The we loooooove Bonnet Creek thread Part 3

[Fundytrail]

I'm hoping someone can help me with my fears. It's my first time staying off site and I'm nervous.

I have read a bunch of negative reviews about check in, rooms not being available until after 6-7pm, the resort not having enough rooms for the night, etc. Our first full day there (a Saturday) is my dad's birthday and after driving all that way, the last thing we want is to not being able to get into our room until dinner time. I came up with an idea to book it for an extra night than we actually need starting on Friday, so we could actually have a room on Saturday morning. Instead of staying overnight on the drive we could just drive straight through, crash as soon as we get there and be able to have the room the whole day. What if when we check in late for Friday early Saturday they have given our room away and we have no where to stay? I am seriously worried about that... We've always stayed on Disney property and booked through them so I never had to worry if we had a room to sleep in or not.

Personally I would not worry about a few bad reviews, look at the big picture and what the majority have to say.

I travelled for my work and one of my favourite hotels that I stayed at for a week at a time every 5 or 6 weeks has a number of bad reports on Tripadvisor, but not once in the 5 years I used the hotel could I find fault with the hotel.

We have only stayed at WBC once but are returning for our second time in 2014, why, because we loved the resort.

 

[joedplumber]

Do people actually book WBC through places like expedia? The prices are crazy!!!

 

[aidansmom0406]

Do people actually book WBC through places like expedia? The prices are crazy!!!

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Do people actually book WBC through places like expedia? The prices are crazy!!!

Not unless they want to pay $350/night.

 

[Silock]

I'm hoping someone can help me with my fears. It's my first time staying off site and I'm nervous.

I have read a bunch of negative reviews about check in, rooms not being available until after 6-7pm, the resort not having enough rooms for the night, etc. Our first full day there (a Saturday) is my dad's birthday and after driving all that way, the last thing we want is to not being able to get into our room until dinner time. I came up with an idea to book it for an extra night than we actually need starting on Friday, so we could actually have a room on Saturday morning. Instead of staying overnight on the drive we could just drive straight through, crash as soon as we get there and be able to have the room the whole day. What if when we check in late for Friday early Saturday they have given our room away and we have no where to stay? I am seriously worried about that... We've always stayed on Disney property and booked through them so I never had to worry if we had a room to sleep in or not.

The fact that WBC has three threads entitled "We love Bonnet Creek" with 100 pages each should tell you all you need to know.

It's a great place to stay.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

If there is smoking allowed on the balcony of the villas which some of the forum members have stated there is. Can someone tell me why on the VS website that it states that the resort is a non smoking resort? One of the reasons why my wife and I chose this resort was, Because I was told by a number of the people on this forum that smoking was allowed on the balconies....Thanks in advance.

 

[Upatnoon]

If there is smoking allowed on the balcony of the villas which some of the forum members have stated there is. Can someone tell me why on the VS website that it states that the resort is a non smoking resort? One of the reasons why my wife and I chose this resort was, Because I was told by a number of the people on this forum that smoking was allowed on the balconies....Thanks in advance.

Smoking is allowed on the balconies. There are ashtrays available.

 

[Upatnoon]

Do people actually book WBC through places like expedia? The prices are crazy!!!

It depends on your perspective. Someone gets a rack rate quote for a 2 bedroom at Saratoga Springs and sees it costs anywhere from $700 to $1,000 a night. So they book Bonnet Creek for $350 and think it's a bargain. That shopper may think they just saved $700 a night, while we think they overpaid by more than $200.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

Smoking is allowed on the balconies. There are ashtrays available.

OK, I guess I trust the fellow forum members on this board about the smoking policy......

 

[ibob52]

OK, I guess I trust the fellow forum members on this board about the smoking policy......

yes ... there was a ashtray on the balcony table ... WBC May 2013 (May 2012 as well)

IIRC the non smoking refers to inside/suite.

 

[Kemorr]

It depends on your perspective. Someone gets a rack rate quote for a 2 bedroom at Saratoga Springs and sees it costs anywhere from $700 to $1,000 a night. So they book Bonnet Creek for $350 and think it's a bargain. That shopper may think they just saved $700 a night, while we think they overpaid by more than $200.

I agree with this. I am paying $312.50 per night for a 4 bedroom, through Vacation Strategies. I don't know if this is a "good" price or not, it is less than the expedia price per night for the 4 bedroom. However, I was happy with whatever price I got, because this was totally a last minute booking (I booked at about 50 days out) and I was just happy to get a 4 bedroom suite that close to arrival. Previous to booking WBC, I was booked in a 2 bedroom at Bay Lake Tower paying $1000 night, so for a last minute reservation for twice the space, $312.50 sounded like an absolute bargain!

 

[eangel12]

I think this has been addressed but how bad is the cigarette smoke on the balcony? I am super allergic--throat swells etc. I don't foresee us spending copious amounts of time out there but will if the kids are sleeping!

I remember reading that the way the suites are situated makes it a non-issue...is that accurate?!

 

[DCTooTall]

If there is smoking allowed on the balcony of the villas which some of the forum members have stated there is. Can someone tell me why on the VS website that it states that the resort is a non smoking resort? One of the reasons why my wife and I chose this resort was, Because I was told by a number of the people on this forum that smoking was allowed on the balconies....Thanks in advance.

Yes, You can smoke on the Balcony. The Balcony's can be considered a "DSA" at the resort.

I think this has been addressed but how bad is the cigarette smoke on the balcony? I am super allergic--throat swells etc. I don't foresee us spending copious amounts of time out there but will if the kids are sleeping!

I remember reading that the way the suites are situated makes it a non-issue...is that accurate?!

Personally I don't think it's going to be that big an issue for you. This isn't like a regular hotel or a cruise ship where the balconies are all next to each other with only a partition or railing between each one. You can actually see the pictures of the resort buildings and where the balconies are located (and the space between them).

Generally... You will have the space for at least 2 bedrooms between your balcony and your neighbor's balcony. (Your master bedroom and their master bedroom... etc). The space between you and your neighbor would make it extremely unlikely you will get any smoke from someone next to you. You MAY however get a wiff from a room directly below you since the roof of a balcony/patio is the floor of the balcony for the room above you. A single smoker however likely won't be noticed because of the height between the floors and the solid construction of the balconies (it's not a wood-slat type floor where you might have some smoke come up from between the slats). As a result, the smoke will likely dissipate a bit, and also be directed via wind and the building out away from the balcony stack.

honestly, I'm thinking the only way the smoke might be noticed on you balcony is if someone nearby is having a smoking party with a MASSIVE amount of smoke being generated in a small space, and the wind is JUST right to carry it in a cloud form to your balcony. the odds however make this unlikely to happen though.

 

[Upatnoon]

Yes, You can smoke on the Balcony. The Balcony's can be considered a "DSA" at the resort.



Personally I don't think it's going to be that big an issue for you. This isn't like a regular hotel or a cruise ship where the balconies are all next to each other with only a partition or railing between each one. You can actually see the pictures of the resort buildings and where the balconies are located (and the space between them).

Generally... You will have the space for at least 2 bedrooms between your balcony and your neighbor's balcony. (Your master bedroom and their master bedroom... etc). The space between you and your neighbor would make it extremely unlikely you will get any smoke from someone next to you. You MAY however get a wiff from a room directly below you since the roof of a balcony/patio is the floor of the balcony for the room above you. A single smoker however likely won't be noticed because of the height between the floors and the solid construction of the balconies (it's not a wood-slat type floor where you might have some smoke come up from between the slats). As a result, the smoke will likely dissipate a bit, and also be directed via wind and the building out away from the balcony stack.

honestly, I'm thinking the only way the smoke might be noticed on you balcony is if someone nearby is having a smoking party with a MASSIVE amount of smoke being generated in a small space, and the wind is JUST right to carry it in a cloud form to your balcony. the odds however make this unlikely to happen though.

I agree with this completely. It is rare to even see someone hanging out on their balcony smoking. The rooms large, so they are much more spread out than your average regular hotel.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

While this question is not about Bonnet Creek itself. I was wondering if anyone knew of any of the Non Downtown Disney restaurants that are near the resort itself or within a 10 mile radius such as steak houses, BBQ joints, Mexican, and so forth. My wife and I are already planning on visiting Sizzler, Black Angus, Waffle House, Ihop, and Smokey Bones (Wherever they are in the Orlando area), But we would like to add a couple more good choices as we will be down there for 12 nights. Thanks in advance.

As for the smoking issue...I just wanted to make sure as I would be miserable if I had to walk out of the suite and to a specific area every time I wanted to smoke.

 

[susanbobbitt]

2. If you let them, they will keep you there for 3 hours. If they tell you it will be, say, 90 minutes, you must keep the salesweasel to that. Be aware that the snacks before the pitch doesn't count in the time.

What are the perks for attending these sessions?

 

[aubriee]

Check out celebration. They have a few good places plus I just adore the town. For steak try Texas de brazil.

There is also a Fogo de Chao down there that's similar to Texas de Brazil that's very good.

How far is Celebration from Bonnet Creek (directions?) and how big is it? Would it be fairly easy to find the restaurants there? I believe I've also read about a good family owned Cuban place there. Anyone know the name and where it's located?

 

[eangel12]

What are the perks for attending these sessions?

Usually a gift card! I've heard that the gift cards can go from $75-$150.

 

[joedplumber]

Can you request a crib or pack-n-play at WBC?

 

[DisneyToddlers]

Hi, Do people Decorate their front doors? If so, just wondering if the front doors of the condos are metal? If not, what are they made of?