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

[Brian Noble]

I've done countless tours

I think it is fair to say that, for *most* people, it's quite unpleasant. A lot of people go in thinking they know how to handle themselves, but very few first-timers do as well as they think they will---the sales staff are professionals, and they run up against people with this attitude every day. The successful ones know how to raise just a little bit of doubt in the mark, and if they can do that, the sales staff has a fighting chance.

The worst part about the way the tours are set up is that the gifts are most attractive to folks who may not have the financial resources to dig out of a timeshare purchase they may later regret. Your household income doesn't have to be very far above the minimums they accept for a tour before the effective "hourly rate" of the tour is less than you make at work---and while I've never wasted my time on one of these things, for most people work is probably more fun. And I've read *countless* stories of folks who went into one of these "just to say no and get my gift" but went home with a purchase that they then didn't manage to rescind properly.

Don't get me wrong---I love people who go on Wyndham timeshare tours just for the freebies. Why? Because some of them buy. And if no one was buying, then I wouldn't have brand new shiny resorts to book with my pennies-on-the-dollar resale points. I'd just hate to see some of my DISboards friends be those people.

 

[CRI]

Hi, Thank you to everyone who added to this thread. We tried Bonnet Creek for the first time and loved it. My almost adult (ages 18 and 21) kids (who are very nostalgic about trips to WDW in their younger years), were previously die hard "on site" kids, so we still booked a few nights at their favorite All Star Movies at the end of our stay. But after 1 day at Bonnet Creek they are "converts" and so am I! We loved all the space, the balcony overlooking the lazy river (so pretty at night), the resort's convenient location, the beauty of the resort, and my favorite, the washer and dryer!!!
We lucked out and found great timeshare owners on tugbbs website. I was nervous about dealing privately with an owner, but they were very professional and prompt in returning emails and phone calls. They went above and beyond helping a friend secure a rental at Wyndham Ocean walk in Daytona Beach, on a weekend that others renters told me was sold out. I tried Ken, but he said it was sold out for that weekend.
I booked through Michelle and Luke Begonja at www.5starresorts.net. I hope it is ok to share it with those of you who are seeking a rental. I don't want to take business away from Ken, but if he can't help maybe the couple I dealt with can. That was the case with my friend who was attending her son's graduation from Embry Riddle. We also got a great last minute rate from 5starresorts.net.
I can't say enough about their service. It was a great first time experience renting a timeshare from Wyndham point owners.

 

[newbeestl]

---and while I've never wasted my time on one of these things

While I agree with a lot of the rest of your post, the above is a bit disturbing. I've seen you talking very bad about these tours in other posts on this site. To find out you've never even been on one makes me question your authority on the topic. Perhaps you shouldn't run them down or advise others about them until you've gone on at least one. Who knows, you may change your opinion.

 

[vettechick99]

Hi, Thank you to everyone who added to this thread. We tried Bonnet Creek for the first time and loved it. My almost adult (ages 18 and 21) kids (who are very nostalgic about trips to WDW in their younger years), were previously die hard "on site" kids, so we still booked a few nights at their favorite All Star Movies at the end of our stay. But after 1 day at Bonnet Creek they are "converts" and so am I! We loved all the space, the balcony overlooking the lazy river (so pretty at night), the resort's convenient location, the beauty of the resort, and my favorite, the washer and dryer!!!
We lucked out and found great timeshare owners on tugbbs website. I was nervous about dealing privately with an owner, but they were very professional and prompt in returning emails and phone calls. They went above and beyond helping a friend secure a rental at Wyndham Ocean walk in Daytona Beach, on a weekend that others renters told me was sold out. I tried Ken, but he said it was sold out for that weekend.
I booked through Michelle and Luke Begonja at www.5starresorts.net. I hope it is ok to share it with those of you who are seeking a rental. I don't want to take business away from Ken, but if he can't help maybe the couple I dealt with can. That was the case with my friend who was attending her son's graduation from Embry Riddle. We also got a great last minute rate from 5starresorts.net.
I can't say enough about their service. It was a great first time experience renting a timeshare from Wyndham point owners.

I'm so glad you had a great time. We were converts too after our first time. I still miss my favorite resorts, but I sure love that extra money in my pocket and all the extra space!

Thanks for the other rental recommendation. We all love Ken here, but this is not a thread just for him (as much as it looks like it ). I appreciate hearing about anyone else who is reputable and easy to work with. Glad you found someone. May I add them to the front page?

*********

Attention everyone, I have some time off this summer and would love to work on this thread some. Everyone always asks for a view rec, especially one with a fireworks view. So if everyone would email me the bldg you stayed at, the room # if you remember, and what sort of view you had, I will create a "Best Views" to the front page. And if you have any other recs to make this thread more user friendly, please let me know.

My email is vettechick99@yahoo.com.

 

[CRI]

Yes, you may definitely add them to the 1st page of this thread. They worked very hard to please my family and my friend's family. They said they would be thrilled if I would recommend them to family and friends in appreciation for all they did for us. Once we arrived at Bonnet Creek, we didn't want to leave. I called Luke and asked if we could extend our stay by 2 days. Within an hour we had a reservation and were allowed to stay in our same room! I then shortened our stay at the WDW hotel. We were claustrophobic when we did move into 2 adjoining rooms at all star movies, despite how much we love it there.
At Bonnet Creek we stayed in tower 5, 12th floor. I think it was room 1283. I was disappointed at first that we didn't have fireworks view, but our friends stayed on 11th floor with fireworks view so I at least got to see the Epcot ball, and the top of the parking garage! We decided our view of lake and lazy river was just as pretty, especially at night.
Thank you to everyone who recommended tower 5. we loved having the lazy river so close to us, as well as Escudos, and pool at tower 4. We had a rental car so we didn't have to walk to the shuttle, but it wasn't far to the main lobby even if we did. We liked the parking garage being so close. We always found a spot on ground floor and never had to get into a sun baked car the next day.

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks for creating and maintaining this thread, Vettechick! It's so fun to log on and see what people have to say about BC. Can't wait untill our first stay!

 

[Brian Noble]

Perhaps you shouldn't run them down or advise others about them until you've gone on at least one. Who knows, you may change your opinion.

I don't need to personally put my hand on a hot stove to know that it's a bad idea. I've read enough of others' first-hand experiences to know that stoves burn, and timeshare tours are unpleasant. And, I *absolutely* know that I'd make a lot more billing one of my consulting clients for that time than I ever would attending a tour---and the work is actually fun.

But, hey, if someone else needs to experience them first-hand, more power (and salve) to 'em!

 

[Disney Ella]

I have never gone to a timeshare sales presentation either, but I know they're not for me. I don't liking listening to sales pitches and I hate it when people put pressure on me to buy something. That, coupled with being required to spend 90 minutes at the mercy of a salesperson, makes me sure that I never want to go to a timeshare sales presentation unless I am actually interested in buying a timeshare.

 

[newbeestl]

I don't need to personally put my hand on a hot stove to know that it's a bad idea. I've read enough of others' first-hand experiences to know that stoves burn, and timeshare tours are unpleasant. And, I *absolutely* know that I'd make a lot more billing one of my consulting clients for that time than I ever would attending a tour---and the work is actually fun.

But, hey, if someone else needs to experience them first-hand, more power (and salve) to 'em!

Then simply say you're too good to go on a presentation and you make a lot of money. Don't talk bad about something that you have NO FIRSTHAND knowledge about. It makes you look foolish............

 

[daannzzz]

We stayed at the Hilton on Friday May 21st for our last night. I got the hotel through Priceline for $99 (over bid in hopes of getting Hyatt Regency or Gaylord Palms). It was more convenient than staying "off property". We really liked it. They put us in a room on the 18th floor at the very end. Our view was awesome. The room was nice though a bit bland. We used the pool and while it is quite fun they could use a quiet pool off some where. We walked over to the Waldorf and while the public spaces in both places are very nice I thought the Waldorf was rather ordinary. This is a great place to stay for less $$$ than Disney.

 

[Brian Noble]

Don't talk bad about something that you have NO FIRSTHAND knowledge about.

Nonsense. Spend just a half hour reading some of the "owner update" (tour) stories over on the Wyndham owners' board, and you'll see just how awful some of these can be. Those are all first-hand accounts, and all quite credible. You don't need to personally experience something if the evidence speaks for itself.

Like I said, if folks want to do one of these, they are welcome to do so. But, they should go in knowing what they are in for, that it can be extremely unpleasant, and that *most* people who have been on one would never do it again. There are a few folks who don't mind them, and that's fine---but most people do. If a friend of mine asked if they should do a tour at a Wyndham property, I would tell them to steer well clear. It can *really* sour a vacation quickly if it goes south. For some people the risk is worth it, and that's a decision they have to make.

It makes you look foolish.

I appreciate your concern, but I'll take my chances. If warning my fellow DISers about the downsides of a timeshare tour makes me look foolish, I'm okay with that.

 

[Mommy3boys]

Does anyone know when the 6th tower will be done? I have read about a pirate pool area with water cannons but can't find any pictures. We are going in October and I wondered if that new pool would be open then.

 

[foreUT]

We stayed at the Hilton on Friday May 21st for our last night. I got the hotel through Priceline for $99 (over bid in hopes of getting Hyatt Regency or Gaylord Palms). It was more convenient than staying "off property". We really liked it. They put us in a room on the 18th floor at the very end. Our view was awesome. The room was nice though a bit bland. We used the pool and while it is quite fun they could use a quiet pool off some where. We walked over to the Waldorf and while the public spaces in both places are very nice I thought the Waldorf was rather ordinary. This is a great place to stay for less $$$ than Disney.

Those are fabulous pix. Thanks for the "insight".

 

[newbeestl]

Does anyone know when the 6th tower will be done? I have read about a pirate pool area with water cannons but can't find any pictures. We are going in October and I wondered if that new pool would be open then.

The tower will be done by then but I'm not sure about the pool.

 

[DSLRuser]

Hello everyone. We stayed at W-BC last March, after reading this thread, and loved the place. We got a great rate of sellmytimesharenow.com.

During our stay last March, they were just finishing up the pool area across the lake from the main building. I assume it is finished.

I have a question for anyone who has been there recently. I struck up a conversation with the hotel manager last year, and he gave me his card, which I have misplaced. He was a super nice African American gentleman. Does anyone happen to know his name? He said to call him up before we come back and he will make sure our needs are met.

Well, we were supposed to go to Gulf Shores Alabama June 12-20. We officially canceled on that due to oil last night, and were able to secure a 1 bedroom at W-BC for a decent rate, using a corporate number. I am excited to see what has changed in 16 months.

As for my review.....we have been doing Disney since 1992. I think we have 30 trips in. Stayed at almost every Disney resort and VC resort. Also many of the Orlando Marriott Properties. The W-BC offers the best of both worlds. Location of being "on Disney property", but value of "off property".

As for having a car. It is a must. We tried the resort bus 1 time and did not have a good experience. So we began going to play a lot of tennis, or mini golf at the fantasia golf and tennis center across the street. After a quick round of golf or tennis it is a short walk to the swan & dolphin boat launch, or bus stations. The extra time makes up for the free parking loophole.

i would appreciate it if someone could post that managers name.

 

[littlestar]

Does anyone know where the presidential units are located at? Are they on certain floors and I wonder how many there are per building? I've heard that the new Tower 6 will be for Presidential Reserve.

 

[Tina]

We stayed at the Hilton on Friday May 21st for our last night. I got the hotel through Priceline for $99 (over bid in hopes of getting Hyatt Regency or Gaylord Palms). It was more convenient than staying "off property". We really liked it. They put us in a room on the 18th floor at the very end. Our view was awesome. The room was nice though a bit bland. We used the pool and while it is quite fun they could use a quiet pool off some where. We walked over to the Waldorf and while the public spaces in both places are very nice I thought the Waldorf was rather ordinary. This is a great place to stay for less $$$ than Disney.

These are nice pics and all, but you may want to move them to a separate thread as the Hilton is in no way related or connected to the Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've heard that the new Tower 6 will be for Presidential Reserve.

I vaguely recall reading somewhere that part, but not all, of Tower 6 is PR.

 

[krispyk]

is there a fee for the children's activities?
thanks!

 

[snappy]

We were just at the Wyndham about 10 days ago and the report was the grand opening for building 6 is during the July 4th weekend. In March we were told the staff was being trained for the new building so the July date is credible.

I don't think the grounds will be ready, but the rooms will be.

A staff person told me back in march that all the rooms are presidential at building 6, and that the furnishings are very upscale. I believe some of the other buildings have some presidential units as well.

We liked the resort better this May than last May. It is really shaping up. You really want to have a car here. You can drive to the Studios in less thatn 5 minutes, Epcot maybe 10. It would be much longer on the resort bus as they make stops at more than one park each trip.

We stayed at the Waldorf last year too. Very upscale, great service, more of an adult place. I can't wait to go back with my husband. For a family, go with the Wyndham, or perhaps the Hilton.