The we loooooove Bonnet Creek thread part2

[haPevraftr]

Got my quote from Ken. He's a little over $200 more expensive. Since the price difference isn't that much, I'm wondering if I should go w/ him since he seems to have a longer reputation on the board.

I chose to go with Vacation Strategy because of their refund policy. If we have to cancel our plans, I can do that up to 20-50 days prior to arrival and still apply the deposit to a future trip. If I have to cancel after making the full payment (within 20-50 days prior to arrival) , I can apply that payment to a future trip. That soldified my decision because I am comfortable with knowing that if something happens and I need to change plans (under a condition that may not be covered under travel insurance), I am not out the entire amount of my trip. This works for us because we go to Florida every year.

 

[LekiaHall]

I chose to go with Vacation Strategy because of their refund policy. If we have to cancel our plans, I can do that up to 20-50 days prior to arrival and still apply the deposit to a future trip. If I have to cancel after making the full payment (within 20-50 days prior to arrival) , I can apply that payment to a future trip. That soldified my decision because I am comfortable with knowing that if something happens and I need to change plans (under a condition that may not be covered under travel insurance), I am not out the entire amount of my trip. This works for us because we go to Florida every year.

You make a very good point. I did notice VS's great refund policy. I think you've just made the decision for me. Thanks!

 

[::danielle::]

OK, we are tossing around the idea of doing a lower budget trip in May.

Our 2 options are:

-On-site, value resort with dining and non-park-hopping passes
-Off-site, somewhere like Bonnet Creek, obviously without the dining plan and the same park passes.

I have 2 questions:

-Without reading through 75 pages of this thread, what the best way(s) to get a rate and to book at Bonnet Creek?
-Which way is the best value?

If it helps, we are driving, so parking cost may be a factor.

You may want to spend some time researching the 2012 DDP costs. From what I've read on other dis threads, it's no longer a good deal. You will break even at best. You may want to give some thought as to how likely it is that your family will eat breakfast in your room and pack snacks to bring into the park. It could mean a big difference in price between staying on-property and staying at WBC.

Good luck!

 

[Brian Noble]

If you have your own car (and don't have to rent one), offsite is probably going to be cheaper than a Value room, and will definitely be more comfortable. If you were flying in, and would have otherwise needed a car, the Value room is probably less expensive.

 

[nedac]

On DDP, I will check the new rates. I am happy to break even, it's worth not having the hassle. For 2 adult and 2 kids it used to be about 110/day. One sit down meal would cost us that.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

On DDP, I will check the new rates. I am happy to break even, it's worth not having the hassle. For 2 adult and 2 kids it used to be about 110/day. One sit down meal would cost us that.

2012 Disney Dining Plan Brochures Published

I lifted this from another site:

Here are the approximate prices. All prices are per night:

Quick Service Dining Plan: $34.99 per adult, $11.99 per child. This is the same pricing as in 2011, but the Quick Service Dining Plan now includes one snack per night instead of two snacks per night. In effect, that makes this a $4 or so price increase.

Disney Dining Plan: Regular Pricing is $51.54 per adult, $15.02 per child. Holiday/Peak Pricing is $53.54 per adult, $16.02 per child. This represents a $5.50 per night increase for adults and $3 per night for children. Remember that the Disney Dining Plan includes a refillable mug in 2012.

Deluxe Dining Plan: Regular Pricing is $85.52 per adult, $23.79 per child. This is a $6.50 increase for adults and a $1.80 increase per child. Holiday/Peak Pricing is $89.52 per adult and $25.79 per child. This represents a $10.80 per night increase for adults and $3.80 per night for kids.
__________________


We've always done the DDP in the past, too. However, now it's not such an easy choice. I agree that it's convenient - but I'm pretty sure Disney is the one making/saving $$ on the deal...

We'll be staying off-site at BC this year, and I know I won't spend what I used to on the DDP on food this time around. We'll be a group of 8; 7 of whom are "Disney Adults" and 1 child. No comparison...

We'll eat a quick bkfst at home, maybe grab some snacks or whatever for lunch, and eat a nice dinner each nite - even if it means I have to cook on vacation. (Definitely not something I'm looking forward to - but I hear there are grills available, so maybe DH can get in on the act too...) At any rate - this will be far less than the price of the DDP this year. I think the deciding factor was the fact our 9 year old grandson will be 10 - hence the "Disney Adult"... - and we're also bringing along their parents + an adult aunt & uncle this time. So far too many people to even try to accommodate/execute the price, ADR's, etc. And we won't be tied down to the mediocre food often served on the plan. It really pains me say this, because like you, I felt the plan served me well in years past.

Another option that several people have mentioned to me is that of purchasing a prepaid VISA card for dining. I have to admit, that makes quite a bit of sense. It will offer you the convenience of the DDP without being tied down to the plan itself.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip & Happy New Year!

 

[cocoabean1]

I am booked in a 3 bedroom room for May.

I am a VIP owner, there are no Presidential units listed on the Wyndham website. Does this mean that there are no units available, or do I have to call to request this? Does anyone know how many 3 BR Pres. units there are? Are they in all towers, or just certain towers?

 

[Echo queen]

I am booked in a 3 bedroom room for May.

I am a VIP owner, there are no Presidential units listed on the Wyndham website. Does this mean that there are no units available, or do I have to call to request this? Does anyone know how many 3 BR Pres. units there are? Are they in all towers, or just certain towers?

At 90 days out you can check the web site or call to see if there is one available. I was able to book a 2 br pres at the end of May for 5 nights online. At 90 days I will try for a 3 br pres. Not sure of the location of the rooms.

 

[nedac]

2012 Disney Dining Plan Brochures Published

I lifted this from another site:

Here are the approximate prices. All prices are per night:

Quick Service Dining Plan: $34.99 per adult, $11.99 per child. This is the same pricing as in 2011, but the Quick Service Dining Plan now includes one snack per night instead of two snacks per night. In effect, that makes this a $4 or so price increase.

Disney Dining Plan: Regular Pricing is $51.54 per adult, $15.02 per child. Holiday/Peak Pricing is $53.54 per adult, $16.02 per child. This represents a $5.50 per night increase for adults and $3 per night for children. Remember that the Disney Dining Plan includes a refillable mug in 2012.

Deluxe Dining Plan: Regular Pricing is $85.52 per adult, $23.79 per child. This is a $6.50 increase for adults and a $1.80 increase per child. Holiday/Peak Pricing is $89.52 per adult and $25.79 per child. This represents a $10.80 per night increase for adults and $3.80 per night for kids.
__________________


We've always done the DDP in the past, too. However, now it's not such an easy choice. I agree that it's convenient - but I'm pretty sure Disney is the one making/saving $$ on the deal...

We'll be staying off-site at BC this year, and I know I won't spend what I used to on the DDP on food this time around. We'll be a group of 8; 7 of whom are "Disney Adults" and 1 child. No comparison...

We'll eat a quick bkfst at home, maybe grab some snacks or whatever for lunch, and eat a nice dinner each nite - even if it means I have to cook on vacation. (Definitely not something I'm looking forward to - but I hear there are grills available, so maybe DH can get in on the act too...) At any rate - this will be far less than the price of the DDP this year. I think the deciding factor was the fact our 9 year old grandson will be 10 - hence the "Disney Adult"... - and we're also bringing along their parents + an adult aunt & uncle this time. So far too many people to even try to accommodate/execute the price, ADR's, etc. And we won't be tied down to the mediocre food often served on the plan. It really pains me say this, because like you, I felt the plan served me well in years past.

Another option that several people have mentioned to me is that of purchasing a prepaid VISA card for dining. I have to admit, that makes quite a bit of sense. It will offer you the convenience of the DDP without being tied down to the plan itself.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip & Happy New Year!

Thanks for the info.

You are right. I think I am out on the DDP. Too much money at this point.

The price I got for BC from VS is hard to pass up.

One more dumb question regarding parking... $14 per DAY, correct? Meaning I can go and come as I please once paid for the day, right?

 

[linnell]

Yeah, it is $14 per day, no matter how many times you leave the parks.

 

[dizneechic]

One more dumb question regarding parking... $14 per DAY, correct? Meaning I can go and come as I please once paid for the day, right?

Yes. It is also valid for all the parks, so if you pay at MK in the morning make sure you get the receipt and then you can go to another park later that same day and show your slip and be all set.

 

[JessLCH]

Not sure why so many are hung up on the dining plan. We did it once and found it to be a bad value. We've always stayed at DVC and prefer a quick in-room breakfast (cereal, toast, yogurt, fruit, etc.) to get to the parks for rope drop. For lunch we either do counter service or have a light lunch in room, or Chef Mickey's for "brunch" around 11 am once per trip. We always go out to a Disney restaurant for a nice dinner and pay out of pocket. We never cook dinner in room and never dine off property. We found this to be a much better value than the dining plan. We order groceries (breakfast, snack foods, bottles waters, etc.) from Garden Grocer.

This will be our first time staying offsite at Bonnet Creek. The only thing I think I will miss is the Disney transportation (not just to the parks but the Magical Express and being able to check bags at the resort), though maybe once I do it with a rental car I will love it.

 

[Cdn Gal]

I am booked in a 3 bedroom room for May.

I am a VIP owner, there are no Presidential units listed on the Wyndham website. Does this mean that there are no units available, or do I have to call to request this? Does anyone know how many 3 BR Pres. units there are? Are they in all towers, or just certain towers?

I would check to see if Wyndham is renting out any 3 bedroom units for the time that you want to go. Sometimes on the owner log in page there won't be any availability, but on another Wyndham site they will show availability. This happened to us 4 years ago, when we decided to use my godfathers points during March break. Since he was a VIP owner, he was quite upset to think that somebody who hadn't bought into Wyndham could get a room, and he couldn't despite paying all of this money into his timeshare. He called and spoke to people, raised a little you know what, and well needless to say they 'fixed' the problem, and we went on his points during March Break. Now since then we have bought points, but on eBay, resale, so I book way in advance to make sure that we get the units that we want, like a 3 bedroom presidential this March Break!

 

[ge0rgette2]

Happy New Year everyone!!

We are planning to book a hotel over Christmas 2012. We've previously stayed on Disney properties (value and moderates), rented homes and borrowed my Mom's timeshare.
This time around we are looking to go with another 2 families and would like our own space, but still be near each other - so home rentals are out.

We've never stayed at Bonnet Creek - what do you recommend, i'm sure it depends on family size.

Disney prices over Christmas time isn't something I want to spend - rather use it on the parks, dinner and other activities. Even though I love Disney properties, I think something on the outside will work better for us this time around.

How do you find the prices are at BC compared to other hotel chains?

Thanks!
Enjoy the New Year - be safe!

 

[LekiaHall]

Happy New Year everyone!!

We are planning to book a hotel over Christmas 2012. We've previously stayed on Disney properties (value and moderates), rented homes and borrowed my Mom's timeshare.
This time around we are looking to go with another 2 families and would like our own space, but still be near each other - so home rentals are out.

We've never stayed at Bonnet Creek - what do you recommend, i'm sure it depends on family size.

Disney prices over Christmas time isn't something I want to spend - rather use it on the parks, dinner and other activities. Even though I love Disney properties, I think something on the outside will work better for us this time around.

How do you find the prices are at BC compared to other hotel chains?

Thanks!
Enjoy the New Year - be safe!

I've only stayed in timeshares (as a guest of my Dad) the 2 times we've visited Disney, so can't compare hotel prices. This December will be our first Christmas trip and the cost is $1095 for a 2 bedroom deluxe at BC (through Vacation Strategy).

 

[dsmith72]

subscribbing

 

[dsmith72]

Okay, we have decided to stay WBC and I feel like we got a good rate with Vacation Strategy. A couple of questions. It will be me, DH, DS11 and DS9 and we are debating between 1 bdrm and 2 bdrm. What would you do? Is there ever a chance you can book a 1 and get upgraded to a 2? When I break it down by nite, I think $23.80 isn't that much more to spend to get a 2nd bed and bathroom, but then I think $238 is 1 person's ticket to Discovery Cove. We will be there 10 nites and 7 day park tickets to Disney and maybe Discovery Cove and SW so I know we won't be in the room alot but let me know what you guys think?

 

[dizneechic]

Okay, we have decided to stay WBC and I feel like we got a good rate with Vacation Strategy. A couple of questions. It will be me, DH, DS11 and DS9 and we are debating between 1 bdrm and 2 bdrm. What would you do? Is there ever a chance you can book a 1 and get upgraded to a 2? When I break it down by nite, I think $23.80 isn't that much more to spend to get a 2nd bed and bathroom, but then I think $238 is 1 person's ticket to Discovery Cove. We will be there 10 nites and 7 day park tickets to Disney and maybe Discovery Cove and SW so I know we won't be in the room alot but let me know what you guys think?

If it were us we would absolutely do a 2 BR, just so kids have their own space and us ours. There are 5 in our family and were doing a 3 BR, having our own personal space on a vacation is a huge sanity saver.

Secondly I would look into Disney YES programs and put one of your kids in one while your there and then purchase the 7 day tickets through them, heck or even 10 days for a few $ more. The programs only take 3 hours (usually end by 11 am), are an amazing experience, and save you almost 1/2 the cost on your tickets. We got 5 7 day hoppers w/ water parks and quest for just over 1k where it would have cost us almost 1900 (saved $888). For the 3 hours time (and experience) its SO worth looking into if there is one running while your there.
http://www.disneyyouth.com/individual-enrollment/
Then use the money saved and consider the other parks.

 

[dsmith72]

Thanks for your input! I wish we could do the Disney YES program but there are none for when we are there-do you know if they add more very often?

 

[dizneechic]

It depends on when your going, if your looking for dates during the months already on there then they wont be adding any more. If your looking for dates past the time frame currently posted (after Feb 2012 for WDW) then keep your eyes open. They posted the Jan/Feb programs in early November. I know I stalked the website for a few months waiting for them to post, it seems they do them 2-3 months out. The classes during peak times fill quickly, so again depending on when your going if your interested in the class (& savings ) just keep checking.