Family Trip Sept*Corn. Springs

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Eeyore's picture
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Family Trip Sept*Corn. Springs

Well, my parents have booked a trip to the world in September to take advantage of free dining. They asked us to go, but since we just returned from WDW and Disney Fantasy for a week, we can't swing it. Plus, getting off during the school year for me is next to impossible! The only reason I could take off this time is because he was returning from a deployment.

Anyway! Smile They booked 5 nights at Disney's Coronado Springs. We have never stayed there or even visited this resort. Any tips? Will they like it? I've read a lot of bad reviews about it lately...fill me in!

Here is their dining plan:
(Some of these were their choice and a few recommendations! Honest opinions please!)

Arrival Night: Kona Cafe - Dinner
Garden Grill
50's Prime Time
Edo Teppan
Tutto Italia (new Italian rest. don't know if the name is correct)

I am so jealous and wish I was going! Smile

MsVersaci's picture
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My parents adore Coronado Springs. The rooms are nicely decorated, beds are comfy, the pool is relaxing. The cons would be its distance from the parks and its huge size. Can be quite a hike.

Tutto Italia is wonderful for Dinner.

I don't feel Kona Cafe is worth a table service credit.

I have really no input on the other choices.

I'm sure they will have a blast. That's a really nice time of year to go.

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I'm pretty baffled by the negativity towards Coronado Springs. confused We stayed there last October (Ranchos 6B) and really enjoyed it. I would absolutely stay there again, particularly if I was guaranteed a ground floor pool view room in building 7B. This is the quiet pool area for the Ranchos and it reminded me so much of the scenery where I grew up in California. Just heaven. Its a large resort but very beautiful. I believe that unless you pay for a "preferred location" you run the risk of being pretty far away from the front desk and yes, that can be an issue for some guests. We were in almost the very back of the resort and it was a less than 10 minute walk to the front desk. Granted, the walk did not feel as onerous in October as it would in June/July/August. I think that's comparable to many other resort and NOT just the Values. (Self parking at the WL?! OMG eek ) We had absolutely no issues with Mousekeeping; they did a fantastic job and we got towel animals almost every day. I thought the room itself felt just a little more "upscale" than CBR or POFQ. One thing I particularly liked was the solid sliding door that closes off the sink area in the bathroom. Real privacy and not just a curtain! Buses seemed to come by pretty frequently and I don't recall feeling too crowded or jammed. Also, the bus stops for CS at the theme parks were fairly close to the park exits. One of my pet peeves with the Values - those stops are always at the very ends of the row. I hope your parents have a wonderful time. Let us know how their trip goes!

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CSR is awesome! Gorgeous! We stayed in the Cabanas, but I think the Casitas appealed to me more. So, if we stay Moderate again, I think I would want Casitas. But, we never made it back to check out Ranchos. The quick service is different, we liked it. But I think they have changed it since we stayed there in 2009.

Teppan Edo, to me, is not any better than the place up the street from my house. Pretty much the same show and everything. It is VERY good, but so are the ones near my house. It's one that we tend to skip so that we can experience something different while we are on vacation.

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Eeyore's picture
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Thanks everyone!

So, why do you think Kona cafe is not worth a table credit? We've only eaten breakfast there and while it was good, the atmosphere was just ok.

What restaurant would anyone recommend on arrival night for them? Cannot be a restaurant in the park, must be on dining plan, and take only 1 table credit..?

Hmmm. The Japan restaurant has mixed reviews...I am torn. You would think I am the one going, but I helped with their choices and I want them to have the best best time! Smile

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I LOVE the Garden Grill. We went for the first time last November and are going again this November. The food was good and the characters were great too awesome We also tried 50's Prime Time last trip. I really liked it there as well. Food was delicious!

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WDWfanatic wrote:

Teppan Edo, to me, is not any better than the place up the street from my house. Pretty much the same show and everything. It is VERY good, but so are the ones near my house. It's one that we tend to skip so that we can experience something different while we are on vacation.

I agree. The only difference I've found is that the cast members are much friendlier than the chef at my local Japanese steakhouse. If it were me (or in this case, my parents), I'd suggest something more unique or even something more authentic.

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JMUDukz wrote:
WDWfanatic wrote:

Teppan Edo, to me, is not any better than the place up the street from my house. Pretty much the same show and everything. It is VERY good, but so are the ones near my house. It's one that we tend to skip so that we can experience something different while we are on vacation.

I agree. The only difference I've found is that the cast members are much friendlier than the chef at my local Japanese steakhouse. If it were me (or in this case, my parents), I'd suggest something more unique or even something more authentic.

I actually have the opposite perception of Teppan Edo. Unlike the local Japanese places around my town, Teppan feels less Americanized. They don't add butter to the grill to cook everything in, they don't sauce everything up, but allow the foods to sort of speak for themselves. They don't add broccoli to the veggies. It feels more authentic to me, to the point that I no longer enjoy any other Japanese place.

It is my favorite place in WS!

muchlove

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Magic Days's picture
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Tapan Edo is a must in our family. We don't really do much japaneeses here so it's special for us. Cape may on the board walk is only one credit and has good reviews. What about Kona has you concerned? What about Ohana? That seems to have good reviews and is one meal credit. Sounds like a special event type place.

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Magic Mirror's picture
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Such you have had breakfast at Kona you know its open to the lobby....but we had lunch there and it was a terrific meal...its the only place we currently have picked out that we are returning to!

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We had dinner at Kona and it was fantastic! Totally worth a table service credit IMO, though we paid out of pocket.

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I love the Kona Cafe. The food is really good (especially the sushi)! I'm also a fan of the 50's Prime Time cafe. The food is usually pretty good, but last time our server just wasn't as spirited as we have had in the past.

I don't think there is anything wrong with Coronado Springs. I stayed there years ago. The rooms are nice and I love the Pepper Market. The only reason I haven't gone back is that I fell in love with Port Orleans FQ. Its just more quaint and I love that there is only one bus stop. I think your folks are going to have a great time!

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What makes this not worth a table credit? This was our meal this past Friday night. I don't think you can get anything like this a a counter service.

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MrHub's picture
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Forgot the bread!

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OOOO yummy! Kona Cafe has my vote! I will be going there for breakfast during my trip.

Magic Mirror's picture
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Yummmmm and what is that beautiful umbrella drink?

MrHub's picture
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Magic Mirror wrote:
Yummmmm and what is that beautiful umbrella drink?

That is a Mai Tai.

Eeyore's picture
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Thanks MrHub! It looks AMAZING! They've decided to keep that reservation.

THanks everyone for you input! I love hearing about other experiences! awesome

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Mr. Hub, tell me about that scallops dish! That looks right up my ally. I have never tried Kona....

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Eeyore's picture
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If dinner is anything like breakfast, it will be wonderful. Kona has the best breakfast I've ever eaten at WDW. Even though we were on DP, I paid out of pocket for myself, older brother, and parents. I think it was like $60 with a tip! Not too bad for four adults. We were stuffed too!

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mrhub wrote:
Magic Mirror wrote:
Yummmmm and what is that beautiful umbrella drink?

That is a Mai Tai.

I have never had a Mai Tai....I believe I will have to have one.. beach

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Magic Mirror wrote:
mrhub wrote:
Magic Mirror wrote:
Yummmmm and what is that beautiful umbrella drink?

That is a Mai Tai.

I have never had a Mai Tai....I believe I will have to have one.. beach

When I turned 21 (which was many, many, many moons ago laugh ) a Mai Tai was my first drink! Haven't had one in a long time. I may have to have one when I am there.

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I've always wanted to stay at the Coronado, Eeyore! It looks really nice! And I understand the whole "bus has to make 4 stops at the resort" thing, but that doesn't affect my wanting to go.

I've heard great things about O'hana for dinner, although I've only had breakfast there. I've also heard WONDERFUL things about Kona!

We've eaten at Tokyo Dining and loved it! I'm glad to hear that Teppan Edo is a step above what we get "back home." That might make the experience more memorable.

I hear Garden Grill is delicious, too! Have always wanted to try it and was so bummed when they stopped serving lunch!!

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My family and I stayed at Coronado Springs several years ago- we all liked it a lot! The rooms were nice, and the grounds are beautiful.