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

[NaturalLove]

Any one have any tips/strategies on getting a 2 bedroom presidential suite in Tower 6? Thanks!

 

[snappy]

On the contract states that owner will make good faith effort to book at $80 less per night at 30-60 days out. How do they let you know if they were able to do that and what is the time frame usually- close to 60 days or 30 days??

What have your experiences been??
TIA!!

My experience over multiple trips was that Ken rebooked at 60 days out from the trip, and sent an email immediately.

 

[1GR8DISNEYFAN]

Any one have any tips/strategies on getting a 2 bedroom presidential suite in Tower 6? Thanks!

We have a reservation for a 2 BR pres for Aug. From what I have read, all 2 BR pres units are in tower 6. Rented through Farrell's vacations. For 9 nights Ken's quote was aprox $2400, Farrells was $1700. Ken does give you the chance at possible rebooking at 60 days, then his price would have gone down to $1440, no guarantee. Farrell does not offer the rebooking possibility. Went with Farrell just so I could have reservations set now, I feel like I saved $700, possibly could have saved another $260 but then again maybe not.

 

[~Mandy~]

On the contract states that owner will make good faith effort to book at $80 less per night at 30-60 days out. How do they let you know if they were able to do that and what is the time frame usually- close to 60 days or 30 days??

What have your experiences been??
TIA!!

Ken and his wife never mentioned the possibility of reducing the rate to me at the 60 day mark, but sometime around 57 days before our trip I received an email offering to rebook the room with a $10/night discount. I agreed and they resent the contract with the new rates and remaining balances. All went smoothly.

 

[lmf70]

I'm being quoted $120 a night 4 months from now for a 2 bedroom. So, is there a chance the price will go down? He has not said anything about that in e-mails....?

The regular price for a 2 bedroom is $200 a night so you are already getting the reduced rate. Maybe it has something to do with what time of year you're going as to how far in advance the discount is offered? I am hoping for $120!!
Thanks for the responses-looks like it should happen around 60 days out which is great to know!!

 

[NaturalLove]

We have a reservation for a 2 BR pres for Aug. From what I have read, all 2 BR pres units are in tower 6. Rented through Farrell's vacations. For 9 nights Ken's quote was aprox $2400, Farrells was $1700. Ken does give you the chance at possible rebooking at 60 days, then his price would have gone down to $1440, no guarantee. Farrell does not offer the rebooking possibility. Went with Farrell just so I could have reservations set now, I feel like I saved $700, possibly could have saved another $260 but then again maybe not.

thank you!

 

[shaylyn]

The regular price for a 2 bedroom is $200 a night so you are already getting the reduced rate. Maybe it has something to do with what time of year you're going as to how far in advance the discount is offered? I am hoping for $120!!
Thanks for the responses-looks like it should happen around 60 days out which is great to know!!

Per Ken's site:

Value Season (Booking 61 Days to 13 Months before Arrival)
Check-in 9/3-9/30, 10/22-12/16 (2011); 4/8-5/12, 9/2-9/29, 10/21-12/15 (2012)
- $100/night for a 1 Bedroom Deluxe, plus Guest Confirmation Fee*
- $120/night for a 2 Bedroom Deluxe, plus Guest Confirmation Fee*

We are planning our trip around the Value Season on purpose

 

[Walt(the man)Lover]

We have a reservation for a 2 BR pres for Aug. From what I have read, all 2 BR pres units are in tower 6. Rented through Farrell's vacations. For 9 nights Ken's quote was aprox $2400, Farrells was $1700. Ken does give you the chance at possible rebooking at 60 days, then his price would have gone down to $1440, no guarantee. Farrell does not offer the rebooking possibility. Went with Farrell just so I could have reservations set now, I feel like I saved $700, possibly could have saved another $260 but then again maybe not.

Glad to see this. We, too, booked with Farrell and I was beginning to wonder if I had made the right choice as I had seen no offers to reduce the rate. I am happy with the rate I received, but quickly become envious when I see what others are getting their rooms for. I booked a 2 BR presidential in December for 8 nights for $129 per night. Ken was asking $120 for just the deluxe room. I guess there is always the possibility that Ken's price would have gone down, but no guarantees. I like knowing my reservation is done. Now, just to try and secure a view I would like. Many months left for that!
Enjoy your trip!

 

[julie1218]

we booked with 5starresorts.net. he offers the 60 day discount price no matter when you book. i think he is the cheapest. we got the 60 day discount price for a 1 bedroom 4 months prior--72.50 total per night for may 16-26. then, at the true 60 day mark, we upgraded for free to a 3 bedroom presidential (ymmv on upgrade depending on time of year).

 

[1GR8DISNEYFAN]

we booked with 5starresorts.net. he offers the 60 day discount price no matter when you book. i think he is the cheapest. we got the 60 day discount price for a 1 bedroom 4 months prior--72.50 total per night for may 16-26. then, at the true 60 day mark, we upgraded for free to a 3 bedroom presidential (ymmv on upgrade depending on time of year).

This is interesting, because the quote I received from 5star was $195 more than Farrell. ($1895 vs $1700 for 9 nights 2 BR pres). I questioned them about the rebooking policy and I was told that the price they quote is their lowest price possible, no rebooking. Maybe it depends on the time of year you vacation. We are going the 3rd week of Aug which I think is High Season.

 

[MDsMomma]

Yes, I just called a week ago and made a request (we're going tomorrow). Just confirmed it today, as a matter of fact.

The room assignments are not made until you check in, so that part of what you were told was correct.

I'd call back during the day tomorrow and try again. Or call on a weekday when they are fully staffed.

Thanks I called back today and put in my request.. can't wait to hear your thought when you come back.

 

[caribear]

Just back from a 1-night stay at Bonnet Creek. We were a group of 5 adults and 8 kids....and shared 2, 2-bedroom units. Since it was only for 1 night we did not care about the view...we were in Tower 4, 11th floor facing the parking lot, but had a great side view of Epcot and were able to watch the fireworks from there. The kids all loved the pools! The only lifeguard we saw was at the pool with the blue water slide.....and then there was someone watching the water slide at the pirate pool, but when I say "watching" I mean that very lightly. He let many kids under 48" tall go on the slide. After going on the slide about 20 times he called my daughter over to measure her (she is 50")....so they really do not pay much attention. The blue water slide had a lifeguard, but he did not check for height.....I saw a little toddler go down the slide many times without any comments from the lifeguard. The pirate pool was the most crowded! Not a chair to be found at 11am (on a Sunday). The kids also loved the lazy river by Tower 4. There is a ping pong table by Tower 4 near the pool outside in a little alcove....cost $0.25 for a ping pong ball. We didn't have time for any other activities, but hope to go back for a longer stay soon. There are lockers (need your own lock) and changing rooms/showers in the main building past the activities desk and kid's club...all the way at the end of the hall. So we used them to change into dry clothes since we had already checked out at 10am and wanted to use the pools for the day. Great resort with lots of things to do! Food is pricey on site so shop accordingly!

 

[SalandJeff]

We stayed in a 2 bdrm last year - LOVED IT !!!

This year we are thinking of a 1 bdrm. Does the 1 bdrm have the same size kitchen, dining room, and living room as the 2 bedroom? And are there 2 baths and washer/dryer?

Thanks.

 

[Tracey123]

We stayed in a 2 bdrm last year - LOVED IT !!!

This year we are thinking of a 1 bdrm. Does the 1 bdrm have the same size kitchen, dining room, and living room as the 2 bedroom? And are there 2 baths and washer/dryer?

Thanks.

Take a look at page 1 it shows the layout of the different size villas. The one bedroom has laundry and 1 bathroom.

 

[SalandJeff]

Take a look at page 1 it shows the layout of the different size villas. The one bedroom has laundry and 1 bathroom.

Thanks so much. Looks like the main areas are the same size as the 2-bdrm.

 

[Sugar Jones]

I'm sure this has been asked on this thread already, but for those of you who stay here how is the shuttle to the parks?

I am seriously considering Bonnet Creek for our trip in Sept.2012 however I do not like driving in places I don't know. I would prefer not to rent a car. It's myself my mom, mil and three kids. If dh was coming it would be a no brainer, we would stay at Bonnet Creek and rent a car, but I just don't think I would be comfortable driving.

Would you recommend staying here if you didn't have a vehicle? Or should I stick with paying more to stay onsite for that convenience?

 

[Tracey123]

Anybody been there recently? I was wondering how check in is, if they are allowing you to check in before 4pm and how long the lines were.

Thanks!

 

[saysay]

Anybody been there recently? I was wondering how check in is, if they are allowing you to check in before 4pm and how long the lines were.

Thanks!

We arrived Saturday May 7th at around 4:30. One person in front of us in line and 2 people in front of us in the "parking pass" line. The process was smooth enough.

 

[lindaprvs]

I'm sure this has been asked on this thread already, but for those of you who stay here how is the shuttle to the parks?

I am seriously considering Bonnet Creek for our trip in Sept.2012 however I do not like driving in places I don't know. I would prefer not to rent a car. It's myself my mom, mil and three kids. If dh was coming it would be a no brainer, we would stay at Bonnet Creek and rent a car, but I just don't think I would be comfortable driving.

Would you recommend staying here if you didn't have a vehicle? Or should I stick with paying more to stay onsite for that convenience?

We are here now, just checked in Sunday afternoon.
The shuttles are great in my opinion. I don't like to drive either, and it saves the $14 parking and gas too!
We took the shuttles to MK yesterday....they were great, not crowded, and on time. The only thing I would recommend is being there at least 10 mintues early because they do not wait long and are sometimes early (We did miss one at MK and had to wait a hour before the next one came, but didn't matter cause the kids were asleep in the stroller anyways). They have spread out times returning from the parks in the afternoon, so plan accordingly for that..(12, 3, 5, 6, 7)... but the evening the shuttles come much faster (every 20 mintues after 7pm). I think you could get away without a car... we have ours here (drove from GA) but haven't gotten in it since we got on site. We have dinner reservations at the Grand Floridian tonight and plan to take the shuttle in to MK, then the monorail over to the GF. Why drive? and the kids think its fun not having to be in their car seat

Overall, its been a WONDERFUL stay. My family has timeshare with Wyhndam and this is by far the best one I've ever stayed at. The units are HUGE, nicely laid out and the pools are great!!
I requested either tower 4 or 2 with a fireworks view on a high floor, and got tower 4, 10th floor (#1064--3bd deluxe) and we have a PERFECT view for the fireworks which is awesome since we are not going to the parks every day. It is a parking lot view, but doesn't matter, cause I love looking out and seeing disney
The pools have been great, not too crowded so far, and the kiddie pools have been a big hit for my two! We will definitly be back!

 

[Ackpack]

We are here now, just checked in Sunday afternoon.
The shuttles are great in my opinion. I don't like to drive either, and it saves the $14 parking and gas too!
We took the shuttles to MK yesterday....they were great, not crowded, and on time. The only thing I would recommend is being there at least 10 mintues early because they do not wait long and are sometimes early (We did miss one at MK and had to wait a hour before the next one came, but didn't matter cause the kids were asleep in the stroller anyways). They have spread out times returning from the parks in the afternoon, so plan accordingly for that..(12, 3, 5, 6, 7)... but the evening the shuttles come much faster (every 20 mintues after 7pm). I think you could get away without a car... we have ours here (drove from GA) but haven't gotten in it since we got on site. We have dinner reservations at the Grand Floridian tonight and plan to take the shuttle in to MK, then the monorail over to the GF. Why drive? and the kids think its fun not having to be in their car seat

Overall, its been a WONDERFUL stay. My family has timeshare with Wyhndam and this is by far the best one I've ever stayed at. The units are HUGE, nicely laid out and the pools are great!!
I requested either tower 4 or 2 with a fireworks view on a high floor, and got tower 4, 10th floor (#1064--3bd deluxe) and we have a PERFECT view for the fireworks which is awesome since we are not going to the parks every day. It is a parking lot view, but doesn't matter, cause I love looking out and seeing disney
The pools have been great, not too crowded so far, and the kiddie pools have been a big hit for my two! We will definitly be back!

Thanks so much! This puts my mind at ease for our trip in November. We aren't planning on getting a rental car and just using the shuttles. Very excited! Enjoy the rest of your trip!