The we loooooove Bonnet Creek thread part2

[JessB320]

Thanks so much both of you....since we are there for 2 weeks I don't want to risk it, but it seems we can get the free parking if we park outside and listen to the talk...I live in the northwest..never been to FL..is there an advantage to parking underground?

I'm confused, are you staying at the time share or in the hotel?

 

[Megatalker]

The hotel, but if I can avoid paying for parking I would like to.

 

[JessB320]

The hotel, but if I can avoid paying for parking I would like to.

Ok I understand now it's a bummer, but if you stay at the hotel you have to pay for parking, if you stay at the timeshare resort you receive a parking pass and don't pay for parking. To get the parking pass you have to go check in at the time share resort which is in a completely separate building and they wouldn't have you in the system since you are staying at the hotel. Parking on the surface lots meant for the timeshare would put you at the same risk as if you parked anywhere that required payment but you didn't pay.

 

[carlbarry]

Thanks so much both of you....since we are there for 2 weeks I don't want to risk it, but it seems we can get the free parking if we park outside and listen to the talk...I live in the northwest..never been to FL..is there an advantage to parking underground?

1. Thje parking is in an above-ground multi-level garage. If you're staying at the hotel, you'd enter the curved driveway that goes from street, to garage, hotel entrance, and back to the street.
2. If they offer you 2 weeks free parking in exchange for taking the presentation, you will certainly save a bundle. However, just realize it will be at least 2 hours of being banged over the head, and PLEASE do NOT buy directly from Wyndham. In fact, before you go, I urge you to take a look at prices on ebay to fortify yourself against their sales pitch of buying from them directly at an added cost of $15,000 over ebay prices!

 

[Senator Tressel]

What are the benefits of staying at the hotel? It's more expensive, less space, you have to pay a resort fee and parking. Who is the target market here and how are they getting people to pay it? I don't understand at all.

 

[carlbarry]

What are the benefits of staying at the hotel? It's more expensive, less space, you have to pay a resort fee and parking. Who is the target market here and how are they getting people to pay it? I don't understand at all.

VERY good question. I don't get it either. I stayed there last December, and I've stayed at Bonnet Creek. The room wasn't very big, there was no balcony or even window that could be opened (although some units do have that), not even a microwave oven, and a small micro-fridge that barely kept cool even when I pulled it out and turned down the thermostat on the back. The only up-side was bathrobes and daily maid service. I didn't even use the pool, as the Bonnet Creek pools were much nicer. And I had to walk over there to get a newspaper anyway.
Oh, the towels are plusher, as are the towels at the pool.
But I would NEVER stay there instead of Bonnet Creek, given a choice.
And I've seen reviews on tripadvisor where people praise the fact that their kid's bed was in a small alcove with its own small TV! I had to wonder if they've seen a 1 bedroom at Bonnet Creek?

 

[Senator Tressel]

There's no way anyone who knows anything about the time share buildings could possibly be satisfied staying at the Grand. It's a complete ripoff. "So you're telling me this family has a 1200 square foot, two bedroom apartment with full kitchen and I'm in a hotel room in the same complex for twice the price? And they get free parking and I have to pay $17 per day?"

 

[carlbarry]

There's no way anyone who knows anything about the time share buildings could possibly be satisfied staying at the Grand. It's a complete ripoff. "So you're telling me this family has a 1200 square foot, two bedroom apartment with full kitchen and I'm in a hotel room in the same complex for twice the price? And they get free parking and I have to pay $17 per day?"

Some people on tripadvisor praised the valet parking. And maybe they really, really like daily maid service.
But me, I still don't get it.

 

[Upatnoon]

What are the benefits of staying at the hotel? It's more expensive, less space, you have to pay a resort fee and parking. Who is the target market here and how are they getting people to pay it? I don't understand at all.

The hotel is not completing with the timeshare, its competing with other hotels, like the Hilton Bonnet Creek and the Waldorf Astoria next door.

It's also competing with deluxe Disney hotels, like the Poly.

So the real question you should be asking is "do I spend $450 for a night in the Poly or $200 for a night at the Wyndham Grand?"

 

[DCTooTall]

What are the benefits of staying at the hotel? It's more expensive, less space, you have to pay a resort fee and parking. Who is the target market here and how are they getting people to pay it? I don't understand at all.

There is a convention center attached (I believe), So I'd assume part of the target market is convention business.

There's also the fact that the timeshare side is a Timeshare, so it's not available thru "traditional" hotel room markets. (The rack rate you'll find thru Wyndham directly is 2-3 times the owner rental market). For people using TA's or more traditional trip planning methods, the Hotel does have some nice perks (thanks largely to the timeshare).

From my understanding, Wyndham Grand's are one of the more upscale hotel brands within the Wyndham family, so they obviously aren't going for the inexpensive family market.

Either way.... I don't really care. The hotel brought with it several very nice amenities to the property that work/are cost effictive/ under a Hotel, but wouldn't have a chance of success if tied directly to a timeshare resort. I'm refering specifically to the multiple restaurants within the hotel and the Spa.


(You gotta remember, the typical DIS user is MUCH better informed when it comes to all things Disney and Central Florida trip planning wise than the Non-DIS user)

 

[Upatnoon]

Is it worth an extra $100/$200 to stay in a presidential room for 1 week? We are looking at either a 3 bedroom or a 4 bedroom for our stay next year?

All the 4 bedrooms are presidentials, so there is no decision there.

As for the 3 bedrooms, I would not pay much extra for presidential, but they are nice. You would also be guaranteed to be in Tower 6, the newest tower. I

It would not be a priority for me, just a nice bonus. If that extra money means you will have to sacrifice something else in your vacation, I wouldn't do it.

 

[DCTooTall]

The hotel is not completing with the timeshare, its competing with other hotels, like the Hilton Bonnet Creek and the Waldorf Astoria next door.

It's also competing with deluxe Disney hotels, like the Poly.

So the real question you should be asking is "do I spend $450 for a night in the Poly or $200 for a night at the Wyndham Grand?"

Honestly, With the Wyndham Grand, Waldorf, and soon, the Four Seasons, all open or opening 'On Disney Property', I'm seriously wondering how the Deluxe's are going to maintain their current occupancy levels.

I see only a few options. 1. Disney will actually have to start offering actual Deluxe level hotels on site that are comperable in service and offerings as the Deluxe level hotels 'onsite' that AREN'T Disney [not likely to happen], 2. They'll have to continue offering Promo's which make the uninformed think they are getting a great deal [sort of like 'Free Dining'], or 3. Disney will have to start offering special perks elsewhere on property to Deluxe hotel level onsite guests above and beyond what they offer to Moderate and Value level guests to drive people to upgrade from the Mod's to Deluxes [Which will undoubtedly further screw over the locals and off-site guests, and possibly piss off more on-site guests due to the new obvious class system]

 

[Megatalker]

Thanks everyone for their advice. I wish I had seen this Forum before we booked. We did look at both options, but we are only paying $115/night for the king/bunk bed suite..our second option was a property off site completely. For us we didn't see a price advantage for the timeshare at the time when we booked....

Not knowing anyone having gone to WDW before it is tough..for everything else, I'm consulting this forum first...you guys are an amazing help!

& I will pay for the parking

 

[DrMomof3]

Thanks for the advice!
I'm not super worried about noise but I thought it was worth asking about preferred rooms.
We're getting very excited!

Amanda

 

[eeyorepixie]

O.K. this is our first time driving from Bonnet Creek, we are taking a GPS but I like to print out directions. I have also heard that Caribean Beach Resort is right next to WBC...so if I use this link and put in Caribean Beach Resort as the start point will it work or is CBC not next to it in the way that it matters for driving?
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tran...Beach+Resort&end=Animal+Kingdom&submit=Submit

 

[Colleen27]

There's no way anyone who knows anything about the time share buildings could possibly be satisfied staying at the Grand. It's a complete ripoff. "So you're telling me this family has a 1200 square foot, two bedroom apartment with full kitchen and I'm in a hotel room in the same complex for twice the price? And they get free parking and I have to pay $17 per day?"

It is no different from Disney offering the Beach Club at $400/night while you could rent points for a BCV studio for much less. Not everyone is interested in the timeshare experience (esp in a place like Bonnet Creek where you have to actively dodge the sales pitch), not everyone is aware of renting points (if you book through Wyndham, the Grand is considerably cheaper than the timeshares) and not everyone is comfortable renting points.

The Grand isn't there to compete with the timeshare units; it is there to compete with the Swan/Dolphin, Hilton, Waldorf-Astoria, and Disney's deluxes. From what I've seen it should do well on those counts, because by sharing a location with the timeshare property it is able to offer recreational amenities far beyond what you'd expect for the size of the hotel and the price-point.

 

[carlbarry]

O.K. this is our first time driving from Bonnet Creek, we are taking a GPS but I like to print out directions. I have also heard that Caribean Beach Resort is right next to WBC...so if I use this link and put in Caribean Beach Resort as the start point will it work or is CBC not next to it in the way that it matters for driving?
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tran...Beach+Resort&end=Animal+Kingdom&submit=Submit

I'm not quite sure what you're trying to do. If you're traveling east to west on Buena Vista Drive (the road that goes in front of Downtown Disney), the exit to Bonnet Creek--Chelonia Pkwy--is one left turn before the turn to the Caribbean Beach turn. And then, of course, if you're going west to east, Caribbean Beach is one right turn exit before Chelonia Pkwy. Either way, if the GPS brings you to Caribbean Beach, you shouldn't have a problem finding Bonnet Creek.

 

[DCTooTall]

O.K. this is our first time driving from Bonnet Creek, we are taking a GPS but I like to print out directions. I have also heard that Caribean Beach Resort is right next to WBC...so if I use this link and put in Caribean Beach Resort as the start point will it work or is CBC not next to it in the way that it matters for driving?
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tran...Beach+Resort&end=Animal+Kingdom&submit=Submit

As Carl mentions, The Chelonia Parkway light is the one next to the CBR Light. In reality, It's INCREDIBLY easy to get from the resort to the parks. You would turn right out of the resort to get to East Buena Vista Blvd. From there:

EPCOT: Make a right, and then a left at the light under the bridge. At the next light (I believe), you'll make another left to merge onto EPCOT Center Drive. Stay Right and you'll be taken to the parking area.

MK: Make a right, and then a left at the light under the bridge. At the next light (I believe), you'll make another left to merge onto EPCOT Center Drive. Move to the left and take the left "exit" when the right lanes turn off of the loop back into EPCOT. Then exit right after the EPCOT exit traffic lane merges to head north on World Center Drive towards the MK parking.

MGM: Make a Left. You'll go thru several lights, and then make a Left into the back entrance of MGM. (The primary exit of the park. You'll see the Boardwalk HESS station on your right at the intersection.

AK: Make a Left. Follow the road all the way down past Blizzard Beach. Make a Right when you see the sign for the AK to head to the AK Parking area.

DTD: Right. Go under the bridge. DTD will be on your left.



As you can see... VERY simple to get pretty much anyplace on property. The WDW Signage is also very good, So it's very easy to follow the signs to get where you are going.

 

[Bell2825]

How are the restaurants at WBC? Are they kid friendly or less expensive then the choices on the Disney property?

 

[DCTooTall]

How are the restaurants at WBC? Are they kid friendly or less expensive then the choices on the Disney property?

The options are somewhat limited, but since the hotel opened there are a few more options. As for being Kid Friendly, I think in some way's it'd depend upon your definition of kid friendly is, and how picky your kids are.

In the Timeshare side, there is a small sandwich shop located by the Main pool. There is a Pool bar at Tower 4's pool that sells sandwiches, wraps, and other bar-fare. And the Pool Bar at Tower 3/4 is home to the Sub and Pizza place that you can also order "room service" from.

At the Hotel, There is a Starbucks/Pastry/Icecream spot in the lobby. An Upscale Seafood restaurant, a pool Bar [Krispy Kreme Burger... yum... ], and then another more casual sit-down restaurant that I believe may house a breakfast buffet.


Menu wise, It's been awhile since I've been down there, so unfortunately I don't remember exact menus at the hotel side restaurants. I also didn't eat at any of them to be able to tell you the family friendly experience.... But, I do know that several people here have given reports of eating at them so they may be able to chime in on their opinions.

Does this help any?