Fairfield Bonnet Creek

[deputy119]

We will be staying here in December. I've heard that the transportation to the parks stinks. Wondering if we should be driving and paying to park or what? Also wondering if anyone knows whether they have areas you can grill. We received the room as a gift and can't access the website to find out much about it. I would appreciate anyones thought on this place that has stayed there in the past.

 

[Brian Noble]

Yes, you will want to drive. As you are not staying in a Disney-owned or -affiliated resort, you will be paying for parking, unless you have an AP.

 

[Lisa P.]

Joe, your opening lines imply that you are somewhat less than thrilled with the "gift." Yes, having your own car will be most beneficial. Remember to show your paid Disney parking pass if you leave a Disney lot and go to another or return the same day so you'll only pay once per day (unless you have an Annual Pass).

Using the free resort shuttles can be useful if your travel group wants to arrive or depart at different times and if you can plan ahead to use the shuttle. We much prefer using our own car, even when staying at Disney resorts.

About the grills… I'm not sure if they are installed yet or not. Nearly every Fairfield wherever I've stayed has had charcoal grills, but they are not usually installed until several buildings are up. The picnic areas were scheduled to go in around the same time as a playground at building 4 and I don’t think they’re in yet.

Maybe you'll feel better after looking at some photos of FF Bonnet Creek.

I'm not sure why you are not able to get information from the Fairfield Resorts website. Just go to "Search Resorts" and select Florida on the map, then Bonnet Creek. Non-owners may access these sections:
--- Resort Home (general description, with amenities)
--- Maps & Directions (where it is, within the greater region)
--- Resort Activities (long list of things to do)
--- Play Days (special upcoming, holiday & seasonal events)
--- Resort Map (resort layout)
Other areas are for owners only - but there's plenty to read and see for non-owners in the above sections.

There's also a some detailed info on this thread, though you may want to disregard what's said about the 4BR Presidential Suite. Just look for specifics regarding the unit size you'll actually have.

FWIW, there are also 1BR, 2BR and 3BRs. These regular condo-style units all have the following features:
--- king Master BR w/jacuzzi & separate shower
--- ceiling fan & TV in each BR
--- combined kitchen/dining/living room w/queen sleeper sofa
--- closet w/stacked washer/dryer
--- inroom safe
--- a balcony or patio.
2nd and 3rd BRs each have 2 double/full beds. A 2nd full bath is added to the 2BR & 3BR units.

The rooms themselves are lovely. The common areas are very, very nice. HTH! Enjoy your trip!

 

[deputy119]

Couldn't be more wrong, I am most grateful. Just that they advertised it as having to and from transportation to Disney. I was then later told that the bus stops running before the parks closed so I was kinda bummed... Just looking for the facts thats all.

And, thank you for all the info!

 

[luv2vacation]

Where is Bonnet Creek? I thought it was down the road from OKW. Actually is it between OKW and SSR. Everyone says it is by Epcot... Someone let me know please.....

 

[lawgs]

it is a lil down the road from OKW just not towards SSR...it abuts Carribean Beach Resort ( you can see that resorts roadways from some units at BC if you have a parking LOt view )

in WDW terms it could be by Epcot too since that "property" is across the street from Carribean Beach

but NOT the entrance to Epcot, just the very back of the property

 

[luv2vacation]

Is it closer to downtown disney than OKW?

 

[lawgs]

....at the main road, you turn right ( from OKW ) instead of going left to Downtown Disney/Typhoon Lagoon, go under the overpass ( 536 ), and turn left into Bonnet Creek at the next corner....

 

[Lisa P.]

Is it closer to downtown disney than OKW?

No. But it's not much further and may feel closer by car. OKW is on the same side of the road as DD, and it has a boat ride between them. Bonnet Creek is perhaps a 1/4 mile west/southwest of OKW on the other side of the street. To drive from OKW to DD, you exit the resort and drive all the way around the long block. To drive from Bonnet Creek to DD, you exit the resort and drive down the street.

-------------------

Coming from Hotel Plaza Blvd, you turn left at the light, with the old Marketplace section of Downtown Disney (think Rainforest Café) directly in front of you.

Now you traveling west on Buena Vista Blvd and you are passing DD on your right. There are some Disney staff buildings on the left.

After DD, you will pass Typhoon Lagoon on your left.

At the light, you'll see the OKW water tower (?) on your right. If you turned right here, you'd find the entrances to OKW and the two PO resorts on the right side. But don't turn right at this light (unless you want to drive to the Epcot or MK parking lots, I think); instead, continue straight over the highway overpass.

At the next light after the bridge/highway overpass, Bonnet Creek is on your left.

CBR is the next left after Bonnet Creek.

Then, you'll pass a fire station (?) on your right and the next light will be the Epcot resorts area on the right - BW, S/D, YC/BC. There's no public entrance to Epcot here, just a walk-in entrance for guests staying at these hotels.

Continuing past the Epcot resorts on the main road, Disney Studios is a left turn. Hm, actually I cannot recall if you pass the Epcot resorts first (on your right) or the Studios (on your left).

Go past the next highway interchange and the giant McD and continue southwest and then, CSR will be on the right side.

Somewhere along here, Blizzard Beach is on your left.

Lastly, you'll come the All Stars hotels. I don't know where Pop fits into this - never paid attention to it.

At least, this is how I remember it. The driving experience for Bonnet Creek guests includes passing a lot of Disney venues. So to find the place, always follow the signs to the Epcot Resorts area, CBR, TL and/or DD. Very easy. HTH.

 

[luv2vacation]

Thanks for the info!!! We will be there Thanksgiving week...

 

[bayoutinksmom]

We are thinking about buying Fairfield points. My DH's uncle is a Fairfield Platinum member and said if we bought our points through him we would be given the same privileges he has. WE have stayed at Fairfield Mountain Vista and loved it. In fact one year we stayed in the presidential suite which was wonderful. The question I have is this: Is there a limit to how many weeks you can stay? WE are planning on buying 224,000 points but if we wanted save points and stay for three weeks at one resort( mainly Bonnet Creek) could we?

 

[Lisa P.]

Bayoutinksmom, resale will save you 70% off the purchase price. However, if you want to attain VIP levels (regular=300,000, gold=500,000, platinum=1,000,000) with their extra privileges, then resale points do not apply toward those. We have 154,000 (not VIP but we like it anyhow) so we are happy with resale.

The only way that you would get your DH's uncle's Plat VIP benefits is if you purchased points and actually had his name on your deed so they'd be added to the sum total of points. Buying <300,000 from or through him into your own account will NOT provide VIP.

You are only limited to staying as long as your ownership points will cover. If, prior to the start of a use year, you bank any portion or all of that use year's points, then you may use them to travel anytime through 3 years after the date you banked them.

Example: Your purchase is registered at FF in Nov 2006 on a Jan 1 use year account. You place your 2007 points into the Credit Pool in Nov 2006. You may use them for FF reservations for travel through Nov 2009. If you did this with your 2008 points too, then you could take a trip in 2009 (Jan-Nov) using all of your 2007, 2008 and 2009 points.

Credit Pooled points may only be used for FF reservations, not RCI or cruises or maint fee payments or any other ways. Credit Pooled points have no home resort advance reservation priority - they may only be used to make reservations 10 months ahead of travel, even at your home resort (generally not a problem at non-oceanfront resorts). And unlike regular points, Credit Pooled points require a $25 fee to be paid when you use them to book a reservation.

Do read more about Fairfield on TUG (see my sig below) or join the Yahoo! Group for Fairfield_Timeshare (for owners and those considering it). You'll learn more to make a better, informed decision as to whether it makes sense for your situation or not. HTH.

 

[bayoutinksmom]

Thanks Lisa P. I did know about his name having to be on our deed which is OK with us because we are very close to them so I know it would all work out OK. WE are actually thinking of canceling our SOG reservations and staying at Bonnet Creek when we go this summer. He is looking into it right now and trying to get us a two bedroom. Do you know how soon out that the resort books up? We will then decide on weather or not it is for us after that. My parents are actually DVC members and they too are thinking of getting some Fairfield points. Do you know anything about the Majestic Sun? WE are actually going to spend a week there with his uncle before we head to Disney. Thanks For you help!!!!!

 

[Lisa P.]

WE are actually thinking of canceling our SOG reservations and staying at Bonnet Creek when we go this summer. He is looking into it right now and trying to get us a two bedroom. Do you know how soon out that the resort books up?

No. But looking online at FF now, I see plentiful availability for the end of June and first 2 weeks of July - 1BR, 2BR, 3BR. This is 9-10 months ahead in the Standard Reservation window - open booking window at all resorts, not just home resort. For Easter week (6 months away), there are still a few 1BRs and 2BRs available. A lot of people see family around the Thanksgiving holidays and make summer vacation plans that weekend. That's when summer locations commonly get booked up. By then, it's hard to get prime spring break weeks either.

Do you know anything about the Majestic Sun?

This resort is directly across the street from the beach, with no development possible on the beach side of the street. It's a mixed-use development - partly timeshare, partly whole-ownership, year-round condos. It's extremely popular during summer break - upscale furnishings and good resort amenities. Most of the timeshare units have a side view, looking either up or down the beachfront, not directly out on it.

Right now, I see (online) only a few 1BR suites (and just 1 regular 1BR) available at Majestic Sun for full weeks in the first 2 weeks of July and nothing at all for the end of June. Unless you can be quite flexible with your dates and call at 8 am, 10 months out, possibly calling back weekly, this is a tough summertime reservation. If you want to visit there repeatedly during summer break, it's a good choice for home resort so you can reserve up to 13 months ahead.

 

[bayoutinksmom]

Thanks you have been so helpful!!!!!!! I am hoping to hear form him this weekend. We are trying to get 10 nights starting on June 16 at Bonnet Creek. If there is any helpful information you can share with us about Bonnet Creek that would be great especially if you have any advice about getting around.

Do you know exactly how many points it would take fro 10 nights??? We came up with 320,000 but that was just estimate when we were talking. I am just really curious and to impatient to wait and talk to him!!!!!

 

[stlsports4ever]

Hi everybody. I will be a Fairfield owner in 2007. Currently I have been a Discovery member which is basically a try before you buy program. And its great if you don’t have any down payment. You can use the installments while trying a few resorts.

We will be going to Bonnet Creek in June of 2007. I have heard combine ideas about this resort but I would get a rental car if for nothing else, groceries. Also, I have done some research and found that Publix has the cheapest prices. I don’t know if we can talk about cost but what does it cost to be a Fairshare Plus VIP member with 300,000 points every year? I know that the maintained fees will be high but sharing the cost with my fiancée.

Any information would this would mean a lot. Thanks.

Mr. Mike

 

[Lisa P.]

Bayoutinksmom, you don't mention whether your 10 nights include 2, 3 or 4 weekend nights. So you can do the math from what's below. Prime season in the summertime at Bonnet Creek runs from June 8 through late August. Here are the nightly points requirements for Bonnet Creek in Prime season:

1BR Deluxe (1BR/1bath)
33,000 pts per night on Fri or Sat nights
20,000 pts per night on Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed or Thu nights
166,000 pts for a full week

2BR Deluxe (2BR/2bath)
44,500 pts per night on Fri or Sat nights
27,000 pts per night on Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed or Thu nights
224,000 pts for a full week

3BR Deluxe (3BR/2bath)
64,000 pts per night on Fri or Sat nights
36,000 pts per night on Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed or Thu nights
308,000 pts for a full week

4BR Presidential Suite (4BR/4bath)
87,000 pts per night on Fri or Sat nights
50,000 pts per night on Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed or Thu nights
424,000 pts for a full week

 

[Lisa P.]

Stlsports4ever, as a Discovery member, you ought to have a per-point price locked into your future purchase. Look at your Discovery documents. They are also supposed to apply your full Discovery purchase price to your total new purchase. So just multiply whatever price you've locked in by 300 to see the price of a 300,000 point ownership.

I would venture a guess in the range of $36,000-$45,000, depending on whether you negotiated at the time of your Discovery purchase. You may still be able to negotiate a purchase price within that range as well. Also, ask about double points in your first year, sometimes possible. I don't know what kind of financing deal they make. Within a month or so, most people pay it off with other assets or refinance it independently with a lower rate, if they have the resources.

Maint fees at Bonnet Creek are currently $3.52 per thousand points plus property taxes, which are billed separately in Florida. This would be $1,056/year or $88/month on 300,000 points - plus property taxes. This assumes you have no purchase debt to pay, only maint fees.

FWIW, make sure you really think this VIP is worthwhile to you. 300,000 points on resale would only cost ~$9,000-$10,000. The $27,000 difference is what you'd be paying for that VIP level. Whatever extras are offered, like nightly Plus Partners options and unlimited housekeeping check-ins... is it really worth $27,000 more to you? Think about it. That's a lot of money for maint fees, park passes, airline tix, restaurant meals... donated stays for Make-A-Wish and similar charities.

Some people have strong feelings about going through the developer and that's fine. Just make an informed decision. And no, I don't sell timeshare or anything related to it for a living.

 

[stlsports4ever]

Thanks Lisa for the information. I really wanted to extra points. We usually have a big family group go with us on vacation. I do have a few more questions. I heard there is a way to reserve 2 vacations and at times a person can rent a 2bdroom or even 3bdroom for the cost of studio points? And then cancel the original vacation. Is this true? Also, do you happen to know how much a month the maintance fees are for Branson Mount Vista or Meadows? I live and go to Branson more than any other location. My step daughter actually lives 30 minutes from there and its easy to see her. (another reason for the points). I have it figured roughly that it would cost $300-$400 monthly before maintance fees. Is that about right? Sorry for all these annoying questions! I just trying to figure out which path to take before buying! Thanks again for all your help. It really made my weekend!

Mr. Mike

 

[evedoe]

Mr Mike,

There are two ways to stay on discounted points within FF if you are a VIP member. The one that is only available to VIP members is the VIP discount and room upgrade. Within in the 30/45/60 day window (depending on level of VIP) your can reserve a room at 25/35/50 percent discount. A VIP can also within this window upgrade the room size they have reserved (depending on availability). So it's possible to get a 2BR for half the points required for a 1BR. You used to be able to upgrade to any size that was available, but FF now says you can only get a 1unit upgrade. Don't know how strictly they are enforcing this.

Any FF member who trades externally through RCI can sometimes deposit a 28k point studio and get just about anything in the FF system as a trade. FF members get preferential treatment in RCI for available FF inventory and this coupled with a bulk space bank at a FF resort can get a trader some really nice units in great locations (including Hawaii) for only 28k points. Of course this will cost an additional $164 (the exchange fee to RCI).

If by reserving 2 vacations you mean having 2 different units for the same week to accommodate extended family - yes this is possible and our experience has always been that FF has put our rooms close together. Or do you mean that you have two different vacations reserved - ie May in Florida, and a weekend getaway in June to Branson. Yes you can do this too, as long as you have sufficient points to cover the reservations, you can have as many as you want booked at anytime.

Good Luck