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

[mickeytattoo95]

I'm so glad I found you guys!

As a family of 4, we've outgrown the traditional hotel room quickly. Though I love the price of the POP Century, it's hardly a vacation when you are stepping over each other and the kid's stuff for 7 days!

Thanks for the referral to Ken. I've sent him an email and am sooooo looking forward to booking a place at Bonnet Creek.

My question for those of you who have stayed there is...
Do you miss the extra magic hours? That's the biggest selling point to staying on property for me. I love the smaller crowds during EMH.

 

[vettechick99]

Do you miss the extra magic hours? That's the biggest selling point to staying on property for me. I love the smaller crowds during EMH.

We haven't missed the EMHs. Mostly because DD is too young to wake early or keep up late. So we just go with the flow with her. Lately she has been waking on her own at 7, so we will be able to make rope drop. But earlier than that is pushing it.

EMH in the am are great though. You can do so much before the rope drop, but I have also found that you can get a lot done just by being there early. That hour or two before the crowds come in are key. Also a good touring plan helps immensely. We plan on getting up early several days, and using touring plans everyday.

 

[gina_g]

Where does everyone do their grocery shopping while staying at BC? We will probably drive straight to the resort from the airport to get settled and then head back out for groceries.

 

[vettechick99]

Where does everyone do their grocery shopping while staying at BC? We will probably drive straight to the resort from the airport to get settled and then head back out for groceries.

We head out on 192 - going west. There are two Publixs out that way. And tons of restaurants!

The shortcut to get there is to go toward AK. When you get to the light right before the AK ramp, take a left on Sherberth Rd. That dumps you out onto 192. Take a right and Publix is on your right down a ways.

 

[TotoToo]

Where does everyone do their grocery shopping while staying at BC? We will probably drive straight to the resort from the airport to get settled and then head back out for groceries.

Closer, but with different choices, is going toward Downtown Disney & out to the Crossroads. Right in that plaza is a Goodings (rather high priced). About 1/4 mile away to the left is Winn Dixie (nice, new store). Or head down Palm Parkway/Turkey Lake road about 3 miles for a nice Super Walmart. Easy access. Nice stores. And again plenty of restaurants as you travel that route.

 

[Brian Noble]

I go to the Winn Dixie. I've only been in the Goodings once, and thought it was remarkably shabby for the prices it charged---water stains on the ceiling tiles, poorly lit, etc.

Buena Vista Drive can be slow slogging with all those DTD lights, I tend to go around OKW/SSR instead.

 

[Cdn Gal]

If you buy on ebay check out the rating of the seller, check out the closing company, pay by credit card so if there is a problem (like our first one) you can get your $$ back from the cc company. Luckily for us though the seller realized that we were pulling out of the sale and miracles among miracles the paperwork suddenly came through. Read everything you can on TUG and the Wyndham Owners group before you make any decision. Watch the prices on ebay for awhile to get a feel for what the prices are going for. Good luck to you,

 

[Cdn Gal]

Oh yeah- points that you are not planning to use- you must push them forward before your use year. They are good for 3 years in the points credit pool. Or if you have left over points then put them into RCI. When we bought we had an extra Prime/Red 2 weeks 2 bedroom and a Prime/Red 1 week 1 bedroom. So next year we will do RCI and push forward our points since 3 weeks vacation is good for us. We are just starting and are learning along the way, and are by no means an expert. There are plenty more knowledgeable people who can answer your questions probably better. Good luck and all the best!

 

[FIREFLY01]

thank u for ur help we too are just trying to figure this timeshare thing out there are so many ins and outs........................

 

[mickeytattoo95]

We haven't missed the EMHs. Mostly because DD is too young to wake early or keep up late. So we just go with the flow with her. Lately she has been waking on her own at 7, so we will be able to make rope drop. But earlier than that is pushing it.

EMH in the am are great though. You can do so much before the rope drop, but I have also found that you can get a lot done just by being there early. That hour or two before the crowds come in are key. Also a good touring plan helps immensely. We plan on getting up early several days, and using touring plans everyday.

Ken got back to me within a 1/2 hour yesterday! He is the nicest guy! Thanks again for letting all of us know about him. He should hook you up big time for all your referrals. Anyhow, it was a good thing I contacted him. There were only 2 condos left for the week we wanted to go and that's 9 months from now! He said you just never know...

We are morning people anyway! My DS (8) wakes up ready to be the leader of the free world. He and I usually have to find something to do from 6-8am while my DH and DD sleep. Great time to have the pool to ourselves!

 

[Joyful3Heart]

Hi, everybody!
We are going to stay at Wyndham Bonnet Creek for our first ever trip to WDW coming up in May. I LOVE THIS THREAD! All the pics and information you guys posted has really helped me to prepare and is even getting my husband to really look forward to this trip. We are also renting with Ken Price, who I have to say is a super nice guy who has been very prompt in responding to all of my emails and and soooo patient with all of my questions.
I don't have anything more to add but rather than just lurking I wanted to let you know how great all the info is...
Have a great day!

 

[ascardino]

My husband and I are taking a trip w/o the kids this weekend. We are DVCrs but I have been reading up on BC.

My question is, would you or would you feel it is worth it to take a cab over to BC to check it out in terms of either staying there in the future or possibly even buying points resale?

We have two contracts through DVC and while I love owning Disney , I haven't been too happy with availability on short term planning which is what me mostly do. And cost is another factor that I am weighing.

Love to know your thoughts!

 

[TotoToo]

My husband and I are taking a trip w/o the kids this weekend. We are DVCrs but I have been reading up on BC.

My question is, would you or would you feel it is worth it to take a cab over to BC to check it out in terms of either staying there in the future or possibly even buying points resale?

Well, if you have the time & the cab fare it is worth taking a look. It's impressive to see - even just the public areas. You'll probably be impressed and if that spurs you to buy Wyndham points (ALWAYS resale - NEVER retail from Wyndham as they seriously over charge direct buyers while resales are incredibly inexpensive) you'll not only have the ability to use BC but the whole Wyndham system. That is one of the most extensive in timeshare in the US and has a number of rather rare urban locations. Why not take a quick look?

 

[vettechick99]

Welcome Joyful!!

I'm with Toto, I would definitely take a ride over. It's a cheap cab ride I imagine since it's on property. And they certainly won't turn you away at the gates. Just don't let anyone know you are there to look around unless you want to go on a tour. And if you do, make sure you get something in return.

 

[Upatnoon]

I'd suggest you just book a quick trip. Head over to eBay or tugbbs.com. You can find lots of short stays on eBay for $80 a night or less.

Right now I would not buy Wyndham points, because the deals you get renting units online are cheaper than the annual maintenance fees you would pay.

For me, staying in a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek saves me a ton of money and has me spoiled to the point of not wanting to stay in ANY hotel room with my family. Now I would love to stay in 2 bedroom at the beach club or wilderness lodge, but I can't afford that.

 

[littlestar]

One thing about owning some Wyndham points, you make your own reservations and you get to check the online system and see what's available. I'm buying in at 154,000 points resale. If I find I'm out of points for the year and want to book another trip, I figure I can always check availability online and then get in touch with a mega point renter/owner and ask them if they can book such and such online that I see. The Wyndham points ownership would also give you an RCI weeks membership - then you can book cash Last Calls and Extra Vacations - especially nice for Orlando in the off season.

You can also deposit Wyndham points in RCI to do exchanges outside of Wyndham. With our 154,000 current year points we're probably going to book a Bonnet Creek 2 bedroom in September and that takes 112,000 points. The leftover 42,000 Wyndham points I plan on depositing in RCI to exchange.

 

[ascardino]

One thing about owning some Wyndham points, you make your own reservations and you get to check the online system and see what's available. I'm buying in at 154,000 points resale. If I find I'm out of points for the year and want to book another trip, I figure I can always check availability online and then get in touch with a mega point renter/owner and ask them if they can book such and such online that I see. The Wyndham points ownership would also give you an RCI weeks membership - then you can book cash Last Calls and Extra Vacations - especially nice for Orlando in the off season.

You can also deposit Wyndham points in RCI to do exchanges outside of Wyndham. With our 154,000 current year points we're probably going to book a Bonnet Creek 2 bedroom in September and that takes 112,000 points. The leftover 42,000 Wyndham points I plan on depositing in RCI to exchange.

Interesting. Have you purchased recently? Would you pm me approximately what you paid if you do not want to post it here? Just curious as I am really not familiar with their point system at all.

 

[littlestar]

Interesting. Have you purchased recently? Would you pm me approximately what you paid if you do not want to post it here? Just curious as I am really not familiar with their point system at all.

Yes, we purchased recently. We purchased resale off of Ebay from a seller with 100% percent positive feedback - 154,000 annual points for $26.00. Our closing costs and resort transfer fee added about $500 to that. So roughly $526.00 total.

We chose Wyndham Smoky Mountain resort because it has reasonable, stable maintenance fees and it's a resort within a day's drive of our home and we like Pigeon Forge, TN, as a vacation spot.

Having the option to use our points at Bonnet Creek (with the fabulous location next to Disney's Caribbean Beach resort) was just icing on the cake. Not to mention the other Wyndham resorts within the system - Destin, FL; Panama City, FL; San Antonio, TX; Alexandria, VA (for Washington DC trips).

 

[HeatherC]

Littlestar: Congratulations on your Wyndham Points! Would you mind telling us what your yearly maintenance fees will be? Are they all about $3.95 per 1k points like another poster mentioned?

May have to do more research into this again!

Thanks so much!

 

[ascardino]

Yes, we purchased recently. We purchased resale off of Ebay from a seller with 100% percent positive feedback - 154,000 annual points for $26.00. Our closing costs and resort transfer fee added about $500 to that. So roughly $526.00 total.

We chose Wyndham Smoky Mountain resort because it has reasonable, stable maintenance fees and it's a resort within a day's drive of our home and we like Pigeon Forge, TN, as a vacation spot.

Having the option to use our points at Bonnet Creek (with the fabulous location next to Disney's Caribbean Beach resort) was just icing on the cake. Not to mention the other Wyndham resorts within the system - Destin, FL; Panama City, FL; San Antonio, TX; Alexandria, VA (for Washington DC trips).

Sorry to be a pain, but can you also tell me how much annual maintenance is? Do you know of a website that gives info so I do not bug you anymore?