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

[pipervali]

I would call the front desk at Bonnet Creek at the two week mark and also at the one week mark. I called at two weeks out with my request. When we checked in this weekend, we did not get any of the three buildings we requested and did not get a pool view like we had requested. All the front desk person said was that I should have called them again at the one week mark and I should have checked in sooner. I have never had them tell me to call twice before and have checked in other times late at night and we have always gotten our requests other times. But, to be on the safe side, I would do it this way. Fortunately, DH checked in because I was so tired or they probably would have gotten to see what I look like when I get angry. Instead, DH was the recipient. The moral of the story is, never cross me when I am tired. (it was after midnight and I am over 50).

Thanks for the advice. That sucks that you didn't get any of your choices, because of so late at night perhaps? Either way, sorry to hear that

 

[padawans]

Can anybody tell me how far bonnet creek is from universal studios. I'm looking for a nice hotel to stay in for three nights before we move to the BWV. The US resorts look nice but the pictures of bonnet creek look nicer

 

[lillygator]

we are in BC at the end of the month....what room request should I make? also, is there food around the pool and drinks? (to buy)

 

[horseshowmom]

Can anybody tell me how far bonnet creek is from universal studios. I'm looking for a nice hotel to stay in for three nights before we move to the BWV. The US resorts look nice but the pictures of bonnet creek look nicer

It's not a bad drive, and BC is certainly more roomy (I've stayed in both). One thing to consider with the Universal hotels is that you get front of the line access in the parks with your room key. I can't begin to tell you how nice that is. If if were me, I might consider a split stay (which I normally wouldn't do). I wouldn't want to stay in one hotel room all week and BC can be gotten for much better prices than Universal hotels.

 

[vettechick99]

Thanks, Kelly! Great pictures. Happy Birthday. I remember when I was 30.

Kelly also contributed some great shuttle info to the front page, and I added a link to some pictures of the inside of a 2-bedroom including the kitchen supplies.

*********

Does anyone have pictures of a 1-bed, 3-bed, or 4-bed (pres or reg)? If so, make a slideshow and we'll add it to the front page. PM me!

 

[Tracey123]

I can get a two bedroom at Disney for approx $1200 or a two bedroom at BC for $700....what would make you pay that much extra just to be at a Disney resort? The extra hours aren't worth that much in my opinion.

I know at Disney resorts you can have your packages sent back to the room, does BC offer that service?

 

[TotoToo]

I can get a two bedroom at Disney for approx $1200 or a two bedroom at BC for $700....what would make you pay that much extra just to be at a Disney resort? The extra hours aren't worth that much in my opinion.

I know at Disney resorts you can have your packages sent back to the room, does BC offer that service?

No. I wouldn't pay $200 for smaller, less equipped units at DVC vs BC.

No, no package delivery. But with your big savings you have money for them & having to carry them back (you'll carry them home, right?) shouldn't be that hard and certainly not worth $500. Thats a heck of a big tip!

 

[lillygator]

isn't there a lazy river there? is that at the main pool?

 

[tamaraten]

Please forgive me for asking this question on the "we loooove BC thread"! But, I'm a first time off-site visitor (and only 2nd time to Disney).

I'm going crazy trying to decide where to stay with my Dh and four kids ages 12, 10, 8 and 6. I originally narrowed it down to the Sheraton Vistana, Floridays and Worldquest...and then I heard of BC, adding a fourth resort to the dilemma.

I have spent days and days reading and am just going cukoo trying to decide. I am puzzled by the rank that BC had on Tripadvisor (#41 of 346 hotels) as opposed to the three others I mentioned (all within the top 12) considering how people love BC.

Can someone please help me??? For those who love BC, have you been to the others that I mentioned above and how does it compare? We're essentially looking for a hotel that is comfortable for all of us but we really don't plan on spending too much time there because we'll probably be at the parks all day and just come home late to sleep. (I know this from my first trip last year, where we stayed at the CR and I realized we didn't need to spend that money when we basically just crashed). We do want somewhere really nice though.

Please help me decide!!!

I so appreciate your comments, thanks.

 

[Upatnoon]

isn't there a lazy river there? is that at the main pool?

Bonnet Creek has 2 lazy rivers. One is more themed, the other more simple.

 

[Upatnoon]

Please forgive me for asking this question on the "we loooove BC thread"! But, I'm a first time off-site visitor (and only 2nd time to Disney).

I'm going crazy trying to decide where to stay with my Dh and four kids ages 12, 10, 8 and 6. I originally narrowed it down to the Sheraton Vistana, Floridays and Worldquest...and then I heard of BC, adding a fourth resort to the dilemma.

I have spent days and days reading and am just going cukoo trying to decide. I am puzzled by the rank that BC had on Tripadvisor (#41 of 346 hotels) as opposed to the three others I mentioned (all within the top 12) considering how people love BC.

Can someone please help me??? For those who love BC, have you been to the others that I mentioned above and how does it compare? We're essentially looking for a hotel that is comfortable for all of us but we really don't plan on spending too much time there because we'll probably be at the parks all day and just come home late to sleep. (I know this from my first trip last year, where we stayed at the CR and I realized we didn't need to spend that money when we basically just crashed). We do want somewhere really nice though.

Please help me decide!!!

I so appreciate your comments, thanks.

There is nothing wrong with those other places, but if you want to be within the gates of Disney, you can't do any better than Bonnet Creek. Our neighbor has stayed at both Vistana and Bonnet Creek and says the rooms and such are about the same, but the location of Bonnet Creek is a nice advantage if you are visiting Disney.

Another advantage for Bonnet Creek is the ease of booking it via eBay and other places for less than the other resorts you mentioned. I have never paid more than $100 a night to stay at Bonnet Creek, and that includes all taxes and fees.

 

[DCTooTall]

Please forgive me for asking this question on the "we loooove BC thread"! But, I'm a first time off-site visitor (and only 2nd time to Disney).

I'm going crazy trying to decide where to stay with my Dh and four kids ages 12, 10, 8 and 6. I originally narrowed it down to the Sheraton Vistana, Floridays and Worldquest...and then I heard of BC, adding a fourth resort to the dilemma.

I have spent days and days reading and am just going cukoo trying to decide. I am puzzled by the rank that BC had on Tripadvisor (#41 of 346 hotels) as opposed to the three others I mentioned (all within the top 12) considering how people love BC.

Can someone please help me??? For those who love BC, have you been to the others that I mentioned above and how does it compare? We're essentially looking for a hotel that is comfortable for all of us but we really don't plan on spending too much time there because we'll probably be at the parks all day and just come home late to sleep. (I know this from my first trip last year, where we stayed at the CR and I realized we didn't need to spend that money when we basically just crashed). We do want somewhere really nice though.

Please help me decide!!!

I so appreciate your comments, thanks.

I haven't stayed at the other places, or read all the reviews on Tripadvisor to be able to say with any certainty as to why it was rated lower than the others, but I can make a couple comments that may help to explain the "lower" ranking.

1. Wyndham Bonnet Creek is a Timeshare resort. Most people making reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor are used to and thinking of the place as typical hotel. Therefor, they are suprised to discover things like daily housekeeping (making beds/ fresh towels / etc) are not offered at a Timeshare resort or end up costing extra, and in turn give the place a bad rating on such sites.

2. Wyndham is newer than most of the other places you mentioned. This means it may have less total reviews vs the others, resulting in the percentage of lower scored reviews being higher than the others.

3. Wyndham sales people can be a bit....pushy... at times. Even if you pay cash to the resort itself to stay there, they still try and talk you into going to their sales presentation. This is not required, but they will pester you every day until you do. As people here have mentioned, declining the invite is possible when you pick up your parking pass, and you can either unplug the room phone or turn down the ringers so their daily calls won't interrupt your stay and enjoyment.

4. Wyndham just recently completed building their last tower. (and are now finishing up the hotel on site). This means that for the past several years there has been construction at the location which may have turned some people off due to the occasional mess or construction noise.



Since the other locations (I know at least 1 or 2 of them are timeshares as well) are older, they may have completed their sales stage or entered into a final inventory stage of resort sales. This would mean that they would not be trying to sell ownership in the resort as much as Wyndham with it's new "empty" towers. Besides the obvious sales people bugging you staying there, this would also mean less chaos from sales people and outside visitors touring the resort.


As others will state within this thread, Wyndham BC has a huge advantage from location compared to most other off-site resorts. You are for all intents and purposes on-site, even though it is technically not on Disney Property and you don't get some of the onsite Disney hotel perks. But, you do have to pass thru the "Welcome to Disney" signs before you check in, and can see the parks surrounding you, even if the property isn't technically on Disney property.


I'd probably say take a look at location, ammenities, and what your plans are. Are you going to rely on resort shuttles to get to the parks? or drive? Are you spending your entire trip at Disney, or spreading things out so a location more "central" to the entire orlando tourist area would be desirable? Do you think you would partake in things the resort has to offer like pools, bars, lazy rivers, etc? If you can't decide based just off reviews on sites like trip Advisor, maybe these things might help you in your decision. If you are not going to be driving, then the resort shuttles might be a big factor to consider. If you are just looking for a place to sleep and shower, the pools/lazy rivers offered at the different resorts may not matter.


I know I didn't answer your question exactly, but hopefully I may have offered at least something to help you in your decision making process.

 

[mrzrich]

I know at Disney resorts you can have your packages sent back to the room, does BC offer that service?

Although package delivery to offsite hotels is not an option, I have often made purchases in the park and taken advantage of another service Disney offers. If you shop in the parks, Disney gives you the option of having your packages waiting for you near the park exit. That way you don't have to schlep bags around the park. When you are ready to leave, your purchases are ready for you.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Although package delivery to offsite hotels is not an option, I have often made purchases in the park and taken advantage of another service Disney offers. If you shop in the parks, Disney gives you the option of having your packages waiting for you near the park exit. That way you don't have to schlep bags around the park. When you are ready to leave, your purchases are ready for you.

I actually prefer this over resort delivery. With resort delivery, you have to go to the gift shop (at least we did) to pick up. Yet another opportunity for my kids to ask for more stuff. Package pick up is really convenient (though nothing beats onsite at Universal; they deliver right to your room.)

 

[tamaraten]

I haven't stayed at the other places, or read all the reviews on Tripadvisor to be able to say with any certainty as to why it was rated lower than the others, but I can make a couple comments that may help to explain the "lower" ranking.

1. Wyndham Bonnet Creek is a Timeshare resort. Most people making reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor are used to and thinking of the place as typical hotel. Therefor, they are suprised to discover things like daily housekeeping (making beds/ fresh towels / etc) are not offered at a Timeshare resort or end up costing extra, and in turn give the place a bad rating on such sites.

2. Wyndham is newer than most of the other places you mentioned. This means it may have less total reviews vs the others, resulting in the percentage of lower scored reviews being higher than the others.

3. Wyndham sales people can be a bit....pushy... at times. Even if you pay cash to the resort itself to stay there, they still try and talk you into going to their sales presentation. This is not required, but they will pester you every day until you do. As people here have mentioned, declining the invite is possible when you pick up your parking pass, and you can either unplug the room phone or turn down the ringers so their daily calls won't interrupt your stay and enjoyment.

4. Wyndham just recently completed building their last tower. (and are now finishing up the hotel on site). This means that for the past several years there has been construction at the location which may have turned some people off due to the occasional mess or construction noise.



Since the other locations (I know at least 1 or 2 of them are timeshares as well) are older, they may have completed their sales stage or entered into a final inventory stage of resort sales. This would mean that they would not be trying to sell ownership in the resort as much as Wyndham with it's new "empty" towers. Besides the obvious sales people bugging you staying there, this would also mean less chaos from sales people and outside visitors touring the resort.


As others will state within this thread, Wyndham BC has a huge advantage from location compared to most other off-site resorts. You are for all intents and purposes on-site, even though it is technically not on Disney Property and you don't get some of the onsite Disney hotel perks. But, you do have to pass thru the "Welcome to Disney" signs before you check in, and can see the parks surrounding you, even if the property isn't technically on Disney property.


I'd probably say take a look at location, ammenities, and what your plans are. Are you going to rely on resort shuttles to get to the parks? or drive? Are you spending your entire trip at Disney, or spreading things out so a location more "central" to the entire orlando tourist area would be desirable? Do you think you would partake in things the resort has to offer like pools, bars, lazy rivers, etc? If you can't decide based just off reviews on sites like trip Advisor, maybe these things might help you in your decision. If you are not going to be driving, then the resort shuttles might be a big factor to consider. If you are just looking for a place to sleep and shower, the pools/lazy rivers offered at the different resorts may not matter.


I know I didn't answer your question exactly, but hopefully I may have offered at least something to help you in your decision making process.

Thank you so much for your thorough reply!! I really do appreciate it. In answer to your questions, we will have a car with us so we don't have to rely on shuttle, and I think that basically we will be out all day at the parks and coming home late just to sleep. I don't believe we'll use the amenities too much. What is important to me is that the place is spacious, really clean, that the beds are comfortable (ie not soft and springy) and that it's bright. I just read some reviews for Worldquest where many people said the beds were horrible and the apartments too dark...very unappealing.

We're planning to go to MK, Epcot, Universal and Seaworld, so do you think the location for all is good?

thanks again for taking time to help!

 

[Tracey123]

We normally stay at the Royal Sands in Cancun and I wanted to see if any BC people have stayed at both to do a comparison.

Thanks

 

[lillygator]

any thoughts on what location to request??

 

[DCTooTall]

Thank you so much for your thorough reply!! I really do appreciate it. In answer to your questions, we will have a car with us so we don't have to rely on shuttle, and I think that basically we will be out all day at the parks and coming home late just to sleep. I don't believe we'll use the amenities too much. What is important to me is that the place is spacious, really clean, that the beds are comfortable (ie not soft and springy) and that it's bright. I just read some reviews for Worldquest where many people said the beds were horrible and the apartments too dark...very unappealing.

We're planning to go to MK, Epcot, Universal and Seaworld, so do you think the location for all is good?

thanks again for taking time to help!

For EPCOT and MK, you can't beat the location of Wyndham BC. It's located almost behind EPCOT, and next to the Caribbean Beach. It's also really convenient to I-4 thanks to being so close to EPCOT Drive. (the primary EPCOT exit off I-4). Since it's so easy to get to I-4 Sea World and Universal wouldn't be too difficult to get too.

From looking at Google Maps, I'd almost say from your choices that next to BC, the next most convienent resort from your list would be the Sheraton Vistiana Resort, Followed by a tie between the Vistiana Villiage and Floridays. (didn't check Worldquest from your comments above). Vistiana Village and Floridays look to be across the street from each other off the southern section of I-Drive. Sheraton Vistiana Resort is located next to I-4 and 535, pretty much across I-4 from Downtown Disney.


Traffic wise, I honestly don't know the traffic around the section of I-drive that well where Vistiana Village and Floridays is located. I know the I-4 interchange at 535 can be a bit thick at times since it's also the first Disney labeled exist heading west from Orlando and MCO and it the Downtown Disney exit, but I think I remember a light into the Vistiana Resort so getting into/out of your resort shouldn't be too difficult. Wyndham BC there is pretty much no traffic since the road it's on only has the Wyndham, Waldorf Astoria, and Hilton BC hotels. It's connection onto the WDW roadways is where "Backstage Way" dumps you onto the road to Downtown Disney. (If you know where the DVC sign is behind EPCOT, it's that intersection.).


Personally, I'm a huge fan of the Wyndham, so I can give you a ton of reasons to stay there. But since you are deciding between several options, Look at price, the reviews and pictures you've been looking at to see which ones fit your needs/desires.... and Google Maps might help you get an idea of actual locations and relative positions to other points of interest in the areas. At some point though, you'll probably just have to bite the bullet and make a decision.

 

[tamaraten]

Personally, I'm a huge fan of the Wyndham, so I can give you a ton of reasons to stay there. .

I'd love to hear some of them if you could!!!!

(it'll help my indecision. Basically, all of the places I'm debating about are in decent locations and are more or less the same price.)

thanks

 

[DCTooTall]

I'd love to hear some of them if you could!!!!

(it'll help my indecision. Basically, all of the places I'm debating about are in decent locations and are more or less the same price.)

thanks

1. Awesome location. I love being literally surrounded by Disney. The Fact you drive past the "Welcome To Disney!" signs on your way into the resort just helps add that extra little "I'm home!" feeling at the start of my vacation.

2. Beautiful resort. The rooms are awesome. (very bright and open too). the property is beautiful with the buildings surrounding a lake, a Golf course to one side, and a nature preserve to the other.

3. tons of activities. You may not take advantage of this with your just needing a place to crash at night, but it's there if you want it. There are several pools, each with a different feel to choose from. 2 Lazy rivers. Pool bars. hot tubs galore. there is an outdoor ampitheater, mini golf, grills, etc. Then there is the activity center in the resort "clubhouse" with video games, arts and crafts, 2 nice pool tables (free), ping pong, and more. They actually also have scheduled events thruout the week you can choose to partake in if you choose, some free, others available at a small cost (often to cover the supplies, such as arts and crafts). The resort is also kind of "intimate", in that it's not super spread out like some places. It's very easy to walk to any place in the resort.

4. Room layouts and locations. I just love the 2bdrm layout. (all i've stayed in so far, and the most popular and available plan.). First off, the master bedroom and 2nd bedroom are on other sides of the unit. This means you don't have to worry about noise from one bedroom disturbing anyone in the 2nd. The Master bedroom also has a nice jacuzzi tub and sink just off the bedroom, while the roomy stand-in shower and toilet (and a sink) are in a seperate closed off bathroom. The Balcony is also pretty large, so it was quite nice to sit on the balcony in the morning, or in the Evening with a drink. If you get a lake-view, the view from the Balcony you can't go wrong with. the other side of the building, you could overlook the Golf Course, or be able to see the fireworks from EPCOT/MK....


to be honest, with the Pictures around this thread, and people's trip reports, you can gain a lot of information on this resort. You may even be able to find out more about this resort (and see it) in this thread than anyplace else on the web. I know the pictures i've seen here definately do a much better job at showing off the resort than most of the marketing pictures I've seen on even Wyndham's own site.