wait for a bus to anywhere I wanted to go, and have always been able to sit.
The Maya pool and jaguar slide are great - not certain about December weather, but the combination with the hot tub should give your children an enjoyable pool experience. I love this pool.
Personally, I enjoy the Pepper Market's food. I don't really get the vocal objections to this. If your kids are old enough to be left in the room for a bit, you may enjoy the hotel bar. It is very nice. Likewise, the Maya grill offers an upscale alternative to the food court.
As for the rooms, they are well equipped with new comfortable queen size bedding. What's not to like?
I've stayed at Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans - Riverside and Coronado Springs is by far and away my favorite among these three.
Enjoy your December vacation!
The bus transportation is the best of any moderate. Because many who stay attend conventions on site, the buses are never overfilled, but seem to run as often as any other. I've stayed at Coronado twice and have never had an extended wait for a bus to anywhere I wanted to go, and have always been able to sit.
The Maya pool and jaguar slide are great - not certain about December weather, but the combination with the hot tub should give your children an enjoyable pool experience. I love this pool.
Personally, I enjoy the Pepper Market's food. I don't really get the vocal objections to this. If your kids are old enough to be left in the room for a bit, you may enjoy the hotel bar. It is very nice. Likewise, the Maya grill offers an upscale alternative to the food court.
As for the rooms, they are well equipped with new comfortable queen size bedding. What's not to like?
I've stayed at Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans - Riverside and Coronado Springs is by far and away my favorite among these three.
Enjoy your December vacation!
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