Bonnet Creek?

[kmk1180]

What is the Bonnet Creek Resort?
You've seen the signs as you leave Hollywood Studios and turn
right headed to Downtown Disney it's on the right side just before
EPCOT Drive.
Seen it dozens of times, never heard anything about it.

 

[doconeill]

What is the Bonnet Creek Resort?
You've seen the signs as you leave Hollywood Studios and turn
right headed to Downtown Disney it's on the right side just before
EPCOT Drive.
Seen it dozens of times, never heard anything about it.

The Bonnet Creek development area is land not owned by Disney, but landlocked by WDW and I-4. Two or three hotel/timeshare developments have gone in there. I think Waldorf Astoria was the latest to announce building in there?

They do not have any "on property" privileges - they just happen to be unique in that you have to enter WDW to get to them.

 

[linzbear]

Yeah, basically when Walt was buying out all the land in WDW for cheap under different property names in the 60's, this chunk of land was not bought. Recently it was sold to the development company that put in Bonnet Creek (presumably the owner died and the inheritors did not want to deal with owning the land).

There are tons of rumors why it was not bought, between the owner raising the prices to a ridiculous level because he found out who it was buying everything, the owner having a serious dislike for Walt and outright refusing to sell to him, etc.

 

[JTDisney]

It is operated or owned by Wyndham. It looks like it is a hotel and timeshare.

http://www.wyndhambonnetcreek.com/

 

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

I don't know too much about it, but I will be staying there in March. My mom's stayed there and said it was nice, and there are busses not owned by Disney that will take you to the parks.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Bonnet Creek is a Wyndham timeshare. No affiliation with Disney. It's in the general area by Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort and Pop Century. We've stayed there and loved it. Rooms were amazing. Note that the buses from Bonnet Creek to Disney aren't free (at least they weren't last time we stayed there) and you need to sign up for them ahead of time. We never used them, preferred to drive to the parks ourselves as it was more convenient.

 

[Brian Noble]

Note that the buses from Bonnet Creek to Disney aren't free

They are. Doesn't really matter, though, as they aren't super super convenient---every half hour, and usually one bus serves two parks. I'd recommend having a car.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

 

[dsanner106]

I have stayed in Bonnet Creek 3 times and it is really great. It is owned by Wyndham, and they have an arrangement for property to build the waldorf astoria there as well. The rooms are huge and plush. If disney owned this it would be a deluxe, easily. Nice pool and activities, The busses are free and run every 15 minutes in busy seasons and 30 minutes the rest of the time.

D

 

[garmich]

Note that the buses from Bonnet Creek to Disney aren't free (at least they weren't last time we stayed there) and you need to sign up for them ahead of time. We never used them, preferred to drive to the parks ourselves as it was more convenient.

The shuttles to the four Disney Parks and Downtown Disney are free. They are run by Maingate Transportation. The shuttles that go to Universal Studios, Seaworld, Wet n' Wild and Orlando Premium Outlets are not free and you must have a reservation to ride. When I was at BC in August '08, they were charging $10 for Premium Outlets, $11 for Seaworld, and $14 for Universal Studios and Wet n' Wild.

 

[horseshowmom]

I would add that they are more than just "rooms". They are 1, 2, 3, or 4 BR condos in a gated resort (full kitchens, a jacuzzi tub, and a washer and dryer). A Hilton hotel is under construction right now.

The one we stayed in at Christmas was beautiful, and we watched the fireworks from Magic Kingdom and Epcot every night from our balcony. They were very convenient for the breakfast reservations we made at the Poly (Kona) and at Animal Kingdom Lodge (Boma) - no charge to park at either of those hotels.

Prices can vary greatly. There are threads on here telling how to get better rates (I used ebay).

We loved it there! In fact, DD liked it so much that she asked her fiance to change their honeymoon accomodations to Bonnet Creek.

 

[Lisa P.]

It's a beautiful resort and I consider the free bus shuttles to the Disney parks to be a nice extra for when your family wants to split up. It's still easiest to get around by using your own car, although if you do, you need to pay Disney's parking lot fee once a day. Otherwise, it's as convenient to everything as Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, next door, but Bonnet Creek is nicer.

Every room has the fully equipped kitchen, living room with sleeper sofa, private balcony or patio, master suite with king bed and jacuzzi tub, separate shower, and inroom washer/dryer. If you get a 2BR, there's an additional BR with 2 double beds and another standard bathroom... and so on up to a truly amazing and luxurious 4BR presidential suite.

The main pool area has a zero entry pool, a floating river and a kid's water play zone. They often have evening movie nights at this pool. The second pool area has a water slide and it's next to the free mini-golf, playground and sand volleyball. There are poolside grill/bars, game rooms, a free-use computer library (4 PCs), pool tables, ping pong and numerous organized activites, crafts, games and tournaments. All of the buildings are lakeside with a walkway at the water's edge so when the final buildings and the Wyndham hotel are finished, you'll be able to walk around, circling the lake and accessing all of the amenities from anywhere on resort. The hotel will include several restaurants, shopping and new pool amenities, as well as the final phase of the resort having an additional pool area.

If you don't mind the absence of the Disney onsite perks and you just want to enjoy a gorgeous resort with excellent condos and amenities very near the Disney parks and Downtown Disney, then Wyndham Bonnet Creek is a top choice, IMO.

Within the larger Bonnet Creek development, there will eventually also be a Ritz-Carlton, a Waldorf-Astoria and a new Hilton high-end hotel, as well as a new, designer 18-hole golf course. But these are not going to be open until at least 2010 or even later, now that construction has stalled everywhere.