Comparisons of Bonnet Creek vs. Onsite

[A Mickeyfan]

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

you have some valid points, however if you have toddlers (just using that as an example) they are not going to use the dishes.. it will be the DH that will and the DH can clean them not the DW
see in my case, I have older children, youngest is 16. If they dirty dishes, they clean dishes.. not mommy

.....and yes, when you have toddlers, you will be washing things out no matter where you are staying.. better having convient area to do so than a bathroom sink (been there done that )

Now on the personal side, I would rather pack lighter and have the washer (hate coming home with 2 loads of laundry ). I would rather have the cooking facilities for that late night snack when we get back from a park.. I would rather have my coffee in my PJ's.. etc.. heck I don't cook full meals when I am away.. but we do use the fridge & microwave often. The oven is handy for that frozen pizza at midnight when my DD's are watching TV... but that is my family.. I travel with 16 & 21 year olds (and their friends at times).. not young children.. so they dirty, they clean My son doesn't even come anymore...

 

[CattailGal]

For us, having a w/d on a trip longer than a few days (family of four) is getting to be a "must". Our last two trips to Disney (both in Oct), were ten days each. In FL, it's impossible to wear anything twice, so we have to bring ten days of clothes for four people (and take it all home dirty). We were going nonstop, so I never washed at the Nick Hotel, although I intended to do so beforehand. We're leaving for a week at the beach this Saturday, and again, it's so nice to have a w/d. I wash daily when I have a w/d in our unit.

KC

 

[mousey]

I can't see paying the Disney room prices when you spend the day in the park and only sleep in the room. I would much rather relax at Bonnet Creek for a much lower price and know my family is comfortable. Last time we had a 3 bedroom and it was huge! This room would of cost a fortune at Disney!

 

[05MM08MM]

I haven't looked just yet, but I'm sure there has to be a thread here somewhere to compare the cost of staying at a Disney resort verses and off-site hotel.

For me personally, I use the room to sleep, shower, and maybe an hour or so to rest mid day and that is it, but for me the only way I would stay off-site is if the stay is free (timeshare points).

Even paying a little extra seems worth it to me to be able to have the best transportation to the parks and DTD, use of the DDP, to be fully immersed in the Disney magic and not have to hassle with renting a car.

But for us, we are a smaller family and don't really require a lot of extra space, especially if we won't be spending much time in the room. But for those who want to compare the cost of an off-site condo with all those extras; large room, room for 5 or more guest, kitchen, etc to staying at a DVC resort, then I can see staying off-site being more worth it.

But even with the lower cost of the nightly room rate at an off site hotel verses Disney, you still have to factor in renting a car, tolls, parking each day, food (since you can't use the DDP)...and anything else someone wants to add

 

[floydfamily4]

My money, my choice!! End of story!!

Thanks for sharing your feedback on your lodging experience. I agree everyone gets a choice with their money so I hope you are able to stay onsite next time. We are staying at WH in Nov. and I plan on sharing my thoughts for those who might find it helpful or interesting. Thanks for sharing yours.

Dawn

 

[mommy23boysazh]

My family of 5 stayed at BC in Nov of '07 and are returning there this year. I have not stayed onsite at Disney because they don't cater to families of 5. It seems 98% of all Disney rooms have a capacity of 4 or less and the few that do hold 5 cost an arm and a leg!
Plus, it is not much of a vacation trying to cram 2 adults, 2 preteen boys, and one 5 year old princess into one room, fighting over the one TV, and with the older ones trying to keep quiet so the younger ones can get to sleep early.
We've done it in the past, but vowed never to do it again!
Our family needs the space to spread out and do our "own thing" for a while after being together all day in the parks, but each to his own! That's just us!

Maybe someday Disney will provide accomodations for families of 5 or 6 who are on a budget! By then my kids will probably be grown, though!

 

[Brian Noble]

Even paying a little extra seems worth it to me to be able to have the best transportation to the parks and DTD, use of the DDP, to be fully immersed in the Disney magic and not have to hassle with renting a car.

What's interesting is that many of the same considerations come into play for us, but in exactly the opposite way! When we stay onsite, we almost always get a rental car, and we driver ourselves almost everywhere---we prefer it to Disney transportation in most cases. We also never use the Dining Plan, because it never really fits what we want---we don't quite eat one TS per day, and we always end up spending less on food than the Plan costs.

The sense of immersion just seems to be one of those things that you either get or you don't. Our first three stays were all offsite, and our next was at OKW. We were really looking forward to finally "being part of it all", but in the end, we found it a little anticipointing. It was nice, and we enjoyed it, and we'd even pay a little extra for it. But, for us it wasn't worth a lot extra, and it didn't quite live up to the hype.

I'm just missing the pixie dust appreciation gene, I guess.

 

[Planogirl]

I used to want that Disney immersion but now I just want short doses of it most of the time. I don't know why but it just lost its appeal for me. We do still enjoy the Disney parks tremendously but I'm rather glad to escape the crowds at the end of the day.

I also love having a car. I love the freedom and flexibility but to each their own! I definitely understand the other side of it too.

Now I'm all interested in Bonnet Creek...

 

[dolphindan1]

We stayed at Bonnet Creek in Dec and loved it...its right in the middle of Disney and we had a balcony so we could watch the Epcot fireworks...We also enjoyed the break from Disney and still basically on Disney property. I mean you have to go through the gates to get to the resort, its right by the Carribean resort...the rooms were gorgeous and big, we had a 2 bed/ 2bath...we also used the kitchen 3 nights which helped save some money. As dar as transportation we always have driven to Disney and always had our car. We have never used the buses.

We paid 70 bucks in early Dec from an owner for our stay. We have also reserved through him again for this coming Nov...if you need his info let me know...and I will send it to you. He is very nice and was very helpful...We like renting from him so we had no time share presentation. It was just like a regular check in and we were never ever bothered and free use of everything...

 

[Crazy Kanga]

Just a few more days and we'll be there. I am going to take as many pics as I can and give a full review. I am a die hard Disney resort fan, but circumstances have dictated a stay at BC and I am really looking forward to the full kitchen and washer/dryer. I know no matter what it will be great because we will be at WDW!!!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

We stayed at Bonnet Creek in Dec and loved it...its right in the middle of Disney and we had a balcony so we could watch the Epcot fireworks...We also enjoyed the break from Disney and still basically on Disney property. I mean you have to go through the gates to get to the resort, its right by the Carribean resort...the rooms were gorgeous and big, we had a 2 bed/ 2bath...we also used the kitchen 3 nights which helped save some money. As dar as transportation we always have driven to Disney and always had our car. We have never used the buses.

We paid 70 bucks in early Dec from an owner for our stay. We have also reserved through him again for this coming Nov...if you need his info let me know...and I will send it to you. He is very nice and was very helpful...We like renting from him so we had no time share presentation. It was just like a regular check in and we were never ever bothered and free use of everything...

WOW $70 & I thought I was getting a great deal for a 2 bedroom this Aug for $100 per night..

 

[Janet Hill]

WOW $70 & I thought I was getting a great deal for a 2 bedroom this Aug for $100 per night..

The difference is most likely high vs value season.

 

[brandilee8299]

We paid 70 bucks in early Dec from an owner for our stay.

Where did you rent through? We are going the second week of December and are paying $120/night for a 2 bedroom. Thought it was a good deal, but $70 sounds even better. Would love something like this!

 

[Alexander]

I am struggling right now trying to decide if I should keep my 1 bedroom at OKW booked with points, or stay at Bonnet Creek for $75/night for a 2 bedroom. It would be $525 for 7 nights and I'm having a really hard time saying no. What would you all suggest?

I love OKW and have never stayed off property. I don't know what to do????

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I am struggling right now trying to decide if I should keep my 1 bedroom at OKW booked with points, or stay at Bonnet Creek for $75/night for a 2 bedroom. It would be $525 for 7 nights and I'm having a really hard time saying no. What would you all suggest?

I love OKW and have never stayed off property. I don't know what to do????

Saving $525 and getting an extra bedroom sounds like the better deal to me. I am not one that has to have Mickey on my shower curtians & walls.. I would rather have the extra room and money to do things. My vote would be for BC over OKW.. you are in the same area, more room, less money but giving up EMH, better free Disney bus service & package delivery service from the parks to your resort... to me, I would for-go that .. $525 is a big chunk of money...

 

[Chuck S]

I am struggling right now trying to decide if I should keep my 1 bedroom at OKW booked with points, or stay at Bonnet Creek for $75/night for a 2 bedroom. It would be $525 for 7 nights and I'm having a really hard time saying no. What would you all suggest?

I love OKW and have never stayed off property. I don't know what to do????

As much as I love being onsite, I think I'd book at least a few days at Bonnet Creek to check out the resort for that price. I'd be sure to have my own car or transporation, though.

 

[TotoToo]

I am struggling right now trying to decide if I should keep my 1 bedroom at OKW booked with points, or stay at Bonnet Creek for $75/night for a 2 bedroom. It would be $525 for 7 nights and I'm having a really hard time saying no. What would you all suggest?

I love OKW and have never stayed off property. I don't know what to do????

If you are like the vast majority of people you'll find that the extra you are paying to be in a smaller room with Disney soap isn't worth it and you'll wonder why you didn't make a change a long time ago. If you hate it then next time go back to the more expensive, smaller but for you better choice. A few nights to find out won't hurt & you'll know which is best for you in the future. Go for BC.

 

[Brian Noble]

I love OKW. Love it. But, with more than two people, the second bedroom and second bathroom is a big plus.

 

[can]

We are currently half way through our first stay at BC and absolutely love it!
We have always loved staying on Disney property, but after staying off site for the last two visits, I am not sure if I would go back to Disney resorts. We don't care much about the dining plan, one "big" meal a day is enough for us, wouldn't be worth it money-wise. The 2 br 2 ba we have here is much bigger than the hotel rooms we have stayed in in the past or the studio at SPR. Tops it has taken 10 min. from when we leave our condo to walking through the ticket gates at the parks (AAA Diamond pass helps too).

By my own choice, I have already thrown in a load of clothes or two here and there do we aren't emptying out four suitcases full of dirty clothes when we return home. DH and I have our space and the two 17 year old girls have their space (including their own bathroom) which keeps us all very happy.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Disney and Disney property, but for the money, you get bigger bang for your buck staying at BC or WH. All I could ever suggest is to try it once and see how it works for you. You just won't know until you do. Good luck!

 

[Alexander]

Not this time. It's just me and my two boys, who'll sleep in the king size bed with me anyways--so the second bedroom is not even going to get used. Two bathrooms would be great, but even when all 4 of us cruised and had 2 bathrooms, we rarely used both of them at the same time! If the kids were bigger, and DH was coming too, then I'd probably definately go for it, But with just the kids, I feel better at OKW. I know the resort inside out and backwards, and feel very, very safe there. Not that BC wouldn't be, I just don't know it. I like the laid back feel of OKW and I'm not sensing it would be the same a BC.

Anyone looking for a great deal at BC should check out craigslist. That's where I found this offer from a really, really nice guy who can't use his week and wanted someone to use and appreciate it--not sell it for profit.

Next time--but thank you to everyone for your suggestions/advice. I'm going to my old time favorite OKW!