The we loooooove Bonnet Creek thread Part 3

[asmit4]

Less than taking Disney transportation from an onsite hotel. I cannot recall exactly. The longest transportation time is to MK because you have to take the monorail or ferry from the TTC. The second is to AK, because it is a little farther away. WBC is very close to EPCOT and DHS. If you have the Unofficial WDW they have driving times listed for Caribbean Beach hotel. Since WBC is right next to Caribbean Beach the time should be very similar. I always allowed for 30-40 minutes for MK, 20-25 for AK, 15-20 for DHS and Epcot and had plenty of time to make it through bag check. Maybe others have different experiences. Our last two trips were Easter and Christmas and we were driving from out of property since WBC was booked up (Sheraton Vistana and Caribe Royale). I wish I could remember exactly for you.

For MK we allow maybe 45 minutes though.

 

[ampc3]

We just got back last week , from our first stay may26th-June 5th booked 2 bdr at $110 pn.. Had no problems what so ever checking in a little after 4, although the line was very long.

When we got to the counter he did take a credit card from us for $150 security deposit and incidentials.. I had read conflicting reports whether they actually do this or not.. Our guy did. He also said he didn't have any rooms ready yet and should be within the hour, took our contact info. It was raining so the lobby was very crowded and busy. We just decided to wait with everyone else and it took probably another 30 min before we got a call it was ready.

I never did ask for any special request.. We ended up in Tower 5 4th floor... even number room.... parking lot view boo... so if anything you want an odd numbered room! The room itself was clean and nice.. not sure if the kitchen was updated or not (didn't have granite counters) but that stuff doesn't matter to us as long as it is clean! checked for bed bugs and we were good to go.

We felt overall the property was very nice and would definitely come back.. we checked out all the pools, and our favorite was the hotel pool. We just liked the music there better and the vibe and the poolside waitress. The kids liked the bigger lazy river (which was right outside our tower) but honestly we felt that the lazy river was very dirty.

The kids liked the 2 slides , but my little ones were bummed they couldn't do it even with a life jacket on. But they enjoyed the zero depth pool entries and the splash pad area and mushroom.

We felt like we never had time to really explore or enjoy all the activities that are going on other than the pool.. But there always seemed to be something going on..

The only food we had was at the hotel pool bar area... first time having fried pickles and they were great! there cocktails and drinks were good and priced what you would expect from a hotel. The portions were really big.

we ordered pizza one night and used one of the coupons they kept sticking under the door... AWFUL should have tried the hotel pizza..

I know this comes up alot about the missing Disney "magic", and yes if you have stayed on property before I think you will notice it to be "different" We couldn't exactly place our finger on what it was, other than just the "vibe" in general was different and we did miss it alittle...

However, with that being said, There is no way I could spend a week in a tiny hotel room or two rooms with my family... We need that extra space now that the kids are older. Plus the financial part of it doesn't even make sense. So even though we missed the bubble alittle, I would not give up a condo setup to go back on property.

This was also our very first time ever, driving to all the parks.. WE LOVED it, the convenience of it was wonderful, plus we had our double stroller. All the parks as someone mentioned are super close start to finish for HS and EP 20 min, Ak and MK were a little further and longer.. We decided after our first MK day that we did not care for the whole TTC thing, so after that we thought it was well worth the extra money to pay to Valet at The Contemporary and walk over about 10min to get to bag check if that.. We had no issues doing that what so ever. as long as you pay to Valet it IS allowed.

I wish we would have had more down time to enjoy the resort, and would definitely book there again..
I can try and answer any questions, if anyone has any?

 

[asmit4]

Anyone ever drive to Caribbean beach and hop on their bus to MK? and do the reverse on the way back to avoid the TTC?

 

[lisski76]

Anyone ever drive to Caribbean beach and hop on their bus to MK? and do the reverse on the way back to avoid the TTC?

Yes we did it a few times in May and had no issues.

 

[asmit4]

Yes we did it a few times in May and had no issues.

Is it 'legal' to do so? Just asking the morality police- I know you are out there!

We are also booked onsite beforehand....so say we wanted to stay at Saratoga springs but for whatever reason we wanted to drive to CB and take the CB buses to MK- we'd have a 'disney parking tag' so to speak....would it THEN be 'legal'?

 

[ampc3]

Is it 'legal' to do so? Just asking the morality police- I know you are out there!

We are also booked onsite beforehand....so say we wanted to stay at Saratoga springs but for whatever reason we wanted to drive to CB and take the CB buses to MK- we'd have a 'disney parking tag' so to speak....would it THEN be 'legal'?

we thought of doing that, but we didn't want to deal with any bus. Which is why we did the valet thing.. Have no idea if it is "legal" or not lol... Mk is the only bummer for driving.

I would think if you have a split stay, you could use any transportation as you are certainly allowed to explore other resorts.. Honestly, all you would have to say is you are going to eat in the food court and look around. They will scan your band if you have one, or ask for ID. They did that for us every time we went to the Contempo as we parked 2x there and meet there for the pirate cruise.

 

[lisski76]

Is it 'legal' to do so? Just asking the morality police- I know you are out there!

We are also booked onsite beforehand....so say we wanted to stay at Saratoga springs but for whatever reason we wanted to drive to CB and take the CB buses to MK- we'd have a 'disney parking tag' so to speak....would it THEN be 'legal'?

Lol..I'm sure plenty of ppl would have issue with it, but we did it☺!!!
We didn't need a parking pass, just parked in a lot where there was a bus pick up. Told the guy at the gate when driving into the resort we were dropping off or picking up and there was no issue....

 

[lisski76]

SOOOOOOO excited!!! We just booked WBC for next April. Going for 12 days in a Presidential!!!! This will be our 3rd stay but 1st presidential stay

 

[Spanky]

ampc3 - keep a close watch on your credit card that you used to pay for the pizza. I understand that the offers under the doors are groups trying to get your credit card number and all they do is heat up a frozen pizza and deliver it to you. From your description of the pizza I fear that may be what happened.
Wyndham use to have a warning they handed out at check in about not using any of those companies. Not sure why they quit. The folks some how get on property and slip those papers under the doors.

 

[Spanky]

asmit4 - Do remember that the road between Sarasota Springs and CB is all torn up with the work on Disney Springs. You will want to take Community Drive past Old Key West to reach CB or turn right off Community Drive to Bonnet Creek Parkway and catch the French Quarter Bus.

 

[asmit4]

asmit4 - Do remember that the road between Sarasota Springs and CB is all torn up with the work on Disney Springs. You will want to take Community Drive past Old Key West to reach CB or turn right off Community Drive to Bonnet Creek Parkway and catch the French Quarter Bus.

What is disney springs? Is that the 'rich homes' area?

 

[lisski76]

What is disney springs? Is that the 'rich homes' area?

Disney Springs is the new name for Downtown Disney.

 

[ampc3]

ampc3 - keep a close watch on your credit card that you used to pay for the pizza. I understand that the offers under the doors are groups trying to get your credit card number and all they do is heat up a frozen pizza and deliver it to you. From your description of the pizza I fear that may be what happened.
Wyndham use to have a warning they handed out at check in about not using any of those companies. Not sure why they quit. The folks some how get on property and slip those papers under the doors.

wow OK... will do thanks for the heads up! Although I think we paid in cash. Have to double check that.. also Wyndham has yet to return our $150 deposit credit back.

 

[Brian Noble]

we ordered pizza one night and used one of the coupons they kept sticking under the door.

As mentioned, keep a close eye on your credit card statement for the card you used. These are often scams that are meant to get your CC info. (They scammers just buy bad pizza somewhere else and charge you double what they pay for it---if they deliver it at all.) A very common scam in Orlando, including sometimes in WDW resorts.

And, everyone else: don't call the number on those flyers! Call Giordano's (deep dish) or Flippers (regular)---both legitimate and both well-reviewed.

Is it 'legal' to do so? Just asking the morality police-

Generally, you aren't supposed to park at a resort where you're not a registered guest to use the theme park buses. The one exception to this is if you valet, but CBR doesn't do valet parking; the closest are the Epcot resorts, just down the road.

 

[Lupeix]

Hi,
Thanks to the DIS boards and this thread I am booking our family vacation for next spring at BC with Ken Price in a 3 bedroom presidential. Super exited!

It is a surprise for the whole family. I am planning to tell my son on his birthday at the end of February, and he can have fun personalizing the magic bands and picking up which rides he wants to do with me.

I have some questions I hope someone can answer on this thread
How far is the grand Orlando hotel from tower 6? We are taking grandma and grandpa and will like to have a couple of "dates" in slightly nicer restaurant, but will prefer not to drive

Also, how is the gym at BC? can you use the gym at the Grand orlando? DH needs exercise to be in a good mood.

Last, can you walk over to the hotel and take the shuttle from there? We are renting a car, but it is likely that DH will not want to make rope drop and go to the gym instead and join us later. It seems like the BC shuttle is not
very reliable, or is it the same shuttle?

TIA

 

[Brian Noble]

he can have fun personalizing the magic bands

Bonnet Creek is not a Disney resort, so you will not get Magic Bands as part of your stay. However, you can buy them in the parks. They are $13 each.

 

[Lupeix]

I guess I meant fastpass+,
but it is good to know I can get magic bands at the park
is it worth the $13?

 

[ampc3]

I guess I meant fastpass+,
but it is good to know I can get magic bands at the park
is it worth the $13?

This answer will vary, but for our family it was worth it. The kids wanted them, and it was much easier not having to keep taking out the cards all day long. They enjoyed also picking out their color etc.

You don't have to buy them for every one in your party if you don't want to as well. We actually miss wearing them (sortof lol)

 

[Lupeix]

Can you order them ahead of time if you are not staying in a Disney hotel?

 

[Brian Noble]

I don't believe so. You have to tie them to a ticket when you purchase them.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymag...-you-need-to-know-about-buying-magicbands.htm