Beach Club Villas vs. Wyndham Bonnet Creek? Need input!!

[jamelynn24]

Here's my dilemma....we stayed at the Beach Club Villas in a studio last month and could not have loved the resort more! Such fun and a great location! We are going to be back for spring break 2013 and don't know where to stay. We are annual pass holders and have Tables in Wonderland, so we don't need a vacation package through Disney. I've read a lot of great things on these boards about Bonnet Creek, so that's how we got our off-property option.

Bonnet Creek will be $1200 for a 2-bedroom condo. If I rent DVC points, it will cost anywhere from $2000-$2600 (for a studio) depending on the per-point price. I'm looking at a HUGE price difference. But will I miss not staying at a Disney resort?? Because it's spring break, we will be spending a lot more time than normal at our resort. We always do Disney during the value season, so spring break crowds will be quite a change...but we need to get use of the annual passes

Anyone else had to choose on-site vs. off-site?? How do you decide??

 

[mariamouse]

Are Wyndham Bonnet Creek and BCV the only two options?

What about renting at a less expensive DVC property (i.e. AKL) or staying at a moderate resort? Or maybe the Swan/Dolphin since you love the Epcot resort area so much?

It sounds like you would really appreciate staying on property, so I would look into these other less expensive options. Personally, we will never go to WDW unless we are staying on property... just love being in the center of the magic!

 

[jamelynn24]

Are Wyndham Bonnet Creek and BCV the only two options?

What about renting at a less expensive DVC property (i.e. AKL) or staying at a moderate resort? Or maybe the Swan/Dolphin since you love the Epcot resort area so much?

It sounds like you would really appreciate staying on property, so I would look into these other less expensive options. Personally, we will never go to WDW unless we are staying on property... just love being in the center of the magic!

Well, I guess not the ONLY options, but we looooove Beach Club!! We've stayed at POR a few times and love it, but during spring break, it would be over $200/night, plus the extra charge for an 'adult' since I have a 10 year old. So really, the cost of a mod would be about the same as renting DVC points.

I do need to look into the Swan/Dolphin. Can you book those through Disney? How do you get discounts on those resorts?

I really would love to stay on property. We've been to WDW as a family 7 times and have never stayed off property...we are also DVC members. So you can see how staying at Bonnet Creek would be quite a shock for us!! Just don't know if we can justify the cost difference.

 

[hsmamato2]

I am looking at swan/dolphin,b/c I love the BCV location! we stayed there in 2010,ans I love walking to all the places we wanted to go.....Bonnet Creek you'd need a car.....

 

[outahere]

Well, I guess not the ONLY options, but we looooove Beach Club!! We've stayed at POR a few times and love it, but during spring break, it would be over $200/night, plus the extra charge for an 'adult' since I have a 10 year old. So really, the cost of a mod would be about the same as renting DVC points.

I don't think the WDW resorts starting charging for a child, as an adult, until they turn 18. I know we've never had to pay extra for our DS until our upcoming trip in August, because he turned 18 last month.

 

[thelionqueen]

Bonnet Creek, although technically not considered "on property" is only accessible and surrounded by Disney property, so not "off site" per se.

We too LOVE Beach Club, the resort is amazing and the location great!

I guess what I would advise is to weigh the options. Is it worth over $200 a night for less room but being at a Disney resort? Is the location worth the cost?

I am a self proclaimed advocate of staying onsite..always have. Our upcoming trip will be the first time we will be at a non-Disney resort..and is Bonnet Creek. For me the deciding factor was cost. We would get nearly 4X the room for less than the cost of a Value resort. We are still "on site" to me (inside WDW gates) and in a location we love (close to DTD).

The size, amenities, location & cost or BC vs a Disney resort made it a pretty easy decision for us. You need to weigh what is most important to you and vacation accordingly!

 

[TeenaS]

I don't think the WDW resorts starting charging for a child, as an adult, until they turn 18. I know we've never had to pay extra for our DS until our upcoming trip in August, because he turned 18 last month.

An adult in the room is by definition 18 years or older. It's different for tickets and dining plan.

 

[jamelynn24]

Bonnet Creek, although technically not considered "on property" is only accessible and surrounded by Disney property, so not "off site" per se.

We too LOVE Beach Club, the resort is amazing and the location great!

I guess what I would advise is to weigh the options. Is it worth over $200 a night for less room but being at a Disney resort? Is the location worth the cost?

I am a self proclaimed advocate of staying onsite..always have. Our upcoming trip will be the first time we will be at a non-Disney resort..and is Bonnet Creek. For me the deciding factor was cost. We would get nearly 4X the room for less than the cost of a Value resort. We are still "on site" to me (inside WDW gates) and in a location we love (close to DTD).

The size, amenities, location & cost or BC vs a Disney resort made it a pretty easy decision for us. You need to weigh what is most important to you and vacation accordingly!

It SHOULD be an easy decision, shouldn't it?!?!? We have always been the same way, always wondered why anyone would want to stay off site. And now we may do it! Have a fabulous trip! WBC looks perfect...except for not being a 'Disney' resort. Ha ha!!

 

[jamelynn24]

Thanks for everyone's replies!!

And I had no idea that an extra adult in the room was 18 years old. I guess I just assumed it was 10yo since everything else considers 10 as an adult. Not sure that will influence the decision much, but it's definitely good to know!!!

 

[bzzelady]

I've stayed both places and love them both. When I have a car, I'm perfectly content at Bonnet Creek. Use the AP to cover parking fees. I like having my own fully equipped kitchen and laundry rather than a studio. Pools and lazy river are very nice over at Bonnet Creek-not the magnitude of SAB, but very nice just the same. I like having the extra villa space over at Bonnet Creek-when I am short on points, it is one of my first choices. The value is great and you are techically on Disney property. The difference in price may very well be worth the car rental.

It will be crowded during spring break-buses will be bad and parks will be crowded so you will be at your resort more, so if you feel as though you will be more at the resort than the parks, Bonnet Creek may be the way to go. When I visit Disney during a crowded time, I stay at the resort more, cook a couple of meals in, and relax. Bonnet Creek has gas grills for use by all resort guests convenient to each building which is a nice advantage.

The one advantage to staying "onsite" at a Disney resort with crowded times is that if the parks fill out, you would be the last group shut out from admission to the parks.

 

[jamelynn24]

I've stayed both places and love them both. When I have a car, I'm perfectly content at Bonnet Creek. Use the AP to cover parking fees. I like having my own fully equipped kitchen and laundry rather than a studio. Pools and lazy river are very nice over at Bonnet Creek-not the magnitude of SAB, but very nice just the same. I like having the extra villa space over at Bonnet Creek-when I am short on points, it is one of my first choices. The value is great and you are techically on Disney property. The difference in price may very well be worth the car rental.

It will be crowded during spring break-buses will be bad and parks will be crowded so you will be at your resort more, so if you feel as though you will be more at the resort than the parks, Bonnet Creek may be the way to go. When I visit Disney during a crowded time, I stay at the resort more, cook a couple of meals in, and relax. Bonnet Creek has gas grills for use by all resort guests convenient to each building which is a nice advantage.

The one advantage to staying "onsite" at a Disney resort with crowded times is that if the parks fill out, you would be the last group shut out from admission to the parks.

All very good points!! We drive down from IL, so we drive to the parks. Do you still feel the Disney 'magic' at Bonnet Creek? I think that's one thing I am most worried about. I do like that they have grills at WBC. That's a definite bonus!!

My oldest son is not sold on WBC and just suggested that we stay at the Boardwalk. Hmmm....he may be on to something there. Plenty to do when we are not at the parks, that's for sure. But I wonder if I'd just stare across the water at BCV and wish I was there. Ha ha!!!

 

[bzzelady]

I can't say it's Disney magic...but that is only a short car hop away.
Keep in mind the parking situation at Boardwalk (across the street). And those loooonnnng hallways!
I feel as though I am staying in luxury when I am there. Ask for a villa 6th floor or higher on the parking garage side of Torre de Ciello...you will have a dead on view of Illuminations

 

[juliebug1997]

Do AP holders get to use EMH if they're staying off-site? That would be a huge question for me. I love AM EMHs at MK.

 

[bzzelady]

no...EMH is for those staying onsite at Disney hotels only.

 

[DebbieB]

Do AP holders get to use EMH if they're staying off-site? That would be a huge question for me. I love AM EMHs at MK.

No. Only WDW hotels, plus Swan & Dolphin & the Downtown Disney Hilton.

 

[LadyFan55]

We have stayed at WBC twice and would go back in a hearbeat. The rooms are beautiful, the resort is wonderful, the multiple pools are superior (yes, even to BCV sand).

After reading all many glowing reviews of BCV, my husband and I decided to stay in a 1B for 3 nights (2/12/13-2/15/13 in room 345). We could not have been more let down!! The pool is no big deal (all other none-DVC resorts we have stayed at have better pool/pool areas), the tiny room reminded us of furnished low-budget multi-family housing, the beds were worse than being on an ER examination table, the bathroom and closet configuration is just down right maddening.

Now I realize this may offend some DVC owners, but I cannot allow that to keep me from speaking truth. Yes, there are perks to staying on prop, but if you want a beautiful, spacious room, a dreamy bed, multiple awesome pools areas, it is a no brainer, Wyndham Bonnet Creek blows BCV out of the water.

 

[spiceycat]

After reading all many glowing reviews of BCV, my husband and I decided to stay in a 1B for 3 nights (2/12/13-2/15/13 in room 345). We could not have been more let down!! The pool is no big deal (all other none-DVC resorts we have stayed at have better pool/pool areas),

did you understand that the pool that is so great is not at BCV - it is SALB - it is between BC and Yc. the big pool with sand on the bottom.

bcv has access to it and the quiet pools at YC and BC as well.

Now WBC is nice - but nothing it has can compare with SLB. sorry my opinion

now have stayed at WBC - yes it does have good points - also some bad ones.

be sure you understand where the silly lights are located - they are not in one area but several places and some are hard to find.

the tub was not a whirlpool - but one of those one with the tiny jets - not good for muscle relaxation (bryan's spanish cove also has these) these are in the master bedroom

there is a whirlpool tub outside with the pool.

also happen to love BCV and even BWV (just not looking at that pool)

so this would be hard for me to decide - guess it depends upon what you want - more room - or looking our your room and seeing Disney.

have done both - stayed offsite (in many timeshares/hotels/motels) and stayed onsite (DVC and WDW hotels).

for me it depends upon how I feel when I make the reservation.

for the OP what days are you talking about? with the new rates from Rci - you got a reasonable price for WBC - though those days were gone.

 

[LSchrow]

Keep in mind the parking situation at Boardwalk (across the street). And those loooonnnng hallways!

BWV/BWI resort guest lot is by the conference ctr....only a few minute walk from the lobby (even if parked in furthest end). there is an additional lot behind valet.
non-resort guests are usually directed to use valet, or the lot across the street (thankfully, they have gotten very strict with "visitors" who try to use the resort guest lots).

BWV's also have community hall, jellyrolls, nighttime entertainers and carny games, and is a short stroll (or boatride) to EPCOT and/or DHS. so you avoid the spring break parking chaos at at least 2 parks, saving a lot of vaca time


long hallways? worse case scenerio is that you do wind up furthest from the elevator, BUT there are many, MANY stairwells throughout the resort that lead to the DHS walkway, BW, Luna park, quiet pool, etc. we go at least 2x a year, and rarely, if ever, use the elevators (the stairs just feel like our own private entry/exit).
had we not stayed at the BWVs, we planned to try WBC.....but now we just can't give up all the BW offers

 

[MermaidMommy]

To answer the questions about Swan/Dolphin:

You can book through Disney, but you can get better rates by booking with the hotels directly. They have lots of discounts throughout the year: AAA,
AARP, Entertainment Book. There area also seasonal ones.

 

[LadyFan55]

did you understand that the pool that is so great is not at BCV - it is SALB - it is between BC and Yc. the big pool with sand on the bottom.

bcv has access to it and the quiet pools at YC and BC as well.

Now WBC is nice - but nothing it has can compare with SLB. sorry my opinion

now have stayed at WBC - yes it does have good points - also some bad ones.

be sure you understand where the silly lights are located - they are not in one area but several places and some are hard to find.

the tub was not a whirlpool - but one of those one with the tiny jets - not good for muscle relaxation (bryan's spanish cove also has these) these are in the master bedroom

there is a whirlpool tub outside with the pool.

also happen to love BCV and even BWV (just not looking at that pool)

so this would be hard for me to decide - guess it depends upon what you want - more room - or looking our your room and seeing Disney.

have done both - stayed offsite (in many timeshares/hotels/motels) and stayed onsite (DVC and WDW hotels).

for me it depends upon how I feel when I make the reservation.

for the OP what days are you talking about? with the new rates from Rci - you got a reasonable price for WBC - though those days were gone.

Sorry if I confused things, I know which pool Storm Along bay is, and it is indeed the pool I was talking about. Again, not that big of a deal compared to WBC, Marriott Lakeshore Reserve (bit of a drive), Sheraton Vistana Resort... On our 8 family member trip, all agreed nothing beats strolling around the lake at WBC visiting all the pools. From 2 totally different lazy rivers, to a salt water/pirateship pool. It is just so cool!!!

As for becoming familiar with your room, it does take about 5 - 10 min's to orient yourself to any new room. And yes, WBC is no different. But even after getting used to the crazy bathroom/closet floorplan at BCV, we both still hated it.

In addition to the superior room quality, from real closets to comfy beds, price also makes a big difference when deciding where to stay. But in the end, the beds at both BCV OKW where both pretty bad, we got almost no sleep. The smaller, queen size beds on the Disney Dream Cruise ship, now that is the quality they should have at their resorts, those beds were just as wonderful as the beds at WBC, only smaller (queens vs kings).

Indeed to trade into WBC via RCI, you must start your search early. We also use Farrell to add days to our stay.

We all have our own opinion, I just know that we will never go back to BCV, least not until they change out the horrible beds. Sleep is just far too important when visiting WDW.