Fairfield Bonnet Creek

[disneymoon0606]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the Dis! I've been planning my honeymoon, which will be in June, and we are going to be staying at the Fairfield Bonnet Creek. I was just wondering if anyone has stayed there and if you could give me a little more info about it. Do they have busses that go to WDW, and if so how often? Any info would be a great help! Thanks!

 

[MickeyMickey]

I'm looking for some information as well. What is the pool area like?

 

[Lisa P.]

Disneymoon0606, what a beautiful resort for a honeymoon! They do have shuttle buses to the Disney parks and the TTC but you'll need to reserve your space daily by the evening for the following day. The info I have is about a year old. At that time, they departed the resort at:

8:20 a.m.
9:20 a.m.
10:20 a.m.
4:45 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:45 p.m.

Return pick-up times at the parks varied by park and closing times nightly and they were between:

3:15-4:00 p.m.
5:30-6:00 p.m.
7:45-8:15 p.m.
9:45-10:15 p.m.

Get current info at the resort when you check-in or call ahead. The phone # is (407) 238-3500. Also, I believe the cost is minimal or it's free - it was still free in January 2005. Have a wonderful stay there!

MickeyMickey, take a look at the photo gallery on this rental page to see what the pool areas look like. You're sure to enjoy it! There are also a couple of photos on Fairfield's webpage for Fairfield Orlando at Bonnet Creek Resort (check the Search Resorts map for Florida and you'll find the resort).

 

[Ozymoe]

Lucky girl! This is a beautiful resort. These were the pictures I could find. I'll be staying there from September 16-September 30 (less than 2 weeks from now, whoo hoo!) I stayed there a year ago so I too am wondering what changes have been effected since then. I have never seen a resort grow so fast! Of course I'm sure that's because of its location within the Disney gates.

It is adjacent to Disney's Caribbean Resort, and is the only property found within the Disney Complex that is built on land not owned by Disney. (How that came about is a story in itself, beginning before Walt Disney's first scouting foray into Florida) This property is so much in the heart of Disney, it has been described as "the hole in the Disney donut"!

I love staying there because (although they had very accomodating free shuttle service which dropped you off at the TTC and picked you up from whichever park you went to, at prearranged times) I am lucky enough to have a car when I am there...and quite literally, the World is at my doorstep! MGM? Exit the resort, drive for 2-3 minutes, turn left and you are entering the MGM parking lot! Epcot took 7 minutes. Animal Kingdom was the farthest away, and I'm guessing it was 10 minutes from BC to having actually parked in the AK lot and walking to the tram.

These times are all educated guesses based on my memories from last year...you can bet I will be documenting them during the upcoming two weeks I will be there in September!...as well as the times from Fairfield's Cypress Palms which is located on 192 (Irlo Bronson Hwy) near the 11 mile marker, from which I will be traveling later on in October and November.

Lol...one feature I loved at FFBC last year was the speaker phone in the kitchen.

I hope to be doing a nightly trip report which will include reviews of all my experiences...including Bonnet Creek.

Pictures etc:

This is a view from the far side of the pool towards the main check-in building.





This view (at left) is from the presidential suite in the first building built.




I can't quite figure out where this picture was taken.


his view is from the kitchen area towards the balcony.


Master bedroom.




In the pool.

Resort: Fairfield Orlando at Bonnet Creek Resort
Room: 2 Bedroom Deluxe - fully furnished timeshare condo unit that has a kitchen equipped with a stove, sink, refrigerator, microwave oven, dishwasher, coffee maker, toaster, and sufficient pots and pans, plates, glasses, and tableware to serve the number of occupants indicated in this listing. Washer and dryer. Bath towels, hand towels and wash clothes, paper towels, toilet tissue, soaps and detergents, and other consumable supplies will be furnished.
Sleeping arrangements: 1 King bed, 2 Full beds and a Queen pullout sleeper sofa. Sleeps upto 8 people.



Unit Features
Kitchen
Washer/Dryer
Whirlpool Tub
Air Conditioning


General

Information:
As a guest you will have access to all of the fine amenities available at this Gold Crown Resort . You will be able to check into the unit after 4 PM on the first date listed and you will be expected to check out of the unit before 10 AM on the last date listed.
NOTE: No pets are allowed.



Resort

Information:
Escape the familiar and experience a truly wonderful vacation. Bonnet Creek provides a rainbow of exciting possibilities to set you free and make it easy to have fun. You’ll find yourselves just minutes (count them) from the gates of the world’s most magical theme parks. And your stylish resort home comes with a swimming pool…a sauna…an outdoor hot tub…all very relaxing — and best of all it’s yours to enjoy.



Amenities
Outdoor Swimming Pool
Children’s Pool
“Get Out & Play” Activities Program
Exercise Equipment
Hot Tub
Game Room
Playground Area (Phases 2 & 4)
Health Club (Phase 4)
Clubhouse (Recreation Center)
Picnic/BBQ Area (Phases 3 & 4)
Sauna (Phase 4)
Miniature Golf (Phases 2 & 3)
Basketball (Phase 4)
Note: The resort is in Phase 2, which is scheduled to be completed spring 2006



A guest must be at least 21 years of age to check-in at this resort.

Area Attractions: There's something for everyone at Bonnet Creek. Enjoy a wide variety of over 50 different Activities through out the week. We have everything from arts & crafts to weekly family social events.
We have special activities designed for children, families as well as teen and adult activities.

We also have our famous "Sparky Races" weekly in the lazy river.

Our Seasonal Pool Parties are always a hit, with live entertainment, games and activities, a buffet to fit everyone's taste. (Nominal Charge for buffet)

Meet your fellow Bonnet Creek neighbors at our Monday Night Welcome Reception. Complete with live entertainment, door prizes, Complimentary glass of wine with cheese and crackers.

 

[Ozymoe]

Whoops!

Sorry...I don't know why the pictures don't show up. I'm not enough of a computer person to know what to do about that yet.

 

[lawgs]

ozymo

do you own at fairfield bonnet creek or do you trade into it??

 

[MickeyMickey]

Anybody know the square footage of units?

 

[spiceycat]

it is also next door to Pop Century - more of the resort is across from Pop Century.

you can't walk from FBC to any of the WDW resorts - don't even try it.

there are gates and water between you and them.

 

[Lisa P.]

Take a look at this aerial view. The proposed golf course (and proposed hotels east of the golf course) will border land occupied by Pop Century. But the Fairfield Bonnet Creek timeshare resort itself is really only next to Caribbean Beach. When looking out from the upper floors of FFBC, we could easily see the CBR and Epcot ball but I didn't notice Pop. Maybe you'd have to look more toward the south than I was looking. These two resorts (FFBC and CBR) are both accessed via the same stretch of Buena Vista Blvd/Drive (?) so they "feel" very much like "neighbors" along the same road.

Spiceycat is right that there is no reasonable or safe walkway between the FFBC resort and other resorts - currently. CBR is similarly separated from other resorts. When the rest of the Bonnet Creek development is built with 4 hotels, there will surely be more restaurant and shopping access within a short walk (non-Disney). The sidewalks and streetlamps are already in place for much of the development.

You can see from the above photo that it's a very short drive from FFBC to plenty of restaurants and shops! (There are no sidewalks along these busy streets.)

Exit the BC development and turn left at the light, go a couple of blocks and you'll see the BoardWalk and all the other Disney resorts in the Epcot area, which are closest to the World Showcase part of Epcot. That's the part of Epcot seen in the photo. Instead, if you exit the BC development and turn right at the light, go a couple of blocks (just past Typhoon Lagoon) and you'll see Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney on the left.

The location of this resort is excellent - also close to Disney's Old Key West (white buildings at the top of the photo). Whenever we stayed there (OKW), we always drove our car rather than wait around for buses, especially to eat at other resorts (and naturally for offsite restaurants in Lake Buena Vista/Orlando, many of which are very good). We've had friends who preferred to take taxicabs from OKW to other resorts for the restaurants rather than do all the Disney bus transfers (takes less time by cab). This would be an option for people staying at FFBC too - it's just a good location for short drives around WDW, especially considering that it's not Disney-owned.

 

[disneymoon0606]

I really wish FH and I could rent a car while we're there, but unfortunately we will both be under 25 and it's just to expensive to rent when you're that young. It's like an extra $30 fee per day. So we will probably be relying mostly on the bussing to get to the parks. Maybe by next summer they will have more pick up/drop off times. Otherwise, does anyone have an idea of how much it costs to take a taxi from FFBC to any of the parks? Just a ballpark figure would be helpful. It might end up being the most cost-effective (and least annoying) way to get back and forth.

Thanks for all the help, guys!

 

[Ozymoe]

ozymo

do you own at fairfield bonnet creek or do you trade into it??

We own 500,000 points at Bonnet Creek. We did that for a reason...we are a "Disney-loving family" and we will use the presidential suite (4 BR/4 Bath) for our family reunions with our children/spouses/grandchildren in the future.

This was just such a bargain when compared with Disney DVC and/or staying a week at Boardwalk or the Grand Floridian with a family group...and just as luxurious. Actually, I don't know if Disney even offers any suites that are large enough to accomodate four families with total privacy for each family with a central living room, dining room, kitchen and balcony. Lol...you have to see it to believe it!

When the golf course is completed it will provide another vacation venue, since the men in our family (at least so far) like that activity.

Myself...I think miniature golf is much more fun...especially with future granchildren, so the (complimentary) miniature golf course (slated for spring 2006) is more my speed.

I also enjoy their outdoor whirlpool, huge swimming pool...and, my favorite, the lazy river! I don't know much about the toddler/young children's part of the pool complex. Although it is right next to the lazy river, it is a separate pool/fountain/sprinkle area and I don't have grands to take there yet.

 

[Ozymoe]

it is also next door to Pop Century - more of the resort is across from Pop Century.

you can't walk from FBC to any of the WDW resorts - don't even try it.

there are gates and water between you and them.

Wow...really? I can see the Caribbean Beach Resort, but had no idea Pop Century was anywhere near. Disney really manages to disorient me sometimes!

LOL...I would never attempt to walk to any other resort...I wouldn't even attempt to walk between Disney resorts...they aren't set up for this (except some of the monorail resorts, i.e. one may walk between the Poly and the GF...on the beach even!)

There are two gates between FBC and CBR, one at Fairfield's BC resort as well as one at Disney's CBR.

 

[Ozymoe]

Anybody know the square footage of units?

1 Bedroom Deluxe = 902 sq. ft.

2 Bedroom Deluxe = 1,257 sq. ft.

 

[lawgs]

thanks for your reply ozymoe

thought you might own there since it is supposedly hard to trade into via RCI

 

[Lisa P.]

1 Bedroom Deluxe = 902 sq. ft.

2 Bedroom Deluxe = 1,257 sq. ft.

Thanks for this info. Interesting. These square footages are just slightly smaller than comparable unit types at Disney's OKW but larger than those at all the newer DVC resorts at WDW. I hadn't realized that they'd trimmed so much from their newer rooms! Here are the room sizes (newest to oldest), as posted on a DVC thread:

SSR: 1BR 714 sq. ft --- 2BR 1075 sq. ft
BCV: 1BR 726 sq ft --- 2BR 1083 sq ft
WLV: 1BR 727 sq ft --- 2BR 1080 sq ft
BWV: 1BR 814 sq ft --- 2BR 1226 sq ft
OKW: 1BR 942 sq ft --- 2BR 1395 sq ft

The FFBC resort does not offer Disney's onsite privileges, but our family does not use a single one of them anymore, even when staying onsite! LOL! So the FFBC resort is very appealing for us. It's interesting for me to see these room size comparisons.

Ozymoe, do you happen to have the square feet for the 3BR and 4BR condos? I personally prefer the 4BR interior at FFBC (hands down!) over any 3BR "grand villa" at OKW or BWV (haven't seen it at SSR yet). It's absolutely gorgeous, IMHO.

Disneymoon0606, detailed info regarding taxicab fare can be found on this thread and this thread too.

To save a bit of money, you may want to try the FFBC shuttle in the morning and just use a cab to return to FFBC on evenings when the shuttle seems inconvenient. To minimize the cab fare, end your evening with a stroll around Crescent Lake and/or a visit to the clubs at the BoardWalk. This is very near FFBC resort. Then take a quick hop in a taxi, back to FFBC. Don't forget that hopper passes include Disney transport between the theme parks. They do nothing to discourage visitors from using their buses, boats and monorails to visit Disney resort restaurants or DTD while/after you're at the parks (they hope you'll spend money there). So enjoy!

 

[Ozymoe]

Lol...all I can say is...when I checked in to FFBC last year, all I kept thinking was..."Wow...this is a ONE bedroom?" It's huge...and I'm pretty sure that square footage doesn't include the balcony.

I'll have to ask when I get there what the square footage is for the 3 and 4 BR units...I'm also going to "pace off" my 1BR...lol...I like to know for myself, for sure.

 

[MickeyMickey]

Are there any dining options here?

 

[Nanner]

Hi everyone! My first post but more than likely not my last! (my daughter just turned 4 and we're working on her 7th trip to WDW)! My hubby and I also use to live in the Kissimmee area. Anyway my question is kind of silly but important to us. Can't find the info anywhere else and the pics just don't seem to show well enough.

Are the balcony's screened?

Thanks so much!

 

[MickeyMickey]

No, they are not screened. One of the reasons we don't like it as well as Vistana Villages. Also half of the balconies overlook the parking lot

 

[GPALANGE]

What is the contact information, do they have a website? I'd be interested in seeing some prices but the website I found would only let you email them, and I'm really just more curious right now, not that I'm planning anything.