First timer staying at Coronado Springs!

[UPbeekeeper]

Although we have been to WDW many times, our upcoming stay in September will be our first on property stay, and we have chosen Coronado Springs. I've been reading everything I can about the resort, but I'm just looking for some first hand experience from those that have stayed there. It will be me, my husband, & our 2 teens.

What did you love/hate about the resort?
What are some things you wish you had known about the resort before you stayed there?
How are the buses, wait wise & crowd wise?
What was your thoughts on places to get quick service there?
Best drink/lounge suggestions?
Pro/Cons about building locations?

Any other tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well. We are so excited that our countdown is in the double digits!!!!!!

 

[Pooh'sBuddy]

Although we have been to WDW many times, our upcoming stay in September will be our first on property stay, and we have chosen Coronado Springs. I've been reading everything I can about the resort, but I'm just looking for some first hand experience from those that have stayed there. It will be me, my husband, & our 2 teens.

What did you love/hate about the resort?
What are some things you wish you had known about the resort before you stayed there?
How are the buses, wait wise & crowd wise?
What was your thoughts on places to get quick service there?
Best drink/lounge suggestions?
Pro/Cons about building locations?

Any other tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well. We are so excited that our countdown is in the double digits!!!!!!

Have you checked out Buzz's website?

We just stayed there (Ranchos 7B) and loved it. Nothing surprised us since I had done alot of research.

Bus, same as anywhere, can be hit or miss. Our stop was #4. Some times the bus was practically empty, some times, i.e. Star Wars Weekend to DHS, the bus was already pretty full.

We only ate our first evening at CSR. We stopped in at Cafe Rix. I got a chicken caesar wrap while my hubby and boys ordered burgers/hot dogs from the grill. We didn't want to have to pay gratuity at the counter service.

What are you looking for? We wanted close to a bus stop and the Dig Site. If you want to ensure bus space, ask for closer to bus stop #1. If you're on the DDP and want to be close to El Centro, then Casitas may be better for you.

 

[UPbeekeeper]

As far as proximity, I think we'd like to be close to El Centro. We won't be doing much eating there, but I'd like to be able to do quick mug refills in the morning for breakfast in our room before we leave for the day, and also a drink or two in the evenings before we end the day. Close to a bus stop would be next choice, but we don't really mind walking to one either...not a huge priority to us.

We will probably eat only a QS lunch there on our arrival day.

 

[AllyInWonderland]

I'm staying there in October for my "first time" (I had stayed there as a baby, but I don't remember it).

It looks really pretty, the pool looks AMAZING, and I love the Three Caballeros theme. I'm excited!

 

[Pooh'sBuddy]

Buzz's website explains the food options, three areas, bus stops, what is now the club level, and practically anything else you want to know. http://coronado_springs.tripod.com/

 

[DisneyJoe]

It's a large resort.

 

[UPbeekeeper]

Buzz's website explains the food options, three areas, bus stops, what is now the club level, and practically anything else you want to know. http://coronado_springs.tripod.com/

Thank you! I just checked out the bus info and I am so excited to see this so fully & understandably explained. Good info to know. Great website!

 

[Pooh'sBuddy]

You're welcome, and of course, you can ask specific questions here.

 

[Buzz2001]

Thanks Pooh'sBuddy!

 

[wdwstateofmind]

As far as proximity, I think we'd like to be close to El Centro. We won't be doing much eating there, but I'd like to be able to do quick mug refills in the morning for breakfast in our room before we leave for the day, and also a drink or two in the evenings before we end the day. Close to a bus stop would be next choice, but we don't really mind walking to one either...not a huge priority to us.

We will probably eat only a QS lunch there on our arrival day.

Being close to El Centro gives you a walk to the pool

 

[jazzinator]

Although we have been to WDW many times, our upcoming stay in September will be our first on property stay, and we have chosen Coronado Springs. I've been reading everything I can about the resort, but I'm just looking for some first hand experience from those that have stayed there. It will be me, my husband, & our 2 teens.

What did you love/hate about the resort?
What are some things you wish you had known about the resort before you stayed there?
How are the buses, wait wise & crowd wise?
What was your thoughts on places to get quick service there?
Best drink/lounge suggestions?
Pro/Cons about building locations?

Any other tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well. We are so excited that our countdown is in the double digits!!!!!!

1) Loved the pools!
2) Wish I had known that, although some people make a big deal about whether you get a room in the casitas, ranchos or cabanas, I think all three are quite nice and accessible to the Centro. When we stayed at Saratoga Springs, I was shocked how far our room was from the Artist's Pallette (with no real clear markings to get there).
3) Very manageable - and we had 2 scooters in our group due to illnesses.
4) When we went, Pepper Mart was a breakfast buffet which we liked, but now it a la carte again.
5) Only 1 choice - Rix Lounge - but it is very nice, business/adult atmosphere.
6) I think any of the locations are great.

 

[pluto13]

What did you love/hate about the resort?
What are some things you wish you had known about the resort before you stayed there?
How are the buses, wait wise & crowd wise?
What was your thoughts on places to get quick service there?
Best drink/lounge suggestions?
Pro/Cons about building locations?

Any other tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well. We are so excited that our countdown is in the double digits!!!!!!

1. I liked this resort, but it is definitely not my favorite. It is very large and my room was far from the bus stop! It was otherwise beautiful!
2. That the bus stop was so far from our room.
3. For buses, see above. Waits were not bad and there were no crowds.
4. Food court was okay.
5. ?
6. They are possibly far from buses.

 

[Bob]

What did you love/hate about the resort? - Best thing about it was the location within The World. It's smack in the middle of all the parks. What we disliked the most was that we got a room set up for disabled guests. Bathroom was extremely inconvenient for my wife as she has a bad back and not having a bath to soak in at the end of the evening was very rough on her.

What are some things you wish you had known about the resort before you stayed there? - That the groundskeepers would be outside working on the property @ 7 AM. Neither of us is morning people so having a lawn mower and leaf blower going right outside that early wasn't our preferred way to be woken up.

How are the buses, wait wise & crowd wise? - depends on where your room ends up being. We were close to the main lobby which ironically makes you the last stop @ the resort. Makes for lots of full buses when you're being picked up and a long, long, long ride at the end of evening.

What was your thoughts on places to get quick service there? - they were OK, nothing to write home about.

Best drink/lounge suggestions? - there is great little bar right outside the lobby which is set up right next to the lake.

Pro/Cons about building locations? - some rooms are going to be much closer to the main pool than others....which can make quite a difference on such a large property.

 

[CheshireCat12]

Although we have been to WDW many times, our upcoming stay in September will be our first on property stay, and we have chosen Coronado Springs. I've been reading everything I can about the resort, but I'm just looking for some first hand experience from those that have stayed there. It will be me, my husband, & our 2 teens.

What did you love/hate about the resort?
What are some things you wish you had known about the resort before you stayed there?
How are the buses, wait wise & crowd wise?
What was your thoughts on places to get quick service there?
Best drink/lounge suggestions?
Pro/Cons about building locations?

Any other tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well. We are so excited that our countdown is in the double digits!!!!!!

1. Love the plants, the lake, the beauty of it all! Also the Dig Site pool.
2. I studied Buzz's website THOROUGHLY before I went- and I stayed two years in a row! So no surprises either time since I did my research
3. Buses- sometimes they are very fast, other times you get a number of buses until the one you want- but this happens everywhere. We were near Bus stop 4 our first visit, Bus stop 3 our second visit. Easy. Buses were almost never crowded except once at Epcot closing. A/C is VERY COLD on the buses though.
4. QS dining- here is where I feel CSR could do so much better. Pepper Market has some tasty food but is overpriced and the service at the food counters not so great. Cafe Rix is too small for the number of people it services- most people seemed to skip the Pepper Market for the Cafe and when the conventioneers were at lunch it was crazy. But the food was good. Gelato, pastries, grill sandwiches- but my fave was the salad with the salmon on it which had some kind of asian glaze- so good.
5. Pepper Market makes a good frozen Margarita.
6. A lot of people don't like Ranchos but I will choose it every time. We stayed in 7B and 6A- both are near bus stops and the rugged ambiance is very nice. Not close to El Centro but truthfully we never minded the walk and if we wanted something there we planned to stop on our way back from the parks (as long as it was not too late).

 

[NiarrNDisney]

To answer your questions:

What did you love about the resort? - I think CSR is one of the most beautiful resorts on property and since it has many of the amenities that the Deluxe resorts have it makes it a great choice when you are trying to save money.
What are some things you wish you had known about the resort before you stayed there? I would have taken a look at the resort map so I could pick my room.
How are the buses, wait wise & crowd wise? - It has been my experience that the CSR busses are the best of the resorts, it's not a large resort (CBR) and it does not share busses with another resort (POR&FQ).
What was your thoughts on places to get quick service there? - Cafe Rix is great for a quick bite, Siesta's is great for when you are at the pool and Pepper Market is one of the best CS restaurants on property.
Best drink/lounge suggestions? - Laguna Bar for a drink or two, Rix Lounge for a party night
Pro/Cons about building locations? I prefer to stay in the Casitas (1,3, or 4) and the Cabanas

 

[copcarguyp71]

Good reading here... http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/disneys-coronado-springs-resort/reviews.htm

My own review:
We stayed at CSR in 2012 in the Cabanas buildings. We absolutely loved this resort! The grounds are beautiful and my daughter and I enjoyed an early morning walk every morning while the Mrs was putting her face on for the day. The staff gave excellent service and I would say their attentiveness was even better than the deluxe resorts we have stayed at. The rooms are a little lacking in color and theme but we liked the fact that there are actual doors between the bedroom and bathroom areas. I never understood why a shower curtain in this capacity is in any way acceptable at other mods. The pool area....WHOA! In my opinion this is second only to Stormalong Bay at Beach Club but the huge difference in cost per night more than makes up for that. The pool is beautiful in theme as well as landscaping and layout. The water slide is tons of fun and they have kids activities all day long. Although we did not take advantage of it they have the largest hot tub on Disney property here. Bus service is great as the resort does not share busses with any others. There are four bus stops on the resort so the size of the resort does not really effect walking distances or crowding in our experience. The main buildings and dining are all very nice as well. Lobby and gift shop are great and the Pepper Market are all a grand slam in terms of themeing and quality. Nice outdoor patio area for dining and sitting in the evenings enjoying a drink from the outdoor bar area. In closing let me say that this is the ONLY resort we ever booked a return trip to. We usually like to keep trying new experiences but our trip was so great there that we re-booked for 2013 and have no doubt in our mind that our stay will more than live up to our expectations.

 

[Shere_Khan]

Although we have been to WDW many times, our upcoming stay in September will be our first on property stay, and we have chosen Coronado Springs. I've been reading everything I can about the resort, but I'm just looking for some first hand experience from those that have stayed there. It will be me, my husband, & our 2 teens.

What did you love/hate about the resort?
What are some things you wish you had known about the resort before you stayed there?
How are the buses, wait wise & crowd wise?
What was your thoughts on places to get quick service there?
Best drink/lounge suggestions?
Pro/Cons about building locations?

Any other tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well. We are so excited that our countdown is in the double digits!!!!!!

1. Loved the theming, loved how quiet and serene it felt, loved that the beds were queen sized, the rooms felt a little newer and nicer then the other mods. Loved the multiple bus stops, loved the Ranchos! Loved the outdoor bar right by the water. Loved not sharing busses with another resort.
Disliked....well I actually dislike Mexican food so El Centro had little that I was interested in. Rix cafe had normal items for snacks and breakfast items. The Pepper Market breakfast also had American offerings so I made it work. That was my only complaint.

2. Nothing really I wish I had known. I was expecting to not like it as much as PO but still want to try something new. Worried I wouldn't like it, was more then pleasantly surprised.

3. Busses were great. No worse then anywhere else I have stayed (all stars, pop, PO, Caribbean beach, boardwalk). Actually I thi k they were less crowded and better. I still think CSR is a little off people's radar so I just don't think it is as busy.

4. As I said, hate Mexican food, but Rix Lounge was a great place to grab drinks and appetizers, Pepper Market's breakfast was all I experienced and I liked it, Rix Cafe had every little thing you might like, and I have not yet eaten at Maya Grill so I can't comment.

5. The outdoor bar on the water is the best. Can't recall the name but you can't miss it. If weather is bad Rix Lounge is quite nice.

6. We stayed in the Ranchos which we loved. Close to a bus stop. I really wanted to stay in the Cabanas with the nice hammocks and beaches outside. We are staying in a club level room in the Cabanas this December so I am excited to try that. The Casitas to me are not as attractive or desirable but I've never been in any rooms over there. It seems more convention guests get placed there. I would imagine if you booked a standard room and didn't pay for a preference you will be placed in the Ranchos first.