The we loooooove Bonnet Creek thread Part 3

[DizMom11]

Just booked 5 nights through Vacation Upgrades for $650. Vacation strategies wanted $835.

 

[gmi3804]

We paid around $19 without tip to go to the Magic Kingdom in early June. We didn't take a taxi to the other parks, but I heard a cheaper option to get to the MK was to take a taxi to Epcot and then take the monorail.

Cheaper yet (and easier) to MK is to take a cab to CBR, then bus, which drops you off at the MK gates, to MK.

 

[princesspwrhr]

Cheaper yet (and easier) to MK is to take a cab to CBR, then bus, which drops you off at the MK gates, to MK.

Ummmm- wouldn't it actually be cheaper (for one person at least, *maybe* 2) to pay the $5 Bonnet Creek shuttle fee? It would cost at least $5 to go to CBR, so $10 if you repeat the process in the evening.

And personally I fail to see how it's easier, but that's just different travel habits speaking.

 

[lillygator]

Does anyone have menus from bc? We ateat the Grand last time.....but are just looking for arrival night eats.. thx

 

[abinormal]

Would anyone mind giving me a rough idea of the nightly rate for a one or two bedroom unit in the off season? If booking through the recommended sites rather than directly, I mean.

 

[aubriee]

Would anyone mind giving me a rough idea of the nightly rate for a one or two bedroom unit in the off season? If booking through the recommended sites rather than directly, I mean.

This past May, Vacation Strategy was the cheapest for us. For a one bedroom deluxe for ten nights we paid $895.00. I have a friend who was there just a week before us though and for her Shelby Resorts was cheaper.

For my upcoming Sept and Dec trips the prices really varied, depending on the renter:

For a one bedroom for eight nights in Sept, the quotes I got were: Shelby Resorts $595.00, Vacation Strategy $628.00, Vacation Upgrades $800.00, Aaron Washburn $800.00, and Farrells Vacations $952.00. Farrells quote was for either a one or a two bedroom though.

For a one bedroom for ten nights in Dec, Aaron Washburn was by far the cheapest at $600.00 ($700.00 for a 2 bedroom), Shelby Resorts $795.00 ($995.00 for a 2 bedroom), Vacation Strategy $810.00, Vacation Upgrades $1000.00, and Farrells $1190 (for either a 1 or a 2 bedroom).

Aaron Washburn and Shelby Resorts both list in myresortsnetwork.com. The others all have their own sites. I did ask Aaron Washburn why his price for eight nights in Sept was higher than the ten nights in Dec. Apparently it just has to do with what inventory each renter has.

I went with Shelby Resorts for the Sept trip ($595.00) and Aaron Washburn for the Dec trip ($600.00). All they wanted was a deposit, but I called and asked to pay the full amount. They emailed me a rental agreement within just a few minutes and then just a few minutes after I paid they emailed me a signed rental agreement showing I had paid (Aaron Washburn wanted to be paid through paypal and Shelby Resorts just took the cc number). For less than $1200.00 I have two trips (or 18 nights total) booked in a one bedroom at Bonnet Creek. $595.00+$600.00=$1195.00 divided by 18 nights= averages out to $66.39/night

For our May trip I wanted to pay the amount in full when I booked but Vacation Strategy wouldn't let me. I could just pay the $150.00 deposit, then they emailed me about 50 days out telling me the balance was due. The original quote they sent me said that the final balance would be due about 21 days out. They sent an email showing what I had paid, but did not send any sort of rental agreement. Everything went fine at check in though. All I needed to check in was my ID. My long winded point is that each seller does things differently.

 

[Shelli_5]

I'm planning a solo trip during the 2nd half of October 2013 & I'm having such a hard time deciding where to stay! First of all, let me say that my dream would be to rent points from a DVC owner & stay in an AKL studio. Unfortunately, my dates aren't flexible & there are no DVC studios available during my length of stay thanks to the F&W Festival. Bummer.

So now I'm trying to decide between Coronado Springs (CSR) & Wyndham Bonnet Creek (WBC). I've never stayed at - or even seen - either resort. Currently, CSR would cost me about $1400, but there will probably discounts offered later this summer. Pros of staying at CSR: Disney theme, hammocks, confident about room quality (furnishings, wear & tear), convenience of using Disney transportation (including Magical Express), access to EMH, ability to pay for everything with room key & send purchases to room from parks. Cons: Very expensive for what you're getting, Disney buses take *forever* to get from Point A to Point B, no sofa in room, may not be able to get a microwave, expensive to purchase breakfast items for room, & room may be far from central area or main pool.

WBC would cost me $600 for a 1 bedroom deluxe. I would rent a car, which would add about $200 for the car itself & $120 for Disney parking fees, so the total would be about $920. Pros of staying there: more space in room, feels more like "home" than a hotel room, balcony (hopefully with a nice view), kitchen & sofa in room, less walking at resort, can prepare inexpensive breakfasts, easy access to pools, can explore other parts of Orlando if I choose, & quick driving time from resort to parks. Cons: Dealing with parking pass/time share sales people, no Disney theme, worried about quality of room (furnishings, wear & tear, etc), not sure if I'll want to drive myself everywhere, need to carry cash/credit cards, & can't send purchases back to room.

What are your thoughts? Am I missing anything on my pros & cons lists? I would love to get some feedback from folks who've stayed at WBC.

Thank you,
Shelli

 

[JimMIA]

Pros of staying there: more space in room, feels more like "home" than a hotel room, balcony (hopefully with a nice view), kitchen & sofa in room, less walking at resort, can prepare inexpensive breakfasts, easy access to pools, can explore other parts of Orlando if I choose, & quick driving time from resort to parks.

You left out free washer and dryer in the room. Don't laugh at that benefit until you complete your first trip with a washer/dryer. Even if you're alone, at a minimum it means going home with a suitcase full of clean clothes.

Cons: Dealing with parking pass/time share sales people

No big deal. Just understand that anything they ask you to do is a sales presentation by another name -- tour, survey, "welcome gifts" etc, etc. Just tell the body snatchers at the parking pass desk that you are on a solo trip, can't buy anything even if you wanted to, etc. Then tell them no. If they keep after you, simply walk away. The parking pass is a scam -- it's not needed, does not get you through the guard gate, and we never display a parking pass at any Wyndham resort.

When you get to your room, unplug the phone. Anyone you want to talk to has your cell. Also, if a sales weasel comes to your door with "welcome gifts," say no and close the door. If you let them in, they will NOT leave.

worried about quality of room (furnishings, wear & tear, etc)

the room will be fine. You can get wear and tear in any room, even 5 star luxury hotels.

not sure if I'll want to drive myself everywhere

Driving is a little confusing the first day or two. After that, it's a breeze. I can be parked at any theme park in less than 15 minutes from Bonnet Creek; we always drive everywhere, even when we stay onsite.

You have to watch the signs carefully. There are multiple signs for each exit, but each destination will only be mentioned once -- kinda like airline listings coming into an airport. Only Disney destinations will be mentioned, so you'll have to look for the Downtown Disney exit coming home.

Am I missing anything on my pros & cons lists?

Pro for CSR/con for WBC -- daily housekeeping.

I personally don't get daily housekeeping at home, so I'm okay with not having it on vacation. I'm also not a big fan of having housekeepers in my room much anyway, and tend to leave the "Do not disturb" sign up just to keep them away.

 

[snowangel72]

Does anyone know where I can find a link to the BC activities schedule for July????
And the shuttle schedule????

 

[Dacky619]

We own DVC and are planning on staying at Disney hotels for our next few trips, but our family is also getting larger and we have discussed taking trips with other people where we would need more room and BC seems to be a good option. I read through parts of this thread but I do still have a few questions:

1- I've read that the best deals are less than 60 days out. Is that true? Is it a big risk to wait until 60 days out?

2- We like to stay for 9-10 nights usually. Looking at what has been posted on Ebay, most of them are 7 nights. Are BC timeshare points similar to Disney in that I just would have to find someone that has enough points to book a 10 night trip or do they work on weeks where we would book 2 weeks and might have to change rooms?

3- I think I know this, just want to make sure. Would there be any problems for someone in a wheelchair at this resort? Would we have to get a room on the 1st floor?

 

[Shelli_5]

Thank you, JimMIA!

 

[ez]

We own DVC and are planning on staying at Disney hotels for our next few trips, but our family is also getting larger and we have discussed taking trips with other people where we would need more room and BC seems to be a good option. I read through parts of this thread but I do still have a few questions:

1- I've read that the best deals are less than 60 days out. Is that true? Is it a big risk to wait until 60 days out?

2- We like to stay for 9-10 nights usually. Looking at what has been posted on Ebay, most of them are 7 nights. Are BC timeshare points similar to Disney in that I just would have to find someone that has enough points to book a 10 night trip or do they work on weeks where we would book 2 weeks and might have to change rooms?

3- I think I know this, just want to make sure. Would there be any problems for someone in a wheelchair at this resort? Would we have to get a room on the 1st floor?

We are former DVC owners and LOVE Bonnet Creek. Sold our DVC membership at a profit and we now book our BC stays thru ebay. I have always booked less than 60 days out and think I have gotten great deals. The last one we booked was 10 days out, I was waiting for the dates we needed and something came up finally. It is not a big risk for me to wait, but if you are planning a big event it's a hard call. This past trip was only 3 nights so it seems to me like you would be able to combine a ressie to equal 10 nights in some shape or form. There are plenty of roomy elevators way more than at the disney resorts, and I think it all looks pretty handicapped accessible. I can't see why you would need a first floor unit. I think it's a smart idea, go for it, and good luck!!!

 

[Disfan15]

Hello!

What is the price/point difference for a 2br deluxe and presidential in late July and August. We also use myresortnetwork.com for the rentals. How can you figure out if an owner has enough point for presidential? Also for the summer months if you book more last minute will you be able to book a 2br room? Thanks!

Happy Summer!

 

[Wonders10]

Can I purchase a florida resident 1-day ticket with water park and more option at WBC? Is it an actual ticket or a voucher where I will still need to go to guest relations at the park?

Thanks!

 

[Wonders10]

Another question...is soap provided for the washing machine or to do dishes? We won't need a lot of either but would like to know if any is available. Thanks!!!

 

[JimMIA]

Another question...is soap provided for the washing machine or to do dishes? We won't need a lot of either but would like to know if any is available. Thanks!!!

Yes, small quantities of both provided.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Another question...is soap provided for the washing machine or to do dishes? We won't need a lot of either but would like to know if any is available. Thanks!!!

My 2br had 3 packages of both laundry detergent(but no fabric softener/dryer sheets) and dishwasher detergent. It was no name industrial type stuff so you're better off bringing your own. I bring the Purex laundry sheets and a few extra dryer sheets. I also bring a few dishwasher pods. They do provide a tiny bottle of dish liquid that is more than enough....we stayed 2 weeks and it lasted.

 

[DCTooTall]

We own DVC and are planning on staying at Disney hotels for our next few trips, but our family is also getting larger and we have discussed taking trips with other people where we would need more room and BC seems to be a good option. I read through parts of this thread but I do still have a few questions:

1- I've read that the best deals are less than 60 days out. Is that true? Is it a big risk to wait until 60 days out?

2- We like to stay for 9-10 nights usually. Looking at what has been posted on Ebay, most of them are 7 nights. Are BC timeshare points similar to Disney in that I just would have to find someone that has enough points to book a 10 night trip or do they work on weeks where we would book 2 weeks and might have to change rooms?

3- I think I know this, just want to make sure. Would there be any problems for someone in a wheelchair at this resort? Would we have to get a room on the 1st floor?

1. Owners with certain ownership levels can qualify for a point discount and room upgrades around the 60day window, which would allow for them to do some tricks to get reservations for a much lower point cost within this window. (Ie.... Reserve a 1bdrm deluxe unit at a 20% point discount, and then using a free upgrade to a 2bdrm presidential). So for some owners, they will pass that discount along to you.

Some owners however will assume they can use these tricks when they quote you the reservation further out (cancel and rebook with the discount). So waiting until within 60days no longer gives the same kind of price breaks it once did due to these larger commercial renters who factor in those discounts from the start.

As for waiting until the 60 day window... It depends. If you are just looking for a 2bdrm deluxe unit during average times of year, you'll probably be find. If however you are wanting to travel during peak times (Holidays, Christmas/new years, Spring break, etc), and/or you are wanting a room type which is a little more rare (any presidential, 3bdrm or 1bdrm units), then you may want to consider booking early just to make sure you can get what you want since the resort has become much more popular and therefore availability can be tighter during higher demand times.

2. The Resort uses a point based system, so you can book the 9-10 days. It'll be under multiple reservations since the inventory control system still works under the traditional 7 day time share week (or partial week) , but the resort itself will combine those multiple reservations into a single stay.

3. The resort towers feature both elevators and accessible rooms. If you need an accessible room, I'd really recommend booking sooner rather than later so that you can reserve one of the accessible rooms before they are all booked. If you can survive in a regular room ( mostly the bathroom related modifications), with the elevators you shouldn't have any issues getting to a room located anywhere in the tower.

Can I purchase a florida resident 1-day ticket with water park and more option at WBC? Is it an actual ticket or a voucher where I will still need to go to guest relations at the park?

Thanks!

The ticket desk in the main lobby is staffed by Disney employees and are capable to printing out actual tickets..... At least, they used too. I don't know if Disney's move to RFID based tickets is impacting this desk.

I don't know enough about the Florida Resident tickets to know if they would be authorized or able to sell this specific ticket option.

 

[mikey20]

Just phone to confirm a pack and play for our room next week. Person on the phone was very nice and said they would do their best. The reservation was found very quickly as well!
Very excited!

 

[taylor1293]

Thinking about booking here. Can we park two cars at the resort? My DH will have to go back to work before we have to leave and we'll need to bring two cars.

Thanks!