Help! Bonnet Creek vs. Pop - complicated

[amybgs]

I posted this on the families board and got good feedback but meant to post it here originally. So curious for any other opinions:

Need opinions! Planning a trip in late Nov. or early Dec. Staying 7 nights. Travelling with my husband, my sons (ages 7 & 4) and my mom, who has some physical limitations. She's able bodied but has back problems and really bad knees, so we may be pushing her in a wheelchair at the parks. She gets around fine (has a bit of a hard time on stairs) - it's just that being on her feet all day would really be hard on her.

Anyway, here's my dilemma. I have a very limited budget for this trip. I am considering staying at Pop with a counter service meal plan. Also debating car rental or no car rental. We'd need a mini-van with 5 of us, so it wouldn't be cheap. My mom is entitled to a handicapped parking pass (permanent) because of her limitations. I'd like to do 5 or 6 days of Disney (Mon - Fri) but leave a day for Sea World (Sat. or Sun).

So do I stay at Pop or Bonnet Creek? I hear Pop can be noisy and beds aren't comfy. Two considerations - my husband has severe insomnia and sleep apnea (uses a CPAP machine), so we don't need another complication (noise and uncomfortable beds). And my mom has back issues. And my mom and 4 year old don't have the stamina the rest of us do. Thought if I stayed at Pop, they could easily take the rental car back if needed, without us, and then hubby and I could stay at park and return later on the bus. Or we could skip the rental and all of us could take the bus. My concern is how far my mom would need to walk with my 4 year old to get to and from the bus. Would handicapped parking be closer or further? We're probably doing 2 days at MK, 2 days at Epcot and maybe 1 day each AK and MGM (or whatever it's called now).

Sounds like on-site would be convenient. My mom and son could go back to the room and still be able to get around later if they wanted (food court, playground, etc) But Bonnet Creek sounds like it would give more comfort and more space (and it's a bit cheaper for us). But then if they need to go back to the park, how reliable are the BC shuttles and do they come back late enough if we stay at park late with our other ds? Or do we rent a car and all of us come back for a rest, or just grab the car rental out of handicapped parking and just go drop them off at Bonnet Creek, and then return to Disney? Downside is that then my mom and ds have no transportation.

What are your thoughts in our situation? Which hotel? Car rental or no car rental? If I stay on-site with no car rental, what's the best transportation for getting to Sea World one day? Do I rent a car for a day or is there another option? If I could avoid car seat installations, it would be awesome.

 

[mrzrich]

Probably best to stay on site in this case. No rental car needed, but I HIGHLY recommend renting a wheelchair or ECV for the week from an outside vendor like Walker Mobility. They deliver the chair right to your resort so you have it all the time. From the bus to the turnstiles and back (Can be quite a hike in some cases). Plus POP is fairly large, so you may have to walk a bit to get to the main building and so on.

 

[daytondisney]

Handicap parking at AK, Epcot and HS is relatively close and when you consider that you can drop everyone at the end of the lot closest to the park entrance, it seemed closer to me than the buses. We traveled in November and there was never much of a crowd. My MIL has same problem.

At the transportation center for MK I did the same thing (dropping at point closest to the monorail) and the walk was nowhere near as far as would have been at the resort. You do walk down an incline and then back up, and then up a ramp to the monorail. And the monorail station at MK is slightly closer to the gate than the bus depot, depending on which exact stall the Pop uses.

The decision for us was made easier by the fact that we were in a townhome at Windsor Hills, so the distance to the van was only about 3 steps from front door.

So, I guess it depends on how far you are from car or bus at Pop -v- Bonnet Creek.

If you're not locked into Bonnet Creek as your off site option, I'd check into a townhome at Windsor Hills. Way cheaper, way nicer than Pop, and you can do some meals there. As I said, I did this trip in Nov 08 and paid much less (including van and parking and food)...and you're litlerally minutes away.

 

[wed100105]

Are you talking about Hilton Bonnet Creek or Wyndham Bonnet Creek? I think staying at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek may be a good option financially and it would give you room to spread out. I'm sure you could get low rentals since that is a low season for owners. I was a little confused by your post though.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

You can get a 2 bedroom unit at Bonnet Creek cheaper than you can get 2 rooms at Pop. With your party size, you need 2 rooms there. You can request, but not always get them connecting too, so that is something to think about. With Bonnet Creek, you will all be in the same unit and much easier on all involved. Bonnet Creek is no comparison to Pop.. Bonnet Creek is much nicer. Bonnet Creek does have a shuttle, so all of your family can go as they please. The shuttle doesn't run as often as the one in Pop, but nevertheless, there is one.

There are pros and cons to taking the bus vs using your car with the handicap permit. The bus depot (for onsite resorts) would be closer than handicap parking when going from the bus to the parks. However, going from the resort room to parking may be a hike in Pop.. Bonnet Creek, the parking lot would be closer to/from the car, but then the bus stop would be a longer walk when arriving at the parks.

If staying at Pop, you will have to hike it to the food court. With Bonnet Creek, the kitchen is in your unit. You will save money that way too.
My vote would be for Bonnet Creek..

Oh, and a major plus, at least for me, is Bonnet Creek has a washing machine in the unit.. Pop has a laundry room that costs a fortune between the washer & dryer. I find having the machines a plus, so I don't have to go home with dirty clothing.. and having stains set in over the days we are there...

 

[Southerndisney]

If you decide on Pop make sure you go thru Disablities and let them know your families issues and request a quiet room (top floor away from pools) relatively close to the main building and bus stop. If you rent at Bonnet Creek it would be easiest, since you are in hadicapped parking, to run mom and son back to the condo. If they are anything like my family when they get tired and want to leave they just crash and need to leave then.

 

[amybgs]

Thanks everyone. I think you've convinced me that BC is probably the best option.

 

[wed100105]

What are your dates? I can check availability and see if they have any handicap units open. I think in general they can put you in one, but it's probably easier to just book it that way.

 

[Ozymoe]

I am an owner at BC and usually stay there from late August and leave after New Years. I use a scooter and the BC shuttles so it would be my guess I can answer any BC resort questions you might have. I do this for lots of people and I enjoy doing it.

If you want to PM me I would love to give you some BC tips.

My husband and I just returned from Bonnet 3 weeks ago. I needed the jacuzzi bathtub for my back and knee. There is one in every unit as well as a complementary washer/dryer. In the 2 bedroom units there are also 2 bathrooms. Every unit has a balcony, complete kitchen with coffee maker, toaster, blender, ice maker in the freezer, all pots/pans dishes, dishwasher etc.etc.etc.

There is complimentary miniature golf, pool, ping-pong, shuffleboard, barbeque grills, karaoke (how do you spell that anyway?) many pools two lazy rivers and volleyball sand court. Activities galore for kids/families (scavenger hunts, pool parties, free candy bar bingo...lol) There are some activities that require a small fee...make your own tie dye shirts...paint/decorate your little stuffed turtles etc...their craft room caters to both kids and adults!

Be careful...Bonnet Creek is a destination vacation all by itself and you might find yourself leaving for the theme parks a tad reluctantly lol!

Also, you can purchase/upgrade Disney tickets at the Disney desk in the marble check-in lobby....ooooh!....and free face painting on Fri/Sat/Sun (I always give them a dollar tip to do this) They are as good as any Disney artists...and in my experience...faster! Oh, and then there is the amazing balloon man who makes complimentary balloon fairy wings, flowers and wearable swords/scabbards...you should just seeeeeee the creations he makes!

 

[amybgs]

Thanks so much everyone! We won't need a handicapped room - my mom will just have some stamina issues within the parks. Bonnet Creek sounds great. I think we're going for it!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

wise choice in my opinion....

 

[greenmyvalley]

Have a wonderful time! I think this thread has about won me over too.

 

[wed100105]

Check redweek.com. There are a lot of rentals available.

 

[PGHDisneyfan]

bonnet creek and then hit priceline for a rental. I got a full sized SUV through Emerald on Priceline for $225. I think thats how I would go, Pop is a motel BC is a resort! At the end of the day I think they may price out fairly close.

 

[amybgs]

Thanks for the tip. I've never used priceline before and had no idea I could use it for a car rental - brilliant! Thanks!

 

[Shelli_5]

I think you made a great decision! We're staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek for the first time in October. It has great reviews & looks like a lovely resort.

Best wishes for a great trip,
Shelli