Newbie here, looking to book October 2013. We are a family of 4, our kids will be almost 5 and almost 3 when we go. Originally I was thinking AoA or one of the other values but after reading so much on here about this resort, I think I may be sold on Bonnet Creek. Just a few questions....for the shuttle service, does it bring you to and from all disney parks? We weren't planning on renting a car but how will we get from the airport to the resort without one..is their a shuttle or taxi?
Thinking about renting a double stroller, can we rent one from the resort?
I'm assuming we can't get a dining plan at this resort, do most people cook while staying here and if not, where do you eat? restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner on site?
My parents are also coming with us so there will be 6 of us. Is there laundry in all the rooms?
Thanks in advance!
i've noticed you've already received a few replies with good infomation, so I'll just leave a couple comments/suggestions:
The resort itself does not rent strollers, but there are a TON of stroller rental companies in the area who will deliver to the resort prior to your arrival and then pick up after your departure. I've never had to rent one so I can't give you any specifics on the various companies or pricing, but I'm sure a google search for Orlando Stroller Rental would give you some options, as well as checking out the Disney for Families forum here on the DIS which is likely to have a lot of people more familiar with the different companies and their pricing/policies.
As others have mentioned, the Resort does not have an airport shuttle, so your airport options would be either rent a car or a taxi/towncar service. Some towncar services will include a stop at a grocery store on your way to the resort to allow you to shop for supplies/food. Depending upon your needs, one option I've heard some people mention before would be to rent a car from the airport to get to the resort as well as to run a few errands upon arrival, and then returning it the next day to the Car Care center or one of the on-site Disney rental desks where they can then hook into Disney Transportation to get around. (Besides the National desks at the Car Care Center and Swalphin, I think I've heard that
Avis has a location on Hotel Row by DTD)
The Resort shuttle is a scheduled shuttle service. They'll give you a copy of the shuttle schedule when you check in so that you can know the details of pick-up and drop offs. Historically the shuttle runs regularly in the morning and evening with an afternoon break. Since this is a non-Disney Transportation shuttle, it will drop you off at the Off-site bus Dropoff areas at the parks. While this is often not that far from your usual Disney bus stalls, for the MK this means you'll be dropped off and picked up at the TTC and then have to take the Ferry or Monorail over to the park.
Depending on your budget and how much you are saving, You might find that renting a car and driving to the parks would be an option for you with what you save from staying onsite. Parking is (currently) $14/day at Disney, but if you have an AP you can get free parking at the parks. [Could be worth it for the free parking, other discounts, and even TiW membership options].
Wyndham Bonnet Creek is considered offsite, so you aren't able to partake in onsite extras like the
DDP or EMH. Honestly, with recent price increases to the DDP, you may find you could save money and enjoy your trip more with the freedom you'd get in being able to eat whatever and whenever you want. an AP or Tables in Wonderland card will also provide some nice discounts on Table Service dining options at the resort (w/ the TiW, that includes "adult beverages"). If you are someone who likes the idea that your dining is already pre-paid so you don't have to worry about it, one option I've seen suggested is to simply put the money on a Gift Card you can use for your meals.
I need help!!! My girls really want to do Harry Potter at Universal but I am a die hard Disney fan. We ALWAYS stay onsite at Disney. My youngest daughter is 7 and I don't know how she will feel about Universal. I am thinking that if we go to Universal we should stay onsite for a night or two to get the perks. My decision is do I just spend a full week at Royal Pacific or do I spend 2 nights at RP and then move to BC for the rest of the week? We always hate to move and part of me is saying just do a Universal trip but I know I will be tortured geing that close to Disney and not going.
Honestly, I'd just do a single night or 2 at the Universal onsite hotel and spend the rest of your time at WBC. With a night at the universal onsite hotel you get 2 days of front-of-the-line access (check in day and check out day). Technically, you don't even need to use the room, so I've seen people mention they've used the onsite place just for the room perks while staying offsite due to the extra room they get at their primary resort/hotel. Also, depending upon the time of year, you could be able to get away without the front-of-the-line access at the Universal parks and still see everything.
AEROKU, thanks for the reply back. That is very convenient about the stroller rental, good news. Do most people while staying here rent a car? Do the shuttles to the parks run pretty frequently? I've read on here that some people order groceries and have them delivered to the resort, can it be done here? What grocer does this?
Rosebud, I am so excited looking at your pictures. Looks like your family had a great time and its made me even more excited to go. Thanks for sharing!
If we rented a car, do you have to pay to have it sit at the resort each day? If we chose to just take the shuttle to the parks and then occasionally use the car for dinner somewhere or breakfast.
If you stay at the Bonnet Creek Timeshare resort, there is no daily parking fee. the Wyndham Grand Hotel however does charge a daily parking fee. Even if you rent a car and use the shuttles to the parks instead of driving, You'll probably find having a car available is nice for those days you want to go off-site to eat, or even if you want to head over to Downtown Disney (free parking) or one of the Disney Water Parks (Also free parking) which can be a bit of an adventure if you are relying on the Wyndham Shuttle to connect you to the Disney Transportation system.
We did it!!! Booked with Ken Price for 10 nights at Bonnet Creek!!! So excited!!! Now to figure out which tower!
DD7 has allergies and asthma...need a nonsmoking no pet building. When do I take care of those requests? And is it with Wyndham?
I believe the entire resort is pet-free (No animals allowed except for Service animals), and the entire resort does not allow smoking within the rooms. you are allowed to smoke on the Balconies however. Generally, i'd say that no matter where you stay at the resort you should be fine. Because of the building layouts, there is generally a good amount of space between you and your neighbors balconies, and the space plus Florida breeze's do a good job at dissipating any cigarette smoke from smokers on nearby balconies. Unless your DD's allergies/Asthma is REALLY bad, you likely won't have any issues. If she is really sensitive however, You could request a room at the end of a hallway to lower the chances of being placed next to a smoker.
