We just returned from CSR and thought I'd share a few things.... good and bad.
*Not at all impressed with the new rooms. Hated that there's no table. I didn't expect to really be bothered by it, but there was no place to sit and have a meal or snack unless you didn't mind sitting alone at the "desk" and face the wall. The bathroom set up is awkward! Hated that too. No counter to set my personal things while getting ready.... just that small "ledge" above the sinks. It was in a very weird place too.... I hit my head on it several times when trying to brush my teeth. The closet was way too small... not enough space to hang the clothes... I hang most of my things and never use the drawers.
*Even though I faxed in my requests 9 days ahead, I received NONE of them. And the cast member said "well, everyone has to stay somewhere! can't guarantee anything!" Then, got into a bit of a discussion with the manager when she stated that "everyone was requesting Casistas that morning so they were giving those people their requests" and she told me I could have faxed it in.... I told her I did! Then she just stared at me and didn't know what to say! She literally gave me 2 choices and said those were the ONLY rooms available because of the convention! Then I got to the room... and it wasn't cleaned from the previous guests! That is a whole other issue I won't go into here yet.
*Didn't hear any of the construction of the tower.... but we could hear.... very loudly.... the work they were doing on the Dig Site pool (it was closed).... it was very annoying at night!
* the walk past the construction after dark was very CREEPY!!! I was not at all comfortable with it!!! First time in 20 years of visits I did not feel entirely safe walking any resort at night! That really bothered me!!!! Especially since they did not give us our request for Casitas.
* We did love the new color scheme... especially the new colors outside of El Centro
* Liked the new Mercado (old Pepper Market).... it looked fresh and clean. Pretty much the same set up as before, just fresh look with great color scheme. We only ate there a couple times, but it was decent food as long as you ordered fresh. All of what they had in the coolers (salads and a few sandwiches) looked awful! We did have a couple rather long waits though! Seems we were there when the convention people were on their break/lunch.... lots of business dressed adults
* The quiet pool was crowded, which I expected because the Dig Site was closed. But no lifeguards. And the pool was FILTHY!!! I only went in the water for a short time, then saw how dirty it was.
* Buses were ok. Most waits were about 15 minutes. We noticed that the app and schedule board at the stop were NOT very accurate... kept changing! We did have to wait over 40 minutes the one day when we were headed to Epcot.... very frustrating to see 2 of all the other parks buses come by and no Epcot.... then the driver obviously was new as he missed one stop and had to circle the entire resort again.
I think that once the lounge is completed on the lake and all the bridges and walkways are done it will be much easier to get around, etc.
However..... definitely NOT our favorite any more!!! Doubt we will be staying there again unless it has a great discount. Did not like the rooms. and when the tower opens I think it will be over-crowded.... just won't have the same appeal as before.