My family and I just returned from our 11th trip to CSR and it is still our favorite resort.
Day 1:
We arrived late on Thursday night. No one was in line (6:45pm) and Marcelle was very pleasant during our check in. I was very happy to learn that our request was met and we were in cabana 9b, room 9508. I was excited to see the new rooms in person after only viewing the pictures on line. We only did carry on luggage so we headed straight for the room, of course I knew exactly where I was going.
The rooms are every bit as gorgeous in person. The new dark wood furniture and color scheme are very rich. The 42" flat panel stands out and those doors and fantastic! The desk is about the same size as the table but it has a outlet bar across the back with 4 plug for charging cameras, phones, laptops, etc and the network plug is built into it too. With the desk chair and the two ottomans, there is room for three to have a quick breakfast there.
We headed to the Pepper Market for a bit to eat since we hadn't eaten since lunch. The Pepper Market has changed a bit in appearance and menu. The center island that use to house the soda stations is now enclosed and the area that use to be La Tienda is now part of the Pepper Market seating. It is true that the Wet Burrito and the Taco Salad are gone! :sad1: I spoke to the manager about that and he stated that he also liked the old menu better but the changes came from above him. He wouldn't give up any info on the rumor that the PM is changing to a Boma style place so that is still just that, a rumor.
The rib eye is still an option for dinner but not at lunch. The carved roast of the day is still an option at lunch though. I definitely can see where people are coming from with the prices at the PM but you definitely can't compare this place to your average food court.
I got the half chicken dinner for $15.95 and it was enough for two or one large eater like myself. I thought this was priced okay for what I got and where I was (WDW).
I felt the food prices all over WDW were up. I spent $102 at Hollywood and Vine for three...(last time too), $87 for three at Le Cellier for lunch and $115 at Cape May Buffet but more on that later. The prices are up all over!!
Some options are great at the PM and some seemed over priced. I got hot wings one night for $10.95 and received about 15 to 18 wings and a huge portion of steak fries, well worth it. My DW got a pizza that was $10.25 (not bad) but my DD got a caesar salad for $12.95 (not worth it). I know some people get mad when they say the items are not ready at the same time but you can't rush a pizza, it takes 20 mins to cook. No way around it.
The burgers are $12.95 and they are thick! Not like the ones you get at the parks. And again, they are cooked to order.
As we finished our meal, I noticed a women sitting next to us with her leg up. I remember that someone from the boards I frequent stated she fell so we walked up and asked. It was her so we were able to meet her and her DH. We chatted for awhile and then we headed back to the room to rest up for our first big day. When we walked out the back door, we could see fireworks going off behind the pyramid at the pool. They must have been Wishes fireworks. Very cool!!