Bonnet Creek vs Caribe Royale? 2-BR villas

[peacefrogdog]

Planning a short 2-nite stay before a Disney cruise this upcoming March. We will have 8 of us (4 adults, 3 kids) so looking at a 2-BR villa. Not sure of our plans yet for those two days, but quite possible will stay within the resort for a day to swim etc. My kids are aged 9,7,7 and like things like pool slides.

I have Bonnet Creek tentatively booked, but just got an email for a sale on 2-BR villas at Caribe Royale. The difference won't be much ($40 cheaper on the stay at Caribe) but $40 is $40.

Has anyone stayed at both resorts? Any strong feelings if one is better than the other? We will have a rental car so transportation is not an issue.

 

[Macprincess]

Yes, I have stayed at both. Both are wonderful. Either way you will have great stay.

Bonnet Creek is newer. Pool(s) are awesome. The kids will love the pool with the pirate slide. The few down sides are that this is a true condo rental so no daily maid service. They also charge you to park here. On the upside it's beautiful, close to the parks and you get a lot of bang for your buck here. I would stay here again in heartbeat with no issues what so ever.

The Caribe is also awesome. My kids (12, 11 & 8) love the main pool here. There is a water slide, waterfalls, parrots, great pool bar where you can order lunch. They also have another basic pool for guest staying in the villas. They have a very nice gym and spa. It's a full service hotel so unlike condo stays you get daily maid service even in the villas. The villas master bedroom is huge with a spa tub and a shower in the master bath. The other bedroom is also nice size with two queens and another full bathroom. The beds here are very comfortable. The Cribe offers free parking and no resort fee. It's a bit farther to the parks then BC but not a long drive at all. Maybe 10 minutes top to Epcot.

We live a little over an hour away from WDW. We're a family of 5 WDW passholders who go to WDW a lot. The Caribe is often our 1st choice if we are looking for a relaxing get a way weekend and can't swing the cost of Disney room(s) that fit our family size. I love BC as well. We just tend to get better deals at The Caribe.

 

[JimMIA]

Bonnet Creek is newer. Pool(s) are awesome. The kids will love the pool with the pirate slide. The few down sides are that this is a true condo rental so no daily maid service. They also charge you to park here. On the upside it's beautiful, close to the parks and you get a lot of bang for your buck here. I would stay here again in heartbeat with no issues what so ever.

Correction: There is NO parking charge at WYNDHAM Bonnet Creek.

The nearby Hilton and Waldorf Astoria hotels charge for parking, but Wyndham does not.

 

[Upatnoon]

How much are you paying for Caribe? I never pay more than $120 a night for bonnet creek, including all taxes, and I usually pay $100 or less, so I am curious what kind of discount Caribe is offering.

 

[peacefrogdog]

We need a two bedroom , and since we only need two nights the only feasible option is to book from the website using a AAA discount. The rate is 209/nt

Caribe Royale had a one day sale yesterday for its 2Br villas at 185/nt

 

[Macprincess]

How much are you paying for Caribe? I never pay more than $120 a night for bonnet creek, including all taxes, and I usually pay $100 or less, so I am curious what kind of discount Caribe is offering.

Depending on season a standard is around $89-$109 a night with discounts. The least I have paid for the two bedroom villa is $169 with my max at $189.00. All of my bookings have been on discounts. We more often then not stay in the standard rooms. We mostly do the villas when we have the grandparents along as it's cheaper then two standard rooms.

I would say Bonnet Creek is a better deal for the room size but I perfer a full service hotel over a condo rental most of the time. (Also, I often find better rates at Windsor Hills if we are inclined to do a condo. I know it's not as plush or as close to WDW as BC but it works for my family.) The standard at The Caribe works for my family of 5 well. It's honestly more about what is important to each individual guest. Both are great resorts. I would stay at either one in a heartbeat

 

[Mickdeb]

Depending on season a standard is around $89-$109 a night with discounts. The least I have paid for the two bedroom villa is $169 with my max at $189.00. All of my bookings have been on discounts. We more often then not stay in the standard rooms. We mostly do the villas when we have the grandparents along as it's cheaper then two standard rooms.

I would say Bonnet Creek is a better deal for the room size but I perfer a full service hotel over a condo rental most of the time. (Also, I often find better rates at Windsor Hills if we are inclined to do a condo. I know it's not as plush or as close to WDW as BC but it works for my family.) The standard at The Caribe works for my family of 5 well. It's honestly more about what is important to each individual guest. Both are great resorts. I would stay at either one in a heartbeat

Quick question regarding discounts and how you typically book your stays, directly or through someone like the agent here on the Dis? Doing some research for my sister and her family of 5. They would need a suite situation, a 1 or 2 bdrm would be an option. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ttfn3]

We typically stay near Disney for a week in a 2 BR timeshare - and have stayed at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek two times (most recently in March 2011).

You stated that you are only staying 2 nights - and can save $40 by staying at the Caribe? I would pick the full service hotel for only two nights. Nice pool at the Caribe, and good pool bar/food options. You are also very close to other restaurants. The only downside for me would be the lack of a balcony, and a view of the Disney area that the BC offers. Heck, though to save $40 - I could do without that for two nights.

Enjoy your stay. Either choice, you will have a good trip.

 

[Macprincess]

Quick question regarding discounts and how you typically book your stays, directly or through someone like the agent here on the Dis? Doing some research for my sister and her family of 5. They would need a suite situation, a 1 or 2 bdrm would be an option. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I'm sending you a PM.

 

[sksjasams]

The only downside for me would be the lack of a balcony, and a view of the Disney area that the BC offers.

I'm pretty sure the 2-bdrm villas at Caribe have screened in balconies. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Macprincess]

I'm pretty sure the 2-bdrm villas at Caribe have screened in balconies. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

They do. The standard suites in the towers do not.