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

[Upatnoon]

I was pretty set on Windsor Hills, and found one or two places I really liked, but then read the slide doesn't work very well.

My two youngest were really excited about the pool. The last time we went to WDW it was in Sept, and we actually spent quite a bit of time at the hotel and pool. Left parks early afternoon, and sometimes went back at night, so it isn't just a place for us to sleep.

BC pools look spectacular, all my kids will love it, even the fussy 15 yr old!

I checked out vacationupgrades and it shows the price as $120/night plus a fee. Are there any other hidden costs? It's a little higher than I wanted to pay, but will consider it if they don't nickel and dime you on everything.

I've never had to pay any hidden charges on a Bonnet Creek stay. What you pay per night includes all taxes and everything.

You don't have to pay $120 a night if you shop around. I've never paid more than $100 a night for a two-bedroom. Once I paid $56 a night for a 5 night stay in a 2-bedroom! Ken gets raves on this board, but you do have more options.

 

[spima3]

I've never had to pay any hidden charges on a Bonnet Creek stay. What you pay per night includes all taxes and everything..

So that $120/ night fee includes tax, I believe it's 13%?

You don't have to pay $120 a night if you shop around. I've never paid more than $100 a night for a two-bedroom. Once I paid $56 a night for a 5 night stay in a 2-bedroom! Ken gets raves on this board, but you do have more options.

Were these private owners? THis is new to me, and I am leary of a private owner rental, unless someone can suggest someone in particular?

 

[Upatnoon]

So that $120/ night fee includes tax, I believe it's 13%?



Were these private owners? THis is new to me, and I am leary of a private owner rental, unless someone can suggest someone in particular?

Nope, all the taxes are included.

To get the best deal, you will always be dealing with with private owners.

People like Ken and others on eBay have made a business out of selling stays. I usually go the eBay route where you can check the feedback of the people selling the reservations. Many of the people on eBay have been selling Bonnet Creek stays for years.

Obviously, this is a little different than picking up the phone and calling Disney reservations, but the payoff and savings are HUGE!

 

[P&B's Mom]

We took the shuttle bus to MK and to Epcot. It's the same bus that takes you to both parks. First stop MK - they pull into a charter bus area behind the kennel near the TTC. At Epcot, it's the charter bus area which is just beyond where the Disney buses unload. So - not far at all. The AK/DS also drop off at the charter bus area. I'm not sure where that is, since we did not go to those parks. We only used the buses for one way transportation to the parks. It made it very easy for us to stagger our start times for the days. DH isn't an early riser. DS and I like to be at the parks early. I drove to the MK park, and DH took the shuttle over later. Then, when we went to Epcot, DS and I took the bus and DH drove over later. I really liked having this option.

I think we will rent a car--thanks so much for the advice!

 

[spima3]

We are planning on Sept 12-18th. Can I book this now or do I have to wait until it is 60 days out? (I am not understanding this part at all.)

Does the price change? and we really have no control over where we end up? we can request, but it isn't guarenteed?

Can we get slide and lazy river together? or are they different pools in different areas?

I will have a car, so I am not worried about transportation. We would be close to WDW? We are doing AK and MK and then two days at US/IOA. Easy drive to all?

thx so much, lori

 

[SalandJeff]

We rented from someone on eBay for a last minute trip last month. We were meeting friends who were staying at BC, so wanted to be at the same resort. Because I needed specific dates on short notice, I tried Ken first, but he said no availability. I got that response from several others also, but finally found a great guy who got the 4 nights we wanted for a total price of $395, and he was able to upgrade us to a 2 bedroom for no extra charge.

"...We would be close to WDW? We are doing AK and MK and then two days at US/IOA. Easy drive to all?..."

The resort is actually in WDW and a quick drive to any of the parks (AK is a bit further), DTD, the Boardwalk. We also drove to US and it was a quick drive.

If anyone would like the ebay userid of the person we rented from, feel free to send me a PM.

 

[Upatnoon]

We are planning on Sept 12-18th. Can I book this now or do I have to wait until it is 60 days out? (I am not understanding this part at all.)

Does the price change? and we really have no control over where we end up? we can request, but it isn't guarenteed?

Can we get slide and lazy river together? or are they different pools in different areas?

I will have a car, so I am not worried about transportation. We would be close to WDW? We are doing AK and MK and then two days at US/IOA. Easy drive to all?

thx so much, lori

Yes, you should wait. The 60 days out thing has to do with how many points it costs the timeshare owner to get Bonnet Creek. They get them for less points and can rent the reservation to you for less money.

Because you are dealing with individual owners, they set their own prices. You can take it, leave it or haggle. Owners also put their reservations on eBay and auction them off to the highest bidder.

When you check in you can request to be by a certain pool or in a certain building, but it is not guaranteed. If you get the fireworks Epcot view, you get it for nothing extra. If you don't get it, you paid nothing extra.


The lazy river pools don't have slides. All the pools are within walking distance, probably 10-15 minutes it you walk to the pool furthest from where you are staying.
The pools with the lazy rivers.

Bonnet Creek next door to the Caribbean Beach resort. To get there you have to enter WDW. It's a very easy to drive around.

 

[spima3]

Yes, you should wait. The 60 days out thing has to do with how many points it costs the timeshare owner to get Bonnet Creek. They get them for less points and can rent the reservation to you for less money.

So if we are going in mid-Sept, I should wait until mid July?

I know Sept is value season for WDW, and prices are usually lower, does it work the same for BC?

So, if I work w/ Ken. I contact him and tell him we need a 2 bedroom and would like it in a certain location. He then tries to find us that? He works with other owners, so there are different units available at any given time?

 

[Upatnoon]

So if we are going in mid-Sept, I should wait until mid July?

I know Sept is value season for WDW, and prices are usually lower, does it work the same for BC?

So, if I work w/ Ken. I contact him and tell him we need a 2 bedroom and would like it in a certain location. He then tries to find us that? He works with other owners, so there are different units available at any given time?

If you are looking for the best deal, book within 60 days and shop around.

If you want to use Ken, he has a website called vacationupgrades.com with his prices, rules and contact information.

Most of the rooms at Bonnet Creek are 2 bedrooms so they are the most available for booking.

 

[skjuls]

I'm an owner and have stayed mulitple times at Bonnet Creek. My family and I love it.

I do also rent out every now and then. But I usually have repeat renters who know me.

If you want a particular location, the best thing to do is call 1 week before you arrive. Guest Services told me that this is when they make room assignments.

Technically, I'm supposed to be able to reserve a room based on my Wyndham perks but I never got the room I reserved at the time of reservation so I just call Bonnet Creek directly.

If anyone wants me to check availability, I'm more than happy to see if Bonnet Creek has it!

 

[JoeU]

We just got back today from Florida and stayed at BC and it was hands down the nicest place we have ever ever stayed. We cannot wait to go back. We booked through Ken. Through reading this thread, I called myself one week before we arrived and requested Building 5, fireworks view. We were room 1380 and I would request it again. Our room was next to the housekeeping room, then the trash shoot, and on the end of the building, so no neighbors. We never checked out any other pools. We have 4 kids ages 10, 8, 6, and 4 and we loved the zero depth entry pool, lazy river and hot tub. Some days the hot tub wasn't very warm but it was the only complaint I had the entire week.

We have stayed at Beach Club Villas before and this was comparable in size, but way nicer. The location was just amazing....it took us a couple minutes to get anywhere at Disney. Thanks so much for this thread, we saved a bundle and we were all sad to leave such a gorgeous place!!

I hope we left the room in order for you! We checked out of 1380 on the 25th. I assume you checked in that Sunday.

We absolutely LOVED BC. It was so nice, we added points onto our timeshare so we could go back, maybe as soon as this year. Glad to see you enjoyed it. Hope you had a chance to check out hte "Presidential Suites". They are unreal!

Joe

 

[sista]

I hope we left the room in order for you! We checked out of 1380 on the 25th. I assume you checked in that Sunday.

We absolutely LOVED BC. It was so nice, we added points onto our timeshare so we could go back, maybe as soon as this year. Glad to see you enjoyed it. Hope you had a chance to check out hte "Presidential Suites". They are unreal!

Joe

ROFL Joe! It was neat as a pin! Loved that location. How would we have checked out the presidential suites? For next time....we didn't do any of their seminars for buying.

 

[JoeU]

ROFL Joe! It was neat as a pin! Loved that location. How would we have checked out the presidential suites? For next time....we didn't do any of their seminars for buying.

We did the seminar and added to our points so we can go every year, and in some instances, TWICE! In the main building, the sales office is on the second floor. On the fourth floor, there's actual rooms, and the 4 bedroom presidential is on that floor. Pics don't do it justice. It was just WOW!

And you're right, the location of that room was awesome. Quite, right near the trash chute, and a perfect view of everything from Swan and Dolphin to Downtown Disney. In the distance, you could even see Cinderella's castle!

Joe

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

I've never had to pay any hidden charges on a Bonnet Creek stay. What you pay per night includes all taxes and everything.

You don't have to pay $120 a night if you shop around. I've never paid more than $100 a night for a two-bedroom. Once I paid $56 a night for a 5 night stay in a 2-bedroom! Ken gets raves on this board, but you do have more options.

That is a great rate! I'd like to look into a long term stay of 2 weeks or a month, has anyone gotten a really good rate for a longer stay? TIA.

 

[1blessedmama]

Does anyone have any new pictures? I would love to see some from the recent trips.
Thanks!

 

[JoeU]

Does anyone have any new pictures? I would love to see some from the recent trips.
Thanks!

I do, but how do you post them???

Joe

 

[ama223]

We are planning to go in Nov/Dec 2011 (yes, we like to plan ahead!!)
I know it's too early to book, but I have a question that I haven't seened addressed in the thread. Sorry if it has and I didn't see it!

We'd like to go for 10 or 11 days. Most of what I see on ebay is 7 day reservations.

Is it possible to get a reservation for 10/11 days? Or do they stick to 7-day reservations?

Thanks!!

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

We just stayed at Bonnet Creek from April 25-May 4. We absolutely loved it! We stayed in a 4-bedroom with 11 people in building 5 with a pool view. The pools are great! Our building was right by one of the lazy rivers. Our kids also enjoyed the splash park next to the pool by the main building. We used the buses to get to the parks and did not have any problems--although I recommend getting to the lobby at least 10 minutes before the bus is scheduled to depart because they do fill up.

 

[Upatnoon]

We are planning to go in Nov/Dec 2011 (yes, we like to plan ahead!!)
I know it's too early to book, but I have a question that I haven't seened addressed in the thread. Sorry if it has and I didn't see it!

We'd like to go for 10 or 11 days. Most of what I see on ebay is 7 day reservations.

Is it possible to get a reservation for 10/11 days? Or do they stick to 7-day reservations?

Thanks!!

It won't be a problem. Just contact the people you see selling reservations. Many of them are doing it as a business and can work with you on your request. eBay isn't the only place to look. Redweek.com and Tugbbs.com also have people offering reservations. You may be contacted from some owners in this forum who can help you.

 

[1blessedmama]

I do, but how do you post them???

Joe

When you reply, there is a gray area above the white box that you type in. In the gray area is a yellow thing that looks like a picture. I think if you click on it it will allow you to insert an image.