Bonita Springs to WDW

[JennSaint]

Next month we will be spending our vacation in Bonita Springs. We will be drving up to WDW and would like to know the fastest way. Any help is appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[seashoreCM]

I would just go up the interstates and not during morning rush. (I did this trip a few years ago). There is some construction on I-4 but I don[t think there is any faster alaternative.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Threehearts]

We just returned from Bonita Springs w/our 2 kids last week. What a wonderful trip! We got too late a start to go to WDW but will say that we took a lot of "short-cut" back roads on the way to Orlando and they turned out to be one lane roads with many traffic lights. It's probably best to take the major highways. Have fun! Threehearts

 

[JennSaint]

Thanks for your replies.

Threehearts if you don't mind me asking how did you like Bonita Springs? We've never been so I'm anxious about it. Did you stay in a hotel?
Thanks again!

 

[Threehearts]

We took a last minute trip on Dec. 28th and tried Priceline for the Naples area. We use Priceline all the time and usually receive fantastic resorts but I am now fairly expert at "working" Priceline so if you're not, your risk may be higher.
We received 5 nights at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Pointe and it was wonderful. They had a launch to their private island beach, a cool waterslide for the kids in one of their 3 pools and all for a fair price. We had a high floor, ocean front room with a full balcony. The area is full of less expensive restaurants and I would recommend a car. it was an easy drive to WDW. Have fun! Susan

 

[denisenh]

We have also been to the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, twice last year, and LOVED it!! We flew into Tampa both times and it was a 2 hour, maybe 2 1/2, from there down I-75 but not a bad drive at all.
In February we are going to spend 5 nights at Hyatt Coconut Plantation
and we are flying into MCO.
There is a more direct route to Orlando that we tried once from the Port Charlotte area....maybe highway 17? So instead of hugging the coast and then turning inland at I-75 to I -4 (and the reverse), it is more of a direct line.
Anyway, I think it is just much faster to take 75 and 4, which is what we will do on our upcoming Orlando / Bonita Springs trip. We will make a day of it and stop at the Manatee viewing center on the way down. I recommend this as a stretch your legs stop. Nature walk and clean bathrooms are nice and it is free! It is run by volunteers, retired from the power plant next door and interesting to learn how the place came to be. If your kids have an ocean project to do, this place has a lot of info and literature to bring home. We have gone twice and enjoyed it enough to go again.
I found a website for the
Manatee Viewing Center

 

[JennSaint]

Thank you everyone!

We actually have reservations at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point (8 nights) so I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. We are renting a minivan for our entire stay so if you have any recommendations on things to do in this area I would really appreciate it. I do have a question about the private island beach they boat you to: Does it have bathroom facilities?
Thanks again!

 

[denisenh]

Yes, the island has a bathroom assessable with a card key that you are given on the boat ride over. I think that they are building a new island facility, maybe it is done?
The Hyatt also lends out back pack coolers for the day or afternoon...just fill it with your drinks and/or lunch and they will add the ice. They are available at a lobby level shop (I forgot the name of it) as well as sandwiches, salads, snacks, etc.
Also, a nice treat, they lend out dvd's free of charge. Each night I would let our 2 girls each choose one and they would be able to watch it after their bath. Always a quiet night.
You will love it there. 8 nights, holy cow! That would be a dream come true for me. A truly luxurious resort. As far as side trips,
We enjoy nature trails and liked Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. There is also at least one outlet mall off the main road ( at the exit off of 75 that you would use to get to the Hyatt) Also a zoo..... Caribbean wonder gardens maybe?? (Our trips are starting to blend together) It was OK but barely worth the money. Not what we are used to in this day of mega parks and zoos, but interesting to spend the afternoon.
If I think of anything else I will post it!

 

[JennSaint]

Thank you so much denise!

Yes I was a lucky one who got the Hyatt on hotwire. I can't wait to stay there. I've read only good reviews. You must be excited to stay at the Coconut Plantation since it's brand new. I plan on checking it out while we are there.

 

[Threehearts]

We went to Coconut Plantation and it was fantastic!! The BEST kid's lazy river pool and beautiful grounds. If at the Coconut Pointe you can take a time-share tour for a little over an hour and get $100 in restaurant vouchers for the Hyatt Coc. Pointe. This was our first time doing this time-share thing and this one was easy. The island facilities at the beach were not fully open 2 weeks ago and the marina workers said that the project was on hold for now but they are not necessary. We went to the supermarket down the street, put lunch items in our free in-room fridge and used coolers from the coffee shop to bring our lunch to the island. The coolers go quickly, so go down to the coffee shop by 8am to reserve your foam cooler. They are kept in an area to the left of the cashier. The in-room movies have to be back by 11am so right after that pick out your evening movies if possible because the selection was extremely limited. Better yet, throw some DVDs from home in your suitcase. Ask for a full balcony. Less than half the hotel has them and the others are decorative NOT just small. You CANNOT sit on the balconies that are not full as they jut out out only about 10 inches. We moved our first room because of this. This resort has the best service and most pleasant staff you will ever encounter. Have a super time!! Susan

 

[denisenh]

You are welcome Jenn! I have never seen a bad reveiw for that Hyatt either. I agree with Susan, definitely get a balcony. I am pretty sure it is the odd # floors that have full balconies. I felt like a queen sitting out there painting my toenails watching the world go by. What a life! LOL
Susan, is the river pool very deep? Did you stay at Coconut Plantation or go for the tour? What was your impression of the rooms? I am wondering if the number on the confirmation is our room number (2 bedroom / 2 bath) #286. I hope it is in a good location.
Well, it may sound odd but my main reason for going to the Hyatt vacation club is that we can use the Hyatt resort amenities, like the beach and pool, so anything else is "gravy". The next few weeks will be anticipation filled and slow. I am ready to go now!

 

[Threehearts]

Denise,

We just did the time share tour but the rooms were beautiful. I tried to reserve an add-on night there for the end of our vacation and they said I could for $500 for a one-bedroom. We couldn't swing that! The place is gorgeous and your children will never leave the playground or FABULOUS lazy river except for maybe the beach. I didn't see how deep the lazy river part was but there were kids of all ages riding around in inner tubes with or without their parents with them. It was not crowded just super fun. You'll love it there and I am SO jealous. Susan

 

[denisenh]

THANK YOU SUSAN!! Just what I wanted to hear!! YEA!! I can't wait...it will make leaving Animal Kingdom Lodge a bit easier knowing that we are heading to such a cool place. I wouldn't pay $500 a night, swing it or not, (that is absurd, oh my heavens, I don't blame you for not staying) .....we have an internet rate of $257 a night for our 2 bedroom 2 bath. Can't beat that!!

 

[denisenh]

I just wanted to fix a comment that i made above regarding Caribbean wonder gardens. The place we went to was Everglades Wonder Gardens. I found this error when I was looking for things to do on our upcoming trip.
We are planning to go to Caribbean Gardens / Naples Zoo

 

[justhat]

We went to Naples right before Christmas (stayed at the Ritz-Carlton on the beach) and loved it. We went to the Caribbean Gardens Zoo, and according to my fiancé, you won't miss much if you don't go. I liked the zoo, but I do like all zoos and anything animal related, but I will admit it was a bit small, especially considering the price of admission. We printed out a coupon on their website, but without that I think they charge too much. We don't have any kids yet (it was our last vacation without one!), but I'm sure kids would like the zoo. They also have a boat ride included in admission that takes you to see the primates and lots of shows throughout the day, so if you time it right you can see most of them and that makes the day more worth it. Have a great time!

 

[denisenh]

Originally posted by justhat
We went to Naples right before Christmas (stayed at the Ritz-Carlton on the beach) and loved it. We went to the Caribbean Gardens Zoo, and according to my fiancé, you won't miss much if you don't go. I liked the zoo, but I do like all zoos and anything animal related, but I will admit it was a bit small, especially considering the price of admission. We printed out a coupon on their website, but without that I think they charge too much. We don't have any kids yet (it was our last vacation without one!), but I'm sure kids would like the zoo. They also have a boat ride included in admission that takes you to see the primates and lots of shows throughout the day, so if you time it right you can see most of them and that makes the day more worth it. Have a great time!

I think that Ritz was on the travel channel last week. Looks beautiful.
Thanks for the info on the zoo. I printed the coupon for $1 off and we will try to get there to be able to see the shows.
The last really nice zoo we went to was Miami metro zoo, so clean and had nice areas for the animals. I would love to go back.