Help--Keep OKW --or-- Bonnet Creek

[Alexander]

Okay, we have a 1 bedroom booked at OKW--but for the same exact dates, we can get a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek for $525 for 7 nights.

Has anybody stayed there? What do you all think?

 

[DebbieB]

Wow, that's amazing! Is a tour required? The only downside I can think of is the loss of Disney benefits - room charge, EMH, DME, etc. Not sure what their park transportation is like.

 

[Alexander]

Wow, that's amazing! Is a tour required? The only downside I can think of is the loss of Disney benefits - room charge, EMH, DME, etc. Not sure what their park transportation is like.

No tour required, we would be taking an owner's reservation. We are only doing 2 days of the parks this trip and we will have rental car.

 

[drusba]

What I have seen reported has been that it is generally nice but its transportation is a problem including that you can go for hours during the day between the early morning rush times and evening without any bus. But rental car alleviates that issue.

 

[Dean]

I think it depends on your feelings. Obviously one is cheaper and the general locations are similar. OKW is a little nicer but Bonnet Creek is nice as well. For $1500-2000 for OKW 1 BR vs $500 for BC, I'd take BC, but then my OKW stays are actually even cheaper with exchanges. Do you know anyone that's an RCI member.

 

[webprinter]

We have stayed at Bonnet Creek many times and it is very nice. They have a nice pool area with a lazy river, mini golf, activities, game room, etc. The rooms are very deluxe and in good condition. We are actually exchanging into OKW this winter and are very nervous after hearing the comments about the worn rooms and hard beds. Bonnet Creek is very comfortable and the rooms are very well kept up. Some of them have a marvelous view of the fireworks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Unless you have an AP, you'll have to pay to park at the theme parks. For two days, that would be about $25.

 

[Brian Noble]

I just got back from my first Bonnet Creek stay a week ago. I posted this on another board when another DVCer asked me to give my impressions.

It's a very dense development. On the plus side, everything is an easy few minutes walk from everything else, but there isn't the same sense of privacy that you might get in many other resorts in the area. Most often, you won't be parking right next to the tower entrance. We were next to a parking deck, which I liked for the covered parking out of the sun/rain.

The pool areas are very nice. Busy, but not insaney crowded (though it could be tough to get a tube). The new area, Escudos, is moderately well-themed, and better than I expected. There are a couple bar & grills with pizza, sandwiches, wraps, but no "real" restaurants onsite. That should change when the three hotels currently under construction in the development open.

The central location on Buena Vista Dr. is just excellent. Very convenient to all Disney destinations. Transportation is better than most offsite resorts, but I wouldn't stay here without a rental car. Then again, I almost always get a car onsite too.

The units are nicer than the "average" Wyndham. Duvets on the (comfortable) beds, a little dark but well-decorated. Furnishings a bit better than the other Wyns we've visited. The typical Wyndham well-equipped kitchen. Internet service was wired, free, and performed well at all hours of the day.

[...]

Edited to add: I'm guessing that Bay Lake Tower w/ the MK view is the only DVC resort with a view better than the one we had from our 10th floor Tower 4, overlooking all of Epcot with the MK in the distance. We watched Illuminations and Wishes every night.

For me, it would depend on the number of people in your party, how much you usually depend on the Disney perks (EMH, buses, etc.) and whether you'd have another use for those points you're currently using on the OKW reservation.

Additional comparisons specific to OKW vs. WBC: the whirlpool tubs at OKW leave the ones at Bonnet Creek in the dust. The vibe at the two resorts will be totally different---OKW is very peaceful and laid back. WBC is more "active" (in part due to the density of the property) and feels like it has a little more going on.

We tend not to use EMH, and even in Disney resorts we usually get a rental car and drive to most Disney destinations. So, for us, even though WBC is Not Disney, it was no real sacrifice to stay there.

 

[Alexander]

Ugh--I just can't do it. I love OKW so much and I know everything about it, I know exactly what I'm getting, I just have such an issue with the unknown.

Yes, the deal is crazy good. It was even offered cheaper than $525--he just wants to have someone use the week and appreciate it. I just can't do it.

Yes, I could use those 176 points somewhere else in the future, but I don't have to pay anything out of pocket this way either. I really like resort airline check-in, and my owner's locker is all scheduled--yes, I am glad I made up my mind!

Thank you to everyone who gave me suggestions/advice. If you are looking for a week at Bonnet Creek, check craigslist, they have a ton!

 

[La2kw]

Ugh--I just can't do it. I love OKW so much and I know everything about it, I know exactly what I'm getting, I just have such an issue with the unknown.

Yes, the deal is crazy good. It was even offered cheaper than $525--he just wants to have someone use the week and appreciate it. I just can't do it.

Yes, I could use those 176 points somewhere else in the future, but I don't have to pay anything out of pocket this way either. I really like resort airline check-in, and my owner's locker is all scheduled--yes, I am glad I made up my mind!

Thank you to everyone who gave me suggestions/advice. If you are looking for a week at Bonnet Creek, check craigslist, they have a ton!

Good choice! OKW on points is definitely the way to go, IMO.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

No tour required, we would be taking an owner's reservation. We are only doing 2 days of the parks this trip and we will have rental car.

given this information and from what I've seen of bonnet creek I think the rooms and facilities are superior to that of DVC resorts. If the parks are not the focus on the trip and wdw resort perks won't be an issue I would take bonnet