Bonnett Creek Fairfield Timeshare ?'s

[mickeysaver]

I went to a Fairfield Inns and Suites timeshare presentation this past weekend in Nashville, TN. They said a lot of things about a new timeshare they are building that I found to be a bit hard to believe. They say they are building a resort called Bonnett Creek in Orlando at WDW. I know that WDW has a golf course by that name, but I am just trying to check the truthfulness of the timeshare pitchman. I have several issues with what they claim will be true about this location and the benefits of ownership there. The resort has not yet been completed and there are no timeshare spots available for sale there just yet. They claim it will be on the market in the next 2 or 3 months.

They claim that it will be located on WDW property and will not be part of DVC. Now, why would Disney allow a company that sells nothing but timeshares build a non-DVC timeshare on property? That is just bad business to my mind. Can anyone give me any information about if this Bonnett Creek Fairfield is actually going to be on WDW property? **NOTE...I realize that Fairfield is part of a large corporation that does lots of different travel business options, but I am focusing my thoughts only on Fairfield's timeshare business.**

They claim that buying into the Fairfield timeshare at Bonnett Creek, you will be able to use your timeshare points to stay at regular WDW owned resorts too. Now, I know you can use DVC points for staying at value, moderate, and deluxe WDW resorts, but I find this to be highly suspect. Can anyone out there help me to debunk this?

They claim that when you buy there at Bonnett Creek, you will have the ability to have a "Universal Studios like" jump/fastpass that will allow you to go to the front of the line at every WDW attraction. This one of the first off balance things they said in this list of questions that I am asking. I think this has to be a load of bunk for sure. Why would WDW allow a non-WDW timeshare resort's guests the ability to do something that DVC members can't even do?

They claim that Bonnett Creek owners will have access to half price WDW admission tickets. Again, this sounded like a load of bull to me.

So, what do you think? Anyone out there have any experience with Fairfield that would make you think this stuff is true? Anyone work for the company that can provide me any information to back this stuff up?

I wouldn't mind investing in a timeshare, but I want to deal with a company that doesn't have to resort to lies and half truths to sell me something I already want. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Mickey

 

[jaysue]

Take a look at this thread - might help with some of your questions:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=324609&highlight=+fairfield

Thanks
jaysue

 

[NCRedding]

I had a very negative experience with Fairfield presenters--they misrepresented a number of things to me when I went through their presentation. I highly doubt that Fairfield owners would get reduced ticket prices, when the DVC ticket reduction is so limited. As to the Universal/Fast pass, I bet they're just putting a spin on fastpasses, which are available to everyone (except the limited few who only buy a one day pass, and don't stay onsite). We bought a discovery package from Fairfield, and would only buy fairfield at resale, at a very reduced price. The size of the units can vary greatly--we had a great 2 bedroom in Orlando, but our one bedroom in Williamsburg was TINY! Every presenter we dealt with told us at least one mistruth. Our guide at Disney was open, honest, and not pushy. The caliber of accomodations is outstanding. If you are interested in purchasing a timeshare, tug2.net is a great resource for sorting through som options. I love DVC for its convenience. In addition, I found the cost to be comparable to retail costs of Fairfield.

 

[disneyberry]

wow, that's very strange that they would promote things like half-price WDW tix and front-of-the-line pass benefits.
really sketchy actually!

there IS indeed supposed to be a Bonnet Creek resort, as mentioned in the thread that jaysue posted a link to.

so at least that part is not a lie.
technically it is NOT actually ON WDW property though, as Disney didn't buy that property.
but it is on a parcel of land that is literally right next to WDW property (next to CBR i think?)

i can't believe Fairfield sales people would make things up like that.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

This is why Disney is the only timeshare presentation we have ever attended and ever will. I don't believe a word of what they told you.

 

[RobDoc]

As already mentioned, the resort itself is a reality and is accessible from WDW property. The resort is physically located behind CBR.

The other claims are likely exaggerations of reality. If there will be a discount on park admissions- it will have been negotiated and paid for by the developer most likely- just the free park pass program in the early days of OKW. I don't beleive Fairfield has negotiated a discount from WDW without paying an upfront premium for the privilege (just like the early days at OKW when DVD paid about $35 for each day one of those passes was used).

The "Front-of-the-Line" feature they touted may be nothing more than the existing FastPass already available to everyone in a Disney Park- although it's certainly not available for every attraction.

 

[poohstx]

We were at WDW last week and the Fairfield Bonnet Creek entrance intersection on Buena Vista Drive (the main road from Downtown Disney to All Stars) now has completed turning lanes and new traffic signal just east of the CBR entrance. Basically this new resort is in back of CBR and Pop Century, bordered by 536 and I-4.

 

[KNWVIKING]

DVD offered passes as a way to jump start sluggish OKW sales. Once DVC began selling on it's own merits,the passes ended. I can't imagine Fairfield jumping right to the "perk" phase without seeing what opening sales are going to be like. I would think that just on location alone Fairfield would have pretty health sales. As for HotL priviledge: NO WAY.

 

[mickeysaver]

Wow! Thanks to one and all for the input. I am glad to see that my BS detector is still fully functional. lol

I have considered purchasing DVC, but I don't like not being able to actually have full ownership of it. I would like to be able to leave it to a niece or nephew to use with their family one day. I guess I will just have to wait a bit longer and see what develops with DVC. Mickey

 

[PamOKW]

I would like to be able to leave it to a niece or nephew to use with their family one day.

While it's true that DVC has an end date, you can certainly pass on the ownership until 2042 in your will.

 

[Lisa P.]

Mickeysaver wrote: I went to a Fairfield Inns and Suites timeshare presentation this past weekend in Nashville, TN.

Mickeysaver, I guess that you meant Fairfield Communities (timeshare company, owned by Cendant), not the above, which is an unaffiliated hotel chain run by the folks at Marriott. My DH and I are satisfied owners of Fairfield (FF) timeshare points as well as a regular FF timeshare week (we bought both of them resale, at substantially lower cost). Some of your questions have been answered in the referenced thread or responses here.

...you will be able to use your timeshare points to stay at regular WDW owned resorts too.

Yes, this is true. Purchasers of FF points from the developer since Oct. 2001 are able to use their points toward "Plus Partners" with RCI. These include nightly stays at a large number of other timeshare properties and hotel chains, auto rentals, airfare, theme park tix at a variety of venues, including Disney... and the list of options definitely includes all Disney resort hotels normally accessible via CRO. Most of these are not a great $ value but it is an option when one has FF points to burn.

...will have the ability to have a "Universal Studios like" jump/fastpass that will allow you to go to the front of the line at every WDW attraction.

??? Sounds like sales hype. If Disney ever sold a special ticket like this, I would imagine the resort could buy some and use them as special high-purchase incentives. But for now... sounds like nonsense.

...will have access to half price WDW admission tickets.

I don't know if this is true or not. It very well could be a temporary benefit as stated.

Timeshare developers purchase theme park admission tickets by the thousands, to give as incentive gifts for sales tour prospects. These are purchased at a greatly discounted rate - and they often have NO expiration date printed on the back. Often, the tour guest is given 1 or 2 "one day" tix for free and they may purchase more (up to 6 total) for only $25 each on the day of their tour.

Buyers of developer timeshare points are often given freebies, including bonus timeshare points and/or free vacation accommodations and/or a day-cruise and/or a dinner show on a trip within the first year of ownership. I could easily see them permitting new owners to buy the half price "one day" Disney tix mentioned above, perhaps for their first return vacation home. But as I said above, I don't know if it will actually happen or not.

Also, theme park tix are among the few, rather good $ value items which may be purchased using FF points, through Plus Partners at RCI. Again, RCI purchases their tickets and multi-day theme park passes in huge quantities. Some of the savings is passed on to the customer. If a FF buyer were given enough bonus points with purchase, they could use them for free park passes for the first trip or two, back to their home resort at Bonnet Creek.

...I want to deal with a company that doesn't have to resort to lies and half truths to sell me something I already want.

Don't blame you. We enjoy our FF ownership very much. But we have resisted referring people to a sales tour with them. When asked about a promo deal (these can be very enticing), we've made certain that the guest knows what they may expect. While our sales visits have been fine, straightforward and with very low pressure, too many others have a terrible time with lies and high pressure. It's really a shame.

We've had absolutely wonderful vacations through our FF points - at terrific destinations. If we had the expendable cash right now, we'd buy more (resale) FF points before any other timeshare! The program is very good, getting better with streamlined rules and broadening options. We've found Owner Services and resort staff to be friendly, efficient and very helpful. I think the newer resorts are lovely. And like you, we do appreciate that our ownership is deeded without an expiration date. But the sales end of things is pretty poor! Even with increased auditing, change is coming along awfully slowly.

NCRedding wrote: ...our one bedroom in Williamsburg was TINY

You must have had the lockoff side of a 2BR or 3BR - no full size kitchen either, just mini-appliances tucked into one wall of a den or modest LR, and a standard hotel-type bathroom, right? The regular 1BR Deluxe units in any of the 3 FF Williamsburg resorts are plenty spacious... larger than a 1BR at BWV, for example, with all the same amenities as a 1BR at DVC. For FF owners, the "standard" 1BR costs fewer FF points than a 1BR Deluxe, closer to the points for a studio, actually.