Comparisons of Bonnet Creek vs. Onsite

[Chuck S]

I wasn't aware that Disney runs checks every few hours of every room to see if someone has snagged a cart. Or that they check each vehicle to see if they have a smuggled traffic cone to "reserve" a parking spot.

Come on. These things have nothing to do with Bonnet Creek or any other timeshare/resort/hotel. They are the all too prevalent "I'm the most important" attitude that many now seem to go through life with. Picking your accommodations based on those factors as a "con" is ridiculous.

Disney does not allow guests to take luggage carts, so that problem will not exist at Disney. The carts are for use of the bell personnel only. And any hotel could stop the practice, if they wanted to do so, by requiring guests to sign out a cart with date and time.

 

[littlestar]

Sorry to say rude guests happen at every resort (Disney and non). My daughter had her worst trip ever at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge dealing with tour groups (that will remain nameless in order to not offend anyone). Come to think of it, that trip she complained about was in the summer around the 4th of July.

Bonnet Creek has an outstanding location. No doubt about it. You would think a luggage cart would have taken up too much room in the unit entryway to have been kept there overnight. I'm always in a hurry to return ours when we stay at Marriott to get it out of the way.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I wasn't aware that Disney runs checks every few hours of every room to see if someone has snagged a cart. Or that they check each vehicle to see if they have a smuggled traffic cone to "reserve" a parking spot.

Come on. These things have nothing to do with Bonnet Creek or any other timeshare/resort/hotel. They are the all too prevalent "I'm the most important" attitude that many now seem to go through life with. Picking your accommodations based on those factors as a "con" is ridiculous.

If you read my post again, I stated that my idea of a vacation is not to do laundry or cook or do dishes. And, if you have ever stayed onsite and used a cart, you know that they take your credit card number so you will not steal the cart. Yes, I do believe they know if you are hoarding a cart overnite in your room. And, the security guys at Disney resorts would surely notice the traffic cones!! Yes, picking my accomodations based on those factors as a "con" is valid. My money, my choice!! End of story!!

 

[Hannahsmom]

Come on. These things have nothing to do with Bonnet Creek or any other timeshare/resort/hotel. They are the all too prevalent "I'm the most important" attitude that many now seem to go through life with. Picking your accommodations based on those factors as a "con" is ridiculous.

I stated in my first paragraph that this is my opinion. My opinion formed from my frame of reference. And that would be someone who has mostly stayed onsite, someone who does not enjoy grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning on my vacation. We have never rented a condo or house before for that very reason. That is not vacation for me. But that is why Baskin Robbins makes 31 flavors. Not everyone likes the same thing.

As far as noticing the other guests at the resort, I stated before that normally I am not bothered by the behavior of other guests, but sometimes other peoples behavior does impact your day. The instances I mentioned were only a few of many other things that week. I have been fortunate enough that I have never experienced anything like this ANYWHERE else I have stayed. But again, this is just in my experience. And for me, it was a big CON for the week. Funny enough, we did not encounter any rude behavior in the parks. Not even from the big tour groups.

I did say that Bonnet Creek was a lovely resort. We did get an amazing deal for that week through Ken Price. But cost was never really an issue for us since we budgeted our usual amt. for a week at Disney. So we did come out ahead. Especially since we already had our AP's. Yes it was MUCH cheaper than the Disney hotels, and our room was in much better shape than I have seen at the resorts. It is a timeshare, and they are hoping you will buy. And the only time we were presssured to do a timeshare was right after we checked in we were sent to another desk to pick up our parking pass. This desk is actually the "sales" desk. They handed us a sheet of paper asking us for our info., including our income information. I did not fill that part out, telling the girl I wasn't interested in buying. She did ask if we knew the owner we were renting from and I said yes and that was the end of that. They did call the condo for the first two mornings at 7:30 a.m. about attending a reception, but we ended up taking the phone off the hook for the rest of the week.

The walls were not paper thin, but you could hear the people in the room next to you if you were in the bedrooms. But because of the floorplan of the units, you don't hear anything in the living room/kitchen areas because they are in between the two bedrooms.

Oops, I forgot to add. I think that some of the problems wouldn't have happened if the pools were lifeguarded. At least there would have been someone to supervise the children that were not being supervised by their parents.

 

[Brian Noble]

For some, the simple fact that it is Not Disney is reason enough. Most folks who've actually tried the resort really really like it. A few do not, but if you read the reviews here and elsewhere, most folks seem to be very happy with it.

I'm looking forward to my first stay, next week, so that I can compare it directly to my OKW experiences.

As an aside, most timeshare resorts I've visited do not require a deposit to use the luggage carts, and it generally works out just fine. We had no problems finding one at Wyndham Smoky Mountian earlier this summer.

 

[kreed]

I don't believe Bonnet Creek condones keeping luggage carts in your room overnight. I simply believe they offered that as an explanation as to why the guest was having trouble locating a cart. It sounds as disney may have experienced that problem in the past and has developed a system that discourages people from doing this. I applaud them for this. I think it really depends what you need to make your disney experience a real "vacation" for everyone in the family. As I said before, we must rent a two bedroom condo because we travel with three teenagers. If we stay in a small room or open suite it is not a vacation for us. Renting a 2 br at Disney from a DVC owner during the summer is at least 400.00 a night and I cannot justify the additional 1750.00 for the week if we stayed at Boardwalk (where we stayed when they were younger and smaller rooms were okay) instead of Bonnet Creek. For Us, this is a huge consideration. We find Bonnet Creek to be a great resort, with lovely amemites, great views, and a great location. We do not cook while we are there, but I love the fact that cokes, gatorades, water and snacks can all be kept in the large fridge and taken back and forth to the park everyday. I also like the ability to do laundry and for me it is no big deal. The washer dryer units are just steps away from the living area and I toss a couple of things in why I watch TV and unwind in the evening. I even think this is a luxury worth paying for. I agree with a number of others and believe it is truly about what you are looking for in your vacation and for us it can not be a vacation without a large space (two teenage boys and one girl dictate this). If many of you continue to bring your children back to Disney into their teenage years you may find you would like this option more as we have. In closing, we only have great memories of staying on site and honestly don't remember the rudeness if any, but we also have some great memories at Bonnet Creek and will continue that tradition in 21 days on our upcoming trip begining August 1. Hope everyone enjoys their upcoming Disney stays no matter where they are.
Kathleen

 

[Planogirl]

You don't HAVE to cook or clean because you're staying in a condo. I love them for the fridge to keep drinks in and the microwave to heat up water or make popcorn. I also let DS heat up ravioli sometimes simply because he adores it but I don't do it.

I like the space too. I get tired of being jammed in a small room with everyone particularly during those times when DH goes with us because he snores!

But to each their own. I would definitely dislike the cone thing and probably would complain at the front about that.

 

[Lisa P.]

Disney does not allow guests to take luggage carts, so that problem will not exist at Disney. The carts are for use of the bell personnel only. And any hotel could stop the practice, if they wanted to do so, by requiring guests to sign out a cart with date and time.

I don't know of any resort, hotel or timeshare which "allows" guests to take luggage carts overnight. Bonnet Creek has many buildings and it's not practical to think they'd staff each building with bell services, since folks park outside their own building. I couldn't image Disney doing this at Saratoga Springs either. But don't they make some carts available to guests staying in each building at SSR? I really don't think they require people to sign out carts there either.

if you have ever stayed onsite and used a cart, you know that they take your credit card number so you will not steal the cart. Yes, I do believe they know if you are hoarding a cart overnite in your room.

No one has ever taken our credit card number when we've walked up to get a cart at DVC resorts... or any Disney resort. It's been a few years since we've stay at a Disney deluxe hotel so maybe they've started doing this??? I wouldn't think it'd be very guest-friendly though.

As noted in another thread about an alleged theft at BWV, security doesn't even have video of all the BWV hallways. So how would anyone know? We've heard people say they'd done this at Marriott and Hilton hotels and resorts and these were professional people. I think some people are just rude, no matter where they happen to stay on vacation.

I stated in my first paragraph that this is my opinion.... someone who has mostly stayed onsite, someone who does not enjoy grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning on my vacation.

Sure. This thread is titled Comparisons of Bonnet Creek vs. onsite and I guess I was thinking you were comparing this offsite timeshare condo resort to the onsite timeshare condo resorts. We don't always cook and I never clean on vacation but I love having the option to save on breakfasts or more and to pack lightly and run a load of laundry in my room at night rather than pack heavily or have to seek out a laundry room by a pool.

I think that some of the problems wouldn't have happened if the pools were lifeguarded. At least there would have been someone to supervise the children that were not being supervised by their parents.

Unsupervised children and pool chair holding (with towels, etc.) are pet peeves of many, many people on the DisBoards. Most threads about these topics happen to concern people's frustrations at Disney hotels (where there are lifeguards - sometimes quite abused by those same guests). They can be a problem everywhere. Again, some people will just be rude no matter where they go... they seem to think that when they go on vacation, they can stop all forms of responsibility or consideration for anyone else. It's really a shame.

 

[Chuck S]

I don't know of any resort, hotel or timeshare which "allows" guests to take luggage carts overnight. Bonnet Creek has many buildings and it's not practical to think they'd staff each building with bell services, since folks park outside their own building. I couldn't image Disney doing this at Saratoga Springs either. But don't they make some carts available to guests staying in each building at SSR? I really don't think they require people to sign out carts there either.

OKW has many separate buildings, there are no carts available to guests. No need to staff each building with bell services. If you need help loading/unloading you can call bell services no matter where in the resort you are staying. To my knowledge SSR does not supply each building with luggage carts. Nor are any available for guest use.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

If you read my post again, I stated that my idea of a vacation is not to do laundry or cook or do dishes. And, if you have ever stayed onsite and used a cart, you know that they take your credit card number so you will not steal the cart. Yes, I do believe they know if you are hoarding a cart overnite in your room. And, the security guys at Disney resorts would surely notice the traffic cones!! Yes, picking my accomodations based on those factors as a "con" is valid. My money, my choice!! End of story!!

So I guess you do not like Disney's DVC since they have laundry and kitchens as well? Yes, your money your choice I agree totally...... but you cannot list it as a "con".. you do not have to "use" them, they are not forced on you.. a "con" is something on the down side that you have no control over & you can control if you do laundry or dishes... just because the opportunity is there does not mean that you have to do them... there are many people that stay where these exist and do not use them.. they just prefer having the larger accomodations.. 2 bedrooms & 2 baths as opposed to 1 room for the entire family... that is all..

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

So I guess you do not like Disney's DVC since they have laundry and kitchens as well? Yes, your money your choice I agree totally...... but you cannot list it as a "con".. you do not have to "use" them, they are not forced on you.. a "con" is something on the down side that you have no control over & you can control if you do laundry or dishes... just because the opportunity is there does not mean that you have to do them... there are many people that stay where these exist and do not use them.. they just prefer having the larger accomodations.. 2 bedrooms & 2 baths as opposed to 1 room for the entire family... that is all..

No, I don't like DVC, never have never will. Not my cup of tea. Yes I can list it as a con, this is America, I have free speech!! I will not pay the higher prices of DVC just to have a fridge, and washer/dryer. Not why I go to Disney. I go to enjoy the parks and the magic, and yes, the food!! The room is a place to rest, sleep, and shower. Glad you like Bonnet Creek, but I don't have to like it, and I will say whatever I want to about it...it is not Disney!! I don't understand why that offends anyone. Oh well, I have other things to think about, bye!!

 

[Brian Noble]

Pet peeve alert: "free speech" only applies in the context of the government. Private parties can restrict speech on their "property"---meaning that Pete can choose (and has chosen) to disallow some topics of conversation here on the DIS. For example, try giving a review for a certain towncar company, and you'll find it impossible to mention that company's name on the DIS.

But, perhaps another way of saying what Rachelsmom is trying to say is that she prefers the hotel experience to the condo experience. Even so, the presence of a kitchen doesn't prevent you from eating out every meal---I know this from first-hand experience.

But, ultimlately, this is her problem with Bonnet Creek:

it is not Disney!!

She's not alone in this. For some people, only a resort that the Mouse owns will do. That's how Disney can charge the prices they charge---they have a large enough audience that wouldn't consider anything else.

 

[mr. advisor]

But, ultimlate, this is her problem with Bonnet Creek:

She's not alone in this. For some people, only a resort that the Mouse owns will do. That's how Disney can charge the prices they charge---they have a large enough audience that wouldn't consider anything else.[/QUOTE]


The other problem people have with this resort is its proximity to disney world and how some claim it is inside the disney gate or on disney property. Pro disney people or you can call them disney fanactics get all bent out of shape over this. That is what causes them to hate this resort more than any other .

 

[Brian Noble]

If you ever get a chance to drive by Bonnet Creek on Lake Buena Vista Drive, take a look at the 3-D DVC billboard placed precisely across the street, right where anyone leaving the resort and turning "into" the rest of the resort has to see it. "Vacation Ownership with True Character." Priceless!

Werner Weiss has a nice shot of the billboard on his Bonnet Creek piece:
http://www.yesterland.com/bonnet.html

 

[Planogirl]

I got the impression that her problem with Bonnet Creek was the ownership too and that's fine. Some people want the full Disney thing and there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I can understand when "only Disney" will do. If that is what one wants, it is their money & that is their choice..

I guess when you look at pricing a place to stay, for me, Disney's prices can be a "con"... and that con, you cannot do anything about except just not stay there. It is not like stay there but not pay ..as in stay where there are cooking & laundry facilities & choose not to use them.

As far as the Disney experience, I have stayed at every Value, every Moderate, The Poly (concierge), The BoardWalk, The Contemporary, The Wilderness Homes & The Beach Club.. and while I loved staying there for their conviences.. the con to them was their price and small size, especially when we traveled as a family (all of us together make 5). Wilderness homes gave us the most space... yep.. we do all have our list of pro's & con's I guess.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

We have mainly stayed at only Disney resorts at all different levels. Due to finances and adding 2 kids to our family, we are staying at Bonnet Creek for the first time in 10 days.
I will be glad to report back on this thread when we get back on our experiences and how they compare to Disney resorts. I know it will definitely be different, but I think it will be great. We always do a load or 2 of laundry and take snack/sandwich stuff for breakfasts and lunches so the kitchen, extra room, and in unit laundry will be awesome I'm sure!

 

[Planogirl]

We have mainly stayed at only Disney resorts at all different levels. Due to finances and adding 2 kids to our family, we are staying at Bonnet Creek for the first time in 10 days.
I will be glad to report back on this thread when we get back on our experiences and how they compare to Disney resorts. I know it will definitely be different, but I think it will be great. We always do a load or 2 of laundry and take snack/sandwich stuff for breakfasts and lunches so the kitchen, extra room, and in unit laundry will be awesome I'm sure!

Please do post! I'm very intrigued by this resort mostly because of its location. Plus I'm always looking for somewhere new to stay.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Yes, you guys are right, having a kitchen doesn't mean you have to cook and clean... but because the kitchen and dishes are there, your family is going to use them, which means it's going to have to be cleaned. Same thing with the laundry, you don't have to use it but it makes sense to if it's there. But then using it does make it feel more like just another day at home.

Just add these things to the list of pros and cons when choosing this type of accomodation over a hotel room. Right now, for our family the convenience of a kitchen and a washer/dryer trumps the luxury of being waited on. Because with two toddlers, I will have to wash clothes, sippy cups, snack containers, etc. regardless of where we stay. I'd rather do it in a comfy well stocked kitchen and in-house laundry room than in a hotel bathroom sink and coin-op laundrymat

 

[A Mickeyfan]

We have mainly stayed at only Disney resorts at all different levels. Due to finances and adding 2 kids to our family, we are staying at Bonnet Creek for the first time in 10 days.
I will be glad to report back on this thread when we get back on our experiences and how they compare to Disney resorts. I know it will definitely be different, but I think it will be great. We always do a load or 2 of laundry and take snack/sandwich stuff for breakfasts and lunches so the kitchen, extra room, and in unit laundry will be awesome I'm sure!

You sound like us.. we will be staying there for the first time Aug 9th... but I have stayed off site in other condo's.. but for the most part, it use to be mostly onsite. However, I go often (only live 2.5 hrs away) so when you are talking going to Orlando 6-8 times a year.. Disney onsite gets pretty expensive.. yep.. that is a con