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

[Obadiah Stane]

Travellers cheques? I haven't used them since the 80's. I didn't even know they were still being used today. I now use credit cards and withdraw small amounts of cash from my bank's ATMs as needed.

I have a US bank account with TD Bank. They are part of TD (Toronto Dominion Bank) in Canada. Whenever I travel to Canada, I can withdraw cash ($CAN) from my account at any TD ATM in Canada. And there is no bank fee.

You may want to consider opening an account at a Canadian bank that has ATMs in the US. Unfortunately, there are no TD Banks in Florida. They are only located in the northeast US. But, there is RBC (Royal Bank of Canada), which has branches in the US, including the Orlando, Florida area. On their website, you can find ATM locations in the US. Do a search for Lake Buena Vista, FL. In the Zip Code box, type in "32380".
http://maps.rbc.com/bankusa/form.asp

http://www.rbcbankusa.com/specialtybanking/cid-96799.html

I use Visa gift cards in amounts of $100. Before the start of my vacation I go to my credit union and "buy" as many as I think I will need. They are accepted anywhere Visa credit or debit cards are. These are not tied to your name or bank account so if lost or stolen you would only be out what is still on the card. I take one or two with me each day, the rest are kept locked in the room safe. No risk of ID theft and no risk to your personal bank account. I am not sure if these are available to you in Canada, or not.

 

[MommyG]

I use Visa gift cards in amounts of $100. Before the start of my vacation I go to my credit union and "buy" as many as I think I will need. They are accepted anywhere Visa credit or debit cards are. These are not tied to your name or bank account so if lost or stolen you would only be out what is still on the card. I take one or two with me each day, the rest are kept locked in the room safe. No risk of ID theft and no risk to your personal bank account. I am not sure if these are available to you in Canada, or not.

Our exchange student did the same last year when she was traveling without us during Easter break. Sometimes her debit card worked but she couldn't count on it. The visa cards were perfect. She had no problems.

 

[bas71873]

Has anyone stayed at Star Island in Kissimmee? I see Ken Price rents there too and I sent him an email this AM to check both resorts. We are late in the game and just decided we'd like to come down in April during DD's spring break and to catch the shuttle launch on the 19th, so we won't be going to Disney so stayed at Bonnet Creek isn't a must for that purpose. Any thoughs on that resort? PM me if necessary so people don't get the resorts confused

 

[Disneyforus]

For an example of resort activities, wow!!! Shhh, don't tell but, we may have to plan less park time, so we can enjoy all these great activities!!



https://www.wyndhamvacationresorts.com/ffrweb/pdfs/BonnetCreek_Winter2010AG.pdf

 

[rdevine10]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the number of the building by the pirate ship pool that also faces over the parking garage? We stayed here last time and had an AMAZING fireworks view of Epcot and the MK! We would love to request this building again. This thread has gotten so long Ive been reading if for several days now!

 

[TotoToo]

Has anyone stayed at Star Island in Kissimmee? I see Ken Price rents there too and I sent him an email this AM to check both resorts. We are late in the game and just decided we'd like to come down in April during DD's spring break and to catch the shuttle launch on the 19th, so we won't be going to Disney so stayed at Bonnet Creek isn't a must for that purpose. Any thoughs on that resort? PM me if necessary so people don't get the resorts confused

Star Island on 192E was made part of the Wyndham system when they bought inventory there. The whole resort is not operated/managed by Wyndham but all on site amenities are available to Wyndham guests. There is another Wyndham Resort - Cypress Palms - not too far away also on 192E which Wyndham built before they built BC.

Both are a step down in overall quality from BC but also tend to lower cost both in rent & the Wyndham Points required to reserve them. Of the two SI is older and has more on site amenities. Cypress Palms is newer, the units nicer IMO but the resort doesn't feel "finished". It really seems they lost interest in it once they started planning/construction of Bonnet Creek. The resorts are on par with the vast majority of "standard" Orlando timeshares (already a very high bar as some of the better resorts in all of timeshare tend to be located in Orlando) while BC is on the high end of design/quality. For the right price either resort can be a good choice for a family offering easy access to all of the parks and a decent unit.

 

[clshirk]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the number of the building by the pirate ship pool that also faces over the parking garage? We stayed here last time and had an AMAZING fireworks view of Epcot and the MK! We would love to request this building again. This thread has gotten so long Ive been reading if for several days now!

Ooh I wanna know too! I need to know where to request.

 

[Justbranches5]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the number of the building by the pirate ship pool that also faces over the parking garage? We stayed here last time and had an AMAZING fireworks view of Epcot and the MK! We would love to request this building again. This thread has gotten so long Ive been reading if for several days now!

Robin,
I believe building 6 (Torre del Sol) has the Pirate Ship pool
Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I have in my "notes"!

 

[NHDisneyFan]

Robin,
I believe building 6 (Torre del Sol) has the Pirate Ship pool
Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I have in my "notes"!

Here now and it is building 6 she wants. We are in building 4, arrived yesterday. The place exceeds any expectations we had, from the first minute everyone was already talking about coming back next year.

 

[bas71873]

Star Island on 192E was made part of the Wyndham system when they bought inventory there. The whole resort is not operated/managed by Wyndham but all on site amenities are available to Wyndham guests. There is another Wyndham Resort - Cypress Palms - not too far away also on 192E which Wyndham built before they built BC.

Both are a step down in overall quality from BC but also tend to lower cost both in rent & the Wyndham Points required to reserve them. Of the two SI is older and has more on site amenities. Cypress Palms is newer, the units nicer IMO but the resort doesn't feel "finished". It really seems they lost interest in it once they started planning/construction of Bonnet Creek. The resorts are on par with the vast majority of "standard" Orlando timeshares (already a very high bar as some of the better resorts in all of timeshare tend to be located in Orlando) while BC is on the high end of design/quality. For the right price either resort can be a good choice for a family offering easy access to all of the parks and a decent unit.

Thx for the scoop. There is no availability at either (through Ken Price) for the time we want to go anyway

 

[act1980]

I have got a quote for 15 nights at Bonnet Creek staying in a 2 bedroom unit.

The price I was quoted was $1250, I was told that if I put down a 50% deposit now that the price will be secured but unit size would not be.

Does this sound right to you?

I am going from Oct 19th - Nov 3rd. I am assuming this is low-ish season so it shouldn't be that busy should it?

 

[rdevine10]

Here now and it is building 6 she wants. We are in building 4, arrived yesterday. The place exceeds any expectations we had, from the first minute everyone was already talking about coming back next year.

I studied the map again in the 1st post and Im pretty sure it must of been building 6, but its confusing me as part of building 6 would not face the fireworks. I guess if I request building 5 or 6 I would be about where I was before..... which was amazing watching for the fireworks!

Thanks for your help!!!! Bonnet Creek is hands down my favorite Orlando "hotel". I cant wait till our trip!!!!

 

[Disneyforus]

Does anyone know how much the cabana rentals are? Wondering about renting one if we arrive real early for check in and our room is not ready. Hubby may want to have a quieter place to rest. Though he will probably be so tired he could sleep anywhere. Also, do you think we can rent one if we aren't officially checked in yet?

Thanks!

 

[katallo]

Does anyone know how much the cabana rentals are? Wondering about renting one if we arrive real early for check in and our room is not ready. Hubby may want to have a quieter place to rest. Though he will probably be so tired he could sleep anywhere. Also, do you think we can rent one if we aren't officially checked in yet?

Thanks!

I don't know if it's still the same, but in November they were $50.

 

[garmich]

Robin,
I believe building 6 (Torre del Sol) has the Pirate Ship pool
Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I have in my "notes"!

The building that overlooks the parking garage and has the Pirate Ship pool is building #5 (Torra del la Luna). Actually, half of the tower overlooks the parking garage and has a view of the fireworks.

Building #6 is the newest building that opened recently. It is located at the east end of the lake between building #5 and the new hotel.

 

[MichaelColey]

I have got a quote for 15 nights at Bonnet Creek staying in a 2 bedroom unit.

The price I was quoted was $1250, I was told that if I put down a 50% deposit now that the price will be secured but unit size would not be.

Does this sound right to you?

I am going from Oct 19th - Nov 3rd. I am assuming this is low-ish season so it shouldn't be that busy should it?

Platinum VIP owners (which is what most of the renters are) get several benefits, including being able to get a free confirmed upgrade based on availability (at 60 days?) and being able to make a reservation for half the number of points at 60 days. So basically, at 60 days they can use 50% of the points that a 1BR normally costs and get a 2BR unit. That's how they're able to rent them out so cheap (and still make a decent profit). (But before you consider becoming a Platinum VIP owner yourself, realize that it costs tens of thousands of dollars upfront and about $5k/year.)

It sounds like the owner is relying on the upgrade and discount.

Oct 19th - Nov. 3rd should be fairly low-season, but you'll also have the Halloween parties that attract people during that time.

 

[Cdn Gal]

My GF is still not platinum and has all of his deeds at Bonnet Creek. He has sunk over $100,000 into the place. Me- I bought resale!

 

[Justbranches5]

The building that overlooks the parking garage and has the Pirate Ship pool is building #5 (Torra del la Luna). Actually, half of the tower overlooks the parking garage and has a view of the fireworks.

Building #6 is the newest building that opened recently. It is located at the east end of the lake between building #5 and the new hotel.

Okay, now I'm REALLY confused! I've read in several places on this forum that the 2nd lazy river was the pool shared between buildings #4 & #5. Someone also posted that the pirate ship was at building #6. Can someone verify the accurate locations of all the pools in relation to the buildings they go with?

 

[MsCoz2000]

Okay, now I'm REALLY confused! I've read in several places on this forum that the 2nd lazy river was the pool shared between buildings #4 & #5. Someone also posted that the pirate ship was at building #6. Can someone verify the accurate locations of all the pools in relation to the buildings they go with?

The newest lazy river is located at building 5 :

View of lazy river from building 5 October 2009

The pirate ship is located at building 6 :

View of pirate ship from building 6 October 2010

 

[garmich]

Okay, now I'm REALLY confused! I've read in several places on this forum that the 2nd lazy river was the pool shared between buildings #4 & #5. Someone also posted that the pirate ship was at building #6. Can someone verify the accurate locations of all the pools in relation to the buildings they go with?

There is a resort layout map in the first post of this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2114303

Building #5 is Torre de la Luna which has the lazy river and a fort next to the pool. Building #6 is Torre del Sol which is the newest tower and also has a pirate ship pool and slide.

At Google Maps, in the aerial shot of Bonnet Creek, you can see the pool and lazy river at the upper right end of the lake. The lazy river is adjacent to bldg. #5. The fort is between the lazy river and the pool (on the left).
The building under construction at the right end of the pool is bldg #6. The mud puddle is the "future" pool. The other bldg. under construction is the new hotel.