Bonnet Creek Resort - First time!

[Legend_073]

Hi Everyone,

Our first trip to WDW is coming up in February. We booked reservations at Bonnet Creek Resort through our vacation membership.

This will be our first time at this resort and our first time to WDW. We (me, husband and 2 kids, ages 3.5 & 6) will be there for a week and we don't plan on renting a car. We bought WDW tickets for 6 days.

I would like to do buy some groceries when we first arrive (milk, juice, water, snacks, breakfast items).

Is there a grocery store close by?

Is there a shuttle that will take us to WDW? What are the times like? Is there a shuttle that'll take us back to the resort from WDW?

Is there anything else we should know about the resort?

Any bit of info or tips would be greatly appreciated!!

TIA!!

 

[spiceycat]

you really need a rental car.

that say.

yes there is a FREE shuttle to WDW at Bonnet Creek.

It does every hour or two, I think.

the transportation back and forth to the airport - would almost pay for your car rental.

go ask on the transportation board for the good deals.

Orlando has grocery delivery services

www.wegoshop.com

www.gardengrocer.com

some people still like
www.netgrocer.com - not local so no fresh vegetables or fruits.

here is a site
http://bonnetcreek.com/

another one
https://www.fairfieldresorts.com/ffr/resort/details.do

 

[Upatnoon]

The good news is that this is a beautiful resort and you will enjoy the large rooms and proximity to Disney. However, I would strongly suggest you rent a car, especially with a 3.5 year old.

Just rent the cheapest thing available, as your longest drive will be from the airport to the resort. You could use the shuttles with taxi service as a backup, but you will be tired enough without having to worry about transportation.

When you check in at Bonnet Creek they will give you a detailed sheet of instructions on how to get to nearby grocery stores. The Publix supermarket we went to was about 4 miles (15 minutes) away. They sell some food at the resort, but it is very costly. $6 for a 2-liter of Coke.

Also, with a car you can go offsite to eat a few meals. With four people, that could pay for the rental!

 

[Legend_073]

Thank you for the info. By the looks of it, I guess I should get the rental car.

How do I know where to rent a rental car?

Will the car be at the airport? To get us to the resort.


Sorry for all the questions, this is my first trip ever. First time on plane, first time to WDW...so it's all new to me.

Thank you again for the responses!

 

[Southernswthrt1]

We stayed there for 5 nights the second week of December, and we ABSOLUTELY LOVED it! We booked through hotels.com. After staying here, I will never stay at one of Disney's resorts again. It is very luxurious and is in an awesome location. We're talking under 5 minutes to EP and MGM, and under 10 to MK and AK.

The resort has so many amenities and activities that you could literally make a vacation there. We were in such a pinch for time that we didn't get a chance to take advantage of them. I can't wait to plan my next trip there!

The other posters are correct. You really need to rent a car. We rented through Alamo and got a full size for only $98 for 8 days! You can't beat that. We could have gotten a smaller car for $74 for 8 days. Check Mousesavers.com and the Transportation boards for codes. I used a WalMart Code for a discount and a free driver and an Alamo e-coupon code for $25 off.

In 2002, we paid $80 for a town car service to POFQ for 2 adults. Having a rental gives you so much more freedom. It doesn't take long to get used to the area and it's easy to get around. We went to Publix and Walmart, both of which were easy to get to and under 10 minutes away.

WBC uses Maingate transportation, but it isn't very frequent. Rent the car and drive to the parks. The location of this resort couldn't be better. You're right next door to CBR. We used Disney transportation when we stayed at POFQ, but having your own car is so much better. You never have to wait for the bus. All the parks have trams that pretty much take you straight up to the gate. You'll be glad you rented a car, as it will make it much easier to take breaks in the afternoon.

Don't worry about renting the car. We'd never rented before in Orlando, and it couldn't have been easier. Just get off the plane, get your luggage, go down one level, use the kiosk, then walk across to the garage, pick our your car, and drive away! Super easy!

Have a great time! Wish I were going back (or at least planning another trip!

 

[amw]

As the previous poster mentioned, check out mousesavers.com. There is a whole section on rental cars -- they list which agencies are directly at the airport, as well as loads of coupon codes and discounts to use. I think of all the "at-airport" ones, Budget would be the cheapest. I like National because we have the emerald status so we can pick out whichever car we want without waiting in line.

Also, if you have a costco card, you can check out costco.com and click on their travel section for car rentals.

Mousesavers is a great starter place for newbies to get info. I also like allearsnet.com. Happy planning

 

[swilphil]

We rented our car through Costco and got a much better rate than mousesavers, etc. I would book with a car rental company that is inside the airport. I know Budget is, and I think Avis is too. Join that company's frequent user club, so you can go directly to the garage and don't have to stand in a long line at the counter.

It's very easy to get to Bonnet Creek from the airport. You just follow the signs to Downtown Disney.

The closest grocery store is Goodings, which is smaller and more expensive, but there is a Publix not too far away.

We took shuttles to the parks occassionally because we were there during a busy time, but we took cabs back to the resort.

You do have to reserve times on the shuttles, so plan ahead.

Bonnet Creek is a great resort. Enjoy!

 

[A&CsMom]

Check out the thread on the transportation board about Alamo rates going down for February. The codes you need are on there. I got a full size for 8 days in Feb. for $102. That's not much more than it will cost for transportation to and from the airport.

 

[nicolem05]

I haven't read all the other posts yet but we are staying there for the first time in 3 weeks and also have two children.. the cost to transport to and from the airport was more than renting a car. So we decided to spend a little extra and rented a mini van still only cost us $120.00 everything in for one week.. but i did do a bit of searching to wrangle that price but i found tons of cars for between $80-100.00 so I would definitely rent one and then you at least have the option to use it and it pays for it self with the airport transfer..
ok all that said I decided to use wegoshop.com I have never used it but found out about it in this site and the staff have been REALLY helpful answering every dumb question I had in a very timely manner.. I have phoned the Wydham itself three times and one phone call I talked to a WONDERFUL staffer who gave me a list of great restaurants and delivery places that I have now printed off menus for etc.. I have kind of researched the thing to death so if you want any help or advice on car rentals I would be more than happy to pass it along just PM me!