The we loooooove Bonnet Creek thread Part 3

[Robbi]

Well just checked in. Tower 4. Sadly we have a bottom floor room and dh isnt too happy. And our view is of the parking garage. Guess I envisioned something grander....oh well hopefully we still have a good time.

Ask if you can move to another room.

 

[JimMIA]

Well just checked in. Tower 4. Sadly we have a bottom floor room and dh isnt too happy. And our view is of the parking garage. Guess I envisioned something grander....oh well hopefully we still have a good time.

Hey...no elevator to the pool bar -- decent, reasonably-priced casual food, live entertainment, and the view from there is often quite pleasant.

No elevator to the free gas BBQ grills.

Short walks to Tower 5, 6, and Main Building pools -- lazy rivers at Tower 5 and main pool. (Did I mention no elevators?)

Have a great stay!

 

[mjohnson96]

Well just checked in. Tower 4. Sadly we have a bottom floor room and dh isnt too happy. And our view is of the parking garage. Guess I envisioned something grander....oh well hopefully we still have a good time.

I can understand, we didn't request a room this trip with our guy and we were in Tower 4, high enough to see the fireworks but parking lot the rest of the time. But we had 2 2BR rooms next door so we could talk over the balcony

Last year we had 2 weeks and both weeks were water views and I prefer those over fireworks

My mom was not super thrilled but it was just a 4 day trip and we were not in the room that much since we had other plans. I was just happy that I had a great place to sleep and lots of room for a very very low price.

 

[DianaPrince]

Well just checked in. Tower 4. Sadly we have a bottom floor room and dh isnt too happy. And our view is of the parking garage. Guess I envisioned something grander....oh well hopefully we still have a good time.

 

[DianaPrince]

Sorry repost. Dont know how to delete from mobile

 

[cinderellamom123]

Sorry repost. Dont know how to delete from mobile

Sorry for your disapointment. I have heard they are good about moving people when asked. Just curious, when you checked in, did you ask about room location? Did you know where your room was located when you were at the check in counter? I agree, it is not one of their better rooms. Typically, each check-in person has a list of available rooms next to them at the counter. I always ask to see their list.

 

[carlbarry]

Sorry for your disapointment. I have heard they are good about moving people when asked. Just curious, when you checked in, did you ask about room location? Did you know where your room was located when you were at the check in counter? I agree, it is not one of their better rooms. Typically, each check-in person has a list of available rooms next to them at the counter. I always ask to see their list.

I had asked for a room in the main building. I was told none was available, but they had a room for me in Building 1, with a great view. The view turned out to be of the parking lot. So I think you have to take what they say with a grain of salt.

 

[lolobug]

Can someone help me? I'm feeling a lot of pressure to stay at disney for our first trip. It will be my oldest dd's 5th birthday. Are we missing out on anything by staying off site? Even with discounts it's sooo pricey!
We are a go at your leisure kind of family. I imagine we will leave around 1 or 2 for a few hours and then return to the park. We are traveling at the end of January. Thank you!

 

[DianaPrince]

Sorry for your disapointment. I have heard they are good about moving people when asked. Just curious, when you checked in, did you ask about room location? Did you know where your room was located when you were at the check in counter? I agree, it is not one of their better rooms. Typically, each check-in person has a list of available rooms next to them at the counter. I always ask to see their list.

Yes,I did ask nicely if they had any theme park views,fireworks,scenery and he just shook his head and said unfortunatley no. So, whatever Im not one to make a big deal out of it and I get Im just a renter at a timeshare but I mean I said it was our first visit there and we had the 4 small kids with us youd think he might wanna be nice but it is what it is. Just looking at all the great views and I guess I built myself up we would get one. Oh well first night done and so far not too impressed,sorry yall.

 

[carlbarry]

Can someone help me? I'm feeling a lot of pressure to stay at disney for our first trip. It will be my oldest dd's 5th birthday. Are we missing out on anything by staying off site? Even with discounts it's sooo pricey!
We are a go at your leisure kind of family. I imagine we will leave around 1 or 2 for a few hours and then return to the park. We are traveling at the end of January. Thank you!

Are you renting a car? Just remember that with the new policy, if you use Bonnet Creek's transport to the park, you will have to pay twice if you come back and then return to the park.

 

[lolobug]

Are you renting a car? Just remember that with the new policy, if you use Bonnet Creek's transport to the park, you will have to pay twice if you come back and then return to the park.

If I stayed off property I would. Do they charge for parking?

 

[carlbarry]

If I stayed off property I would. Do they charge for parking?

There is no charge for parking at Bonnet Creek. Their hotel there, the Grand, does charge for parking.
Here's my 2 cents on your original question, and just reflects my experience and not guaranteed to apply to others (as others will gladly state):
I have stayed twice at Bonnet Creek and once at the Grand. The last 2 times I was a DVC owner, and spent the first 3 nights at Wyndham, and then once 5 nights at Old Key West and once 7 nights at Jambo House. What I found was the experience of staying at the Disney resorts was much better. At Bonnet Creek I felt I was on an island, while at the Disney resorts, I felt the entire WDW was at my disposal: visiting other resorts, going on nature walks, etc. This was the case even though Bonnet Creek's pools, water slides, lazy rivers, mini golf, are better than at Disney resorts. But as I said, your experience could very well be different.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

I really do not understand the whole which is better on site or WBC. We have stayed at several onsite deluxe hotels and they can not compare to the space, comfort and amenities at WBC. An apple to apple comparison would be to a DVC villa. And if given the choice of an on site villa vs off site, I would choose on site. That said, a similar 2 bed, 2 bath villa on sight would cost approximately 5x what we paid at WBC. So for the great savings, even after you pay for a car and parking, I will take WBC. We actually loved having a car and unless I payed for it a view was never guaranteed at Disney either.

I think having the discussion about how important staying on site is to some people is fine. But when comparing resorts, you have to compare apples to apples.

 

[lolobug]

I really do not understand the whole which is better on site or WBC. We have stayed at several onsite deluxe hotels and they can not compare to the space, comfort and amenities at WBC. An apple to apple comparison would be to a DVC villa. And if given the choice of an on site villa vs off site, I would choose on site. That said, a similar 2 bed, 2 bath villa on sight would cost approximately 5x what we paid at WBC. So for the great savings, even after you pay for a car and parking, I will take WBC. We actually loved having a car and unless I payed for it a view was never guaranteed at Disney either.

I think having the discussion about how important staying on site is to some people is fine. But when comparing resorts, you have to compare apples to apples.

I understand what you mean. I've never been to WDW and it seems like there is a HUGE emphasis to stay right there. It's just a lot more costly!

 

[Janet Hill]

Yes,I did ask nicely if they had any theme park views,fireworks,scenery and he just shook his head and said unfortunatley no. So, whatever Im not one to make a big deal out of it and I get Im just a renter at a timeshare but I mean I said it was our first visit there and we had the 4 small kids with us youd think he might wanna be nice but it is what it is. Just looking at all the great views and I guess I built myself up we would get one. Oh well first night done and so far not too impressed,sorry yall.

Well IMO there is not a view at BC that I would fret about. Also, perhaps they are full and you got what you got. I got the lucky draw of staying in the DVC villa bottom floor next door to the laundry room. Didn't change my impression of the resort (vews and locations that are not paid for are luck of the draw).

Nothing can compare to my check in experience at BDV. Arrived at 10:00 and were told we would be notified when room was ready. At 6:00 and still no room I staked out the check in area and finally got a room at 7:00.

Enjoy your vacation.

 

[cinderellamom123]

Well IMO there is not a view at BC that I would fret about. Also, perhaps they are full and you got what you got. I got the lucky draw of staying in the DVC villa bottom floor next door to the laundry room. Didn't change my impression of the resort (vews and locations that are not paid for are luck of the draw).

Nothing can compare to my check in experience at BDV. Arrived at 10:00 and were told we would be notified when room was ready. At 6:00 and still no room I staked out the check in area and finally got a room at 7:00.

Enjoy your vacation.

Janet I used to think that way about the rooms at WBC, that they were all ok . . . until the day I walked out to my car and saw a family out on their patio, The trash room was directly under them. When I mean a room, I mean the size of 5 garages where they literally wheeled the dumpsters from all over the resort. Between the smell and noise I would not have been happy.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Can someone help me? I'm feeling a lot of pressure to stay at disney for our first trip. It will be my oldest dd's 5th birthday. Are we missing out on anything by staying off site? Even with discounts it's sooo pricey!
We are a go at your leisure kind of family. I imagine we will leave around 1 or 2 for a few hours and then return to the park. We are traveling at the end of January. Thank you!

I have had several friends ask me the same question. It really boils down to what you are looking for.

If you are a little overwhelmed with the idea of your 1st Disney trip and want someone else to deal with the luggage at the airport and transportation, then stay onsite,assuming that is affordable. YOu will have a typical hotel room (depending on what level resort you book) with some cool theming and friendly staff that have the ability to insert little special moments here and there (though don't count on it). You will be able to take a bus, boat or monorail to the parks (again depending on what resort you are at) and packages can be delivered to your resort form the parks. Buses can be hit and miss but generally efficient getting you to the parks. Getting anywhere else, however, is much more difficult. Transportation is only resort to park and back. SO going to a different resort for a dining reservation etc. requires tranfers and upwards of an hour often times. Disney transportation can also mean standing in cramped buses or waiting for several buses at park closing. Several resorts share buses, so that adds time too. It is convenient, however, if you think your party may want to split up at times. Disney dining will be all that is available (except for a few supplies in your room) and that gets pricey.

If it is more important to you to have room to spread out, the ability to cook in your room or have access to other than Disney dining consider an off site resort like WBC. A 2 bed villa offers 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room and in room laundry. If your DD will need a mid day nap, a separate bedroom may be invaluable. You will need a car but that also means you can come and go on your schedule, stop at the store for supplies and take ride to the beach or some other non-Disney activity if you are so moved. There is shuttle available if your party wants to split up.

We stayed at The Wilderness Lodge for our 1st trip with the kids. We chose that resort so that the kids could each have a bed (bunkbed room) and we would have a balconey to escape to when the kids went to bed at night. Also, it is close to MK. It was a fantastic trip! However, it was not the resort that made it great, and we paid a small fortune for the convenience.

As far as "are we missing out on anything staying off site," in my opinion -no. If it is your DD's 1 st trip, everything will be so new, magical and awesome. I would bet my house she will not tell you at the end of the visit, "man, I wish we stayed in a Disney hotel!"

Good luck in your planning!

 

[lolobug]

I have had several friends ask me the same question. It really boils down to what you are looking for.

If you are a little overwhelmed with the idea of your 1st Disney trip and want someone else to deal with the luggage at the airport and transportation, then stay onsite,assuming that is affordable. YOu will have a typical hotel room (depending on what level resort you book) with some cool theming and friendly staff that have the ability to insert little special moments here and there (though don't count on it). You will be able to take a bus, boat or monorail to the parks (again depending on what resort you are at) and packages can be delivered to your resort form the parks. Buses can be hit and miss but generally efficient getting you to the parks. Getting anywhere else, however, is much more difficult. Transportation is only resort to park and back. SO going to a different resort for a dining reservation etc. requires tranfers and upwards of an hour often times. Disney transportation can also mean standing in cramped buses or waiting for several buses at park closing. Several resorts share buses, so that adds time too. It is convenient, however, if you think your party may want to split up at times. Disney dining will be all that is available (except for a few supplies in your room) and that gets pricey.

If it is more important to you to have room to spread out, the ability to cook in your room or have access to other than Disney dining consider an off site resort like WBC. A 2 bed villa offers 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room and in room laundry. If your DD will need a mid day nap, a separate bedroom may be invaluable. You will need a car but that also means you can come and go on your schedule, stop at the store for supplies and take ride to the beach or some other non-Disney activity if you are so moved. There is shuttle available if your party wants to split up.

We stayed at The Wilderness Lodge for our 1st trip with the kids. We chose that resort so that the kids could each have a bed (bunkbed room) and we would have a balconey to escape to when the kids went to bed at night. Also, it is close to MK. It was a fantastic trip! However, it was not the resort that made it great, and we paid a small fortune for the convenience.

As far as "are we missing out on anything staying off site," in my opinion -no. If it is your DD's 1 st trip, everything will be so new, magical and awesome. I would bet my house she will not tell you at the end of the visit, "man, I wish we stayed in a Disney hotel!"

Good luck in your planning!

Haha! That's true, she will never know the difference
Thank you for your advice, I will take it to heart when making my decision.

 

[DianaPrince]

Well IMO there is not a view at BC that I would fret about. Also, perhaps they are full and you got what you got. I got the lucky draw of staying in the DVC villa bottom floor next door to the laundry room. Didn't change my impression of the resort (vews and locations that are not paid for are luck of the draw).

Nothing can compare to my check in experience at BDV. Arrived at 10:00 and were told we would be notified when room was ready. At 6:00 and still no room I staked out the check in area and finally got a room at 7:00.

Enjoy your vacation.

Im not "fretting" bout anything. I know its my fault for building it up. Look, some ppl like disney bubble some dont. Me and mine just happen to be bubble ppl,lol. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with loving bcr either. Different strokes and all. At least I gave it a shot. Its nice for what it is but I think next trip we will just save up a lil more and stay with disney.

 

[Janet Hill]

Im not "fretting" bout anything. I know its my fault for building it up. Look, some ppl like disney bubble some dont. Me and mine just happen to be bubble ppl,lol. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with loving bcr either. Different strokes and all. At least I gave it a shot. Its nice for what it is but I think next trip we will just save up a lil more and stay with disney.

Sorry didn't want to offend, I just think the BC views are overated. My problems with BC are a lot deeper than the view.

Actually, I don't like BC at all and have never stayed here since Wyndham secured units at Reunion. I stay at either Reunion or DVC.

For me and BC it's not about the view, it's the (to be polite) the overly rambunctious children and their less than attentive parents at the pools. Rentals are so cheap that the resort is used hard and it shows.