Coronado Springs Questions About This Page:

[peedeejones]

Hi everyone!
I just started contemplating our next trip to WDW. We stayed at the CBR last July. Previosuly we stayed at Wilderness Lodge, Dixie Landings and the Contemporary. I am the kind of person that likes to try new things. We are considering the Coronado for this July. I need opinions on what you thought of it. Is it true they will close the main pool down for conventioneers? How often does this happen. What about the food service. I hear that it sometimes is not so great. Would you say it is better than the CBR and Dixie Landings? My other more expensive option(by about $65 per night) is the Animal Kingdom. I am not sure if I can take the animal-themed thing for a whole week. Any thoughts on that? You guys on this board are great help. It was through your advice last year that I was able to get the exact room I wanted at CBR last year. Help me again!

Thanks
Jennifer

[Fortissimo]

Hi peedeejones, it's great to have you back!

Have you read Jennifer and Dave's trip report on the AKL yet? Yes there is a lot of animal theming going on there, but I think there is a lot more to the AKL than just animals.

I haven't stayed at either resort so I can't answer your question. But, if AKL is only $65 a night more, I think that I would try to split my time between the two resorts. That way you can get a taste of CS and not grow tired of the AKL themes.

Rmemeber, I'm available to carry your bags for you if needed!

(Yes I do know how to spell "remember" correctly. It's just that sometimes my fingers have minds of their own!)


[This message has been edited by Fortissimo (edited 04-23-2001).]

[MrsPotts]

Hey there! I've stayed at all three you mentioned, and IMHO, rated best to worst, DXL then CS, then CBR. I stayed at CS in January and while there were conventions going on, I didn't notice the pool closed. CS is very nice. The theming is great, just less Disney theming I felt. The food court is not a traditional food court like at CBR or DXL, so if you plan on using that be prepared. Actually, the food court really bugged me.

When you go into the food court a server takes your party to a table and gets your drinks for you. They give you a check, and you take it from food station to food station getting what you want... pasta, mexican, chinese, bakery, salads, etc. Most stuff is made fresh which was good, but the prices were high I felt, AND you automatically pay a 15% gratuity when you check out. I think this was the only draw back to the resort.

The rooms are no different than CBR or DXL, except that there was no 'shelf' above the sink.

All in all it was very nice except for the food court. If you liked CBR and DXL I don't think you'll be disappointed!

[maggy_1]

Hi Jennifer ! If you want more info about CS try this link: http://steve.howland.org/coronado/resort.htm

Think this help

Chantal

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[Evie5253]

Hi Jennifer,
My DD and I were at CS April 8-10, and it is truely a beautiful place, but the one thing to remember about it, is it is HUGE! We had requested a room in the "Cabana's" and were lucky enough to get what I think was one of the best rooms in the place. We were in Cabana building 9B, over-looking a beach and a small lake (we did not even request a water view!) This is the closest building to the central buildings and restaurants. The Pepper Market is a very nice food court, but like Aurora18 said, you do have to wait to be seated. You even have to wait to pick up a card to just go in and get refills on drinks. I would prefer to be able to come and go in the food court, like in the other resorts.The rooms are very cheerful, and colorful!! We enjoyed it very much, but I don't know how enjoyable it would have been if we had to walk 20-30 minutes from the buildings furthest out!
Evie

[peedeejones]

Thanks everyone so much for the advice. I booked five nights at the Coronado Springs for July for $126 a night. I thought that was a pretty good rate for that time of year(yesterday I was quoted $149. One more question: does the CS have refillable mugs?
I am sure I will be quesitoning my resort choice until we get there but, hey it's WDW! It's great just to be there.

Jennifer

[kecall]

You won't be disappointed at CS! Since you like to try "new" things, then you will enjoy the adventure...The two main drawbacks that are mentioned consistently are that it's sooo big and the "negatives" of the food court....As long as you are prepared for the size of the place, then you won't be
caught off guard there... As for the food court, I personally felt it was superior to ANY other food court that I had been too.
I can see the problems with not being able to
"grab and go" as quickly, but with patience
you receive a meal that is more than a burger and very tasty!! We never had to wait long either (though we were there in September!) Have fun......and I'd be glad to carry your bags too.....and you know what? If you take me along, I'll go wait for your table at the food court for you! (I'd even be your own personal "room service" if you'd prefer!) (I promise I'll be so quiet that you'll hardly notice that I'm there).....hope you'll consider my "services"
LOL

[maggy_1]

Yes, peedejones the have refillable mugs . You can see them if you go on the link I make an early post. Still waiting for your report because I plan my trip 08/25 2002 at the same resort and hope it was a great place .Let me know...


Chantal

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[All Ears]

Peedee,
I think you will really enjoy CS. DH and I stayed there 10/99.
It is a very spacious and pretty resort. I felt very "at home" there.
Here are my recommendations for how to make your stay even more "magical:"
1. Request a "corner room." It will give you more light & feel "more airy."
2. Request a room near transportation lines. This resort is very spread out -- so you will cherish this "benefit" after an exhausting day in the parks. (our room was in the Ranchos section, building 6B. -- this was not too far from the buslines and close to a quiet pool and a short hike to the main pool. We were, however, quite far away from the main building. But we could quickly jump on the bus & ride it to the main building stop -- if we so desired. But since the resort was so pretty, we didn't really mind the walk.)
3. Look at what you value most & make your decision based on the same -- ie. buslines vs. food court vs. pool, etc. What will you use most? Call CRO with your requests as soon as possible.
4. Eat some meals here. B/L/D -- they are ALL good! The food court, IMHO, is the BEST! I absolutely adored the food court here. DH and I never encountered large crowds or hefty waits. This resort does cater to a business crowd -- so the "business folk" do eat at the resort a lot, but I never felt it was a problem. The food is wonderful. I HIGHLY recommend the waffles with carmelized banana topping in the morning. I still crave them! There are so many choices here. You will pay a 15% tip for basically "buffet type" service, but I felt the food and attentive staff made up for that.
5. Keep an open mind. It IS a different atmosphere, but it is also a very nice and comfortable atmosphere. All of Disney's resorts offer a different kind of feel. CS is no exception. It definitely
has a more "adult feel" to it (the resort), but I think families would really admire the beautiful pool, the surrey bike rentals, and the great atmosphere.
I hope you enjoy your stay. I would be happy to help you out with any additional questions -- just post here or e-mail me directly.
All Ears

[MINNIEsota MOUSE]

Just had to put in my 2 cents! I can't say enough good things about CS! We stayed there for the first time Nov 2000 with our teen daughters and also just DH and I in Jan 2001 for my 40th bday! We got AP in Nov so are hoping to go back at least once more before Nov this year! WE would definately stay at CS again!

We stayed in the Cabana area both times. Loved the hammocks under the palm trees! It was very quiet both times, didn't see much convention action. It was cool also both times so didn't use the pool very much. We were close to the main pool and also to a quiet pool.

We did get the refillable mugs at the pool snack bar. We pretty much just used them here (at the pool - although it was to cool to do much swimming, being from MN we did spend some sun time by the pool - Great Pina Coladas at the pool bar! unfortunately could not get these in the refillable mug! )

We did go to Pepper Market and refill them a couple of times - once when we ate there and once just walked up there - this was kind of a hike though just for a refill. Also it was a hassle to get your refill pass go to the drink bar fill it up and hand your pass back in at the cashier! We did not care for the Pepper Market! It was real pretty but very confusing and did not have helpful staff. I did try to have the Banana waffles - but they were out of bananas!

Our room the second time was great! We were just going to get a room with 2 double beds because it was cheaper but could only get a King size bed. Booked this for 2 nights and then were going to hop to a different resort. After staying there in Nov, decided that we just wanted to stay there the whole 9 days! I called for reservations and made them for a double room for the remaining 7 days - also checked to see if they had a double for the first 2 nights. They didn't but just said to let them know when we checked in that we had 2 reservations. When we checked in they said we would have to come back on the day that the reservations changed, but that we would be staying in the same room! So we got the King size water front room for the additional 7 nights for the price of the double room! I don't remember the difference but it was pretty good!

We also liked how convenient it was to AK, Epcot and MGM. Most of the time we found it much quicker just to drive to these parks! The buses were pretty good - didn't usually wait to long. It also seemed that the CS bus stops at the parks were closer to the entrances than alot of the other resorts.

Didn't mean for this to get so long but I have MAJOR DISNEY FEVER and thinking about the good times I got carried away! I'm sure you'll have a great time!!!!!!!!!!!

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Karen