Bonnet Creek Resort

[Ozymoe]

Like every other resort out there in active sales, they will offer a gift at check-in (or the next day) in exchange for a "brief update" on the FF system. Fortunately for us, whenever we've gone to a sales "update," it really has been only 30-45 min. of low pressure sales. And whenever we've said a clear, "No thanks" to the meeting, they haven't asked again during our stay. So I'd say, as an owner, it's much, much better than those 2-hour, full-blown sales pitches.


We needed the money and needed to sell off whatever wasn't working best. We've found that a cheap FF deposit has equivalent trade power to an SA week plus the internal trading power boost when trading back into another FF via RCI. The costs of these are comparable but FF points are more flexible and located within the U.S. It made more sense to keep the FF.

This is the way it works for us too. I have never run into a high pressure FF salesman in the Orlando area ( not to say it couldn't happen...just has never been my experience)...hmmmm. The staff at both BC and CP bends over backwards in my estimation to accommodate my every request...although I don't go out of my way to request every little thing or even lots of little things...just what I need (and sometimes that is nothing or very modest, on most occasions nothing, on a few over the years, quite a bit) even though I stay for weeks at a time.

I would like to say for those of you touting resales...resale doesn't entitle you to VIP, Gold or Platinum status (unless you buy a certain number of additional points directly from the developer)...and it is Platinum status that enables me to quadruple my (original 1,000,004) point values...which in turn allows me to stay in 2BR suites for at least 4 months each year.

This is just a huge developer owner perk...however, owning non-VIP points with FF from the resale market can be in itself very nice savings over DVC if one doesn't mind not staying on Disney property (although BC is right next to Disney's Caribbean Beach resort...and closer to MGM than OKW, POR and POFQ.

 

[Ozymoe]

Why do I think you are getting paid by Fairfield? I did a Fairfield timeshare presentation once and let's just say NEVER AGAIN.. I have never been lied to so much in my life. (I happened to know a LOT about this resort having friends who owned it and were desperatly trying to get rid of the loser.. I was told it would APPRECIATE YEAH RIGHT and the if I bought resale that "you are probably buying an inferior product" WHAT???) I have done DVC and Marriott timeshare presentations. Class acts both.

Carol,

I have done DVC (class act as you say, but no compensation (or very little comparatively) for sitting and listening to a couple hours of Disney sell...and the prices are very high with no deed to pass on past the "rental years".

On the contrary we sat through a Marriott a few years ago (90 minutes+...didn't want to let us go...high pressure from every suit on the market! (lol...they are nothing if not stylish)...and at the end they asked us to donate our "gift" to a charity right before we left. I was non-plussed and felt horrid when I said no. To say the least we have avoided Marriott since...although we have bought additional points with Fairfield (and had determined, before we ever entered the Marriott presentation that IF (and that was a big "if") it could compare to FF we would buy because we were in the market and "thought we liked" Marriott!...hello...that was before they assaulted us!

Perhaps getting a nutsy representative is just a chance occurrence on both my receiving end (with Marriott, although every representative was asking the "donate your gift to charity" question on that day), and yours, I do not know.

Spiceycat, I personally know a representative that would speak to the awful treatment you feel you received.

Carol...I am not sure of which resort you are speaking, but again, I repeat, the FF representatives I know do not lie and would be more than happy to answer your questions.

 

[Ozymoe]

Like every other resort out there in active sales, they will offer a gift at check-in (or the next day) in exchange for a "brief update" on the FF system. Fortunately for us, whenever we've gone to a sales "update," it really has been only 30-45 min. of low pressure sales. And whenever we've said a clear, "No thanks" to the meeting, they haven't asked again during our stay. So I'd say, as an owner, it's much, much better than those 2-hour, full-blown sales pitches.


We needed the money and needed to sell off whatever wasn't working best. We've found that a cheap FF deposit has equivalent trade power to an SA week plus the internal trading power boost when trading back into another FF via RCI. The costs of these are comparable but FF points are more flexible and located within the U.S. It made more sense to keep the FF.

Lisa P,

It feels good to know that someone else out there who understands the FF system (and can take advantage of the huge values because they are a VIP, Gold or Platinum owner, not a bare bones resale owner, although that can be a great value too) understands what I am trying to say.

Lol...I guess I'd be suspicious too if I didn't know better and actually take advantage of the Disney savings every year.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I have done DVC (class act as you say, but no compensation (or very little comparatively) for sitting and listening to a couple hours of Disney sell.

In my opinion, this is one reason DVC IS a class act.
I just think it's cheezy to rope people into a hard sell in exchange for a days theme park tickets.

MG

 

[Ozymoe]

In my opinion, this is one reason DVC IS a class act.
I just think it's cheezy to rope people into a hard sell in exchange for a days theme park tickets.

MG

Lol...their choice. Personally, if I have to listen to anyone talk about timeshare, I like a gift. As a FF owner I do my updates with them, (30 minutes, not hardsell) and get $75 Disney Dollars. My choice. Class act, too.

 

[HeatherC]

Very interesting thread. Love all the controversy. But just wanted to add that for a family with 3 young kids, we refuse to stay in one hotel room and have always stayed offsite in beautiful timeshare resorts.

With that in mind, I can do a rental stay at Bonnet Creek for 10 days over President's Week for under $2000 in a 2 bedroom "villa" "condo" or whatever you want to call it, with a full kitchen, jacuzzi tub, two bathrooms and washer and dryer.

We looked into staying at a Disney resort, but just can't come close to this financially. Even when trying to rent DVC points. This is almost half the cost.
So even if it isn't technically considered "onsite", for a larger family it looks like a great place to stay and get to spread out while still being extremely close to all the action.

Not trying to stir the pot, just wanted to provide another perspective.

Happy planning!
HeatherC

 

[mommy2boysaz]

Wow!! This thread has been a wealth of information and very entertaining, too!!
I came to this board tonight for the first time ever, to see if anyone had ever heard of, or been to Bonnet Creek, as we are Fairfield owners and are considering WDW for fall 2007. Boy, did I come to the right place!

DH and I bought Fairfield points retail about 5 years ago and have been unhappy with the lies we've been repeatedly told by salesmen and even customer service reps. However, we have enjoyed the resorts we've stayed at so far. Not sure if I'd do it again, knowing what I know now, but since we've already spent the $$$, might as well try to get some value from it!

I was feeling very torn about where to stay on our trip, (onsite or BC), especially because we are a family of 5, which Disney doesn't seem to accomodate very well, unless you have a lot of money to spend! After seeing the EXTENSIVE talk on this thread about where BC is located, I think we'll use our points to stay there, saving us a bundle over paying for 7 nights in a Disney resort that can accomodate 5!
Thank you all for your input!!

 

[Lewisc]

For a family of 5 an offsite condo property like BC gives you a lot more for your $$$.

Disney will transport you from the airport for free and provides complimentary transportation if you stay at a WDW resort. You'll want to rent a car and you'll have to pay Disney for theme park parking if you stay offsite including BC. . Some of your savings will be spent but if you stay onsite you'll really need two rooms.

If your trip is planned for the free dining promotion you might consider onsite options.

I was feeling very torn about where to stay on our trip, (onsite or BC), especially because we are a family of 5, which Disney doesn't seem to accomodate very well, unless you have a lot of money to spend! After seeing the EXTENSIVE talk on this thread about where BC is located, I think we'll use our points to stay there, saving us a bundle over paying for 7 nights in a Disney resort that can accomodate 5!
Thank you all for your input!!

 

[mommy2boysaz]

I do understand that if we stay at BC or any other off site place, we'll need a rental car, but we probably would have needed one either way, because we plan to see Sea World, and maybe some other non-Disney sites, too. BC does offer infrequent shuttles to the parks, but we aren't going for almost a year and a half, so maybe they will offer more by then? My DH prefers the independence of our own car, rather than waiting in lines for buses and then waiting while they drop off others at other resorts. He's not the most patient person .
Bottom line is if money were no object, probably my choice would be the Grand Floridian or some other great suite on site, but... money is an object, so looks like BC will work just fine!
Thank you all again!

 

[Muushka]

Well, I had read a lot of this thread purely for the entertainment .
We are DVC members heading down to see the Mouse at the end of the month. We needed a Sat night pre-trip and a Fri night post-trip (so many points for a 2 bedroom) place to stay. So I went on TUG and a very kind member got me a 2 bedroom for those nights at Bonnet Creek.

I am anxious to see how they compare. And we will have guests with us who know nothing about TS and it will be interesting to see how they compare the 2. I will probably come back with something. Looking forward!

 

[monizzy.001]

does anyone know if i stay at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort can i still eat at the restaurants in the other Walt Disney World Resorts? My kids want to stay in Disney but i think that the food is really good but i can get this good deal on the Wyndham but i was wondering if i stay there if I can still eat at the other hotels. Replay ASAP. Thank you for your time

 

[TotoToo]

Of course you can. The restaurants want the business no matter where you are staying. Enjoy!

 

[Muushka]

does anyone know if i stay at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort can i still eat at the restaurants in the other Walt Disney World Resorts? My kids want to stay in Disney but i think that the food is really good but i can get this good deal on the Wyndham but i was wondering if i stay there if I can still eat at the other hotels. Replay ASAP. Thank you for your time

Can I ask where you got the good deal on Wyndham? We love that resort!

 

[spiceycat]

having a special now on expedia - $189 for 2-bedroom per night
http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dl...&date1=8/2/2007&date2=8/6/2007&cadu1=2&crom=1

 

[2ofUs]

does anyone know if i stay at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort can i still eat at the restaurants in the other Walt Disney World Resorts? My kids want to stay in Disney but i think that the food is really good but i can get this good deal on the Wyndham but i was wondering if i stay there if I can still eat at the other hotels. Replay ASAP. Thank you for your time

Anyone may dine at Disney resorts. You will be stopped (if driving) by security at each resort entry and will need to tell them you have a reservation at the resort and (at least sometimes) will need to show identification. The advantage of staying at a Disney resort is that you are given an identification to place on your dashboard and are usually waved through security.

Also, extra perks of staying on-site is free parking at all theme parks. Last time we were there it cost $8 per day.

You might check with Wyndham to see the frequency of their transportation to and from the parks. WDW buses ALWAYS drop off closer to park entrances, and ESPECIALLY at Magic Kingdom.

Don't misunderstand though. I have stayed on-property and at Bonnet Creek (Fairfield). The Fairfield accommodations were incredible, honestly better than any WDW we have experienced. But you do give up some conveniences.

Another thought if you want to dine at other resorts might be to take a taxi. They are readily available, drop and pick you up right at the resort door, get you there QUICKLY, and are pretty reasonably priced. This is a good option for any event you may be trying to get to quickly.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[Lisa P.]

having a special now on expedia - $189 for 2-bedroom per night
http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dl...&date1=8/2/2007&date2=8/6/2007&cadu1=2&crom=1

Spicey - great find! It appears that this special rate is available through September 15th. After that, through year's end, 1BR and 2BR rentals are intermittently available at this website for a higher price.

 

[dfarner]

This debate of onsite/offsite really is entertaining! I wonder if, when the Hilton at Bonnet Creek, Waldorf Astoria at Bonnet Creek, and Four Seasons at Bonnet Creek are complete, there will be such a controversy surrounding those properties. I am guessing that those folks that are buying into the Wyndam Bonnet Creek now are going to be pretty happy with their investments when the other 4 and 5 star hotels are complete. Sure, the area is pretty desolate now, but in the next several years it's going to be big. Those owners are going to be saying CHA-CHING!!
Also, the last published report I have seen, last fall I think, was that Disney owned 28,000 acres of land and that number is continuously increasing. So technically, when you go to the Goodings or Pizzeria Uno outside of DTD you are on Disney property.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

So technically, when you go to the Goodings or Pizzeria Uno outside of DTD you are on Disney property.

Huh??

MG

 

[swilphil]

Can I ask where you got the good deal on Wyndham? We love that resort!

Lots of Bonnet Creek stays listed on e-bay. Some good deals if you can be flexible with your dates.

 

[Muushka]

Thanks! But it looks like we are all set with our WDW resort this stay. Maybe next time. It is a great resort.