Ron Jon Resort (Isle of Bali) - Anyone stayed here?

[kapeppy]

DH and I had planned to stay at Cypress Pointe Resort next month (we booked through Hotel Kingdom) but our reservation was cancelled. Hotel Kingdom has offered Star Island and Ron Jon Resort as substitutions. I haven't heard much about either place but the website for Ron Jon makes the place sound great and the price isn't bad, either! I understand it's farther from "The World" than many of the other hotels but I was just wondering if it is someplace we should consider. This was supposed to be a budget trip so I don't want to spend a ton of money. I like the idea of the timeshares (not that I would buy. If I was in a position to buy it would be DVC! ) since you get a great rate and have a lot more living area than a standard hotel room (not to mention fridge, microwave, washer, dryer, private balcony, etc...).

We usually stay onsite but that's because we never rent a car. This is our first time with a car so it's hard to justify onsite prices, although we do have APs and could get ASMu for $388 for 5 nights. Please talk me out of that!

This is such a hard decision!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Kris

 

[Ecdubfan]

I can not comment on Ron Jon, but Star ISland is a very, very nice resort. We toured the Fairfield section and were very tempted to purchase.

 

[klynn]

We've stayed several times at Ron Jon in a 2 bdrm/2 bath. We also stayed at Cypress Pointe a few months ago and I would never stay there again unless it was the phase 2 section. IMHO, Ron Jon is nicer than Cypress Pointe (phase 1). We always enjoyed Ron Jon Resort.

 

[kapeppy]

Bump

Anyone else? I am still torn!

Thanks again!

 

[zurgswife]

My sister stayed at Ron Jon in a 2 bdrm last march and loved it.......She's pretty picky so if she said to was really nice...then it probablly wasn't bad...

My 2 cents...

 

[brittsmum1998]

We stayed at Ron Jons two weeks ago for 3 nites. First off, we are DVC members so that may alter this review a bit. We had a two bedroom "bungalow" I guess you would call it. We did the 90 min tour and got a rate of 199 for 3 nites plus Park tix. I would not want the bungalow again. The pool was wonderful for my 4 yr old daughter but so crowded you could never get a chair. They had activities going on alot including a meal and show each nite at the pool. We did the polynesian dinner for 17$ a piece. DD was free cause of age. It was somewhat cheesey but fun. Nice if it saves you from driving . They do kareoke (sp?) was alot of fun for kids. The continental breakfast was good. Its by one of the quiet pools and only there Monday thru Friday (we were hungry on Sat morning Are you doing the tour? That is like a cattle call. We talked to many people b4 doing the tour who said it was very high pressure. Expect to be there 2 hours at least. We had a nice woman whom we told about 5 mins into the presentation that we were DVC members and if we were going to buy anything else it would be more pts. She spent the rest of time talking about families etc. Towards the end of presentation I said to DH "well that wasn't too painless" to which SHE replied "oh you got lucky cause I liked you guys". I will say the "towers" were much prettier than the bungalows. We were still there well over 2 hours by the time she got signatures from the manager etc. Bottom line...you will not get the quality you are used to in Disney. It will be a long drive to the parks especially with traffic. And of course no Disney Magic. IMHO I would stay at AllStars but then again I've tried Ron Jons. Location was a big part of our decision while there NOT to do any WDW till we checked into the BW. We instead did City Walk one night and SeaWorld which were still more of a hike then what I would've liked.

 

[kapeppy]

Ron Jon it is!

brittsmum - I am so glad to hear from someone who was just there! I have a bunch of questions for you, if you don't mind.
1) You mentioned a continental breakfast. Is that for everyone? I hadn't read anything about that.
2) Yes, we are doing the timeshare presentation thing. How did you get the $199 rate? I booked through Hotel Kingdom and got three nights in a one bedroom villa (no park tickets) for $165 plus tax. I wouldn't mind paying a little extra if it gave us tix to Sea World!
3) I know you said that the timeshare presentation was like a cattle call, but when it came down to trying to make you buy was it one on one?
4) DH and I are not DVC members, but if I was going to buy a timeshare you can bet that's what it would be! Did she ask many questions about DVC? I was kind of hoping that I could just say that we are DVC members and maybe avoid a little of the high pressure sales pitch.
5) How far from Disney are you really? I think they say 7 miles. Was it a long drive? Also, how far from International Drive were you? Were there restaurants nearby?

Well, I could keep going and going but I guess that will do for now! Thanks again to everyone who responded!

23 days to go!

 

[brittsmum1998]

Hi Kap....I don't have the phone# anymore. I just looked at the website and it says 189$ but doesn't offer the tix. Maybe cause its high season right now. I'm sure you could call the resort direct. WE took the tix to SeaWorld also but they did have UStudios available also. I didn't know about breakfast either till I saw people walkingw/ donuts etc. Its actually really good but make sure you get there at 8am for the good donuts. Its by the quiet pool...ask which one when you check in as they have a couple quiet pools. I wish I still had the folder. Sorry. You will see TONS of people in the lobby for the presentation. It starts at 7:30 am. Our meeting was at 12 and they had two rooms going. FUll. My suggestion would be to look at the Vacation Club Board and get a bit of info. Tell them you are DVC members and I'm sure they'll leave you alone. You may still be there 2 hours (like us) but there was so little pressure I can't even tell you what their timeshare is like or how much it is. As far as distance, its not too bad if you've stayed offsite b4. We prefer on site so I'm not sure I'll be much help on that as I don't like driving in Orlando at all and the traffic gets pretty nasty. I know the resort was past the Vistana, I would guess you would have at least 15 mins (maybe more) to the restaurants but don't forget...check the schedule at the resort. They had some themed meals at night that seemed pretty good. (We only went to the Polynesian theme which was on Thursday nite) Friday night we went to City Walk at Universal Studios..had supper at Jimmy Buffet's Margarettaville (sp) it was wonderful!! And other night got Pizza from Pizza Hut which is about 10 mins away. Hope that helps. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

 

[klynn]

Why not avoid the timeshare presentation? You should be able to get good rates using the MagiCard. Last time I checked the 2 bdrm/2 bath was $80 something per night with the MagiCard. I think the 1 bdrm was $60 something. And the best part is no presentation!! The phone number is 800-634-3119. Be sure to tell them you want Ron Jon (Island One handles more that just that resort).

 

[kapeppy]

klynn - What's the MagiCard? Is it something I can get in about three weeks?

Thanks!

 

[zurgswife]

I have also found great rates for Ron Jon by using Expedia...For our spring break in March I looked for friends and a 2bdrm was $111 per night....

My sister also did the timeshare thing and got tix for Seaworld....she didn't complain to much. She did say the pools are awesome for the kids...

 

[zurgswife]

kapeppy

I just did a search on expedia....in about three weeks May 12 to May 18 the rate for a 1 bdrm was $658 including tax.....Which is about $100 per night....

 

[klynn]

kapeppy-- You can call 800-643-9492 to request your free MagiCard. I think it takes about 2 weeks. However, I've used the MagiCard discount before and have never had to show the card. You can still make reservations before you get the card. Also, they have a website www.orlandoinfo.com/magicard.

 

[jcanary]

Are there other accomodations that the magicard offers than what is listed on line? I do not see the RonJon offered anymore. also what time of the year did you get those prices? we are going in July which would probably be the peak season. thanks for info,

 

[greg9x]

lodging.com has Ron Jon for $114/night for the 2 bedroom... must make reservations 2 weeks in advance and pay up front.
Going in 2 weeks hopefully it is nice.

Greg

 

[klynn]

jcanary,

Ron Jon is offered thru MagiCard. It is managed by Island One Resorts which is listed in the MagiCard offers. You just need to specify that you want to stay at Ron Jon when you call Island One.

 

[kapeppy]

Thanks to everyone who responded! Unfortunately, my dates changed and Ron Jon was not available so it looks like we will be staying at Star Island.

I did send for the Magicard and got the info really quick although I had already made a reservation for Star Island.

Thanks again!