[buzz2001]

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!!

[Dopey]

Thank you for the report and pictures.
Did you not find that the walls in that room are kind of "naked"? they are so white.

So buzz, did you send a picture of that menu to allearsnet.com? They always say that they are looking for the most up to date menus over there.

[MissDisney]

I like the bare light walls, I think, because when we were at SIL's CSR pre-refurb room, it was like a dark, gloomy dungeon. Totally depressing. The lighter walls would surely improve that! I like the improvements.

The chicken looks really good to me and has given me an idea for lunch today!

[mickeyspal]

The wood in the room is beautiful but the room does look a little stark. Not at all what I thought the rooms would look like for that resort.

[buzz2001]

Day 2:
On Friday, we decided to go to Epcot. We arrived at bus stop #1 around 7:45am. There was a few people there but still enough room to sit on a bench. If you need to get around the resort, just hop on a DtD bus to bring you back to bus stop #2, 3, or 4.



There was only about 10 people on the bus ride to Epcot from the resort. From departure of bus stop #1 to Epcot was 7 min ride. CSR has bus stop #7 which is 2nd from the exit. Very short walk after loads of walking at Epcot.

We arrived early and were able to ride Test Track (2x), Soarin, Mission Space and had a quick bit to eat at the Land. I like there sushi and the breakfast items are not that expensive. Then we decided to try the new Nemo ride which was very cute. Then we did Figment and walked around the countries a bit. I really enjoyed the movie in Canada. It was our first time viewing it. This is when I decided to have a pint ($8.00!!) with my DW and enjoy the scenery at Epcot. It is so beautiful there.

My DD wanted to check out the ESPN store so we rode the boat over to the BW and did a little shopping. By now it was time for our ADR at Le Cellier. The best meal we've ever experience at WDW has been at Le Cellier and this time didn't disappoint either. We started with the Edward Island Mussels for Two, these were delicious! My DW and DD had the Shaved Prime Rib Sandwich and I had Grilled Angus Chuck Burger. The whole meal was tremendous. We were stuffed for the rest of the day.

Were we at Epcot from 9-4 and decided to go back to the room. I wanted to meet up with Matt and the gang at 6:30pm but I under estimated my energy level when I made the time point.

We went back to the pool and my DD used the arcade card that came with the package and DW and I had a few drinks at the bar. Jesus was working since and told me Francisco was off until Tuesday. I never saw him the rest of the week so maybe he was on vacation too.

Francisco does have a drink named after him now though!



They also sell wings poolside now too!



The pool area was quiet around 6:30 - 7pm.

[mrmath]

Brings back memories of 2003 and 2005 when we stayed at CSR. Can't wait to here about the rest of your trip. Stop taking pictures of the food. it is making me hungry I really enjoyed the food and the way the Pepper Market is set up.

[Mickey Mom]

Hmmmm....haven't made my mind up on the room decor. Love the dark wood and the headboard on the bed. I like the light wall colour, but seems like something missing....a little of the "extras"....just can't pinpoint it. Maybe it is the bed linens. I love the fresh clean look, but maybe a throw at the end of the bed to add some colour and a bit of the CS theme? We haven't been back to the CSR in a while, maybe time to go again!

[DisneyTeacher]

Thanks for sharing all your information with us.

I'm going to move this over to the Trip Report forum for you.

[buzz2001]

Day 3:
Today we headed out for AK. We've always enojyed doing AK on the Saturday of our trip and it has always seemed to be good luck. Again we arrived at bus stop #1 around 7:45am and it wasn't too crowded. Our bus arrived within 5 mins and there was 13 people for the ride over. No Blizzard Beach stop that early in the morning. The bus dropped us off at bus stop #8 which is in the middle of the pack. We were again on of the first to arrive at the gate. They opened about 8:45 and let us up to see the show in front of the tree of life.



We headed for E:E first and got FP's and then right in line. We were able to ride it 2x's. The nwe headed over to Primevil Whirl and rode that 2x's before going back to E:E for our FP time. Then we went to see the tigers.



I walked up to the safari to get some FP's and then we had an early lunch at the Flame Tree. DD and I got the ribs and DW got the pulled beef sandwich. Everything was very good but everywhere we ate, it avg around $45.00 for the three of us.

After lunch we rode the safari. This was the first time we rode it in the afternoon. There seemed to be more animals out and about at this time versus our usual first thing in the morning time. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the shows, riding Kali River Rapids (got soaked) and had a Mickey head ice cream or two before heading back to the pool for a swim. These two days were fabulous. The crowds were not bad at all. The weather was also fantastic! Around 80º's for both days.

We ate dinner at the PM again and I got the hot wings. I wasn't that hungry so I thought I would get something small. Usually you get around 6-8 wings when you order this out. We got everything to go and eat out by the lake. He handed me two to go containers that were loaded, one with fries and one with hot wings. There must have been 15-18 wings. Well once I started to dig in, I couldn't stop. They were very good and crispy, the way I love them. That is definitely one of the meals worth its price of $10.95. My DW got the pizza this time because my DD's was good the night before and my DD got the salad. I recommend the pizza ($10.25) but not the salad ($12.95).

[hanwill]

artwork is needed on those walls.... then it would be better.

[Justin]

Wow I stayed in an old room in the CSR. I love the new ones which makes me want to go back again. Seems like you guys had fun! I hope you did. CSR is a great resort :P. I will only stay their for now on.
- Justy

[PhilliesFan]

The new rooms at the CSR looks beautiful!
Nice TR and photos.

[joseph3947]

Thanks Buzz! Can't wait to stay there in October!

[evansfmly5]

What a great trip report. Can't wait to hear more!

[buzz2001]

Day 4: (Part 1)
This was a long day for us. We did two parks!! Again we headed to the bus stop around 7:45am for a 9am park opening. We went to DHS for the opening. Bus stop #1 was not crowded and we easily got a bus to DHS and there were very few passengers. We were up front for the opening and they were looking for guests to try out for the American Idol experience. About 10 people took them up on it and went to the side to try out for the producers. They were hyping this attraction big time. We started are day at DHS like any other time there, straight to RnR to ride and FP it, then over to ToT. ToT was not crowded this day, so my DD rode multiple times. Once up and down for me is enough. Then we headed over to Toy Story to get a FP. The wait was 60 mins which quickly jumped to 2 hrs because it broke down. We were a bit early to get another FP so we wnet to watch the AIE show. What a great attraction. The set up looks just like the show, right down to the Coke cups for the judges. They had a Randy look-a-like that was dead on. The attraction hold over 1,000 guests.







They had three people sing for our show and there were 7 shows. The guy that would our show was a CT resident going to school in Fl. He sang Sweet Home Alabama was tremendous.

After the show, we went back to get our Toy Story FP and they were already for 6pm that night. The crowds were hear now. DHS was packed. We did all that we wanted to so we went over to the Boardwalk for lunch at ESPN because of the crowds at DHS. Good idea because it was empty. We walked right in and got a table. It was my first time eating there and the food was very good. I got a Cuban burger and it was very good. A burger with ham and swiss. My DW got nachos for two that we all shared and my DD got a roast beef sandwich. We all liked the place very much.

We walked around the BW for awhile and then headed back to CSR to swim before our dinner at H&V. This is when I had a chance to meet one of my CM friends and got a tour of the club level lounge. They did that place up right. Everything was very nice and well done.

















Later in the day we headed back to DHS for our ADR's at H&V. I just can't eat like I used to. I felt like I was always full. It cost $102 for the 3 of us and I know I didn't eat that much food. I really can't see doing the buffets anymore unless we go with someone that has never been. I was full. The food selection was very good. The carving station and dessert were worth it alone but its just too much food and money.

After dinner, we headed over to Toy Story and rode with our FP. This is a great ride. I don;t know if any of you had the chance to ride it yet but it is very cool. I don't think I'd stand in line for 2 hours for it but the queue is huge. I bet they are going to hit 3 hours this summer for this ride.