Will be staying at CSR in exactly a month. This godforsaken deployment is over in two week!
I've stayed at CSR 3 times since 2009, and everytime I'm left impressed. To top it off, in 2012, the wife and I went with our best friends, and arrived a hour or two before check in. They informed us our rooms werent ready (I repeat, 2 hours before check in) and upgraded us to Jr Suites free of charge. I have my theories as to what really happened, as normally, that early they would just say "Your room isnt ready yet, we apologize." Either, they double booked the room (we take advantage of the military discounts on Moderate and Deluxe resorts, for which I'm told only a certain amount of rooms are alloted per participating resort) or they were simply saying thank you, as my wife was bragging that I had just returned from a year long tour over here in the Middle East. For that upgrade, they'll always have my business.
As for the worry of the resort being a long walk to buses/food/pool, unless you have health issues, weight issues or are just lazy, dont fret. The resort is top to bottom beautiful. I will sympathize and admit we dont have youngens yet and are in our late 20's/early 30's, so I can see not wanting to walk a long way with a 4 year old. In 2009 our trip was the entire family, and my brother's kids were I believe 8 and 4 or 5 at the time. They had no issue walking the grounds, as they enjoyed pointing at the wildlife running around. Yes, there are ducks, as well as other birds that will hop on your table if you sit outside to dine. Very creepy!
The buses do get crowded later in the day, especially on the ride back from parks, but if you're a first thing in the morning group like we are, its always pretty roomy. I echo the statements about trying to avoid the bus stop at the front of the hotel though. Its the last stop, and if you want a crowded bus, thats where to get it.
PM is very easy to navigate, and we never encountered it super busy. We do eat first thing in the morning however. I'm an up at 5 guy to hit the gym (more on that soon) and breakfast at 7ish. If we were wanting to eat fast and get to a bus stop (the only time we'd use the front entrance bus) its easy to get in and get out. If you're wanting to relax and enjoy breakfast, some days we'd sit in there a hour and enjoy coffee after our meal. Never rushed, never bothered in a pushy way.
The gym is what you'd expect from a upper tier hotel. Its better than what you'd encounter at a Holiday Inn but its not loaded with anything you need. For a vacation workout, its perfect. 3 or so treadmills, 2 to 3 ellipitcals as well as equal bikes. Various strength machines as well as a smith machine and cable rack. And finally, a dumbbell rack that starts at 5lbs and gets up to I believe 80lbs. Not positive on the range there. Other than the free upgrade mentioned earlier, the gym is the main reason CSR gets our business when we stay at Moderate resorts.
The main pool does allow adults on the slide, for those that asked. Funny story. In 2012, all four of us were up waiting on the slide. It was us, and mostly kids lol. My friend was carrying a little extra weight this trip, and the kids noticed. I know this, because the weather was starting to turn on us. Right after my friend happened to go down the slide, they shut off the water jets and closed the slide. After talking to some kid I didnt know and trying to explain to him the slide was shut down momentarily, the crowd turned in rapid fashion. While the kids complained, with multiple kids asking "why Mr. why is it down?!" One kid responded for all to hear "I think the fat guy just broke it!!!!" That will forever live in Disney lore for our Disney travel party.
Sorry so long, and I hope some of the information helped ease some troubles!
