views - Disney has some really great views - OKW, AKL, and my favorite BLT.
There are some good views offsite as well. Our unit at the Fountains had a terrific view with a lake below, and then SeaWorld in the distance.
I liked our view from Orlando Sunshine as well, although it was just the garden area by the pool. Nice view, though, and, with the padded lounge chairs and big screened porch, really comfy place to relax.
I do not expect much of our next stay at the Sunshine, though -- we're in the other building, which faces the pool but also a bunch of really big power lines.
Still not as hot and nasty a view as some at the Beach Club, however -- WDW has some of the best views, but also some of the worst.
can anyone book a timeshare condo/town or do you have to have a connection?
Anyone can rent points or weeks from individuals, and get very good deals that way. And a lot of places you can rent from the developers -- Wyndham, Blue Green, etc. -- or from the guys who run the place, like Floridays. All of those have two bedroom condos available for less than most rooms onsite cost. I'd pick a few places that sound good and look into how to find the best deal for that particular resort.
For instance, I believe the best deals at Bonnet Creek are the e-bay rentals; I'd probably go with Vacation Strategy myself, because using a broker is less risky. Less risky first because they've got a known reputation -- excellent, in the case of VC -- and second because they often have better protection if things go soft. Most rentals from individuals, OTOH, you pay your money upfront, and that's it; if you can't get there, tough. If you can't make your vacation with a broker, sometimes they will put your payment into an account so you can use it later or otherwise work with you. Using a broker is not the same as working with a hotel, but it's usually closer to that than renting from individuals can be.
Renting direct from Wyndham or Bluegreen -- generally the more expensive option, but also usually cheaper than onsite (the exceptions being free dining or some other deal) is pretty much like renting a hotel room, except you will not get daily maid service. Which is the big difference between being in a hotel and renting a timeshare in general, I suppose, but people who rent direct get surprised by that difference the most.