The we loooooove Bonnet Creek thread part2

[Belle5]

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).

Good advice...thanks!

 

[Bonniec]

I got mine through eBay when the others were booked. Keep in mind, eBay is risky. Even with good feedback, my seller took 2 weeks with the confirmation number and I was sweating the whole time lol

My advice...wait and see what eBay turns up. You can likely find a normal 2 bedroom cheaper closer to the date. If a pres doesn't come up, you can always get one of those.

 

[scubamouse]

We had a fabulous stay at BC in August 2010. I have a few questions in anticipation of a summer trip this year.

• has it gotten more difficult to get reservations as a result of this and the other thread?
• We stayed in building 6 and LOVED it, is that a very popular building with the slide? I think we stayed there the first week the pool was open
• There was a tower under construction next to 6 when we were there? Has that been finished and if so, what is it?
• We had a great experience with Ken Price. I just want to confirm that he's as fabulous as he ever was.
• We'd look to get a 2 bedroom. Is that still a fairly easy request to accomodate?
• I thought I read that you can no longer get free extra laundry/dishwasher soap and shampoos. Is that true and if so, what's the charge?

Thanks!

 

[DCTooTall]

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?

I wouldn't be surprised that the 4bdrm Presidentials would be booked. There are not a whole lot of 4bdrm Presidential units available at the resort, so they can fill up fast during popular times such as holidays. I don't know the actual unit counts, but I'd almost be willing to place money on the 4bdrm Presidentials being the unit size/type with the smaller number of units at the resort.

We had a fabulous stay at BC in August 2010. I have a few questions in anticipation of a summer trip this year.

• has it gotten more difficult to get reservations as a result of this and the other thread?
• We stayed in building 6 and LOVED it, is that a very popular building with the slide? I think we stayed there the first week the pool was open
• There was a tower under construction next to 6 when we were there? Has that been finished and if so, what is it?
• We had a great experience with Ken Price. I just want to confirm that he's as fabulous as he ever was.
• We'd look to get a 2 bedroom. Is that still a fairly easy request to accomodate?
• I thought I read that you can no longer get free extra laundry/dishwasher soap and shampoos. Is that true and if so, what's the charge?

Thanks!

1. Can't really speak to how difficult it is. It's definately become more popular over the years as people have discovered it, but that tends to happen with anything good.

2. Tower 6 can be popular because it's the newest, has it's own lobby, and of course the slide. It's also the tower with all the 2 and 3bdrm presidential units in it. I think in general that entire side of the resort ( 4, 5, and 6) tends to be more popular because it's newer, and tends to have more "theming" and ameneties with the multiple pools, slide, and lazy river.

3. The tower next to 6 that was under construction is now completed and open. It is actually not part of the timeshare resort, but is the Wyndham Grand Hotel. For people staying at the Timeshare Resort, The nicest thing about the hotel is that there are now several more dining options available within the resort as part of the Hotel. there is also a Spa contained within the Hotel.

4. Owner... so I can't speak about Ken Price....

5. 2bdrm units are still the unit type/size making up the largest percentage of the resort inventory. As a result, it is still easiest to find availability with the standard 2bdrm Deluxe units vs. the other size/type combinations.

6. I've heard people say they've gotten the extra laundry packets delivered, and people say they were charged for them.... so i don't know if there has been a full scale switch in operational procedures or not. I Do know that official policy has pretty much always been that you can't get extras, but it's obvious that policy hasn't really been enforced in the past.

 

[kvnchapman]

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?

Who all did you request prices/availability from? The Prices? Farrell? Vacation Strategy? Utopia? Sun and Snow (Ski, can't remember)
good luck!

 

[MommyPoppins]

Question about the new hotel...are guests at the Wyndham Hotel allowed to use any of the pools around the timeshare resort?

 

[carlbarry]

Question about the new hotel...are guests at the Wyndham Hotel allowed to use any of the pools around the timeshare resort?

Yes! I was at the Grand Dec. 1-3. I used all the pools. No problems, no questions. And you'll definitely want to use the other pools. The Grand has a nice "hotel" style pool, nothing special. So if you want a lazy river or a water slide, you need the "timeshare" pools.

 

[MommyPoppins]

Yes! I was at the Grand Dec. 1-3. I used all the pools. No problems, no questions. And you'll definitely want to use the other pools. The Grand has a nice "hotel" style pool, nothing special. So if you want a lazy river or a water slide, you need the "timeshare" pools.

I gotta say, that's kind of a bummer to me. It's going to make those pools closest to that hotel soo much busier. ick.

 

[DCTooTall]

I gotta say, that's kind of a bummer to me. It's going to make those pools closest to that hotel soo much busier. ick.

I dunno. The Wyndham Grand isn't exactly cheap, so i don't know how many families will be going to stay there instead of someplace onsite, the timeshare units, or somewhere else offsite. With the hotel vibe, the convention center, the spa, and the cost, I honestly expect more adults/couples to stay at the hotel than families with younger kids.

The hotel pool at the Grand is still very nice, and the pool bar/restaurant is also very nice and relaxed. (and has more space around it than the pool bars at either of the timeshare pools).

As such, I'd almost expect the hotel pool area to be a more "mature" pool during the day without as many kids around. The Slides and Lazy rivers at the timeshare pools nearby might be nice novelties, but I don't expect them to draw a lot of child-less adults.... So ultimately, I'm not sure if you'd see a dramatic increase in the crowds at the nearby timeshare pools or not.




A quick comparison... I just looked at the Wyndham Grand's website. A standard 2 bed hotel room runs about $174/night right now for their best rate. Compare that to the going rate for a 2bdrm unit at the timeshare of around $100/night.

 

[MommyPoppins]

I dunno. The Wyndham Grand isn't exactly cheap, so i don't know how many families will be going to stay there instead of someplace onsite, the timeshare units, or somewhere else offsite. With the hotel vibe, the convention center, the spa, and the cost, I honestly expect more adults/couples to stay at the hotel than families with younger kids.

The hotel pool at the Grand is still very nice, and the pool bar/restaurant is also very nice and relaxed. (and has more space around it than the pool bars at either of the timeshare pools).

As such, I'd almost expect the hotel pool area to be a more "mature" pool during the day without as many kids around. The Slides and Lazy rivers at the timeshare pools nearby might be nice novelties, but I don't expect them to draw a lot of child-less adults.... So ultimately, I'm not sure if you'd see a dramatic increase in the crowds at the nearby timeshare pools or not.

I hope you are right about that. The thing we love most about Bonnet Creek(over Disney) is that the pools aren't elbow to elbow people. It's not easy to keep track of 6 kids in a crowded pool. lol.

 

[Belle5]

I wouldn't be surprised that the 4bdrm Presidentials would be booked. There are not a whole lot of 4bdrm Presidential units available at the resort, so they can fill up fast during popular times such as holidays. I don't know the actual unit counts, but I'd almost be willing to place money on the 4bdrm Presidentials being the unit size/type with the smaller number of units at the resort.

Are all four bedroom units presidential? Personally, I wouldn't mind deluxe at all. It's the space I am needing...

 

[Janet Hill]

Are all four bedroom units presidential? Personally, I wouldn't mind deluxe at all. It's the space I am needing...

All 4BR are presdential

 

[haPevraftr]

For 12/28/2012-1/6/13, it will be me, DH, DD9 & DD6 (at the time of travel), my mom & dad, DB & DSIL. We have booked a 3 bdrm presidential through Vacation Strategy. I am a planner and since it involved so many people , I chose to secure a great rate in advance to be sure we got what we wanted. I went with Vacation Strategy because they have the most flexible refund policy and if something should happen to change our plans, I liked the idea that I could apply my deposit to a future vacation. Being that we are traveling during the holiday, I could estimate the costs of staying onsite since there would be no discounts over NYE and we are saving so much money by staying at WBC rather than onsite. We may have gotten a cheaper rate at WBC by waiting, but I wasn't willing to risk the chance that there wouldn't be any 3 bdrm presidentials available. I love the idea of WBC because we will still be so close to all of the action!

For anyone staying there between Christmas and the first week of January: When you return, could you post some of the activities going on at the resort at that time? We will be spending time at the resort and would like to know what they have planned for the kids during that time of year.

TIA!

 

[JessLCH]

We just booked 2 two bedroom Presidentials via Vacation Strategy for next Thanksgiving. Couldn't get over the amazing price. In the past we've always stayed onsite at a DVC property enter through an owner. Looking forward to seeing how they compare. We stayed at Saratoga Springs this Thanksgiving. While we had a great stay overall, we found the rooms to be musty and mildewy and we even switched rooms because of it. Specifically wanted the presidentials at WBC since they look newer and more updated. Even booked a great car rental rate already!

the things I think we will miss versus DVC will be the trash and towel service (We usually pay for an extra couple during our stay) and the Disney transportation. Who knows, maybe we will prefer driving?!

 

[Bonniec]

They do have a shuttle I think.

Speaking of towel service, does anyone know what Bonnet charges for maid service?

 

[haPevraftr]

We just booked 2 two bedroom Presidentials via Vacation Strategy for next Thanksgiving. Couldn't get over the amazing price. In the past we've always stayed onsite at a DVC property enter through an owner. Looking forward to seeing how they compare. We stayed at Saratoga Springs this Thanksgiving. While we had a great stay overall, we found the rooms to be musty and mildewy and we even switched rooms because of it. Specifically wanted the presidentials at WBC since they look newer and more updated. Even booked a great car rental rate already!

the things I think we will miss versus DVC will be the trash and towel service (We usually pay for an extra couple during our stay) and the Disney transportation. Who knows, maybe we will prefer driving?!

We have alwys driven so we have rarely been dependent on Disney transportation. For us, it will be getting used to not having morning EMH. We typically stay onsite and do rope drop on EMH mornings and can get a great deal done before anyone else gets there. Hopefully, we will not feel that we are at too much of a disadvatage by staying off-site (We are staying off=site this spring for part of our trip, but we are doing the parks during the on-site portion). When we are at WBC, we will have APs so that will allow us to park hop which is another thing we aren't used to, but DD will be 9 by then and DS will be 6 so I think we will be more likely to park hop.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I'm so with you guys on this...

We've gotten used to Magical Express and NO car. Maybe this will be an improvement. Last time we drove was in the late 70's or early 80's - and it took us forever to get out of the parking lots at closing - not to mention the traffic "home"!. Seems like BC should be OK, tho... And it will be nice not having to wait for the bus, I hope.

We'll also miss EMH! Will just make sure to be there at Rope Drop and see how we do.

Looking forward to the extra room. We've rented a 1 Bdrm Villa via points the last few times we've stayed. Nice, but way more expensive (and less room) than BC.

Finally we'll miss the dining plan. Yes, I know - overkill. But it was nice letting the grandchildren order anything they wanted off the menu. The last time we bought the DxDDP - and the kids asked their mother when they got home why dinner didn't consist of "Appetizer, Entree, and Dessert"! Looking forward to trying some off-site places this time. Anybody want to recommend some favorites?

We're looking forward to trying something new and hopefully it will work out great. If not, there's always "next time"... LOL!

 

[haPevraftr]

I'm so with you fuys on this...

We've gotten used to Magical Express and NO car. Maybe this will be an improvement. Last time we drove was in the late 70's or early 80's - and it took us forever to get out of the parking lots at closing - not to mention the traffic "home"!. Seems like BC should be OK, tho...

We'll also miss EMH! Will just make sure to be there at Rope Drop and see how we do.

Looking forward to the extra room. We've rented a 1 Bdrm Villa via points the last few times we've stayed. Nice, but way more expensive than BC.

We're looking forward to trying something new and hopefully it will work out great. If not, there's always "next time"... LOL!

I have only stayed in a Dieluxe Villa once (back when my parents were paying ) and I was in college. We were never at the resort and it was freezing so we never used any of the amenities at OKW. I am really excited about giving my kids the opportunity to do the fun stuff at the WBC, as well. We will be at WBC for 9 nights and know that we will do parks in the AM and maybe some evenings, but will spend time at the resort and get to enjoy it. When we have stayed at Values or Mods in the past, I feel like I always missed the organized activities (maybe there just weren't very many...)

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

W're both in for a treat, I hope!

 

[linnell]

I'm so with you guys on this...

We've gotten used to Magical Express and NO car. Maybe this will be an improvement. Last time we drove was in the late 70's or early 80's - and it took us forever to get out of the parking lots at closing - not to mention the traffic "home"!. Seems like BC should be OK, tho... And it will be nice not having to wait for the bus, I hope.

We'll also miss EMH! Will just make sure to be there at Rope Drop and see how we do.

Looking forward to the extra room. We've rented a 1 Bdrm Villa via points the last few times we've stayed. Nice, but way more expensive (and less room) than BC.

Finally we'll miss the dining plan. Yes, I know - overkill. But it was nice letting the grandchildren order anything they wanted off the menu. The last time we bought the DxDDP - and the kids asked their mother when they got home why dinner didn't consist of "Appetizer, Entree, and Dessert"! Looking forward to trying some off-site places this time. Anybody want to recommend some favorites?

We're looking forward to trying something new and hopefully it will work out great. If not, there's always "next time"... LOL!

Just be sure to know what parks have morning EMH and skip those and be at rope drop with everyone else. You will find you still have an empty park for an hour or so.

As far as not having the dining plan goes, why not put the money you would spend on the dining plan on a Visa gift card and then you have already prepaid for your meals, just like you would have at Disney. Tell the kids they can order what they want, it will have already been "paid" for. It is basically the same thing, but you don't have to work within Disney's limits and if there is extra at the end, you get to keep your money!

I loved our week at WBC. Every night I sat on my balcony and watched Illuminations. My kids loved the pools. Having the extra space was invaluable. You will have a great time.