Need major help!!!!!!! Asap

[eeubanks]

For months now I have had reservations for CBR. This is our first visit to Disney. It will be me, DH, and DS (5). I was getting to pay to pay the remaining balance and I got an e-mail from Wyndham Bonnet Creek, I had contacted them months ago. The rate is great and now I am thinking this will be the way to go. Nicer room, and saving money at the same time. We are driving so we will have our car available. Now for the decision. I got a quote from Vacation Strategies LLC for a 2BR $650 for 8 nights. Sounds great, but nobody on these boards seems to have heard about them except a couple of first time posters. I am afraid this is a scam and there will be no room on arrival. Than I got a quote from Ken Price, who has great reviews. BUt the price is higher $880 for 8 nights. Just wandering everyones thoughts. Am I messing up canceling my onsite reservations? Is Vacation Strategies a dependable complany? Should I just pay the higher quote and go with Ken Price ?? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[kkandaj]

Get a quote from 5starresorts. (I don't think I can post links, so google it.) We just booked 7 nights with them in May 2012 for $560. There have been some people on here that have used them. They reply quickly also. My quote from Ken was almost $300 more than that for the same week.
I'm not bashing Ken at all...I don't know either of these people...but I can use that $300 for lots of other things!

 

[Orlando Vic]

For months now I have had reservations for CBR. This is our first visit to Disney. It will be me, DH, and DS (5). I was getting to pay to pay the remaining balance and I got an e-mail from Wyndham Bonnet Creek, I had contacted them months ago. The rate is great and now I am thinking this will be the way to go. Nicer room, and saving money at the same time. We are driving so we will have our car available. Now for the decision. I got a quote from Vacation Strategies LLC for a 2BR $650 for 8 nights. Sounds great, but nobody on these boards seems to have heard about them except a couple of first time posters. I am afraid this is a scam and there will be no room on arrival. Than I got a quote from Ken Price, who has great reviews. BUt the price is higher $880 for 8 nights. Just wandering everyones thoughts. Am I messing up canceling my onsite reservations? Is Vacation Strategies a dependable complany? Should I just pay the higher quote and go with Ken Price ?? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

You are wise to show some scepticism. They may be legit, but in case of doubt, go with your insticts and give them a pass.

 

[sympatico]

Post this on the Orlando TripAdvisor boards. Lots of people hang out there also and they may be able to give you some info on these people.
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowForum-g34515-i19-Orlando_Florida.html

 

[Detailor]

You are wise to show some scepticism. They may be legit, but in case of doubt, go with your insticts and give them a pass.

If you look at their website they appear to be a husband and wife who went from privately renting their Wyndham points to turning that into a business. I don't know why renting from them would be any more risky than renting directly from a vacation home owner or a timeshare owner.
It would seem to me to be worth the savings.

Dick Taylor

 

[lizzygreen]

Although I have been a member of these boards for years, I tend to surf these boards more than post, so I do have a low post count. I found the woman from Vacation Strategy (Humiara Bourne) renting on VRBO and she has positive reviews there. I too was attracted by the low rates and booked with her for next April. I questioned as you did, since she seems so new. I can tell you that my dealings with her have been positive and professional. I surf these boards almost daily, and any thread on Bonnet Creek or Vacation Strategy grabs my eyes. I can say that I have not seen anything negative about Humaira or Vacation Strategy on these boards. I know that's not much info - but I hope it is helpful.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

If you look at their website they appear to be a husband and wife who went from privately renting their Wyndham points to turning that into a business. I don't know why renting from them would be any more risky than renting directly from a vacation home owner or a timeshare owner.
It would seem to me to be worth the savings.

Dick Taylor

I agree. Isn't this how Ken Price started out?

Sorry I don't have any advice for you OP except to do plenty of research before making any commitment.

 

[softballmom3]

For months now I have had reservations for CBR. This is our first visit to Disney. It will be me, DH, and DS (5). I was getting to pay to pay the remaining balance and I got an e-mail from Wyndham Bonnet Creek, I had contacted them months ago. The rate is great and now I am thinking this will be the way to go. Nicer room, and saving money at the same time. We are driving so we will have our car available. Now for the decision. I got a quote from Vacation Strategies LLC for a 2BR $650 for 8 nights. Sounds great, but nobody on these boards seems to have heard about them except a couple of first time posters. I am afraid this is a scam and there will be no room on arrival. Than I got a quote from Ken Price, who has great reviews. BUt the price is higher $880 for 8 nights. Just wandering everyones thoughts. Am I messing up canceling my onsite reservations? Is Vacation Strategies a dependable complany? Should I just pay the higher quote and go with Ken Price ?? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Everyone is different but we have stayed both onsite and offsite and we much prefer onsite, especially for a first trip. Are you going during a busy time or a slow one? I would much rather be onsite if it was a busy time.

That being said we have stayed offsite a couple of timesand really liked it too but my children have requested we stay onsite from now on even if we are cramped up more. This is an ongoing debate and only you can do what's right for you. Me, personally, I will spend a few extra $$$ to stay onsite.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Everyone is different but we have stayed both onsite and offsite and we much prefer onsite, especially for a first trip. Are you going during a busy time or a slow one? I would much rather be onsite if it was a busy time.

That being said we have stayed offsite a couple of timesand really liked it too but my children have requested we stay onsite from now on even if we are cramped up more. This is an ongoing debate and only you can do what's right for you. Me, personally, I will spend a few extra $$$ to stay onsite.

I would normally say to stay onsite for a 1st visit but over the years learned it really depends on the ages of the kids. You can't give just a blanket statement like "onsite is way better" without knowing the whole situation.

We've had an onsite visit that was a nightmare due to young children sharing our room when they would have done soooo much better having their own room. Picture 18 month old in pack n play with arms up screaming "up, up, up" and 3 yr old wide eyed waaay past their bedtimes while dh just wants to relax and watch TV, all of us in same room.
After that fiasco, we stayed offsite in either a condo or single family home with private pool for a while. Kids go to bed at their time in their own room and we can easily stay up later than kids with lights on.

Now our last visit was onsite but they're 14.5 and 11.5 and we're more "on the same page" as far as bedtimes.

We have been spoiled though by having multiple bathrooms which makes getting ready so much faster/easier. Even in our tiny stateroom when cruising it's 2 split bathrooms: 1 side toilet with sink, the other side with tub/shower and sink. So if someone is "sitting down" on the throne, I can still take a shower & brush my teeth and we all have privacy.
Not so with an onsite hotel unless you rent DVC points and get a 1BR villa but you'll pay through the nose compared to similar accommodations offsite.

 

[dis-happy]

In your situation (family of 3, first visit) I'd keep the CBR reservation.

 

[softballmom3]

I would normally say to stay onsite for a 1st visit but over the years learned it really depends on the ages of the kids. You can't give just a blanket statement like "onsite is way better" without knowing the whole situation.

We've had an onsite visit that was a nightmare due to young children sharing our room when they would have done soooo much better having their own room. Picture 18 month old in pack n play with arms up screaming "up, up, up" and 3 yr old wide eyed waaay past their bedtimes while dh just wants to relax and watch TV, all of us in same room.
After that fiasco, we stayed offsite in either a condo or single family home with private pool for a while. Kids go to bed at their time in their own room and we can easily stay up later than kids with lights on.

Now our last visit was onsite but they're 14.5 and 11.5 and we're more "on the same page" as far as bedtimes.

We have been spoiled though by having multiple bathrooms which makes getting ready so much faster/easier. Even in our tiny stateroom when cruising it's 2 split bathrooms: 1 side toilet with sink, the other side with tub/shower and sink. So if someone is "sitting down" on the throne, I can still take a shower & brush my teeth and we all have privacy.
Not so with an onsite hotel unless you rent DVC points and get a 1BR villa but you'll pay through the nose compared to similar accommodations offsite.

I understand where you are coming from but I don't feel as if I gave the OP a blanket statement and maybe you don't mean it that way towards my comment, I don't know. Like many others I was simply giving my opinion and did state that everyone has to do what is best for them. Just giving my .2 (for what it's worth ) like everyone else .

 

[geenerbell]

In your situation (family of 3, first visit) I'd keep the CBR reservation.

Ditto here! You will feel more of the Disney experience onsite for the first visit.

 

[lilasmom]

I have a booking with them for next month and feel pretty good about it.
I'm using the extra money to go to MNSSHP !

We're going on our 6th trip in 2 years and have never stayed offsite, until now and we've always stayed at a deluxe resort. I've always gotten a pin offer or used the AP rate to get a discount, this trip was the first time I couldn't find where we wanted to stay for what I was willing to pay.

I'm not sure how big the rooms are at CBR, but the 2 BR at BC is around 1200 square feet and they have several pools, including a pirate pool I know my DS7 will love. I can stay four nights in a 2 BR at BC what one night would cost me at a deluxe at WDW.

I know you said you'll have a car, but using it to go to the parks will cost you $14/each, unless you have an AP. You also cannot access the parks during EMH, this was not a factor for us because we avoid those parks those days anyway.

The money we've saved by staying offsite will enable us to make another trip next May. I plan to rent again from Vacation Strategy for that trip, they were cheaper than Ken or Ferrell.

I really believe if anyone had any kind of bad experience with Vacation Strategy, we would have heard about here, we're a pretty vocal bunch!

Good luck with your decision, I felt the same way and PM'd a couple of people who had used them recently, it eased my fears.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

My first visits were all offsite for years...and I still had a wonderful time. Staying "off vs on" is only a deal breaker on here. Lots of families have NEVER stayed on site and LOVED thier trips to Disney. And just this week I read a trip report from a family that stayed at POFQ and really didn't like thier visit. There is a LOT more to "having a good time" then the hotel...

And if you will be thinking "we could have had a lot more space" then you will proably be happier offsite. Disney hotels are "cute" but that's kind of the extent of it.. For example at CBR (which is my favorite moderate!) you get double beds How many married couples now sleep on double beds? (None of my friends ) The "Disney expereince" in hotels is you pay a lot for a great theme and sometimes a better location. However, the Bonnet Creek location is pretty good, you still feel 'isolated' from the real world so it's a 'getaway' feeling.

 

[Brian Noble]

Having stayed both offsite and on, I don't find the experience to be all that different. It is perfectly possible to have a great WDW vacation both ways.

If I am choosing between two "comparable" hotels/resorts/condos, and the price is similar, I will lean to onsite. But, I won't pay significantly more for it, nor will I give up significant space for it. If I were the OP, traveling with a kid who will almost certainly be on a different sleeping schedule, I would want more than a single hotel room as a first requirement.

 

[eeubanks]

You all are great with all the responses. I have now got another quote with 5 star resorts that is even cheaper. I have been talking with Michelle. Anyone have any experience with her??

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Having stayed both offsite and on, I don't find the experience to be all that different. It is perfectly possible to have a great WDW vacation both ways.

If I am choosing between two "comparable" hotels/resorts/condos, and the price is similar, I will lean to onsite. But, I won't pay significantly more for it, nor will I give up significant space for it. If I were the OP, traveling with a kid who will almost certainly be on a different sleeping schedule, I would want more than a single hotel room as a first requirement.

I could have written this. Our first visit was totally offsite (Windsor Hills). Our second visit was a week onsite (deluxe CL) and 12 nights offsite (again Windsor Hills). As much as I loved the onsite hotel, we were really glad when we got to Windsor Hills for the space. We were not comfortable at all with the four of us in one hotel room, particularly with the kids needing to go to bed earlier than us. We have just booked our next trip. We are going back to Windsor Hills. There just isn't enough draw for us to stay onsite in one room, particularly with smaller children.

 

[zippy2]

We stayed at Bonnet Creek for the first time this year. I had booked the Contemporary, and was excited at staying there but decided to change to a two bedroom. We couldn't have been happier. We really felt like we were onsite, we had a fireworks view and I would sit out each evening to watch the fireworks. It was a real nice experience.