Coronado Springs Resort Review

We spent three nights at the Coronado Springs Resort a couple of weeks ago before our cruise. Initially I had booked a cheapie hotel near Disney World but decided to splurge to an on site resort. Life is short, vacation well.

Our inspiration for a three night pre-cruise stay was our dear friends, Lynn and daughter Mary, would be unable to spend time with us after the cruise, but they were in the World before the cruise. Victoria and Mary have spent the last few years running around Disney theme parks going on rides together. We did not want to miss out on some quality theme park action with them!

I used my annual pass for a discount. I believe I could have gotten a similar deal with a Disney VISA card but I used the AP discount. The discount was 84/night and after taxes came to 100/night. We could have stayed in a Value Resort for cheaper but my stay in 2006 was enough value for me. When I called to make the reservation, the man on the phone was so enthusiastic. You've got to love that about Disney employees! He asked if we were celebrating anything special. I told him we were not celebrating any special events. Later in the conversation, he asked Victoria's date of birth. He decided we were celebrating her birthday since it was 'only' a month after! Super!

I had no idea what this would mean, but I hoped it might mean a nicer room, or a balloon waiting in the room, a card or something! I did not make any special requests, opting to 'roll the dice' to see what we would be assigned. It is my hope to someday have stayed in all of the Disney properties, and since the resort was recently refurbished, we chose this resort. This would round out our stay at all of the Disney moderate resorts.

We arrived to the Coronado Springs resort after check-in time and were taken quickly at the reservation desk. A very peppy Asian woman clapped her hands when she learned it was our first stay. When she pulled up our reservation, she clapped her hands together again, along with a hop, and seemed genuinely excited it was Victoria's birthday a month ago. By this time it was pretty hard not to get excited. I was on my tip toes, doing a little bounce of my own, feeling like we had won a prize! She pulled out .... a birthday button and added Victoria's name to the button. Tada!

She showed us a map, gave us our keys, and sent us on our way. We drove to the Casitas area, building 4/close to 5. We were on the top floor and opened the door to find a standard room in great shape. The resort was recently refurbished. In fact, they were working on a building the entire time we were there. There are three themed areas of the resort: casitas, cabanas and ranchos.

The room had a coffee pot, refrigerator and a flat screen television. Instead of a curtain separating the bedroom from the bath/sink area, there are now sliding doors. This added a nice touch. There was a writing desk with a rolling chair. There were two ottoman-like chairs as well. I prefer a table with two chairs over this set up. There was a family staying one floor down from us, visible from outside but able to be heard from inside, who rolled their chair outside as if it was a front porch. Lord!

The doors at all of the moderate resorts open to the outside, not a lobby. It really does not matter to me what view we have because we are not likely to leave our blinds open for passersby to view inside. Despite that, I was disappointed we had a view of the parking lot. In fairness, the view was probably one of the more decent parking lot views, because you had a lovely landscaped entrance to view before the parking lot. I did make a mental note to always make a request when I reserve the room. I think I would have liked to be closer to the main building or the main pool.


View from our room

There was a quiet pool near our building but the kids were not interested in that. You had to use your room towels at the quiet pools but towels are provided at the themed pool. The themed pool was pretty large and had a mayan temple theme. There was no water running down the temple as I had seen in pictures. The quick food service closed at 6pm by the pool. We were disappointed with this because it was our plan to do a quick meal by the pool while we waited for our friends Darlene, Stan and Sandy to arrive that night.

 


The resort is huge. I mean really huge. It just might be a little too large for my liking. It is a convention resort, and I saw many people with leather folders in hand with ties on when I walked to the main building in the morning. Other than mornings, I could not really spot many conventioneers on the grounds unless we were in the main building.




The Pepper Market is the resort's food court. You are seated at a table and given a slip of paper. Your server provides you with a cloth napkin and silverware. The server takes your drink order and stamps your slip. The drinks are refillable. You then walk over to the area and choose your meal from several food stations including: salad/deli, mexican/grill, hot dogs/bbq, pizza/pasta, bakery and a kids' area. It's a pretty good choice for a food court but makes it near impossible for your entire group to have a hot meal together. Victoria was done with her meal by the time I sat down with my meal. The options are good, the prices are fair. On your way out of the restaurant, you give your slip to the staff member at a register and they add it up along with a 10% service fee. There is also a grab n go market perfect for breakfast back in your room and a sit down restaurant. We did not eat in the Maya Grill, the sit down restaurant.

The resort is beautiful at night. This may be one of the best reasons to stay at the resort. It is dark and and on our first night, because I wasn't really sure where we were going, it intimidated me a bit to walk around in the darkness. After our first full day, when I knew the lay of the resort, it didn't bother me as much and I was able to appreciate the beauty.
 
 

All in all, the resort is a beautiful resort with a great Southwest theme. Victoria said it did not have a Disney feel to her. I would stay at this resort again for an extended stay but not for a short stay where the parks are the focus of the stay. We did not take advantage of the sit down restaurant, the exercise room, the beauty salon/spa services, bars or water activities. In fact, there was a sign stating the marina was closed for the season. My favorite moderate resort is the Port Orleans Riverside, formally known as Dixie Landings. There is something so whimsical about the butterfly gardens, gazebos and magnolia trees that makes strolling around the resort an activity rather than a hike.

Day of Departure

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

I woke up at 6:30am, made coffee and finished packing. By 8am, all of the suitcases and other items were ready to go. Suddenly the dogs seemed to know what was going on and went crazy. They started barking, howling and jumping around. I don’t know how they know they are going in the car, but they do.

We got to the kennel at 9am and dropped off the monsters. We dropped off some bags of clothing at the Goodwill. While packing, we had amassed quite a pile of clothing which will not fit this fall, many of the items were brand new. We stopped at my parents and picked up Victoria’s favorite sunglasses she had left there. It was a smooth ride to the park n fly. We were at the airport by 10:45am. We checked in our luggage. I still don’t like the dragging the cases over to two different spots.

Victoria bought us lunch. She insisted. We headed over to the gate with a half an hour to spare. There were many pre-boarding people. The Southwest line situation has changed a bit. No longer do you board by A, B, or C. You have a letter and a number. We were A42. We boarded without problems and Victoria grabbed a seat by the window while I grabbed one on the aisle, leaving a seat between us. No one sat there and we had a bit of a bumpy ride, which was delayed by about 45 minutes.

One of the flight attedants was a big burly dude with a military hair cut. He looked a lot like the Federal Air Marshals except he wore a Southwest uniform. Some of the passengers were really interesting. There was an entire family near us who asked for 3 sodas each, extra snacks, and wanted alcohol and had a fit when they announced no cash. There were several people who used canes to ambulate, who used the flight attendants when using the bathroom. Even after announcing no waiting by the front lavatory, people tried to do it anyway. I don’t remember such demanding passengers.

Because we were seated up front, we were off the plane quickly and went to grab our luggage. We went over to the budget counter, suitcases in hand, and were told to go across the street to the Rapid Check in Counter. We dragged our stuff across the street, and the woman in the kiosk said I had to go back. I patiently explained to her I was told to come here, and I would not be dragging my cases back to the counter. The woman asked who sent us, and Victoria told her his name, what he was wearing and the color of his skin, when asked. She cursed the employee and gave us a Chevy Malibu.

We packed up the car and I noticed the car was not exactly full of gas. That annoyed me because I was not going to walk back for them to put a notation. I connected the GPS and drove to the Coronado Springs Resort. We arrived at around 5pm. It was very humid and cloudy in Orlando. We called Lynn and Mary and agreed to meet them at the Wilderness Lodge Villas for dinner. We were tired and quickly unpacked and drove over to the Lodge by 6pm. We hung around with Lynn and Mary in their one bedroom villa before going to the lounge for dinner at the Whispering Canyon. Dinner was eh – so-so. The kids did not eat their chicken and pasta 18 dollar dish and my herb seafood cakes were a quiche consistency. The girls had a princess cake inside of a treasure box and we called it a night.

We drove back to the Coronado Springs Resort. The resort is huge and very spread out. It’s beautiful at night. We were tired and I fell asleep after watching some Disney television.

Home stretch!

Why does work seem so impossible just before you leave for vacation? I had one project to complete today and I got into work by 7:30am to get a jump. Victoria slept at my parents house so my morning goes a lot faster when she is not under foot. I received an email requiring some action so that took priority over my project. It did not seem the day or tasks would ever get done but it did end on a fairly positive note.

I forgot to update my voice mail. Several times today I stared at the phone, trying to remember which buttons to push to record a new voice message, only to be distracted and never got back to the task. Now people will think I'm 'either on the phone or away from my desk' forever!

I put gas in the vehicle after picking up Victoria and we headed home. Grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner, because about all we had left was cheese and bread unless I defrosted something. When I get back from vacation I will have to do some serious grocery shopping.

I dragged out the larger suitcase and tossed all of the 'stuff' in it: flat iron, travel hamper, shoes, sanitizer, and seemed to have little room left for clothes. I stuffed too many clothes in the suitcase and weighed them: one is 38 lbs and one is 45. I added sunscreen and stuff and pushed the limits. Victoria's carryon will have my DSLR and my shoulder bag has my point n shoot. I don't know how I do this every time. I know better and I still can't seem to get travel packing down.

Charged the MP3players, phones and got all wires in order: camera, headphones, chargers etc. The dogs know something is up. Well the bassett hound, as usual is clueless and just the idea of trying to figure out what the suitcases are exhausted her and she took a nap. The border collie mutt seems to know exactly what is going on and is doing his best to behave in hopes he'll come along. He must not be too smart because he forgets he doesn't like people much.

I organized all of my cards and papers. I have about 12 reservations for a car. I can't remember why. Some are duplicates but I kept printing them out and filing them. I think I made more than one 'in case' I don't qualify for the Delta Airline discount. It's probably for employees but I couldn't verify it so I made more than one. I hate being like that, and I sure hope no one is turned away from reserving.

I ground some fresh Kona coffee beans and we'll eat whatever is left in the house for breakfast before we head out tomorrow.

Amalfi Coast 2010

I wish everyone could vacation. I really do. I think everyone you work with, live with and relate with would be much happier people if everyone took a vacation. Even if you don't go anywhere, take a vacation from the routine of it all. It's healthy. Today, Adventures by Disney released their 2010 plans for their guided tours. It's insanely expensive, but all of the work is done for you. Lynn and Darlene have booked so we'll be doing vacation numero six, me and Lynn will be seven years. We have chosen the Central Italy tour. Maybe more friends will join, it will be fun. I'm so excited to see the Amalfi Coast, the place my great grandparents were born. Very cool!

Unless you're packing. Packing isn't healthy. I packed all of the pre-cruise things and the next step is the cruise-wear which includes: formal wear, dinner clothes, snorkel gear, door magnets, pirate gear. I keep telling myself I've already got 3 outfits packed and don't need much more, but I know I'll overdo it.

I stopped at TJMaxx on the way home. I bought a new bathing suit and found a new formal dress. Now Victoria has to change her formal thing because it's not really formal. The formal dress fits the occasion and is comfortable. I hope I remember my dress shoes otherwise Birkies with sparkles will be the emsemble. Blech.

I've decided the responsible thing to do is pack tomorrow night, otherwise I'll be tempted to overpack.

Packing Meltdown

Remember the most functional family? Well, they must have left already for vacation because the people in THIS house had a melt down.

I woke up this morning and made pancakes. In my best opera voice, I sang upstairs to my child to get up. Pancakes are her favorite. We are a functional family. This should go smoothly. Four calls later, moving down several octives, I demanded she come downstairs and eat the pancakes before I give them to the poor children. Later, she asked if I would make pancakes while on vacation when we stay with Sandy and Darlene and I snapped, "no." She shrugged her shoulders and said, "Darlene will make them then."

I brought down the suitcases. We are flying Southwest so we aren't restricted to one case each, though that's my goal. Two cases and one duffel is what I'm aiming for. I made the mistake of asking Victoria, 'feel like grabbing the last of the laundry in the dryer?' and she quipped, 'Nooooo' while rolling her eyes.

I should note I have painfully explained, many times, to my daughter that eye rolling and walking away from me while I'm talking are dangerous to her health. I've explained this since she was five years old. I feel I've given her fair warning. I let the first one go. I went upstairs to begin the piles of clothing and I realized a hurricane had hit my daughter's room. All the laundry that was done this weekend sat on her bed, dressers and desk. There was no way she was ready to pack. I called her upstairs and asked her to get things in order. Another eye roll.

Melt down number one. I don't remember exactly what I said but I think it was along the lines of children in Africa are starving for vacations and I'll take one of those children if she was going to be ungrateful! Then I announced I was going to give her two seconds for an attitude adjustment. I meant to say two minutes but I couldn't correct myself because I feared another eye roll would happen and I'd have to ship her to Africa along with pancakes.

For twenty minutes we searched for my bathing suit. No, not that one the blue one. That's green. Where's the blue one? After looking in every drawer and closet, it hit me that it was in the back of the van, packed 'just in case' a swimming opportunity came up. I tried on the bathing suit. It's purple, not blue. I might be harpooned if I wear that one in public. I moved on to the other one, and hated that one too. Melt down number two. I hate all of my clothes. Victoria cheerfully pointed out all of my shorts and capris are kaki and everyone will think I'm wearing the same ones every day. Great, thanks honey!

I hate packing!

No air conditioning in August

It's ridiculous isn't it? I've had the window air conditioner on a few nights this summer but was actually a little cool last night without air conditioning. This is some interesting weather to be leaving. It's 70 degrees here and feels dry. Orlando is 82 degrees currently and it states it feels like 89.

Breathe Easy

Today was Victoria's annual check up. It was a pretty good one because we learned she is 2 pounds from legally being out of a booster seat and is in the 10 percentile for height, and 25 percentile for weight. She's never had numbers as good as this. If she has a growth spurt in the next couple of months, it will be record-breaking. She's not tall, but she's not anywhere near a number which sends us to an endocrinologist for tests. The physician asked a bunch of questions then shook my hand stating we were the most functional family she's met in awhile. That made me giggle. Functional! Ha!

I just read today in 1974, Richard Nixon announced his resignation. I wonder how he would feel about Sotomayor becoming Supreme Court justice. She's a Yankee fan too! This means that the beginning of August has always been a strange time of year. It has certainly been strange this year and thinking back, lots of unsettling events happen this time in the summer, especially at work. The biggest challenge of this week will be to leave the work behind and move into vacation mode.

I still haven't packed. All progress today halted when the Yankee game came on television . I wanted to finish laundry because when I try to pack before laundry is done, I tend to 'find' more favorites to wear and overpack. Tomorrow we'll definitely have the piles done, but will wait to stuff the cases until another day. The lawn looks as if it hasn't been mowed in weeks when it was done last weekend.

I haven't picked the vacation reading yet. Just when I have a pile, I make another pile of books somewhere else. I'm just finishing a book that truly was not worth reading, though it had decent reviews. I found the Glass Castle book at a tag sale this afternoon and bought it. I read it last summer and never even made it to California because I finished it on the plane. What a good book! I gave the one I read last summer away. Maybe I'll read it again, though it feels too soon.

Directions to Port

PORT CANAVERAL DRIVING DIRECTIONS
From Walt Disney World® Resort to Port Canaveral

1. Take State Road 536 East which leads directly to the 417 (Greenway). State Road 417 is a toll road.
2. Follow the 417 to State Road 528 (Beachline Expressway). State Road 528 is a toll road.
3. Go east on State Road 528.
4. At the fork in the road, veer right to stay on State Road 528.
5. Continue on State Road 528 and make your way over the Indian River and Banana River.
6. Turn onto State Road 401, which will loop and head north over the channel locks.
7. Stay in the right-hand lane and follow the signs to Cruise Terminal A.

Da Plan!

Vacation Plans:

Wednesday afternoon: arrive to Coronado Springs Resort. Call Lynn, "We're here" and decide then. Unknown if to hang around resort and be lazy or venture to a park for evening. Either way, we'll see Lynn and Mary Thursday for sure.

Thursday: Go to whichever park Lynn and I want to go to: MGM or Epcot. Kids will be happy either way. Mid day break at WLV or CSR.

Friday: Go to another park. Which one I don't care. Pick up Darlene and Stan in evening. Time escapes me. Perhaps leave Victoria with Lynn for maximum fun time. Might be tight if I take both girls.

Maybe plan a quickie late night swim at Coronado Springs Resort? Reunion of sorts.

Saturday: Lynn drives over to Coronado Springs Resort. We load up cars including Stan with Lynn. God help us if I forgot GPS. I really rely on it. Not to worry, I'm sure Stan's gadget phone will have a GPS.

Easy drive to port. Drop off All kids, Darlene and Stan and luggage, follow signs out to main road where Budget rental is right there. (memory says: left and left)

Take shuttle from Budget to port. Meet Stan and Darlene with kids. Stan and Darlene will have an early boarding number. Maybe they should try and get 2 of them and pretend like they are single parents. This will alleviate questions if our boarding group is too large. Worst case: I have a boarding number 11 somewhere from last cruise.

HELLO Sandy and Jess!

Go to Parrot Cay because it's easier to stow your stuff.

Eat, eat and eat.

Wander off ship in St. Thomas, take taxi to Aquarium. Hang at beach, taxi back to ship whether together or separate (it's your vacation, you do what ya wanna do!)

Eat, eat and eat.

Wander off ship in Tortola - hey taxi, take us to Brewer's Bay and leave us there for 2 hours. Ok!

Eat eat eat

Castaway Cay - chill. Try and convince Lynn she doesn't have to go back and pack. Maybe we can convince her to do it after PALO Thursday night.

Me and Darlene head to Budget, get vehicles. Take everyone or not? Either way people will be waiting.

Darlene drives Lynn and Stan to airport. I drive - back towards Disney. I doubt timeshare will be ready. Worst case scenario for directions: follow signs from airport to Disney then to downtown disney (535).

Maybe meet Darlene at Downtown Disney and head over to timeshare after some grocery shopping.

Chill and take it day by day going to Disney.

Two weeks

My last post was 100 posts on this blog. That's a little more dedicated than I would have guessed I'd be to this blog.

I do love my vacations. I certainly spend enough time planning and going on them but it's the anticipation of them which is most delicious. Our typical drive-to April vacations are like an appetizer to the delicious summer course. Next summer we are hoping for something new and extra special. I just spotted the school calendar for next year so I'm ready to plan the April vacation too.

It looks like we may have come to a decision on what to do on the islands this summer - a whole lot of nothing. I don't know if it's been a tough year for the entire group, but we all agree we aren't really interested in any eco-hike, zipping, mangrove adventures or city tours on foot in 90 degree weather. We are looking for umbrellas, sand, snorkeling for the kids while we have fruity drinks in hand. Island life in an afternoon. We're so spoiled, we think of this upcoming cruise as 'only' being seven days. Poor us. No 14 day cruise for us this summer.

My plan is to get the piles in order this weekend. This will be the clothes we intend to take on vacation. I'm going to try and keep in mind this upcoming vacation will require very little clothing as far as dinners go. We'll be spending about 10 days park hopping and out in the sun so shorts and t shirts are in order.

I usually have big plans for drinking while on vacation. The reality is, I don't enjoy drinking in the heat or sun. I like coffee. Iced coffee, gourmet hot coffee, morning coffee. Don't bother sticking anything alcoholic in my coffee either. But I am thinking a mojito while sitting on deck would sure taste nice today. The heat has really kicked in long enough for me to drag the air conditioner into the window only for it to cool down.

Two weeks from today we head down to Florida and we'll be hanging with Lynn and Mary! We haven't seen them since February!