The we loooooove Bonnet Creek thread! (pics and reviews)

[amyy]

Do we have to pay extra for parking if you don't go through the time share pitch? thanks

 

[TotoToo]

Do we have to pay extra for parking if you don't go through the time share pitch? thanks

No. Parking at the resort is free. They simply use the get your parking pass system to corner you & get you to sign up for an "update" which of course is a pure sales pitch. Then later, when if you attend and say "I don't want a timeshare or your overpriced retail points" will blame YOU ("Why are you wasting my time if you weren't interested?", etc). Best to avoid them or be certain to say NO and get out once the 90 minutes are done. Remember too that the miserable "food" they are offering as breakfast isn't counted as time. If you eat they are "off the clock" so turn down the slop and tell them to get a move on with the "update". Otherwise they will keep you around for hours. And f course you have no obligation to attend at all f you are there on points, a trade or rental. Only if you got a special price for attending are you obligated to attend and hen can say NO (and you should). NEVER buy Wyndham points retail as they are 95% overpriced vs resale. Yes, 95% of your purchase cost at retail is lost on the day your rescind rights end. Don't ever make that mistake.

 

[rak5701]

Just curious, has anyone purcharsed their timeshare (not just a week rental, but and annual contract) from ebay? I was checking them out the other day and they seem so inexpensive, that I thought it couldn't be right.

We did in August 2010 and it is GREAT!!!! I had several coworkers who had bought on Ebay so I jumped on the band wagon. BEST DECISION EVER!!! We got 210,000 points for $800.00...that included closing costs and everything. We used our points for the first time in November at BC (we own in Vegas). We had a 3BR in the new tower 6...and we somehow got upgraded to a Presidential and only paid 135,000 points. When we attended the "sales pitch" for $100 Amex gift card, the guy tried to sell us points thru Wyndham. When I quickly told him we bought resale and for how much it almost shut him up. He tried to tell me that I would never get to reserve in Tower 6 again because it is only for owners directly through Wyndham....not true! I just booked a Pres. Reserve in Tower 6 for May. He told me I was not eligible for free upgrades and I told him we were upgraded for our current stay. He tried to tell me it was their way of Marketing to people to get them to buy through Wyndham...didn't work. He also tried to tell me we were not eligible to book in the 60 and 30 day discount point windows...again not true because I had done it for our current trip. Resale is the way to go!!!!

We bought through LAMAN34 on Ebay...you can search for the store under this name. Very professionla and honest!

 

[rogers803]

I'm renting a 2bedroom from Ken.What building should I request if I really would like to watch fireworks at nite?

 

[Brian Noble]

Just curious, has anyone purcharsed their timeshare (not just a week rental, but and annual contract) from ebay? I was checking them out the other day and they seem so inexpensive, that I thought it couldn't be right.

I bought my Wyndham points from a reseller, but two others on ebay. Yes, it is right. There are many more people trying to sell their timeshares than there are buyers, so only *the* most desirable intervals have any value at all.

 

[garmich]

Can someone tell me when High Season and Prime Season occurs at BC. Does the check-in day have to be a Friday, Sat., or Sunday during these times?
Thanks

The Prime seasons at BC in 2011 are during weeks:
#7-14 (check-in on Feb 12, 2011 thru Apr 8, 2011)
#23-33 (check-in on June 4, 2011 thru Aug 19, 2011)
#51-52 (check-in on Dec 17, 2011 thru Dec 30, 2011)

In 2011, there's a Week #53 (check-in on Dec 31, 2011). It falls between Prime and High Season. I'm not sure which season it falls in, but I assume it is probably in Prime Season.

Full week stays in all seasons require check-in AND check-out on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. 3- and 4- night stays in Prime Season require check-in OR check-out on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

The High seasons at BC in 2011 are during weeks:
#1-6 (check-in on Jan 1, 2011 thru Feb 11, 2011)
#20-22 (check-in on May 14, 2011 thru Jun 3, 2011)
#34-35 (check-in on Aug 20, 2011 thru Sep 2, 2011)
#40-42 (check-in on Oct 1, 2011 thru Oct 21, 2011)

The remaining weeks are in Value season.

 

[Ksquared]

I saw on the activity schedule that they have Dueling Pianos at the Escudos Bar....is this a place that we can bring kids? Is it outdoors? Sounds like fun!

I'm interested to know the answer to this question as well. Our kids are 6 and 8 and I'd like to know if this is a place we can bring them to.

 

[MomtoGKC]

We just booked a three bedroom deluxe through Ken. Do I request a building through him?

Any advice what building to request if we would like to be near lazy river pool and a playground? I read number 6 but think that is only for the Presidential units?

 

[MichaelColey]

Just curious, has anyone purcharsed their timeshare (not just a week rental, but and annual contract) from ebay? I was checking them out the other day and they seem so inexpensive, that I thought it couldn't be right.

I've bought six timeshares (we travel 15-20 weeks a year), and five of them have been through eBay. It's about the cheapest place to buy them. Several things to keep in mind:

1) You can BUY them for cheap, but keep in mind that they'll be hard to SELL also. Every day, dozens of $1 timeshare listings close on eBay WITH NO BIDS. Yes, some timeshares aren't even worth a dollar.

2) Research and learn before you buy any timeshare, even resale. TUGBBS.com is a great resource for that. They are to timeshares what DISboards.com is to Disney. It's a great community with a ton of information and helpful people, just like here.

3) Many of the timeshare sellers on eBay are Post Card Companies (PCCs). Many timeshare owners discover that their timeshare is virtually worthless, yet they're stuck paying annual maintenance fees for life. PCCs offer to market the timeshare and try to find a buyer, usually for a fee of $2-5k. Then they turn around a dump it on eBay. If they can't sell it, the seller is still stuck with it, but is out the money. Most PCCs sell through sister companies and require closing through yet another sister company (usually to the tune of $300-$500 in closing fees). From the perspective of a buyer, they usually do a good job, but it's good to know who you're really dealing with.

4) I already said it once, but I can't emphasize how important research is before buying. Some general tips: Maintenance fees are probably the most important factor. Owning a prime week (or the best floating range of weeks) is usually best. Owning in a low-supply, high-demand location (i.e. not Orlando or Mexico) is important. Owning where you have the most flexiblity (dual affiliation with RCI and II, somewhere you would use, and somewhere where you can rent it out for more than the maintenance fees) is a good plan. Lockout units can be a better deal, particularly if you're exchanging in RCI Weeks. Never finance a timeshare. It's almost never a good deal to buy from a developer.

5) Consider renting instead.

Timesharing can be awesome.

 

[CajunCookie]

WE are going to do a one night stay before crusin. Both of these resorts look great but I'd like to know from personal experience from your guys. Looking to spoil the family for one night and have use of the best pool, cleanest rooms (very important to me) and overall family atmosphere. Which resort would you recommend and why? I'd love to hear from those of you who have been there and done that

 

[act1980]

Hi everyone,

I would really like to stay at this resort. I would like to rent privately as the prices on the website are too steep for me and I also like to see pictures of the actual unit I would be renting.

There will just be myself and Sister renting for 14 nights in October 2011. We would like at least a 2 bedroom unit.

Thanks for the help

 

[DCTooTall]

Hi everyone,

I would really like to stay at this resort. I would like to rent privately as the prices on the website are too steep for me and I also like to see pictures of the actual unit I would be renting.

There will just be myself and Sister renting for 14 nights in October 2011. We would like at least a 2 bedroom unit.

Thanks for the help

Ken @ Vacation upgrades (think the link is towards the front of this thread) has gotten some good reviews as an owner to rent from.

The Way this resort works, it would be extremely difficult for a non Gold/Platinum VIP member to be able to guarantee which specific unit you would be renting as for the majority* of the units you make reservations for a room type, and not a particular room. This is a points based resort, and not one with specific week ownership.

Other than the views out of the units, For the most part units of the same type are identical. The resort is very well taken care of, and there is very little difference within the unit furnishings. (Some slight differences in a Accessable room vs a regular room, Bigger differences between a "deluxe" room and a "Presidential" room)



(*Presidential units may allow for specific unit reservations)

 

[act1980]

It sounds a little high, but possibly reasonable depending on when you're going. We paid $600 for 7 nights off-season, but I know prime season takes about twice the points.

May I ask who you booked though? That is a very good deal

 

[act1980]

Ken @ Vacation upgrades (think the link is towards the front of this thread) has gotten some good reviews as an owner to rent from.

The Way this resort works, it would be extremely difficult for a non Gold/Platinum VIP member to be able to guarantee which specific unit you would be renting as for the majority* of the units you make reservations for a room type, and not a particular room. This is a points based resort, and not one with specific week ownership.

Other than the views out of the units, For the most part units of the same type are identical. The resort is very well taken care of, and there is very little difference within the unit furnishings. (Some slight differences in a Accessable room vs a regular room, Bigger differences between a "deluxe" room and a "Presidential" room)



(*Presidential units may allow for specific unit reservations)

Can I ask what a deluxe unit has compared to a standard?

 

[DCTooTall]

Can I ask what a deluxe unit has compared to a standard?

In "Wyndham Speak", a Deluxe unit includes a whirlpool tub/jacuzzi while a Standard unit does not. Wyndham Bonnet Creek however does not have any "Standard" units, and is composed entirely of Deluxe units and Presidential units.

A Presidential unit will have an "upgraded" interior, Meaning granite countertops, metallic finished kitchen appliances, and several other little upscale touches. (Bose sound systems, leather furniture, etc). If you are wanting more info on what's included in a presidential, I'm sure either I or someone else can give you a more complete rundown of the differences when compared to a deluxe.


the Floor plans are the same between the Deluxe and Presidential units however. (Not including the 4bdrm as there are not any 4Bdrm "deluxe" units at BC)

 

[act1980]

Tell me why I should stay at Bonnet Creek instead of Sheraton Vistana?

I am toying between the two at the moment

Also, do the 2 bedroom units all have 2 beds in the 2nd bedroom? We would only need 1 bed in each room. Can this be requested?

 

[IdesOmarch]

Do any of the pools at this resort have a waterfall? Thanks

 

[Brian Noble]

Tell me why I should stay at Bonnet Creek instead of Sheraton Vistana?

I am toying between the two at the moment

Also, do the 2 bedroom units all have 2 beds in the 2nd bedroom? We would only need 1 bed in each room. Can this be requested?

I like both Bonnet and Vistana. Bonnet is a little more "dense" (with mid-rise/high-rise towers) so it isn't quite as private, but everything is close to everything else. The refurbished Fountains unit I had is probably a smidge nicer in terms of interior decor/furnishings than the regular Bonnet units. On the other hand, the overall resort amenities at Bonnet are a little nicer, especially the pools. Bonnet is "inside the gates", and feels much more like you are "at Disney" as opposed to "in Florida".

All things being equal, I'd prefer Bonnet to Vistana, but Vistana is a perfectly fine place to stay as well.

I believe all of the regular unit 2nd bedrooms have two beds. The directory just lists bed configuration as "varies", but the unit capacity is also listed as 8, and there would need to be two beds in the second bedroom to sleep 8. So, I'm guessing that some units have doubles, and other units have queens. The Presidentials have a King in the master, a Queen in the 2nd bedroom, and no pull-out couch, for a capacity of 4. But, the Presidentials cost more points.

Do any of the pools at this resort have a waterfall? Thanks

I don't think so, but don't know for sure.

 

[tjmj9801]

Tell me why I should stay at Bonnet Creek instead of Sheraton Vistana?

I am toying between the two at the moment

Compare the pictures on both websites. I've been to SV years ago and the rooms were sooo outdated. There isn't a bad room at BC. I've been in a 3 BR and a 4 BR at BC and they were both great! Facilities were outstanding. Stay at BC, hands down.

 

[act1980]

I like both Bonnet and Vistana. Bonnet is a little more "dense" (with mid-rise/high-rise towers) so it isn't quite as private, but everything is close to everything else. The refurbished Fountains unit I had is probably a smidge nicer in terms of interior decor/furnishings than the regular Bonnet units. On the other hand, the overall resort amenities at Bonnet are a little nicer, especially the pools. Bonnet is "inside the gates", and feels much more like you are "at Disney" as opposed to "in Florida".

All things being equal, I'd prefer Bonnet to Vistana, but Vistana is a perfectly fine place to stay as well.

I believe all of the regular unit 2nd bedrooms have two beds. The directory just lists bed configuration as "varies", but the unit capacity is also listed as 8, and there would need to be two beds in the second bedroom to sleep 8. So, I'm guessing that some units have doubles, and other units have queens. The Presidentials have a King in the master, a Queen in the 2nd bedroom, and no pull-out couch, for a capacity of 4. But, the Presidentials cost more points.


I don't think so, but don't know for sure.

Thanks for the info

I read somewhere that where the Sheraton and Blue Heron resort is that traffic can be a nightmare at times. Someone posted that it took them an hour and a half to get to Disney one day. Not sure how true this is?