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

[darrius1st]

Has anyone stayed since 4th of July and if is the New Pirate Pool finish and if it is please post pictures.

 

[cjdj4]

Has anyone stayed since 4th of July and if is the New Pirate Pool finish and if it is please post pictures.

I was there last weekend and it was not complete. I think they said late August.


To the PPs who suggested ebay and Ken: I think I will look at both. I can't take more than a day or two off work at that time so I the most I can book is 3 nights. But like you said, it's still less than onsite especially if you eat in the room.

 

[dimimi]

I was there last weekend and it was not complete. I think they said late August.


To the PPs who suggested ebay and Ken: I think I will look at both. I can't take more than a day or two off work at that time so I the most I can book is 3 nights. But like you said, it's still less than onsite especially if you eat in the room.

We were just there and they told us the new pool was only for Elite members and not for rentals.

 

[VickiVM]

we will be at the BC 8/16-8/18!!! We put in a request for building 4 or 5- that seems to be the consensus on the best fireworks view!!

We're arriving the 15th and staying 'til the 20th - where did you call to make your room request? Directly to BC?

 

[gottolovedisney]

We're arriving the 15th and staying 'til the 20th - where did you call to make your room request? Directly to BC?

I booked through Ken Price and put my request into him. He gave me the impression it was still too soon find out where we will be

 

[mamafrei]

I am trying to decide if we should drive or fly to WDW? It would be me, DH, DS(5), DD(7mos) and our nanny. We have a mini van and a built in DVD player. I'd break the trip up into 2 days...we'd be driving from Maryland. Is it completely miserable...or worth saving the $$ on airfare. We would rent a van while stayign at BC if we fly. Any input suggestions from anyone?

We drive down each time we go and we're from Jersey. We have 3 little ones and in 2008 we left our house at 7pm. I had the kids bathed, fed, in their pj's and each one had their blanket and pillows. They slept until I woke them up for fuel and a "pit stop" then went back to sleep. We then continued driving straight through until we arrived. Of course, we stopped for breakfast and such. The kids were great and slept most of the way since we left at night. I'm a mom who likes to keep to their normal sleep schedule.......it makes for much happier kids, in my opinion.

We also prefer to drive because I like the fact that if my kids see something they'd like to purchase in the parks or downtown Disney, I don't have to worry about lugging it through an airport or most importantly, will our little "extras" fit on the plane with us. Not to mention, I LOVE saving the money that I would have spent on a flight. We have a great time driving and there really are no complaints from anyone.

Pack some snacks, DVD's, games and music and have a wonderful time! We will be heading down in about 3 weeks and we are all sooooo excited!!! This time we are going nice and leisurely.

 

[sonomom]

Heard alot about the 2 bdrns, are there many 1 bdrms? Will they have the same views? What size bed is in the bedroom?

 

[darrius1st]

I just rented a week at WBC for Aug 14-21. I just got a confirmation with a confirmation number and me as the Guest traveler. Is this enough or am I suppose to get something else.

 

[grandmadebby]

Heard alot about the 2 bdrns, are there many 1 bdrms? Will they have the same views? What size bed is in the bedroom?

Don't kno about the view but a 1 bedroom has a king size bed in the bedroom and a queen sleeper sofa in the living room. Set up to accommedate 2-4 people.

 

[Brian Noble]

We were just there and they told us the new pool was only for Elite members and not for rentals.

Was this, by any chance, a sales staff member? They're known to stretch (or outright shatter) the truth.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I was there last weekend and it was not complete. I think they said late August.


To the PPs who suggested ebay and Ken: I think I will look at both. I can't take more than a day or two off work at that time so I the most I can book is 3 nights. But like you said, it's still less than onsite especially if you eat in the room.

fwiw, I called Ken for a short visit last yr over Superbowl weekend 09. Between the extra pts required for Fri & Sat stays plus him now having to pay for a guest certificate, it wasn't worth it. He said the best value is when staying for a week.
It can't hurt to call and ask though.

 

[Lisa0620]

That's what we did last July too---plus a DisneyQuest visit---and I also thought "Best Orlando Vacation Ever." Next week we're going back (to VWL this time), but we are visiting the parks. We'll see---halfway through the week we might just give up and retreat to a lazy river somewhere.

Brian - do you mind sharing how you liked VWL and how the experience compared with staying at Bonnet Creek? TIA.

 

[darrius1st]

Are the Bar-B-que areas gas or charcoal.

 

[Brian Noble]

Brian - do you mind sharing how you liked VWL and how the experience compared with staying at Bonnet Creek? TIA.

The VWL stay was great. We really enjoyed it. The boat service to MK is a nice option, bus service was reasonably prompt all week, though to DS and EP we stopped at Ft. Wilderness on the way---we tended to drive to rope drop for most anywhere but MK, just to be sure. We never took the bus to AK at all. The setting of WL on the lake, and the overall theme of the resort is just great.

There were a few things we preferred at Bonnet. The views at Bonnet can be much better, Bonnet's units are larger, and with more usable balconies. Bonnet has the lazy rivers, mini golf, and a few other nice features. VWL has a broader array of recreation with the boats and bikes, but at an extra charge. The 2BR at VWL was okay for the four of us, but six would be a real squeeze and eight would be near impossible---there just isn't enough common space. Six would be pretty comfortable at Bonnet, and eight would be a squeeze but doable. The fridge at VWL is not full size, had trouble keeping things frozen even on the lowest setting, and there was no ice maker. Parking was inconvenient, especially if you need to make a grocery run midweek.

These are all relatively small issues. All things being equal, I think we prefer VWL to WBC. The conveniences outweighed the complaints. But, if I had to "settle" for Bonnet, it wouldn't be any great sacrifice, and I don't think I would pay 2-3X to stay at VWL, personally. OKW and Bonnet were pretty similar to one another for us, and it would be more of a toss-up. The OKW unit is more comparable to Bonnet, but Bonnet's location and recreation amenities are a little bit better. OKW might get the nod due to transportation, but it is a close thing because we've had mixed success with the bus system there.

So far, I've been known to turn down a 2BR exchange at SSR for the four of us and would have preferred to take Bonnet if nothing else came up. SSR has the smaller units, but without the better location. I'm currently booked in a 1BR at SSR for a solo trip next February though, so the unit size won't be an issue, and might change my mind after that.

Are the Bar-B-que areas gas or charcoal.

I think they are gas.

 

[Lisa0620]

Thanks so much, Brian. Even with a 40% PIN a one bedroom at VWL is 2-3X what a 2 bedroom is at Bonnet Creek, so your comment about cost was right on. I'm pretty sure we would like VWL better too, but I'm guessing not 3 times as much. Thanks again.

 

[webprinter]

Heard alot about the 2 bdrns, are there many 1 bdrms? Will they have the same views? What size bed is in the bedroom?

We have stayed in the one bedroom many times. They have a lot of them and you can get the same view in a one bedroom as is in a two bdrm. The one bedrooms are 902 sf. They have a king bed and double sofa sleeper.

 

[twoplustwins]

Is the max at a one bedroom 4 or do they count infants? kinda like the 4 + infant rule at a Disney resort. I was looking at the room layout and a one bedroom would be plenty of enough space for us.

 

[Brian Noble]

I believe everyone counts. Even if they didn't, I'd spring for the 2BR. It's only a little more money, and it's wonderful to be able to still use your living room even after the kids are in bed. We are a family of four, and we get a lot of use out of the living room in the 2BR units, here and at other resorts. The second bath often comes in handy, too.

 

[VickiVM]

Will be arriving in 2 weeks...couldn't be more excited!! Reservation and park tickets buttoned up. I can't tell you all how invaluable everyone's contribution to Disboards have been, especially here and the Budget board.

We started out doing free dining @ POR for $2000 for the five of us in our family (all kids over 10) - one small hotel room with two adults and 3 teens.

Now, we're doing a 2 bedroom for $110/night, thanks to Ken Price. (Paid for the resort by selling my old gold, thanks to a super thread on the Budget board) And I just discovered last week that if I register my kids to take an educational class that Disney offers in one of their parks, the same 5-day base tickets that would have cost $1150 w/Undercover Tourist is now only going to cost $714!!!

My original vacation cost went down by $500 How crazy is that?

So thanks Allison, aka vettechick, and to all the contributors of this thread...and to Al Gore for inventing the internet

 

[njsweetP]

I would loooove to stay at Bonnet Creek! What can I expect to pay for a 2 bedroom in June? $200 a night? Has anyone stayed there in June and what did you pay (if you don't mind me asking) or you could pm me. I've been seeing Ken's name and visited his site. It looks like if I wait until the 60 day mark I could rent for $100 a night. Thoughts?