Bonnet Creek Question-What happens if...

[shaunaday]

Okay, I am looking into the possibility of a Thanksgiving or Christmas trip to WDW for our family. We would really like to try Bonnet Creek. In order to do this trip at Bonnet Creek, I am thinking that securing the accomodations will need to be done months before our trip. Am a right about that?

If so, one thing concerns me...what would we do if something came up and we needed to change the dates, etc.? I am assuming that it won't be very easy to do with timeshare situation...maybe impossible. Am I right?

 

[Brian Noble]

It depends entirely on the agreement you have with the owner from whom you rent.

My timeshare rentals are non-refundable for any reason. Once you book, those are your dates.

 

[greenclan67]

Hi Brian,
Maybe you can tell me if you know what would happen in this situation while I am waiting for Ken to get back to me.
We rented from Ken from Feb 5th to the 13th. He offered us a 3 bdrm upgrade if we wanted, but said it was harder to get a fireworks view with a 3 then a 2. Anyhow, I had a sister and bro-in-law sitting on the fence to come or not because he was having surgery. So I called her before turning down the 3 bdrm and asked point blank I need to know if you are coming, if so, I will book the 3 bdrm, if not I will take the 2 bdrm. I think I had written this on here before. So of course, my bro-in law had his surgery last week, and is feeling good now, and would like to come, so called and asked if it would be ok. Which I have no problem with them coming, it will cut down my cost. My problem is, he is still sore enough he can't sleep in a bed with my sis, so needs a bed to himself, and the couch ain't gonna cut it.
After a long story, what I want to know, is what are the chances that Ken could change it with only 18 days left to a 3 bdrm for me, just to not be as crowded. Now there will be 7 of us, instead of 4. Can that even be done? I just know, I am not letting them come in at this late date, and taking my King bed from me! Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Brian Noble]

When I look right now, I do not see 3BR availability for your dates. Sorry.

Edited to add: you might be able to get him his own 2BR, or a unit at another Wyndham resort.

 

[greenclan67]

Thanks for checking for me Brian. It was a thought. Was there still 2 br's available? I should have stuck with the 3 bdrm I guess, funny part is, we are in the 3 bdrm the 1st night, and there is just the 4 of us that night, and then the next day they all come! I know Ken hasn't gotten back to me yet, but he has had a few deaths in his/wife's family! That being said, if a 3 bdrm came available would he be able to do that?

 

[Brian Noble]

if a 3 bdrm came available would he be able to do that?

The only one who can answer that question is Ken. He would have to cancel and rebook you, and Wyndham charges fees for doing that.

 

[garmich]

The majority of the units at Bonnet Creek are 2-bedrooms. There are not many 1-bedroom and 3-bedroom units, so those are harder to get. At 30 days before check-in, VIP owners can upgrade their units. Maybe you could rent a 1-bedroom for your in-laws at the 30-day window, when someone upgrades their 1-bedroom up to a 2-bedroom.

 

[greenclan67]

Well the thing is we are at the 18 day out mark! We go Feb 5th! So is that possible. I have no problem renting a 1 bedroom to go with it! Is it possible to get one that would be close together? Or at least in the same building or floor?

 

[Brian Noble]

It is possible, but I don't know that it is likely. I'd say the odds are against you unless you are willing to take a 2BR, and even that may be iffy.

If they are for sure coming, I think I would book somthing, somewhere for them conventionally right now, that you can cancel up to the day of or day before check-in. That way, you've got somethng, and if Ken (or someone else) comes through, then you are golden.

 

[greenclan67]

Thanks guys!! I am still waiting on Ken! Do you yourself rent out as well, if I have to look somewhere else, then I will. I would like to see what my options are first! I will sit and be patient, and I am most def not letting my sister and bro in law make me miserable trying to figure something out, cause they had every opportunity. So if it is not possible, they will eithier have to sleep together, or find somewhere else.

 

[shaunaday]

In order to do this trip at Bonnet Creek, I am thinking that securing the accomodations will need to be done months before our trip. Am a right about that?

Can someone tell me if my above assumption is correct? Do you think it's going to be impossible to book a Christmas or Thanksgiving trip (actually, most likely we will be doing Thanksgiving week) at Bonnet Creek closer to our trip? Or should we be looking into rentals right NOW?

In the past, I would normally have everything booked about 4-6 months out...but I've never rented a timeshare and just wasn't sure about waiting that long.

 

[Brian Noble]

Wyndham owners can book their home resorts at 13 months, and any resort at 10. So, in another week or two general booking will be open for Thanksgiving. It will be another month before Christmas opens.

You've got two options. One: if your heart is set on BC, may as well book as soon as you know when you want to go. Two: if you're willing to roll the dice, you can book a backup you can cancel, and then wait things out. As the time draws near, and if there are a good number of owners who booked holiday weeks "on spec" haven't rented them, you can sometimes get a good deal.

IIRC, neither of those weeks are likely to have 60-day inventory (when VIP discounts kick in), but you never know.

 

[shaunaday]

Thanks! I think my heart really has become "set on Bonnet Creek"...so I think we will probably take Option Number 1.

Now...I am off to convince the DH!

 

[horseshowmom]

Thanks guys!! I am still waiting on Ken! Do you yourself rent out as well, if I have to look somewhere else, then I will. I would like to see what my options are first! I will sit and be patient, and I am most def not letting my sister and bro in law make me miserable trying to figure something out, cause they had every opportunity. So if it is not possible, they will eithier have to sleep together, or find somewhere else.

When you say they can't sleep "together", do you mean in the same bed or in the same room? If you mean they can sleep in the same room, the 2nd bedroom has two beds in it (each is a full size bed). If you wanted to, you could carry blow up beds for the kids to put in the dining room/living room area.

 

[horseshowmom]

Can someone tell me if my above assumption is correct? Do you think it's going to be impossible to book a Christmas or Thanksgiving trip (actually, most likely we will be doing Thanksgiving week) at Bonnet Creek closer to our trip? Or should we be looking into rentals right NOW?

In the past, I would normally have everything booked about 4-6 months out...but I've never rented a timeshare and just wasn't sure about waiting that long.

I can tell you what my experience was for this past Christmas. There were quite a few options available for both Christmas and Thanksgiving at good prices on ebay (which is where I got mine - I wound up booking on 12/1). As I got closer to Christmas, I saw several options in other places.

The prices were significantly less by waiting until within the 60 day timeframe. As I understand it, it costs an owner less in points if they book within the 60 day timeframe. I told the seller I used what dates I needed, and he did an auction for me with those dates. That said, it's a gamble to wait, because this year might be completely different.

 

[Stasieki]

Sorry to hijack your thread, but my question goes in with this discussion. I would like to rent at Bonnett Creek for October, but need a 4 bedroom - how hard are those to come by? What would be my best way to go about it? I like to plan early versus waiting to see if something comes up. Thanks!!!!! We have stayed Orange Lake the last two years and want a little change - looks very nice and love how close it is.

 

[Janet Hill]

I would like to rent at Bonnett Creek for October, but need a 4 bedroom - how hard are those to come by? What would be my best way to go about it? I like to plan early versus waiting to see if something comes up. Thanks!!!!!

Extremely hard. I looked just now and there are none available in October. Your best bet is to find someone who owns enough points at BC to have and advanced reservation priority and book 13 months out. The 4BR units go quickly. You would have better luck getting 2 2 BR. BC is very good about keeping linked reservations side by side or at least close by.