The we loooooove Bonnet Creek thread part2

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Has anyone filled up a soft-sided cooler with beer and enjoyed it around the pool area? Or is it strictly enforced that you buy your drinks from the bar??? If we are really far away from the building with the bar, that's going to be a pain to get drinks there all the time.

Really hope someone can answer these questions for me... thanks in advance!

We took drinks to the pools in coolers all the time. Everyone did. Some people had tables full of food and drinks all set up for most of the afternoon. They don't care where you get your food or drinks.

I have seen many people carting tons of groceries up to their room and down to to the pools.

Although we didn't use glass containers-they may be opposed to glass since so many people are barefoot.

 

[vettechick99]

We also took a cooler with us to the bar. Whoops, I mean pool. We're hardcore but not that hardcore.

I emailed Ken back and told him that was out of our budget which he understood. I ended up emailing VS and they came back with a $1075 which I can live with. Do they try to rebook for you closer to time like Ken does? Either way, I am happy with this price.

Anyone else going the last week in June? I am trying to convince my sister and her family to go that week too. The more the merrier!!

 

[haPevraftr]

We also took a cooler with us to the bar. Whoops, I mean pool. We're hardcore but not that hardcore.

I emailed Ken back and told him that was out of our budget which he understood. I ended up emailing VS and they came back with a $1075 which I can live with. Do they try to rebook for you closer to time like Ken does? Either way, I am happy with this price.

Anyone else going the last week in June? I am trying to convince my sister and her family to go that week too. The more the merrier!!

Go to VS's website and read the agreement that they have posted for owners from who they are purchasing points. This should help you understand the price difference and answer your question. I am totally speculating, but I think that they quote you the lower price with the assumption that they can rebook for cheaper (in order to get to the price that they have quoted you). It also shows how much they are paying to owners for the points. I am unfamiliar with how Wyndham points work, but if what they are offering is a lowball then that explains the price difference as well. Lowball or not, it must be appealing to enough owners that VS has been able to get the points for bookings. We have booked with VS for WBC for next NYE.

 

[Bonniec]

Ugh, this week is taking F-O-R-E-V-E-R!! I am seriously so excited to check out the 4 bedroom pres. We go Friday and this week is just dragging!

 

[southbound]

Thanks for the info Grace and vettechick! That eases my mind a lot! My husband loves his beer, especially if he's on vacation. Poor guy works very hard, and Disney is NOT his idea of a vacation... He's totally doing this for me and our little one. So, I want to make him smile, and loading up some beer in the cooler will definitely make his day. I can't believe this man wants absolutely zero input into this holiday. I get anything I want out of it, and he just wants to carry the bags (and yes, I'll be packing for the 3 of us) to the car, get on the plane, and see his two best girls smiling! I do have a pretty great husband

That is a big difference, vettechick, and just think what it could buy for you when you go in June! I am thinking of booking it with VS because I've read enough positives, and they've been super prompt at getting back to me, which is a plus. And I like the price... it's way cheaper than I was expecting to pay for accommodations, so I'm thinking I'm way ahead already. I can use the difference to take our daughter for a few character meals without guilt.

I am super excited for you, Bonnie! I can't imagine being that close to going, time definitely would be dragging! Have a fantastic time, and don't forget, we're all sitting here wanting to live vicariously through you! So, tell us all about it, and take lots of pics to share with your captive audience!



Still trying to figure out the vacation countdown ticker ???

 

[haPevraftr]

Ugh, this week is taking F-O-R-E-V-E-R!! I am seriously so excited to check out the 4 bedroom pres. We go Friday and this week is just dragging!

So exciting! Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Janet Hill]

Vacation Strategy is able to offer such low initial prices because they are leverages other member's points to insure they can always rebook at half points with an upgrade. If you read the statement they have for the folks whose points they are using, if the unit isn't being used they get their points back at the 20 day mark so they don't lose their points. They have full acccess to the member's account (see where they ask for member number and password).

They can book multiple units and at the 60 day mark move around the reservations to get the unit for the fewest points. They now only have reservations using discount points and upgrades. Who knows how many other members points they have used (maybe none). I'm sure their goal is that their points are the first rented.

This business model is surviving in part because of the economy and desperate folks hoping their points get rented.

 

[MadisonsMommy]

My friend is going with her family (hubby & 3 boys - 10, 8, 6) at the end of February...first Disney trip for them! I recommended Bonnet Creek after our first stay two years ago...loved it!!! We actually had the main building which I know is really hard to request so I'm wondering given the kids ages, which tower would you request for them? Any info would be appreciated!!!

 

[billash]

Does the toll road from the airport to the property have the cash pay option? Rental car companies want to charge $7/day for toll pass option.

Should i just exit the airport North and take the service/side roads to I4?

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Does the toll road from the airport to the property have the cash pay option? Rental car companies want to charge $7/day for toll pass option.

Should i just exit the airport North and take the service/side roads to I4?

There is a cash pay option. Just watch carefully because you have to exit to pay the toll.

 

[ttfn3]

Also, since we are going to be checking in later... after 7pm, is there really any chance of getting a fireworks view this late at night??? It seems like it's first come, first serve with this resort, and we'll definitely be a lot later than the 4pm check-in.

Has anyone filled up a soft-sided cooler with beer and enjoyed it around the pool area? Or is it strictly enforced that you buy your drinks from the bar??? If we are really far away from the building with the bar, that's going to be a pain to get drinks there all the time.

Really hope someone can answer these questions for me... thanks in advance!

We stayed at WBC last year, and checked in around 7 pm, and got a great room with a fireworks view. So - it's a possibility. We did call ahead and made some requests, and then politely made requests when we checked in. So, it is a possibility that you can get a fireworks view if you check in after 4 pm.

We also took food, and drinks in coolers down to the pool area. I like to pack a couple of collapsable soft side coolers in our luggage. I also pack various sizes of plastic/sandbags in my luggage, for use at the resort. No one ever said anything to us about bringing our own food & drinks to the pool. As others have stated, I would not take anything that is glass or breakable.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[southbound]

Thanks for the info, ttfn!!! I will definitely try for the fireworks view as my daughter asked for it, but I'm not going to hold my breath, and it won't ruin my trip if it doesn't happen. Most of the time we'll be too busy to care about what view we have!

Sure do appreciate the fact that we can bring our own drinks and snacks to the pool area! I've got a nice soft-sided cooler that I'm gonna pack and take with us. And I will make sure to only bring cans to the pool area, I can imagine if they frown on anything, it would be glass bottles where there are so many barefooted kids/adults!

I know it's 9 months away, but I can't stop thinking about it... I love the planning part almost as much as going. Crazy, eh? I guess it's what keeps us going until we can get there. My hubby is not into Disney at all, so we will probably not be back until our daughter is about 11 or 12 and then most likely never again. So, I'm going to make the most of this trip!

I'm going to plan for 4 character meals as well, just wish they weren't so darn expensive! But my girl is Cinderella crazy, so we have to see her at least twice... and I enjoyed Chef Mickey's years ago (2003) with my son, and of course, we'll hit CP for breakfast with Pooh and the gang!

I keep hoping for some more pics, I can't get enough! LOL Would be nice to hear what people are saying about the new hotel too! What restaurants are in there and anything else relevant.

 

[Mommydust]

We'll be there next week, thanks to Ken, and I have a few questions. Are bath towels provided, or do you bring your own? Is there a clean-up policy at the end of your stay or does housekeeping take care of that when you leave? Also, I understand you need a router for wifi. I don't have a router, is there any other means to access the internet from the suite? Thanks!

 

[applepiedemon]

I have a few questions for all you BC pros...

Do they have bed rails?

What building would you suggest for a 3 bdroom with 4 adults & 3 kiddos under 7?

How reliable & what is a typical shuttle schedule as we have seen some bad reviews?

TIA

 

[Photobee]

a couple of questions -

We'll be arriving at WBC first thing on February 11. Can we "check in" at that point and then go about our business at the parks and return later to find out our room assignment?

I've tried to read through the thread, but I still don't have a good handle on restaurants. What is available for casual places to eat, especially for breakfast?

Thanks for any help. This is our first stay here, and any information would be appreciated.

This will be our first stay, but to cut down on costs, we plan on eating breakfast in our room each day! Having a kitchen will be a great help for cutting down costs on breakfasts, snackfoods, dessert at the end of a long day, or packing lunches, eating meals on a non park day!

 

[southbound]

This will be our first stay, but to cut down on costs, we plan on eating breakfast in our room each day! Having a kitchen will be a great help for cutting down costs on breakfasts, snackfoods, dessert at the end of a long day, or packing lunches, eating meals on a non park day!

When are you heading down, Photobee? I think having the full kitchen is one of the best parts of staying at a resort like WBC! The savings alone on just breakfast is huge... and like you said, snacks or desserts, and eating on non park days will save on costs. Plus you can eat better things when you've got a kitchen for non-perishables! I don't have an IHOP where I live, so I plan on having a few pancake breakfasts while down on vacation, but other than that, it's breakfast in the room for sure! Even just a couple drinks costs a lot when you're doing it a number of times every day.

My sister froze water and partially froze some fresh fruit to enjoy as a snack at the parks for her 3 year old daughter, and she said that saved her quite a bit and the fruit was still nicely chilled. I think I'll try that out for my girl too.

 

[Upatnoon]

We'll be there next week, thanks to Ken, and I have a few questions. Are bath towels provided, or do you bring your own? Is there a clean-up policy at the end of your stay or does housekeeping take care of that when you leave? Also, I understand you need a router for wifi. I don't have a router, is there any other means to access the internet from the suite? Thanks!

Of course towels are provided. For pool towels, you do have to check them out for the duration of your trip and check them in at the end.

No cleaning up is necessary. To check out, you just leave.

Free Internet is available in every room via ethernet cable. You just plug it into your laptop and go. Wifi is also available in Tower 6 and in some of the common areas. If you really need wifi and you're worried you won't be able to get it it in your room, you can buy a router for around $20.

 

[Beemitchcowski]

Comparing it to staying at Windsor Hills (since they are both "self catering") ..We stayed at WH last time...and the only real "complaint" I have of staying at a "home" is that we were asked to wash some towels/sheets and start the dishwasher before leaving....is it the same for Bonnet Creek? Also at the house they gave us dishwasher pellets...garbage bags...are things like that included at Bonnet Creek? I know there isn't daily cleaning without a charge...but just wondering about what is expected! Thanks!

I feel a little silly now..I should of read that last post!

 

[billash]

There is a cash pay option. Just watch carefully because you have to exit to pay the toll.

Thank you. I am assuming i go south out of the airport and take that route?

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Thank you. I am assuming i go south out of the airport and take that route?

I prefer to go to the North exit myself (the Beachline), don't know why I just always do. I go to the airport using the South entrance (the 417).

Using the North airport exit you will take the 528 West (right hand) exit from Airport Blvd, go West on 528 until it deadends into I-4, merge onto I-4 South to the EPCOT Center Dr (536) exit and go towards Epcot (which is West) (not World Center Dr to the East) Go through the WDW Arch , and take the second right-hand exit to E Buena Vista Dr westbound. The first light will be Chelonia Parkway-go left. WBC will be on your left.