So what is going on with Bonnett Creek?

[lenshanem]

I haven't seen anyone else mention anything about the new Fairfield timeshare on "property".
It is open now isn't it?
Anyone done a tour?
What kind of transportation are they using for the parks?

Just curious...

 

[laceemouse]

Yes, I think some buildings are open now. We have not done the tour, don't want the pressure, but we own another T/S that we trade through RCI and may trade in to stay there sometime if we can. I have heard they will have buses, probably there own, but I'm not sure about that one.

 

[rocketriter]

Last week we were told that they would definitely not be part of the Disney transportation system.

 

[lenshanem]

Last week we were told that they would definitely not be part of the Disney transportation system.

Don't know if that is a good or bad thing for them given my experiences with WDW transportation the last few years!

 

[Patty3]

I was just curious as to how Fairfield was able to build their timeshare "on property"? Thanks.

 

[Chuck S]

The parcel of land that Fairfield is on is NOT Disney owned property. It is surrounded on 3 sides by Disney property, and by I-4. Disney was never able to acquire this parcel. The road for access does attach to the Disney road system. I doubt Disney had a choice, since legally the owner of the parcel MUST have reasonable access.

In reality, it is the closest "off-site" hotel to Disney. AFAIK, it has none of the "on-site" perks like early entry, Disney transport, package delivery, or WDW room key charging.

 

[kweaver]

The first building was open in June...we toured the models. We both thought the villas were fabulous...a little more roomy than DVC (dining table for 6 plus the three barstools...not to mention the kitchen is very nice!). The main pool was still under construction...but looked almost at nice as SAB (ok...well...maybe not...I couldn't tell if there was a slide planned?) It isn't Disney, though!

There are some pictures in my webshots album...let me see if I can find the link...

Here you go!
http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=viewall&albumID=154473244

 

[Chuck S]

Katie,

Were you given anything for touring the models, like a meal voucher or something?

 

[rocketriter]

Originally posted by Patty3
I was just curious as to how Fairfield was able to build their timeshare "on property"? Thanks.

Here's what we were told by a local. This story comes free and is worth every penny. Apparently the family that owned the land never did sell it to Disney and vowed that they never would, so there's always been a "hole" in the middle of the property. Now, a couple of generations later, the family finally did agree to sell--to a competitor.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Chuck S
...(snip)......In reality, it is the closest "off-site" hotel to Disney. AFAIK, it has none of the "on-site" perks like early entry, Disney transport, package delivery, or WDW room key charging.

AFAIK, none of the resorts that aren't owned by Disney have package delivery or room key charging.

Early entry and Disney transport is available to the non-Disney owned resorts if they are willing to pay. That's why only the Hilton in DD partiicipates in EMH - the other DD resorts have decided the EE/EMH "perk" is not worth it. SoG and the Swan/Dolphin have also elected to participate in the EMH offering.

I'm very sure the SoG and the Swan/Dolphin are paying for their Disney transportation as well.

Best wishes -

 

[HookdonWDW]

Originally posted by CarolMN
I'm very sure the SoG and the Swan/Dolphin are paying for their Disney transportation as well.

SOG has their own busses.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by HookdonWDW
SOG has their own busses.

My mistake then - I thought their bus drivers wore purple pants (which means Disney is the provider).

Either way, SOG is paying to provide bus service to its guests. If they use someone else besides Disney, it must be less expensive for them to do so.

Best wishes -

 

[sheryl0521]

Our neighbor's are members of the timeshare group that Bonnet Creek is part of (Fairfield right?) And when their last newsletter arrived in their mailbox, they ran it over to us to show the front page that was full of WDW icons (TOT, Castle & Epcot ball) and pushing the new resort.

They were so excited about how they will now be able to "stay on WDW property" with THEIR timeshare. I can now tell them that they really aren't on property (in a nice way of course! )

 

[poohj80]

Originally posted by kweaver
There are some pictures in my webshots album...let me see if I can find the link...

Here you go!
http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=viewall&albumID=154473244

I'd love to see the pix but received the following error when using your link:

An error has occurred.
You do not appear to be the owner of this album.

Originally posted by Chuck S
The parcel of land that Fairfield is on is NOT Disney owned property. It is surrounded on 3 sides by Disney property, and by I-4. Disney was never able to acquire this parcel. The road for access does attach to the Disney road system. I doubt Disney had a choice, since legally the owner of the parcel MUST have reasonable access.

We specifically asked about Bonnett Creek when on the Backstage Magic Tour a couple weeks ago because we saw the sign but had no idea what it was. We were told that it was the only parcel of land Disney was not able to acquire and the owners planned to use it for a golf course and resort. However, they changed their minds when they didn't think they could compete with Disney's courses. Also, the owners requested an exit off I-4 specifically for them but they were denied since there are already enough exits in the area which is why Disney had to give them access off their road for an entrance.

 

[spiceycat]

they will find out for themselves - no WDW transportation (hey I love jumping on a bus -- yes to some places it is slow - but hey I am coming back for 38 more years - why hurry), No surprise morning, no E-night, no package delivery, no room charges on WDW property - oh yes they will learn fast.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

History lesson time regarding a lot of misconceptions etc about Disney Transport and other stuff.

1. All of the Downtown Disney resorts are on Disney Property as are the Swan/Dolphin. Bonnet Creek is not on Disney Property. Disney was not happy at all with it, but there was little they could do to stop it. The biggest mistake Disney made was building the south side of property as much as they did instead of the area north of epcot. Had they kept that area undeveloped, there would have been less infrastructure for Bonnet Creek to hook into, and Disney could have made their road long, winding and not as convienent as they did. Once the infrastructure was built, Disney had to give them reasonable right of way to their property from public infrastructure. The key here is the definition of reasonable changes greatly when you have a road right along their property line, compared to giving them a right of way that would have lead out to 192.

2. The Downtown Disney hotels negotiate the perks with Disney, and that is why some have EMH, others have Character breakfasts etc. They do not have Disney Transportation.

3. The swan and dolphin were built as part of a settlement of a whole mess of lawsuits and agreements over the building of epcot. They are a 99 year lease of Disney property and part of that lease requires that guests there receive Disney Transportation and the resort's can use "Walt Disney World" in their name. The good part is, the original plan called for the monstrosities to be built right on the back of epcot. Be glad that at least that happened. (Sorry I just hate how badly those two hotels destroy a LOT of sightlines on property). There are other perks built into the contracts as well, but the big one is Disney Transport. They are the only non Disney hotels guarenteed Disney Transport. Disney tried repeatedly to get out of the entire mess once Eisner took over the company back in 1984 but obviously didn't succeed.

4. Shades of Green (Formerly the Disney Inn/Golf Resort) was purchased by the Department of Defense and handles its own bus transportation etc. I believe that none of the perks (Discount passes, EMH etc) are contracted but are instead given by WDW as a goodwill gesture toward the military (but I could be wrong). There WAS a contract in place during the SOG rehab when SOG was located at the Contemporary North wing, and that gave the SOG guests the same treatment as if they were contemporary guests.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by spiceycat
...(hey I love jumping on a bus -- yes to some places it is slow - but hey I am coming back for 38 more years - why hurry)...

I'm definitely with you there, spiceycat!

 

[kweaver]

Sorry about that...try this link for the pictures...

http://cards.webshots.com/cp-87737256-QyTJ-album/154473244WXvcaV

 

[kweaver]

Originally posted by Chuck S
Katie,

Were you given anything for touring the models, like a meal voucher or something?

No...but we didn't speak to a salesperson. We just showed up on our way back from running to the grocery store. The security guard was extremely friendly...let us in with no problems. I explained that I just wanted to take a peek at the models without having to sit down with someone. She directed me to a different set of doors (to the left of the sales center) and said to go on up (to the fourth floor)...and that the models will be wide open.

Sure enough...they were...and we never encountered a soul.

 

[poohj80]

Originally posted by kweaver
Sorry about that...try this link for the pictures...

Thanks Katie! They look nice but maybe a bit formal for our tastes.

PJ