First Time Staying Off-Site in 18 Years---Advice????

[CRSTEPHE]

We are staying in a 2BR Deluxe at Wyndham BOnnet Creek in June and this is the first time I have stayed offsite in 18 years! I've read thru the Bonnet Creek threads BUT please let me know if you have any advice to make this a great trip. It will be me, my husband, 2 sons (ages 15 and 20), and my parents who are 70 and 73 (and extremely active!!!).

I'm especially concerned about the conditions of the rooms, and I don't have a good feel for where everything is located at the resort. It would be great to be near food options. Also, how much does it cost to park at the parks and can you use the same parking pass at different parks on the same day? We've always used Disney transportation.

Very, very nervous!!!!! But also super excited.

PLease let me know if you have any specific suggestions that you believe would make this a wonderful trip!.

 

[2forMe]

You can park at all parks for the day once you have paid.

 

[HopperFan]

Don't be nervous, love Bonnet Creek. It's the next best thing to being onsite, parks are 10 minutes away. We loved the 2 bedroom units, having the bedrooms/baths on opposite sides of the condo was great and loved the big balconies. The resort has great amenities, some food options and while much to do also very relaxing.

 

[CRSTEPHE]

Thanks for the info.
When looking at the photos, it looks like the bathtub is in the same room as the bed---are the tub and bed in the same room?

 

[Klayfish]

Don't be nervous about staying off site, we love it. Haven't stayed at Bonnet Creek. From all I've seen, it looks like a nice place, but I don't know that it's anything more magical than the 200+ other resort condo/townhouse facilities within 15 minutes of WDW. We've stayed at probably 7 or 8 different off site places over the past 12 years and they're all very, very good.

Parking is a breeze at WDW. Frankly, for me, if I had to rely on Disney Transportation, that would be a HUGE negative. I like having my car...don't have to share a ride with others and can go where we want, when we want.

You will find more food options than you know what to do with, all within 10 minutes of where you're staying. Rt 192 is lined with restaurants of all kinds, as well as grocery stores.

 

[BigredNole]

In the master bed, yes. The jacuzzi is part of the bedroom I would say. There is a little divider wall, but nothing completely blocking it off. There is a shower that is behind the door.

One big piece of advice that I have not seen posted. Do not order delivery from any place that is not permitted on WBC property. You will get flyers under your door with great deals and delivery to the resort. Two things happen with many of these companies. First, they cannot deliver past the gate. Second, most of them steal your cc and it is sold overseas well before your delivery. We were told by the guard at the gate to contact our cc company immediately. Sure enough, they started to see charges pop up from eastern Europe. From the time we ordered to the time we met the person at the gate, our cc was being used. CC company stopped all charges, froze our card and FedEx new ones to the resort the next day (~14 hours). Don't take this as a negative to WBC. It is more of a warning to tourists because it can happen anywhere. If the guard did not tell us, we would not have known until we got home and we would have been fighting charges for some time.

As for WBC, it is an awesome resort. You are going to have a blast. I have only been in Tower 4. My preference would be 4 or 5 due to proximity to everything we enjoy.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Parking at the parks is $20 per day and you can use your parking pass/receipt at other parks the same day. WBC is amazing and I'm sure you'll have a great time. When travelling back home from the parks, follow the signs to Disney Springs and you'll be right near WBC. Have a great trip!

 

[TamaraQT]

Thanks for the info.
When looking at the photos, it looks like the bathtub is in the same room as the bed---are the tub and bed in the same room?

Yes, it's in the master bedroom and its not a standard tub. It is a jacuzzi/whirlpool tub. Having one in the master bedroom is one of the highlights of my vacation. Nothing like coming back to a jacuzzi bath after spending hours walking in the parks. Actually I use mine almost every night whether I go to the parks or not. I turn the TV around towards the tub...dim the lights and have a glass of wine or whatever while I soak away. LOVE IT !!!!!! Keep in mind, the tub is actually built for two but that may be a conversation for another thread!!!

 

[BigredNole]

[GALLERY=]

 

[CRSTEPHE]

In the master bed, yes. The jacuzzi is part of the bedroom I would say. There is a little divider wall, but nothing completely blocking it off. There is a shower that is behind the door.

One big piece of advice that I have not seen posted. Do not order delivery from any place that is not permitted on WBC property. You will get flyers under your door with great deals and delivery to the resort. Two things happen with many of these companies. First, they cannot deliver past the gate. Second, most of them steal your cc and it is sold overseas well before your delivery. We were told by the guard at the gate to contact our cc company immediately. Sure enough, they started to see charges pop up from eastern Europe. From the time we ordered to the time we met the person at the gate, our cc was being used. CC company stopped all charges, froze our card and FedEx new ones to the resort the next day (~14 hours). Don't take this as a negative to WBC. It is more of a warning to tourists because it can happen anywhere. If the guard did not tell us, we would not have known until we got home and we would have been fighting charges for some time.

As for WBC, it is an awesome resort. You are going to have a blast. I have only been in Tower 4. My preference would be 4 or 5 due to proximity to everything we enjoy.

Thank you for sharing your experience--I will make sure no one in our party does this!

 

[CRSTEPHE]

Yes, it's in the master bedroom and its not a standard tub. It is a jacuzzi/whirlpool tub. Having one in the master bedroom is one of the highlights of my vacation. Nothing like coming back to a jacuzzi bath after spending hours walking in the parks. Actually I use mine almost every night whether I go to the parks or not. I turn the TV around towards the tub...dim the lights and have a glass of wine or whatever while I soak away. LOVE IT !!!!!! Keep in mind, the tub is actually built for two but that may be a conversation for another thread!!!

Too Funny!

 

[TamaraQT]

[GALLERY=]

 

[Klayfish]

Yes, it's in the master bedroom and its not a standard tub. It is a jacuzzi/whirlpool tub. Having one in the master bedroom is one of the highlights of my vacation. Nothing like coming back to a jacuzzi bath after spending hours walking in the parks. Actually I use mine almost every night whether I go to the parks or not. I turn the TV around towards the tub...dim the lights and have a glass of wine or whatever while I soak away. LOVE IT !!!!!! Keep in mind, the tub is actually built for two but that may be a conversation for another thread!!!

That is unquestionably another "benefit" to staying offsite. When we rent a condo or townhouse, it's 3 or 4 bedrooms. DD9 gets her own bedroom, DS9 and DS13 share one (which they think is fun), and DW and I get our own...and it's usually down the hall from the kids. Or we've rented some 2 story townhomes with a master on the main. Makes for a better night sleep...that is what we're talking about, right???

 

[TamaraQT]

Too Funny!

All jokes aside.....it really is a highlight of my vacation. It's one of many reasons why I stay off-site. A small hotel room with 1 bathroom and a standard tub just doesn't do it for me. I really do enjoy coming back to the jacuzzi after a long park day. Nothing like it !!!

 

[TamaraQT]

That is unquestionably another "benefit" to staying offsite. When we rent a condo or townhouse, it's 3 or 4 bedrooms. DD9 gets her own bedroom, DS9 and DS13 share one (which they think is fun), and DW and I get our own...and it's usually down the hall from the kids. Or we've rented some 2 story townhomes with a master on the main. Makes for a better night sleep...that is what we're talking about, right???

EXACTLY !!!!

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

[GALLERY=]

This is hilarious. We stayed offsite in a spacious Windsor Hills condo for our 2013 trip and I've been asked if our three year old DD was our Disney trip "souvenir" .

 

[TamaraQT]

Ok...Ok....this thread has seemed to have taken a turn.......I guess I have to take responsibility for that....but while we are on the subject...

There is no doubt that this is definitely a benefit for staying off-site. The benefit of being able to relax and unwind in your own bedroom while the kids are enjoying having their own space. The benefit of having more than 1 shower in the unit. Many on-site only people complain about not wanting to cook on vacation and I don't understand that. Just because the room is equipped with a full kitchen, does not mean you must cook. But...having a full size stove and refrigerator is so convenient. Did I mention the convenience of a having a full size washer dryer. No more piles of dirty clothes. I don't spend my vacation, doing laundry. I throw a load in the wash at night and dry it in the morning while getting dressed. Clothes are washing while I sleep and drying while I shower. Quick, easy and very convenient.

 

[CRSTEPHE]

Ok...Ok....this thread has seemed to have taken a turn.......I guess I have to take responsibility for that....but while we are on the subject...

There is no doubt that this is definitely a benefit for staying off-site. The benefit of being able to relax and unwind in your own bedroom while the kids are enjoying having their own space. The benefit of having more than 1 shower in the unit. Many on-site only people complain about not wanting to cook on vacation and I don't understand that. Just because the room is equipped with a full kitchen, does not mean you must cook. But...having a full size stove and refrigerator is so convenient. Did I mention the convenience of a having a full size washer dryer. No more piles of dirty clothes. I don't spend my vacation, doing laundry. I throw a load in the wash at night and dry it in the morning while getting dressed. Clothes are washing while I sleep and drying while I shower. Quick, easy and very convenient.

Definitely excited about multiple bathrooms and the washer/dryer.

 

[TamaraQT]

Definitely excited about multiple bathrooms and the washer/dryer.

Yes...it is so convenient. With all the nice pools, lazy river, and poolside activities you may be surprised when your kids would rather enjoy the amenities at WBC instead of going to Disney everyday. Believe me, it can happen!!!