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

[Brian Noble]

Yet more evidence of the "value" of VIP benefits...

Speaking of which, the Wyndham VOA meeting was last month. Were there any new "enhancements" announced to the program? I haven't heard anything---which probably means "no news is good news."

 

[belle41379]

Forgive me! I must admit I didn't want to wade through 54 pages to see if this was a previous question.

What dining options are there now? I looked on the website and didn't see any listed. I remember hearing something about the restaurant on the DIS Podcast, but I'm not sure where to find info on it. Does anyone have a menu/prices? We are staying at BC for the first time with family this December/January - THE bussiest week of the year and I'm trying to get some of the pre-planning done. Any help you can give would be fantastic!

 

[webprinter]

I was told by Bonnet Creek that they do not receive room assignments from Wyndham, (or don't pay any attention to them if they do). They told me to call or email them 2 weeks in advance with my room request and they would try to meet it. In their defense, I will say that everytime we have booked a one or two bedroom, they have done a great job. The one and only time we have booked a three bedroom, we had a lousy room that did not really meet our request very well. I think they probably don't have a lot of three bedrooms compared to one and two bedrooms.

 

[Brian Noble]

What dining options are there now?

They Wyndham cluster has what Disney resorts would consider Counter Service so far: a pizza place (that is reputedly pretty good), burgers, wraps, sandwiches, a coffee shop, etc. There is also a very small market to throw together a basic meal (spaghetti, sauce, wine!)

The Hilton and Waldorf Astoria are just across Chelonia Parkway from the Wyndham encampment---walking distance, but a healthy walk. They each have a full complement of restaurants.

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/ORLHHHH-Hilton-Orlando-Bonnet-Creek-Florida/index.do
http://www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/archived-press-releases/public-relations-agencies

 

[grandmadebby]

Well I did call Bonnet Creek and she told me they have 2 floors with 1, 2, and 4 bedroom presidential rooms in the main building. She also said they go very fast and are usually requested 2 days after booking through Wyndham. It has to be requested through Wyndham and I should call myself 2 days after booking through Wyndham to assure the request came through. Unfortunately I will need a 3 bedroom unit and 3 - 1 bedroom units so it is probably not an option for us but I hope the information will help someone else.

 

[skjuls]

Well I did call Bonnet Creek and she told me they have 2 floors with 1, 2, and 4 bedroom presidential rooms in the main building. She also said they go very fast and are usually requested 2 days after booking through Wyndham. It has to be requested through Wyndham and I should call myself 2 days after booking through Wyndham to assure the request came through. Unfortunately I will need a 3 bedroom unit and 3 - 1 bedroom units so it is probably not an option for us but I hope the information will help someone else.

Well, presidential rooms cost more points so I have never tried to reserve one. I didn't think I could but sometimes they are available.

 

[webprinter]

Well I did call Bonnet Creek and she told me they have 2 floors with 1, 2, and 4 bedroom presidential rooms in the main building. She also said they go very fast and are usually requested 2 days after booking through Wyndham. It has to be requested through Wyndham and I should call myself 2 days after booking through Wyndham to assure the request came through. Unfortunately I will need a 3 bedroom unit and 3 - 1 bedroom units so it is probably not an option for us but I hope the information will help someone else.

Well.....That is interesting. So, was I given incorrect information, or is that the only time they pay attention to which units you book through Wyndham? Also, if getting a room in the main building is a maker or breaker situation, it means you won't know until you call Wyndham a couple days later. They told you to call a couple days after making the reservation, they told me they didn't have any check in information until 2 weeks prior to the check in and that the "room assigner" is who I would have to talk to. I wish all of Wyndham would get on the same page and give the same answer to everyone. It is very frustrating.

 

[grandmadebby]

I guess I did not complete my thought, she said that is the process to request a room but then she added not all request can be honored but they will do there best. She also said those rooms are filled up quickly plus they have no 3 bedroom units like I need. The main building is not a maker or breaker this trip I just want to make it as easy as possible when we finish at night with the parks. My group will consist of a handicapped adult that is 36 years, 6 grandchildren in which 3 will be under 4 and usually fall asleep so we are carrying them to the rooms.

 

[DSLRuser]

we will be there 6-12 / 6-19......4 days from now....

I called directly to the resort to confirm my reservation, and made my request then.

Building 5, lake / pool view. I think we actually like the not so popular views so we have no worries. it is noted on our reservation, as verified by 2 seperate calls on 2 days.

 

[jessmsw]

Just wondering if anyone knows when RCI would release Feb. 2011 dates to exchange? We're hoping to use RCI (as guests of my MIL who is the RCI member) for a trip at the end of next Feb., and don't see any availability at WBC. I'm hoping that's just because they haven't listed their units yet.

Thank you!! This thread has been so fun and helpful to read.

Jess

 

[mwatson011]

Any new opinions/updates on the shuttle service to the parks?

We are debating between going in August and October, and will be a party of 9 with one car that we don't really want to take to the parks. We are used to staying at the Disney resorts and using the bus transportation.

Oh, heck, while I'm asking, throw in your opinions about August vs. October too, please!

 

[tndislvr]

We ended up renting a car because I started getting nervous about using the shuttle with two small kids. However, when we were there (2 weeks ago) the shuttle was actually a large bus like Disney uses and the bus never looked full (at least when picking up at the resort....don't know how it was at night picking up at the parks). I do think they may use smaller van type shuttles during slower times of year so those could get crowded quickly. Maybe one day some could take the shuttle and some take the car to "try out" the shuttle but still have the car at the park if needed. At BC you are SO close to everything. MK is the longest drive and even it isn't more than 15minutes by car.

Regarding August or October....I'd vote for early October. August is still VERY hot and crowded. We usually go the last week in September and the crowds are down considerably...still hot though! I'd think by early October the heat may be getting a little more tolerable. Late September is the latest in the year we have ever traveled but I know you want to avoid late October as the crowd levels will be higher the closer you get to Halloween.

Hope this helps!

 

[Disneymooners93]

My father is a long time FF/Wyndham owner and has just taken a huge hit with his retirement fund. While trying to straighten out his finances we have realized he really overstretched his ownership obligations in January by upgrading at Bonnet Creek.

I have been researching some FF/Wyndham sources to learn what I can to help sort this out but I think I really need to talk with someone who deeply knows the Wyndham process and/or timeshare legal aspects to really sort out our options (rent/sell/downgrade?/default).

I have a stay at AKV starting Sunday and may try to meet with someone at Bonnet Creek, but I think I really need some advice before doing that.

I know there are some DISers here who are knowledgible in these areas. If anyone feels they can assist me, please send me a PM.



Thank you,
Pete

 

[Brian Noble]

Just wondering if anyone knows when RCI would release Feb. 2011 dates to exchange

Sometime later this month. Wyndham typically releases 7-8 months in advance.

I really need to talk with someone who deeply knows the Wyndham process and/or timeshare legal aspects to really sort out our options (rent/sell/downgrade?/default.)

Did he finance the purchase (so needs to make payments on the purchase loan), or is the problem the monthly maintenance fees (so he owns all the points free of encumberance.)

 

[Disneymooners93]

Did he finance the purchase (so needs to make payments on the purchase loan), or is the problem the monthly maintenance fees (so he owns all the points free of encumberance.)

Both, but the biggest part of the problem is the loan payments. MF went up to where they shouldn't taken them on given their fixed income but we could have worked around that through rental, possibly.

There are several layers to this that shouldn't be discussed in the "We love Bonnett Creek" thread, so if anyone is so inclined we'll leave it in PM or preferred ultimately by phone.

I've been trying to communicate on the Wyndham sites as well. Being DVC myself I've been on DIS and know several folks here to be knowledgible and helpful.

Thanks,

 

[DSLRuser]

MF went up to where they shouldn't taken them on given their fixed income

I hope everything works out for you, but to be clear. The folks at Bonnet Creek did nothing wrong. Your father fell in love with a great property, and he alone over extended himself.

 

[DisneyPoohBear]

So excited that we leave tomorrow!! Thanks for all of the info everyone shared..

 

[litlpixie]

ok, so thanks to people here, I got a great rate for our August trip through Ken Price. WOW, I cant believe after all these years of staying onsite in rooms where we were practically on top of eachother, for a fraction of what WDW rooms cost, Im gonna have tons of room!

Questions for those "repeaters":

Where should I do my grocery shopping?

Also looking for advice on your meals: do you go out for dinner, or eat in and do dessert in the parks , do you eat in for lunches, etc. Im just looking to plan the meals wisely, without over-shopping .I wont be able to take alot back home with me on the plane.

thank you everyone!!
Penny

 

[Pedler]

Hi all,

We just booked our reservations with Ken and because we are staying Monday to Monday it needed to be done in two reservations. Ken assured us that they would keep us in the same room for the entire week. I just wanted to see if anyone else had done this before.

Thanks in advance.

 

[TotoToo]

Where should I do my grocery shopping?

If you go out to 535 (Downtown Disney) then less than 1 mile is Wynn Dixie. Also another 2 miles on Palm Parkway/Turkey Lake Rd is a Super Walmart In the Crossroads plaza across from DTD is a Goodings (not as well thought of as they once were). If you go toward 192 then there is Publix. About 5 miles I'd guess. Also Super Target & yet another (2) Super Walmarts. Plenty of places o choose from.

Also looking for advice on your meals: do you go out for dinner, or eat in and do dessert in the parks , do you eat in for lunches, etc. Im just looking to plan the meals wisely, without over-shopping .I wont be able to take alot back home with me on the plane.

thank you everyone!!
Penny

We usually do diner out - maybe breakfast in the unit. Lunch can be either. Watch the leftovers and you can save money and not waste much with careful selection of meals both made and at restaurants.