The we loooooove Bonnet Creek thread part2

[Brian Noble]

I am afraid this is what will happen to us.

You know, your situation perfectly illustrates the essential trade-off of WDW lodging. There are three things you might want in a WDW stay:

1: To be in a Disney resort.
2: To have a reasonable amount of space/amenities in your room/resort
3: To spend a reasonable amount of money.

But, for most people, you simply can't have all three at the same time. There are exceptions, but they are exceptions. So, you have to decide which one you are most willing to live without. When I'm traveling with my family, space is the non-negotiable must-have. And, having stayed in several DVC units now, we've found that we like them, but we don't like them so much that we are willing to pay a huge premium for them. So, when we can get one via timeshare exchange, we are happy to take it. If that's not possible, we'd rather stay at Bonnet than spend what it costs to go DVC as owners or renters.

 

[Beemitchcowski]

I am so excited about our upcoming trip/stay at Bonnet Creek! We plan on grilling out at least once during our trip. Are the grills a far walk/drive from the rooms?

Also..from what I have read on this board about Bonnet Creek...I think the only thing that stops some people from booking this resort/timeshare is because it isn't technically "DISNEY"! If Disney owned it..and it came with their transportation/EMH..and such...people wouldn't give it a second thought!.....BUT...it wouldn't be affordable....so I'm glad Disney doesn't own it!

 

[Beemitchcowski]

Also, we will be checking in after 9pm on a Friday....is that a "bad" time to check in.....in regards to getting a room with a nice view (doesn't have to be fireworks) we just have 2 young kids so I don't want an area that will be really loud at night.

 

[DCTooTall]

Ok *most* of what you posted I can handle but a COCKROACH No way!!!! Is this a common problem at this hotel????

As someone else mentioned, it's more of a general florida thing. Also, Palmetto bugs are quite common in Florida (and they fly), which a lot of people assume are cockroaches due to some similarities.

You'll occasionally spot a bug or two while visiting just about anyplace in Florida. I haven't seen any evidence of a major infestation issue at this resort however.

Another question... are all the towers outdated or are some updated??? Should I *try* requesting a certain tower?

I tend to request a tower more because of it's proximity to certain amenities more than anything else. The 3 oldest towers should be completing their refurbs in the spring (tower 3 is the last one), so I wouldn't worry much about something being "outdated"

I am so excited about our upcoming trip/stay at Bonnet Creek! We plan on grilling out at least once during our trip. Are the grills a far walk/drive from the rooms?

Usually there is a grill location next to each of the towers, so no, it's not far. (beyond the simple act of leaving your room, going down the elevator to leave the building, and then walking to the end of the building to the grill location next to it.)

Also, we will be checking in after 9pm on a Friday....is that a "bad" time to check in.....in regards to getting a room with a nice view (doesn't have to be fireworks) we just have 2 young kids so I don't want an area that will be really loud at night.

In some ways, it'll depend mostly on just how busy the resort is at the time, but in general I tend to prefer checking in later in the evening. The lobby tends to be much more relaxed after the mad rush of people trying to check in at 4.

 

[Chelley00]

Ok *most* of what you posted I can handle but a COCKROACH No way!!!! Is this a common problem at this hotel????

I bet it was a palmetto bug. We had some in our room at the Poly. They are everywhere on Florida.

 

[skjuls]

Also, we will be checking in after 9pm on a Friday....is that a "bad" time to check in.....in regards to getting a room with a nice view (doesn't have to be fireworks) we just have 2 young kids so I don't want an area that will be really loud at night.

I checked in at 7:00 pm last Friday and never requested a room because I really didn't care as I was only going to be there for 3 nights.

Our 2 bedroom was in Tower 3 with a lake view and it ended up being a fireworks view from Epcot as well.

You can always two weeks in advance and put in your requests about noise. And just check again to see what is available when you arrive.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I understand we can't check in until 4PM. However, is it possible to do an early "check-in" (paperwork, etc) like you can at WDW, then leave and come back after 4? We'll be arriving around 10AM...
If it is possible to do a "preliminary check in" earlier in the day (and I'm sure the room won't be ready); is it also possible to leave your luggage? Would we be able to take advantage of the amenities, such as the pool, etc.?
Thanks!

 

[Portugal1000]

I understand we can't check in until 4PM. However, is it possible to do an early "check-in" (paperwork, etc) like you can at WDW, then leave and come back after 4? We'll be arriving around 10AM...
If it is possible to do a "preliminary check in" earlier in the day (and I'm sure the room won't be ready); is it also possible to leave your luggage? Would we be able to take advantage of the amenities, such as the pool, etc.?
Thanks!

Definitely. We have stayed at BC 3 times in last 3 years. We never stay the first night of our trip. We come from UK so we always stay somewhere close by the first night as we arrive late and that way we get to BC about 10am. We have found that by doing this we have success in getting the room we want. We always request main building as we like the hotel feel. On 2 occasions the room hasn't be ready which is fine as we leave our luggage there and go to a water park and then come back after 3. We are there for 3 weeks in August. staying at Universal first 4 nights so will do the same again. I always call 2 weeks before to request room and then 2 days before just to douwble check they have my reservation. Hope this helps.

 

[Portugal1000]

We always stay December and love it. Have 3 weeks in August and just wondering if anyone could comment on what August is like. Guess the pools will be busier but interested in anyones experiences. This is our 9th trip in 7 years to Disney so we tend to relax more now so looking forward to enjoying the resort more.

 

[DCTooTall]

I understand we can't check in until 4PM. However, is it possible to do an early "check-in" (paperwork, etc) like you can at WDW, then leave and come back after 4? We'll be arriving around 10AM...
If it is possible to do a "preliminary check in" earlier in the day (and I'm sure the room won't be ready); is it also possible to leave your luggage? Would we be able to take advantage of the amenities, such as the pool, etc.?
Thanks!

In general, I'd say that an Early Checkin is not offered, at least on the main 3 checkin days. (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). One of the "perks" of a VIP level of Wyndham ownership is the ability to check in earlier than everyone else, so I'd expect some complaints from VIP's if they allowed people to check in earlier. There also isn't a whole lot of paperwork that you are required to fill out when you check in from my experience. I'm usually in and out within 5-10min once I get to a rep. (name, credit card for deposit, number of keys.).

You can however have Bell Services hold your bags if you arrive early, and they usually don't have any issues with you hitting the pools, using the shuttles, and some of the amenities before you check in. I'm not entirely sure how the pool towel checkout process would work without a room number, but if you tell them you are waiting to check in they might have a way they work with it.

 

[Belle5]

If you arrive in Orlando the day before you can check into WBC, where do you stay for the night? Trying to decide where we need to stay...have to get three rooms.

 

[Chelley00]

Are we allowed visitors? My brother, SIL and nephew will be staying insure as part of a conference and we were thinking of having them come for dinner one night.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thank you Portugal1000 and DCTooTall.
The most important thing is to be able to leave the luggage.
Gretchen

 

[DCTooTall]

Are we allowed visitors? My brother, SIL and nephew will be staying insure as part of a conference and we were thinking of having them come for dinner one night.

I've never had any problems having local friends visit me. All you'd need to do is make sure they know which tower you are located in and you can meet them downstairs when they park to get them into the building and walk them to your room.

The biggest issue would be getting thru the front gate, but If they know your name and which tower (and maybe even room to be n the safe side) you are in they shouldn't have much of an issue getting past the gate security....assuming they are even questioned about it. (depending upon the time, i've found that they sometimes leave the gates open during heavy traffic times)

 

[Minniedap]

Our family (5 adults and 3 children) will be staying at WBC for the first time in June and are very excited about it! My oldest granddaughter (12) hates elevators. We will be requesting a lower floor, hopefully no higher than the 3rd floor. Does anyone have a suggestion for a lower location. Sounds like most people want the higher floors so this should be an easy request.

 

[Portugal1000]

Our family (5 adults and 3 children) will be staying at WBC for the first time in June and are very excited about it! My oldest granddaughter (12) hates elevators. We will be requesting a lower floor, hopefully no higher than the 3rd floor. Does anyone have a suggestion for a lower location. Sounds like most people want the higher floors so this should be an easy request.

We hate lifts and being high up also so always request main buidling as no matter where you are you aren't going to be up high and can take the stairs. Last time we were there we had room 303 in main building which had a perfect view of fireworks. Will be requesting again in August but actually don't mind swimming pool view either. Most people seem to want to be high which I will never understand.

 

[Minniedap]

Thank you Portugal100. Everyone here keeps speaking of the towers. I did not know there were any buildings with limited floors. I will also request the main building. I don't really care what the view is. We are usually at the parks until late.

 

[Portugal1000]

Thank you Portugal100. Everyone here keeps speaking of the towers. I did not know there were any buildings with limited floors. I will also request the main building. I don't really care what the view is. We are usually at the parks until late.

We also like main building as it has a hotel feel. You can pop down to lobby and go to the shop. The game rental place is also there and you can grab a coffee. Plus we like the main pool. Never have a problem parking in front of mail building.

 

[Upatnoon]

Also, we will be checking in after 9pm on a Friday....is that a "bad" time to check in.....in regards to getting a room with a nice view (doesn't have to be fireworks) we just have 2 young kids so I don't want an area that will be really loud at night.

I've checked in around the same time and gotten a great room. Unlike checking in at 4 p.m., there will probably be no one else in line and the "parking pass" people may be gone.

Friday is a lighter check-in day than Saturday and Sunday as well.

 

[Beemitchcowski]

I've checked in around the same time and gotten a great room. Unlike checking in at 4 p.m., there will probably be no one else in line and the "parking pass" people may be gone.

Friday is a lighter check-in day than Saturday and Sunday as well.

Thank you!