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

[momof3girls6712]

We arrived at Bonnet Creek yesterday and already LOVE it. After spending countless vacation cramped into small rooms, it is a huge change. Even hubby who said we could stay offsite this trip since it was universal, but not when we go to Disney is singing a new song. He said last night he thinks he could deal with not having the dinning plan now. Thanks to everyone on this thread for helping us choose to stay here.

 

[Disneymommy2006]

I sent in a request for three nights in June....is that even possible or do you have to book for a week? We are already staying at another hotel and were hoping to add a few nights to the end of our stay at Bonnet Creek!

 

[act1980]

Got a quote from them which was much cheaper than Ken's! Didn't know if anyone had booked with them and what their experiences was like?

 

[Upatnoon]

Got a quote from them which was much cheaper than Ken's! Didn't know if anyone had booked with them and what their experiences was like?

I have used them a couple of times in the past 2 years. They rent a lot of units on eBay. Never a problem.

 

[act1980]

**This thread started out as my resort report (see posts #6 and #10) but has morphed into a BC thread. In this post, and throughout the thread, you'll find additional information like who to rent from, what buildings to request, and floorplans. Flip through the pages but also see the bottom of this post for where to go.***

Welcome to the Bonnet Creek FAQ page
created by Lisa0620, SparKeLLy, and vettechick99
Please see below for the most commonly asked questions. If you don’t see the answer you’re looking for, Log In and the ‘Search this Thread’ tab will appear on the right just under the page numbers. Enter your keywords and it will list all the posts containing those words from newest to oldest. It works well, is very easy to use and is actually faster than typing a new post that begins “I don’t have time to read all 100 pages of this thread, so…”

Address:
Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort
9560 Via Encinas, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

What/Where is Bonnet Creek?
Bonnet Creek Resort is a 70-acre area located in the southeast corner of Walt Disney World. It is not owned by Disney, but is bordered on three sides by Disney-owned land. The entrance is located just east of the entrance to Disney’s Caribbean Beach resort. The concept was to set up a cluster of luxury hotels. There is currently a Wyndham timeshare resort: Wyndham Bonnet Creek (the focus of this thread), the Waldorf Astoria and Hilton Bonnet Creek complex, the 400 room Wyndham Hotel still under construction, and an 18 hole golf course.

How do I make a reservation at Bonnet Creek?
Wyndham Bonnet Creek is a timeshare resort. You can rent units from Wyndham timeshare owners. People on this thread have had luck with rentals from ebay and through Ken Price at www.vacationupgrades.com

The best price is available when you book within 60 days of your trip. If you make a reservation through Ken Price at www.vacationupgrades.com, he will automatically check at the 60-day point if there is still availability and rebook you at the lower rate.

You can also reserve online through Wyndham, but if you reserve through Wyndham, you will be paying much more than what you would pay renting from an owner.
wyndhambonnetcreek.com or call: 800-610-9558

Is there a parking fee at the resort?
Parking is free at Bonnet Creek but you will have to pay to park at the theme parks ($14).

Is there a shuttle from the airport to the resort?
No, a rental car is recommended.

Can we walk to the Caribbean Beach Resort and use their transportation?
No, although the resorts are next to each other, there is no safe walking path between them.

Does Bonnet Creek provide transportation to the parks and Downtown Disney?
Yes, there is a free shuttle. There is one bus for both MK and Epcot and another for DHS and Animal Kingdom. If you use the ‘Search This Thread’ feature there are several shuttle schedules posted on this thread. Some people report good experience with the shuttles, but the majority recommend renting a car.

Layout of the resort:
The resort consists of 6 timeshare buildings/towers and a future hotel (currently under construction.) Puerta de Leon, the main building/clubhouse and Building 1 were built in 2004. Building 6 is the newest building completed in 2010. The only building still under construction is the hotel, which is located between buildings 3 and 6. The pool labeled “Pirate Pool” in front of Building 5 on the map is actually a fort themed pool with a lazy river. The pool in front of Building 6 has a pirate ship pool and slide.

Buildings/Towers
Building 1 (Torre de la Tierra) has 7 floors. Even numbered units face the lake.
Building 2 (Torre del Vinto) has 9 floors. Even numbered units face the lake
Building 3 (Torre del Mar) has 9 floors. Even numbered units face the lake.
Building 4 (Torre del Cielo) has 15 floors. Odd numbered units face the lake.
Building 5 (Torre de la Luna) has 15(?) floors. Odd numbered units face the lake.
Building 6 (Torre del Sol) has 19 floors. Odd numbered units face the lake.
.
What types of rooms are available?
The majority of units are 2 bedroom suites, there are fewer one bedroom, three bedroom and four bedroom suites.

1 bedroom layout:

1-bedroom layout:
Occupancy of 4 (including 2 on the pull out sofa)
Master bedroom with king sized bed
Living room has a full sized sleeper sofa

2 bedroom layout:

2-bedroom unit:
Occupancy of 8 (including 2 on the pull out sofa)
Master bedroom with king sized bed
Second bedroom with two full sized (double) beds
Living room has a full size sleeper sofa

3-bedroom layout:

3-bedroom layout:
Occupancy of 10 (including 2 on the pull out sofa)
Master bedroom with king sized bed
Second bedroom with queen sized bed
Third bedroom with two full (double) beds


4-bedroom presidential layout:

4-bedroom presidential suite layout:
Occupancy of 12
2 king master bedrooms
2 bedrooms with two full (double) beds


What is included with the units?
A kitchen with full sized appliances, washer/dryer, iron and ironing board, TV and DVD in the living room, TV’s in each bedroom (flat screens only in the newer buildings.)

There is a port for free internet hook up located on the phone on the kitchen island. You can bring your own router and plug it into the jack for a wireless connection.

The closet of the master bedroom contains a wall safe, which might fit a smaller laptop.

The kitchens come fully stocked with dishes, flatware, knives, basic pots and pans, colander, hand mixer, blender, toaster, coffee maker (takes cone style filters), standard gadgets: corkscrew, can opener, cheese grater, pizza cutter, ice cream scoop. The units come stocked with a few days worth of coffee, dishwashing liquid, dishwasher tabs and laundry soap. The bathrooms have trial sized toiletries and a wall mount hair dryer. Refills of all supplies are available at the front desk for free.

Click here for a photo essay of the inside of a 2-bedroom and its kitchen supplies.

Is there daily maid service?
No. You can request a cleaning during your stay for a fee, but it is not otherwise provided. You are expected to wash your own towels during your stay. (There are towels provided at the pool for swimming.) There will be instructions in the unit for check out day: you are asked to strip the beds, put all the linens in the bathroom and empty your trash into the hallway chute.

Are the pools heated?
Yes, except the kiddie pools near the main building have been reported as not being heated.

Are there towels at the pool?
Yes. Pick up and drop off right at the poolside.

Is there Internet and what is the cost?
Yes. There are hookups on the main telephone and it is free. YAY! It has also been reported that there's wireless Internet in the main lobby and its pool. Some of the closer buildings may be able to log in as well.

Will you have to attend a timeshare tour?
No. After you check in, you will be asked to visit another desk to pick up your parking pass. They will ask you some questions which you can choose to answer or not. You will be asked to sign up for a tour. I have declined each trip and never been asked again.

How can I buy into Bonnet Creek/Wyndham properties?
Check out the tug groups at www.tug2.com. Also, there has been some chatter on this thread about points and fees. Read throughout or check out the random posts on pages 13-16.

shuttle info compiled by SparKeLLy
Does Bonnet Creek provide transportation to Disney Parks and Downtown Disney?
Yes, there is a free shuttle. There is one bus for both MK and Epcot and another for DHS and Animal Kingdom. Some people report good experience with the shuttles, but the majority recommend renting a car.

CLICK HERE to view Shuttle Schedule to Disney Parks (September 2010)

The schedule may change, use this as a guide, but be sure to look at the current schedule when you get to the resort. You will be given a schedule at check-in.
They generally do not change too much - I have a schedule from 2008 and it's very similar to 2010, mostly due to adding the additional pickup at Tower 6.

*Shuttles depart from the Clubhouse (main lobby) and Tower 6.
*Scheduled Times are Departure Times.
*Arrive Early. At least 10 min. is suggested. If the bus is full, you may have to stand.
*Riders with disabilities and wheel chairs call 2 hours prior to boarding. (407.390.0000)
*Magic Kingdom gets dropped off first, then Epcot.
*Shuttles are operated by Maingate Transportation.
*Bonnet Creek Shuttles to Disney Parks are not shared with any other resort.
*There are no shuttles to Disney Water Parks.

Can I make it to rope drop using the shuttle?
Yes, we made rope drop and the opening shows at every park with time to spare.
Are strollers allowed? Yes. There were strollers (big & small) on nearly all of our shuttles.
Where does the bus pick up from at the parks? There is a separate lot for tour bus parking and Disney has signs to direct you. Each parking space has a number. The bus schedule tells you what number parking space the Bonnet Creek shuttle will pick up from at each park.
Do Shuttles go to the Magic Kingdom during the Halloween or Christmas Parties? Yes. However if you want to stay to the end of the party (midnight) you will need to get a taxi back to the resort. The last shuttle from the Magic Kingdom is at 11:40pm.
​

Does Bonnet Creek provide transportation to other attractions?
Yes, but it is NOT free and you must make reservations.
CLICK HERE to view Other Attraction Shuttle Service Information (September 2010)

Where can you find a grocery store/Walmart?
Vineland Rd Walmart.
Exiting Bonnet Creek make a right on Buena Vista Dr. Make your 1st right on Epcot Center drive (towards I-4). Cross over I-4 and make a right onto 535 (Vineland Rd). Walmart will be a couple miles down the road on your right.

Turkey Lake Walmart.
There are 2 ways to get here:

Option 1.
Exiting Bonnet Creek make a right onto Buena Vista Dr. Take I-4 "East" Towards Orlando. Exit off Sand Lake Rd. 74A. Turn left under I-4. At the first light, make a left (Turkey Lake Rd). Walmart will be on your right.

Option 2.
Turn right on Buena Vista Drive towards Downtown Disney. Turn right onto Hotel Plaza Blvd. Turn Left at the Crossroads shopping center light. (Vineland rd). At the first light, make a right. (Palm Parkway). Follow this road all the way down. It changes names to Turkey Lake Rd. Walmart will be on your left.

Where to go for more info...

vettechick's March & July 2009 stays - pg. 1, posts #6, #10
Resort map & floorplans - pg. 3, #35
Many, many, many pictures - pg. 7, #97, 98, 99
More pictures - pg. 7-, #101-106, 109-110
Activities Schedule - pg. 9, #126
Bonnet Creek location map - pg. 9, #127
Names of buildings & numbers of floors - pg. 9, #133
Spring 2010 Activities Guide - pg. 17 or here
Sample shuttle times (March reported) - pg 20, #299
Live report from ttfn3 - pg. 22, #326

Hi,

Has the future hotel part of the map been built now? Does this section have it's own pool?

Thanks

 

[MDsMomma]

I've read a lot of this thread and can anyone confirm the pools, lazy river and zero entry

I know behind the main building is lazy river and zero entry

Building 5- what is the pool in front of it? Some of the last posts lead me to believe it is zero entry and a lazy river? So are there two lazy rivers at BC?

 

[Upatnoon]

The lazy river by building 5 is zero entry (yes bonnet creek has 2 lazy rivers. The one by building 5 is much more themed than the one next to the main building)

There is another pool by building 5 that is not zero entry.

The pirate pool (the newest pool on the property) in front of building 6 has zero entry.

 

[Portugal1000]

Was there for 2 weeks in December (fantastic time). Forgot to ask before we left when the new hotel will be open. The last building to be finished, right next to the pirate ship pool. Was too scared really to asked at reception incase they tried to rope me into a tour!! Was just interested to see what facilities they would have, i.e a proper restaurant. Is there to be another pool or will they be sharing pirate pool.

 

[Disneymommy2006]

Do they charge for inner tubes at the lazy river???

 

[Cdn Gal]

Nope- they don't charge for inner tubes!

 

[Royal Duke of Epcot]

Do they charge for inner tubes at the lazy river???

Maam, I would hate to see you make plans for time at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek, when based on your post in another thread (parking fees, $80 a night booked through LMT, $5 for inner tubes) I think you have booked at Hilton Bonnet Creek.

Please double check as these are very different experiences....

In any event, have a wonderful time

On a side note, this thread should be renamed We Looove Wyndham Bonnet Creek... i can imagine it would cause confusion.

HRH Duke of Epcot

 

[MichaelColey]

We arrived at Bonnet Creek yesterday and already LOVE it. After spending countless vacation cramped into small rooms, it is a huge change. Even hubby who said we could stay offsite this trip since it was universal, but not when we go to Disney is singing a new song. He said last night he thinks he could deal with not having the dinning plan now. Thanks to everyone on this thread for helping us choose to stay here.

Welcome to timesharing! We took the plungle about 8 months ago, and have stayed about 10 weeks in timeshares (4 in Orlando, including 1 at Wyndham Bonnet Creek) since then. It's easy to get used to all the space, multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, living and dining areas, etc. After all that time in timeshares, we have our first stay back in a hotel as a family tomorrow (a couple nights at Great Wolf Lodge), and I have a feeling it'll be quite a shock for us.

 

[Disneymommy2006]

You are right I am very confused!!! Thanks, I am staying at the Hilton Bonnet Creek not the Wyndham BC. Thanks for the info. and I was looking at the Hilton BC when I booked so I knew what I was getting but just confused it with the Dis boards BC!!! Regardless, I still got an awesome deal....saved over $100 each night. The Hilton for our dates in June was over $200.00 each night and I got it for $80.00 plus the $13.00 a day parking which makes it $93.00 a night- still a good deal.

 

[act1980]

Has anyone got any photos of their recent stays?

I am interested to see pictures of the themed lazy river too.

Thanks!

 

[Cdn Gal]

I posted pictures of everything from back in August. Sorry I don't know the page number but perhaps somebody else does.

 

[tjmj9801]

I am sorry if I confused you...actually I did book through LMT and got Bonnet Creek for $80.00 a night...parking according to my information is $13.00 a day...my question was concerning the inner tube rentals which was a tidbit I read on Trip Advisor. I had never read that on this thread so that is why I was asking. I appreciate the info and I am looking forward to staying at BC. I never said parking was $80.00 a day- I think you misread my post on the other thread. But thanks anyway for your concern

I see that you've edited this post since I got the email response notification. I took the liberty of copy/paste from that notification. If ANYONE is charging you $13 a day to park at a resort, you need to check into that. That's a rip off. I stayed at WBC in October and was never charged a "parking fee". Is it possible that what you read was the WDW charges $14 a day for their PARKS?

I also second that $80 a night is WAY too cheap to be staying at the WBC, unless you're renting from someone and they're simply trying to recoop their maintenance fees and not charge you anymore than that. Really, we're just concerned that what you've booked and what you *think* you booked may be totally different based on what you're saying. We're not trying to talk you out of staying at WBC, we only want you to question the parking fee and to make SURE of where you're staying based on the nightly rate you've quoted.

 

[bz8bls]

I know this is pretty late for booking, however, what do you think our chances for getting a reservation for WBC for the weekk of 2/20/11? DH just found out he can be off that week. We would need a 2-br.

TIA

 

[julie1218]

I see that you've edited this post since I got the email response notification. I took the liberty of copy/paste from that notification. If ANYONE is charging you $13 a day to park at a resort, you need to check into that. That's a rip off. I stayed at WBC in October and was never charged a "parking fee". Is it possible that what you read was the WDW charges $14 a day for their PARKS?

I also second that $80 a night is WAY too cheap to be staying at the WBC, unless you're renting from someone and they're simply trying to recoop their maintenance fees and not charge you anymore than that. Really, we're just concerned that what you've booked and what you *think* you booked may be totally different based on what you're saying. We're not trying to talk you out of staying at WBC, we only want you to question the parking fee and to make SURE of where you're staying based on the nightly rate you've quoted.

no comment on the original topic regarding which place the op has a reservation at (wbc or hbc), but i just want to chime in that we are staying at wyndham bonnet creek for 73.50/night flat for a ONE bedroom. i just looked at my confirmation to be sure that it's the wyndham as well. we booked through 5 star resorts for may 16-26. just fyi for anyone comparing rates. or, if y'all think we are being scammed or something since it's kinda low, please let me know. frankly, i didn't think it was super low--good deal but not unbelievable deal, i thought.

 

[Hemlock]

Just wanted to point out that self parking at HILTON Bonnet Creek is $13 and inner tubes are $5. Parking at WYNDHAM BONNET Creek is free, as are inner tubes. I think the last few posters may be correct and that Disneymoomy2006 may be confusing the 2 resorts/hotels. I truly hope that she is staying at WBC and that she has a wonderful vacation!

 

[Royal Duke of Epcot]

Unless I am VERY mistaken, you cannot book Wyndham Bonnet Creek on any hotel aggregator like LMT, Hotwire, Agoda, Booking.com. etc. at any price.

Its just not the way the bookings are done at WBC.

I am all but convinced she is staying at Hilton Bonnet Creek, which is very beautiful as well....just pack as if you are staying at hotel, not a timeshare condo. And yes you will pay for parking and lazy river tube among other things.

HRH of Epcot