Help!!!! - SSR or Wyndham Bonnet Creek

[Southernswthrt1]

Unfortunately, we may have to cancel our ressies at SSR for next week! I'm looking for some offsite options to save money and wondering if Wyndham Bonnet Creek is worth the savings???? We're talking about $500 savings! I have a 1 BR Villa at SSR, but can get a 2 BR at WBC for less...

What do you think...should I switch? I'm worried about the timeshare thing...we're booking from their website and I don't want to attend any presentation. I'm also a little worried about their policy of charging your credit card the full price of the reservation at the time of booking.

 

[TotoToo]

Unfortunately, we may have to cancel our ressies at SSR for next week! I'm looking for some offsite options to save money and wondering if Wyndham Bonnet Creek is worth the savings???? We're talking about $500 savings! I have a 1 BR Villa at SSR, but can get a 2 BR at WBC for less...

What do you think...should I switch? I'm worried about the timeshare thing...we're booking from their website and I don't want to attend any presentation. I'm also a little worried about their policy of charging your credit card the full price of the reservation at the time of booking.

As far as quality and unit size goes Bonnet Creek will be a big step up from SSr. The $500 savings is a big bonus. However you are right to be concerned if the rate is based on forced attendance to a sales presentation. If that is required you need to read up on why you NEVER want to buy a retail priced timeshare - especially from Wyndham as resales are 70-90% lower cost - and you have to weigh the 2-3 hours you'll spend (it's a 90 minute presentation but they will do everything possible to keep you there as long as they can) vs the savings.

If the price isn't tied to a sales pitch (read the terms carefully) then absolutely it is a great deal. With the pitch it's your call but if you stick to "no" you'll get through it unscathed.

 

[Southernswthrt1]

I don't see anything about there being a sales presentation attached. I can book either through Wyndham or through Expedia or Hotels.com.

Has anyone ever stayed there by booking Expedia or Hotels.com? Have you been required to do the presentation?

 

[mejkjj97]

I stayed at the sheraton vistana villiages. they are about a 10 minute drive from Disney. The space was large and the resort was great.

To avoid going on the time share tour, I told the resort that I did not travel with my husband and for that alonewe were not allowed to take the tour.

My friend also stayed here and just didn't answer the phone. Since we all had cell phones, we knew it was only the hotel calling and no one else. so it worked out well.

 

[spiceycat]

WBC is not a step up from SSR - as far as layout, interior, design - same - with a edge toward SSR.

depends upon you. Will you need DME - disney magical express - to get back and forth to your resort. then SSR. Were you planning on using EMH - extra magical hours. then SSR. Were you thinking of using DDP - disney dinning plan - then SSR. if you wanted WDW transportation back and for the parks, DD, water parks - then SSR.

if no to all of these - would also go with the one that is the cheapest - WBC.

You won't need a rental car at SSR, highly recommended for WBC.

that say would go with an owner's rental here
www.myresortnetwork.com

Fairfield was hard core and I mean hard core sales. Wynham isn't quite as bad. but still pretty bad for a timeshare pitch.

 

[Brian Noble]

A 2BR at SSR is 1,075 sqft. A 1BR at SSR is 714 sqft.
A 2BR at WBC is 1,257. A 1BR at WBC is 902.

 

[spiceycat]

A 2BR at SSR is 1,075 sqft. A 1BR at SSR is 714 sqft.
A 2BR at WBC is 1,257. A 1BR at WBC is 902.

that is because SSR is on WDW property and WBC is not.

WBC has to go with the offsite site. for an offsite it is small.

DVC used the best material for SSR - so it is no way interior to anything.

OKW is 942 sqft, a 2-bedroom is 1,395.

but SSR is still a little better just because more high (top of the line) material was used. Besides you can walk to DTD, PI if you stay at either SSR or OKW - what can you walk to at WBC - nothing.

now the brand new one - AKV - which is so lovely!!! 807 sqft 1-bedroom, 2-bed - 1,173 - that say you can't walk or boat to anything - bus service only.

AKV is probably the best. but it is a 20 minute ride on a bus to the MK.

so as say would go with VWL just because of the ages of your children.

there is also a FW cabins - but it has only double (full) size beds - so not even queen.

 

[Southernswthrt1]

Well...we will have a rental car, and weren't planning on using DME and EMH. We're not on DDP either. The only thing we would be "losing" is the use of the transportation between parks and resorts...

So I'm about to cancel and make the new ressie...hope I'm doing the right thing!

 

[Lisa P.]

I'm looking for some offsite options to save money and wondering if Wyndham Bonnet Creek is worth the savings???? We're talking about $500 savings! I have a 1 BR Villa at SSR, but can get a 2 BR at WBC for less...

No question, for me, the larger 2BR would win here, hands down!

You are already looking at offsite options so you'd need a car. That said, the rooms at Wyndham Bonnet Creek are absolutely lovely!!! I'd choose the spacious 2BR here over a 1BR at SSR even without the $$$ savings. A deluxe 2BR with 2 baths and all the nice inroom amenities simply makes for a much more pleasant family vacation for us than a 1BR - unless you really, really want the onsite perks. But since you're looking at offsite...

Wyn BC's rooms really do look like the pictures or better. There's plenty to do there, with two nice heated pools, a slide, a floating river, zero entry, kids water play zone, game rooms, mini-putt-putt, playgrounds, bar/grill, pizza bar, etc. It's located right down the street from other Disney resorts, between the BoardWalk/Caribbean Beach Resort area and the Old Key West/Typhoon Lagoon area - a quick and easy drive to the parks. And customer service at this resort has a very good reputation.

If your price offer does not specify a timeshare solicitation then you do NOT have to attend one. Just say no. That $500 saved will go a ways toward your car rental and character meals. Enjoy your vacation!!!

 

[Lisa P.]

The only thing we would be "losing" is the use of the transportation between parks and resorts...

Wyn BC does offer transportation between the resort and the parks. But it's on a limited schedule and it used to require day-ahead reservations. You'll have to wait to see the schedule when you arrive, as it's apparently been changing. Also, if you have hopper passes or APs, then you may still use Disney transport between the parks for hopping. APs provide for free parking too. HTH.

 

[Brian Noble]

spicey, I posted the sizes only because you said this:

SSR - as far as layout, interior, design - same

I don't know about you, but I would not call 200 sq. ft. smaller "same" in terms of layout. That said, I happen to prefer OKW to SSR anyway, just because of the space, and I find the OKW units to be a bit more comfortable.

But, one thing I do know: nothing stirs up DVC owners quite like a discussion of Bonnet Creek.

 

[Southernswthrt1]

Well, I did it. The SSR reservation is cancelled and the WBC reservation is booked through Hotels.com.

I was able to add another night to our ressie and still save money over my ressie at SSR. My MIL is joining us on this vacation, so the extra bedroom for her will be nice. (Can you tell I'm still trying to convince myself???)

Thanks for everyone's advice!!! Happy Holidays

 

[SilverMickey]

I'm excited to hear about Bonnet Creek... The lazy river sounds like my kind of place... How late do the pools/lazy river stay open?

If you are booking through RCI is there any chance of requestion a condo with a Disney view for fireworks? (I think I heard you can see Epcot from there...)

 

[kathie859]

I stayed at the Wyndam BC in March 07 and Windsor Hills in Oct 07. Wyndam is a lovely facility but you may want to check on the construction.
The view from our balcony was marred by the new construction on the other side of the lake. Windsor Hills is a much more economical venue but I found it to be very nice, too. Maybe just a 1/2 star less than Wyndam.

Just my humble reflections...

 

[spiceycat]

But, one thing I do know: nothing stirs up DVC owners quite like a discussion of Bonnet Creek.

that because we are sick and tired of hearing it is on Disney property when it was not - never was, nor will it be.

went to sales pitch here and the sales person first told me it was on Disney property. told him I was a DVC member and that was not true.

It wasn't the only one.

if they train their sales people to lie - have big, big doubts about the company.

got had once with Westgate - which is much, much worst than Wynham hands down. but if I am lied too in the sales pitch - won't trust them not to lie again and again.

that is Westgate.

So far DVC has not lied in a way to hurt me. Westgate definitely!!! DVC at one time had more hope that these things would happen - so they told it would happen - when in fact Disney did something else with the property.

which is why won't believe California, Hawaii nor CR (my hope) until sales actually start.

 

[spiceycat]

Well, I did it. The SSR reservation is cancelled and the WBC reservation is booked through Hotels.com.

I was able to add another night to our ressie and still save money over my ressie at SSR. My MIL is joining us on this vacation, so the extra bedroom for her will be nice. (Can you tell I'm still trying to convince myself???)

Thanks for everyone's advice!!! Happy Holidays

yes but you will would also see either Pop century or CBR.

just remember to add about hour to 90 minutes for your trips to the MK.

 

[SilverMickey]

just remember to add about hour to 90 minutes for your trips to the MK.

Why?

 

[Brian Noble]

Spicey: a Wyndham sales representative only lies when moving his/her lips.

Drive time to the parks from Bonnet Creek is about the same as driving from CBR, as they are right next door to one another. Bonnet Creek is set back a bit more from Buena Vista Drive, so maybe an extra minute or two. According to the fine folks at UG (2008 edition) CBR's drive time to MK takes about 37 minutes, on average---including time to transfer from your car via monorail to the MK gates. So, to be safe, figure an average of 40 minutes, door-to-turnstile. It will be longer if you show up mid-morning, rather than before park opening, as you'll get stuck in lines at the tollbooths.

 

[spiceycat]

Why?

the tram and monrail or ferry - if you happen to hit these things at the wrong time - they can easily add 40 minutes or more to your trip time. If you miss the tram, then you miss the monrail or ferry.

you take the car to the parking - then you walk to the tram to TTC - then you need to transfer to either the ferry or monrail. (this is not even considering the lines getting to the parking - toll booth)

then you need to go through security before you get to the ticket areas.

if you stay at a WDW resort you are driven to the front of the MK - so just the security and tickets then you are in.

the MK when you are not staying at a WDW resort is a pain!!!

Now Epcot on the other hand is wonderful for offsite visit. You park your car and you walk in!!!

my favorite WDW park when staying offsite.

 

[Janet Hill]

When we stay offsite (usually Bonnet Creek), we always park at Epcot and take the monorail to MK. Epcot opens later than MK, so we can usually get a pretty good spot close to the monorail and we avoid the tram. Just seems easier and less hectic.