The we loooooove Bonnet Creek thread part2

[Branabb]

Well, we arrived last night about 7pm. It was raining, and check-in was a mad house. So, we grabbed our room keys and left to get a bite to eat.

Returned after 8, still busy but not terrible. Headed to the room, opened the door. 30 seconds later my 6 yr. old son gave me a hug for "getting us the best hotel room in Disney!"

The room is VERY nice and spacious (2BR Presidential). We are on the very end of the building in tower 6. At 9:45, my wife called me from the room while I was at Publix. "We just watched Illuminations from the master bedroom!". Lake view AND fireworks view. Awesome news for DH (me).

Of course, my son hugged me again once I got back to the room. The fireworks sealed the deal for him. My wife loves the space. Really a great room and location.

Staff has been stellar thus far. No complaints. We had a few minor issues with the housekeeping, but I will save that for my trip report next week.

 

[DianeV]

The thing is...don't tell someone at checkin that they have a 'fireworks' view if they really dont. They tried that one on us too and we werent high enough and ended up mostly seeing a parking garage.

 

[Bonniec]

Can ya'll help me? I went through ebay a weekand a half ago. I still have no confirmation (they have 1000+ good feeback, only one bad and it had to do with changing rooms which wasnt the sellers fault). The correspondence from the guy hasn't been the best.

Finally, I just got an email from him saying the room is now in my name and the confirmation will come tomorrow.

If I called Bonnet, can they verify something in my name or do I need to wait for the actual confirmation number?

How long does it usually take for something like this to go through? I dont really understand the process at all.

FYI, we got a presidential. Im not 100% sure which room he gave me but I know they are assigned.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Can ya'll help me? I went through ebay a weekand a half ago. I still have no confirmation (they have 1000+ good feeback, only one bad and it had to do with changing rooms which wasnt the sellers fault). The correspondence from the guy hasn't been the best.

Finally, I just got an email from him saying the room is now in my name and the confirmation will come tomorrow.

If I called Bonnet, can they verify something in my name or do I need to wait for the actual confirmation number?

How long does it usually take for something like this to go through? I dont really understand the process at all.

FYI, we got a presidential. Im not 100% sure which room he gave me but I know they are assigned.

Do you know when the Presidentials are assigned, Bonnie?
I ask because we have a reservation in a 3 bdrm Presidential in June & I was just wondering if I could find out about the room. Not that it will make any difference - just curious...
Thanks.
Gretchen

 

[carlbarry]

The thing is...don't tell someone at checkin that they have a 'fireworks' view if they really dont. They tried that one on us too and we werent high enough and ended up mostly seeing a parking garage.

I was at the Grand, room 403. End of hall, no balcony. I could see part of the fireworks between the buildings across the lake.

 

[thelawnet]

Even if the resort is empty doesn't mean they have many units to choose from. The resorts regularly take rooms out of inventory for more intense cleaning and/or repairs during slow periods.

Perhaps the exact empty room that meets your specifications may be reserved for a future guest (One with privileges (sp? to reserve a specific room) who will be checking in before you check out.

Many variables and this is why all of the newer Wyndham resorts have varying point values for views.

Well there were two problems. The first was that we paid for three separate reservations at different rates, and they should accommodate our room move request for free IMO.

The other was that they said 'we have lake view or firework view'. If they'd said 'we have a lake view or we have a 'partial' firework view, only partly visible through a crack in the wall, then I would have made a different choice.

 

[miasmomma]

Well there were two problems. The first was that we paid for three separate reservations at different rates, and they should accommodate our room move request for free IMO.

The other was that they said 'we have lake view or firework view'. If they'd said 'we have a lake view or we have a 'partial' firework view, only partly visible through a crack in the wall, then I would have made a different choice.

As it has been stated numerous times, you weren't guaranteed anything. If being able to see the fireworks from your room were a "make it or break it" of your trip, then find somewhere that will guarantee that. Lots of hotels make a practice of sorting room views in this manner. I once stayed somewhere with a "water view" that equated to seeing a tiny sliver of the pool from a long corridor. The room is nice, lots cheaper than staying in a tiny room at Pop Century, and you're going to the Happiest Place on Earth. Just count your blessings and don't sweat the small stuff!

 

[DCTooTall]

Can ya'll help me? I went through ebay a weekand a half ago. I still have no confirmation (they have 1000+ good feeback, only one bad and it had to do with changing rooms which wasnt the sellers fault). The correspondence from the guy hasn't been the best.

Finally, I just got an email from him saying the room is now in my name and the confirmation will come tomorrow.

If I called Bonnet, can they verify something in my name or do I need to wait for the actual confirmation number?

How long does it usually take for something like this to go through? I dont really understand the process at all.

FYI, we got a presidential. Im not 100% sure which room he gave me but I know they are assigned.

Do you know when the Presidentials are assigned, Bonnie?
I ask because we have a reservation in a 3 bdrm Presidential in June & I was just wondering if I could find out about the room. Not that it will make any difference - just curious...
Thanks.
Gretchen

Your reservation isn't actually sent to the Resort itself until sometime around 2 weeks prior to your trip. Before that all reservation information is still exclusively within the main Wyndham system. This means that if you call the resort months before your trip, they won't be able to tell you much of anything since they can't see the reservation information.

As for the presidential rooms being assigned, I'm not entirely sure how that works to be honest. VIP Owners are able to request rooms, including specific Presidential Units. (Presidential Reserve owners also get this perk). HOWEVER.... those VIP Benefits are not transferable, which means that if the specific Presidential unit is being selected under the VIP Benefits, then there is no guarantee that the request for that particular unit will be honored by the resort for guests renting from a VIP owner when they do their room assignments. This would be one thing that I'd probably recommend calling around the 2week mark to the resort to confirm since at that point they will have your reservation information in their system and can tell you the reservation is noted with a specific room.

 

[::danielle::]

I could use some advice regarding my reservation at WBC. We booked a week in March (3-10) using an RCI exchange. I was able to get an incredible deal on airfare flying in the day before (March 2nd) and leaving the day after (March 11). I called to see if I could add the days to my reservation and they cannot at this time.

Has anyone tried to book one night at WBC? Can I do that through Ferrell?

If it's not possible, what would you recommend? The new hotel is more expensive than staying at one of the Disney resorts.

I appreciate any widsom, insight, or suggestions!

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

I could use some advice regarding my reservation at WBC. We booked a week in March (3-10) using an RCI exchange. I was able to get an incredible deal on airfare flying in the day before (March 2nd) and leaving the day after (March 11). I called to see if I could add the days to my reservation and they cannot at this time.

Has anyone tried to book one night at WBC? Can I do that through Ferrell?

If it's not possible, what would you recommend? The new hotel is more expensive than staying at one of the Disney resorts.

I appreciate any widsom, insight, or suggestions!

Why not stay the first and last nights at a Disney value resort? Then you'll be able to take ME both ways from the airport and just taxi to BC from Disney.

 

[DCTooTall]

I could use some advice regarding my reservation at WBC. We booked a week in March (3-10) using an RCI exchange. I was able to get an incredible deal on airfare flying in the day before (March 2nd) and leaving the day after (March 11). I called to see if I could add the days to my reservation and they cannot at this time.

Has anyone tried to book one night at WBC? Can I do that through Ferrell?

If it's not possible, what would you recommend? The new hotel is more expensive than staying at one of the Disney resorts.

I appreciate any widsom, insight, or suggestions!

As far as official policy... "all stays during 'peak periods' need to have either a check-in or check-out fall on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday."

I didn't look at a calendar for next march to see what days the extra days you need fall on, but the above info is a good thing to keep in mind. If those are weekend days, Your ability to get a 1 night reservation are pretty good. If however they don't, then you are going to have to hope for an "orphaned" night in the system.

You could try going thru one of the commercial renters and see if they can make reservations for you for those extra nights. You would then want to contact the resort itself about 2weeks prior just to make sure they linked the 3 seperate reservations. since the reservations would be via different sources (exchange and direct owner rental), they may not link automatically.

The biggest issue might be cost effectiveness. Wyndham charges owners a flat fee for a guest confirmation certificate for each reservation. That could be a straight $100 per-reservation additional charge that someone would need to pass on, and since you are looking at 1 night before and other night after, that'll add up. Owners who have attained a certain level of VIP ownership however still get unlimited free Guest Confirmation certificates, so you are likely to get a MUCH better price from someone who has that status at Wyndham since their costs would be much lower.

Honestly... it never hurts to check pricing. Farrel and some of the other large commercial renters would be a good place to check. If you can't find a price however that works for you, check around other places. You might also find that a single night on-site at Disney might be nice.

I know in the past I've done a single night at a Disney Deluxe with a high-end package that included my tickets for my entire trip (including the week at an offsite timeshare) and the platinum DDP. With that single night's stay, the DDP became very cost effective for me since I was able to basically enjoy a lot of the package perks in the 2 days the package was active (check in and check out day) off the single night's package cost. Disney may have changed the DDP package policies since I did that (such as minimum stay requirements)... but it's still something worth looking into. sometimes a single night onsite can still be nice to enjoy some of the onsite perks, and it's much easier to justify the costs if you are actually going to be enjoying the resort that day instead of park-hopping.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thank you for explaining that, DCTooTall.
I really don't have any specific requests - I'm just happy to be able to have the whole fam damily together at WDW!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Well, we arrived last night about 7pm. It was raining, and check-in was a mad house. So, we grabbed our room keys and left to get a bite to eat.

Returned after 8, still busy but not terrible. Headed to the room, opened the door. 30 seconds later my 6 yr. old son gave me a hug for "getting us the best hotel room in Disney!"

The room is VERY nice and spacious (2BR Presidential). We are on the very end of the building in tower 6. At 9:45, my wife called me from the room while I was at Publix. "We just watched Illuminations from the master bedroom!". Lake view AND fireworks view. Awesome news for DH (me).

Of course, my son hugged me again once I got back to the room. The fireworks sealed the deal for him. My wife loves the space. Really a great room and location.

Staff has been stellar thus far. No complaints. We had a few minor issues with the housekeeping, but I will save that for my trip report next week.

Can't wait to hear all about it! Sounds like you're quite "da man" in your son's eyes right about now. Way to go!

 

[Bonniec]

I'd love to hear about your trip too! Can you take LOTS of pics of your suite?



....Okay...FINALLY my confirmation number came! Woohoo! It must be different for presidentials. We are staying January 20-27 in a 4 bedroom presidential. I already know the building and room number....building 3 room 950.

I am so freaking excited! My littlest has no idea.

 

[dizneechic]

I'd love to hear about your trip too! Can you take LOTS of pics of your suite?



....Okay...FINALLY my confirmation number came! Woohoo! It must be different for presidentials. We are staying January 20-27 in a 4 bedroom presidential. I already know the building and room number....building 3 room 950.

I am so freaking excited! My littlest has no idea.

Hey lady, we don't check out until the 21st. Maybe we'll have to grab a drink poolside the night you check in, LOL!

 

[Bonniec]

That would be awesome!!

I could use a drink! Especially one of those glowy ones.

 

[dizneechic]

That would be awesome!!

I could use a drink! Especially one of those glowy ones.

Woooo - Magical Stars!
FYI here's the recipe if you ever wanted to make that one at home:
1 oz Pineapple juice
1 oz Sour Mix
1 oz Malibu (or any other coconut rum)
1 oz X Rated (Fusion Liquor)
We make them in batches here and pop in the glowy cubes we bring home. YUM! Come to think of it we should incorporate the glow cubes into how we tell the kids we're going. It's one of their favorite souvies from our trips (along with their TRex glow cups )

 

[Bonniec]

Well as sad as this is, I live close and I have NEVER had a glowy drink

 

[Belle5]

I have sent out a few inquiries from a couple of the most popular WBC rental sources and they are telling me now (December) that THERE ARE NO 4 BEDROOM UNITS May 19th-26. I am wondering if you think if I hold out for a while I will find a supplier. I am thinking that that week is just a smidge before the big June 1st summer rush....What do you think? Do you think that it's just these suppliers that can't get them and that someone will end up renting one on ebay? Advice?

 

[SalandJeff]

I have sent out a few inquiries from a couple of the most popular WBC rental sources and they are telling me now (December) that THERE ARE NO 4 BEDROOM UNITS May 19th-26. I am wondering if you think if I hold out for a while I will find a supplier. I am thinking that that week is just a smidge before the big June 1st summer rush....What do you think? Do you think that it's just these suppliers that can't get them and that someone will end up renting one on ebay? Advice?

The 26th is the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, so maybe it is a crowded week. When we went to WBC in 2010, we were going on short notice. All the sources mentioned on this board told us nothing available. I contacted several ebay sellers asking if they could get our dates and got a reservation that way. You may not see an auction for your dates, but most of the sellers will check for you if you send them a message through ebay. Make sure the seller has 100% feedback for timeshare rentals (not feedback for selling other stuff).