The we loooooove Bonnet Creek thread part2

[Invisable89]

Your tea making skills probably outweigh your tea making explaining skills! LOL It was funny though and I had a good chuckle... ta!

The kettle I got at Wally World for camping was a real basic stovetop kettle and it was less than 10 bucks. I took a look myself, and the only one I could find similar was this one:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Copco-Stainless-Steel-Tea-Kettle/14964923


You're right, it's been getting busier in October, but I think it's cause there's a lot of Brits there! LOL Don't you guys have a school break in October? Haven't been since 2003, but I remember it was like the British Invasion. LOL My husband added to that number

If October isn't hot enough for you, then certainly August will be a scorcher! Haven't been to Florida in the summer since the early 80's, but man it was hot! Could NOT go barefoot on the beach the sand was so bloody hot.

Hahaa you're welcome! Ohhh yes, that one looks cheap enough, not sure if my Dad would like a stove tea kettle - he prefers electric, we'll have to see nearer the time.

Yes, most UK School's get a week off during the last week of October (some private School's may get 2 weeks off however) so that's why you see an influx of Brits.

Oh my! Well my Dad tells us to always prepare for the worst so whatever it is doesn't seem so bad, so that's what we'll be doing for August 2013.

If you can handle the heat that's a great time to go. We love traveling anywhere in the southeast US during the week prior to Labor Day, because our schools up here don't go back until Sept but all the schools in that area start much earlier and the crowds (and prices) really drop.

I think we'll be fine, it's funny how most Brits we talk to who have been in August say it's bareable but American's who we talk to say it's absolutely awful! Us Brit's rarely get a summer only 2 weeks at most in a year if we're lucky so we couldn't be less used to the heat if we tried.

 

[pam1969]

We just booked 4 nights over Easter

This is our first stay... can anyone tell me what special Easter events we shouldn't miss?

We'll be visiting Kennedy one day, DTD another, and taking it easy around the resort.

Thanks!

 

[mnorton]

Can anyone tell me if the lazy river tubes cost extra?

Thank you!

no cost

 

[carlbarry]

We just booked 4 nights over Easter

This is our first stay... can anyone tell me what special Easter events we shouldn't miss?

We'll be visiting Kennedy one day, DTD another, and taking it easy around the resort.

Thanks!

I wouldn't plan on spending an entire day at DTD, even if you go to Disney Quest.

 

[Destructsean]

I wouldn't plan on spending an entire day at DTD, even if you go to Disney Quest.

Yeah, for us, DTD has always been a "night we get there" or "shopping morning before we leave" kinda thing. The stores go pretty quickly.

Unless you're planning on bar hopping/eating and spending a full day shopping, there just isn't *that* much to do there.

And don't get me started on how dissapointed I was with DQ.

 

[triplefigs]

My friends mom is renting us her 3br in August for 7 nights. Any tips or suggestions on BC? Never been here before as we usually stay on-site on the monorail.

 

[southbound]

Hahaa you're welcome! Ohhh yes, that one looks cheap enough, not sure if my Dad would like a stove tea kettle - he prefers electric, we'll have to see nearer the time.

Yes, most UK School's get a week off during the last week of October (some private School's may get 2 weeks off however) so that's why you see an influx of Brits.

Oh my! Well my Dad tells us to always prepare for the worst so whatever it is doesn't seem so bad, so that's what we'll be doing for August 2013.




I think we'll be fine, it's funny how most Brits we talk to who have been in August say it's bareable but American's who we talk to say it's absolutely awful! Us Brit's rarely get a summer only 2 weeks at most in a year if we're lucky so we couldn't be less used to the heat if we tried.

Electric is the way to go, but if you're leaving it behind, it just seems a shame to spend so much more. But like most dads out there, they usually do what they want, not what we want them to do.

Sounds like a wise man

I've also been lucky enough to have spent time in your country and I know what you mean about no summer! Been there, done that, froze my butt off! I hope it's hot & sunny for you when you go.

 

[kellyw8863]

Good morning! I've read through most of the thread and looked through all of the photo thread, but I still have some questions/concerns about staying at BC. Our first trip to Disney was on a Wish Trip for our younger daughter. We stayed at Give Kids the World with one night at Animal Kingdom Lodge, so we are not freaky about staying off property.

1. We want this trip to be "perfect". Her Wish Trip was so amazing that it will be hard to top, but we think we can make it comparable. What is the atmosphere itself at BC? Is it friendly there, or is it just a "regular" resort?

2. I'm concerned about the helpfulness of the staff there. Ali's illness is serious and complicated, and it's not outside the realm of possibility that we could need an emergent trip to he hospital. I know Disney staff would go above and beyond to help everything go smoothly. Based on your experiences, would you assume that it would be the same at BC?

3. One of the downsides of staying at GKTW was its distance from the parks, which made it unrealistic that we'd leave for an afternoon break and return after dinner. We always said when we went back, we'd stay on property so we could come and go easily. The bus service at BC seems to get mixed reviews. Is it realistic to think we can rely on it to get back and forth easily? I know there are some restrictions in terms f schedule, and we are okay with that. Dd does use a wheelchair, but it fold like an umbrella stroller and she can transfer easily.

We are going with another family, so there will be four adults and four kids from eleven years old down to seven. We are looking at a four bedroom presidential. It really does seem like a good fit overall - I just want it to be an amazing week!

If you've read all of this, I really appreciate it!

Kelly

 

[casper_jj11]

Good morning! I've read through most of the thread and looked through all of the photo thread, but I still have some questions/concerns about staying at BC. Our first trip to Disney was on a Wish Trip for our younger daughter. We stayed at Give Kids the World with one night at Animal Kingdom Lodge, so we are not freaky about staying off property.

1. We want this trip to be "perfect". Her Wish Trip was so amazing that it will be hard to top, but we think we can make it comparable. What is the atmosphere itself at BC? Is it friendly there, or is it just a "regular" resort?

2. I'm concerned about the helpfulness of the staff there. Ali's illness is serious and complicated, and it's not outside the realm of possibility that we could need an emergent trip to he hospital. I know Disney staff would go above and beyond to help everything go smoothly. Based on your experiences, would you assume that it would be the same at BC?

3. One of the downsides of staying at GKTW was its distance from the parks, which made it unrealistic that we'd leave for an afternoon break and return after dinner. We always said when we went back, we'd stay on property so we could come and go easily. The bus service at BC seems to get mixed reviews. Is it realistic to think we can rely on it to get back and forth easily? I know there are some restrictions in terms f schedule, and we are okay with that. Dd does use a wheelchair, but it fold like an umbrella stroller and she can transfer easily.

We are going with another family, so there will be four adults and four kids from eleven years old down to seven. We are looking at a four bedroom presidential. It really does seem like a good fit overall - I just want it to be an amazing week!

If you've read all of this, I really appreciate it!

Kelly

Hi Kelly! I completely understand wanting this trip to be special. We're in a similar boat that DD's last trip was during her wish trip. We didn't stay at GKTW as part of her wish was to stay with the princesses so our wish chapter arranged for us to stay at the Grand Floridian where Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty have their breakfast and Disney upgraded us to MK view so she could see the castle every evening. It was truly the most magical experience ever. I think the idea going in is not to try and match this trip to your last. There's no way the magic that excited in that last trip will ever be recreated.

As for BC, we're staying here this trip as well. We need to because my parents are coming and there's no way we could afford two disney rooms. The difference with us is that DD is in remission with no immediate medical necessities. I'm hoping someone else could answer you on how fast the Wyndham would be in such circumstances but honestly, I would think that Disney would respond much more effectively. I could be wrong tho.

As for buses, I've heard that the bus doesn't run mid day. That could really make it difficult to get back. That said, the taxis do run from all parks and TTC so you could do that route. BC is close to all parks except MK so the expense shouldn't be that high. Another option though would be to rent. We always rent when we go even on disney property because it gives us the flexibility of leaving whenever the children want or need to leave. We wait for no one, just leave when its time and return if we wish. There are some really great rental car rates out there (many can be found from mousesavers.com) and if you do stay at BC and save the expense of AKL, the extra cost of a rental may be worth it for the extra space. I expect you'd still be in money staying at BC and renting.

I highly recommend the daily breaks. We either do mid day break or just go until 3pm and then spend the rest of the day at the resort. The children can't handle all day every day. Are you planning on visiting GKTW? We've already looked into it and their view is once a wish child, always a wish child. We attended some of the events during DD's wish trip (our trip was arranged by GKTW even though we didn't stay on site there) and she really wants to go back so I called them and we're more than welcome to visit any time we're in Orlando. Our plan is to visit for half day and then head to DTD.

I haven't stayed at BC yet so I probably can't answer specific questions but we've been to WDW often so if you have any other questions, ask away.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Wishing you & your families magical trips, Kelly and Joanne.

Does anyone have an idea what the cost of a taxi would be to the parks/resorts?

This might be a help to someone trying to make this decision....

 

[nancy155]

Wishing you & your families magical trips, Kelly and Joanne.

Does anyone have an idea what the cost of a taxi would be to the parks/resorts?

This might be a help to someone trying to make this decision....

Found this website that estimates cost of taxi fares in the Orlando Area.. May be of some help.

http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=Orlando

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thanks, Nancy.

 

[jakmak]

When you go into any of the parks by taxi, do you always have to pay the $15 parking fee too? We used a taxi in the fall and was charged the extra amount at Magic Kingdom and no mention of it was ever made in the taxi fare estimator. Thanks!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Wow - that's just mind boggling, Jakmak!
Why on earth would they charge you parking if you didn't even have a vehicle?

 

[jakmak]

Our thoughts exactly! I called and complained to the cab company and was told that it's common practice. I've seen it here and there mentioned in posts that it is done, but I want to be sure. If it is true, I think the taxi estimators should at least mention it.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Yikes - me too!

 

[Poohbug]

We were charged the parking fee when we took a cab to the park. The driver said that Disney charges them so they add the fee to the fare.

One way to get around the parking fee - get dropped off at a resort. Get a cab to the Contemporary and walk to MK, etc.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

This blows my mind....
Is there a "parking fee" when taking a cab to DTD? Are you charged a fee when getting picked up from a park, or just when being dropped off?
The solution for going to a resort is a good one - but what would you do if you wanted to go to AK? Get off at the resort then take the bus to the park? Looks like it, eh?
For some reason, this really galls me!
Thanks for all the info.

 

[nancy155]

That is horrible that they charge the parking fee! Might as well drive your own vehicle or as someone else suggested take a cab to a resort. Could take it to the Poly and walk to the TTC from there it is really close.

If wanting to go to Epcot take it to the boardwalk and walk from there as well!

 

[lizzygreen]

I once took a cab to HS from CS and was not charged parking. The entire fare was under $10.00. I do not believe you should be charged parking because you are being dropped off, not parking. I have read they if you are being dropped off in a private car, the driver pays parking, but can save the receipt and get a refund by stopping at the booth and showing the reciept on the way out. I haven't actually experienced this, but I'd be curious of other's experiences.