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

[momto4boyz]

I made it through about 10 pages of this thread, and while great, I can't make it through the thread in time. So, please help, all you experts out there!

We live in Tampa and like to drive (sometimes last minute) to stay at disney for a weekend. My husband is a contractor so he doesn't get vacation time...certainly not a whole week (maybe a day here or there). We used to use hotwire and stay at nice hotels, but now that we are a family of 6 (4 kids) we need more room. What is the best way for us to do this? I love the Hilton Bonnet Creek and am sure I'd love the Wyndham BC as well.

Specifically, we want to go to BC Friday, Jan 21st through Sunday the 23rd. We'd be willing to go Thursday through Sunday if there is a 3 stay minimum. I know we should book through an owner, but what are the best sites to do that? I looked at the website suggested (vacationupgrades.com) but it seems as though it is only for week long stays. The best I can find is redweek.com. I haven't paid the $15 to join redweek so I can't tell if there are additional fees or not. I don't want to join, however, unless that is the right way for us to do this.

Thanks so much for your help! I never knew there was a whole community of vacation rentals out there (we just went with standard hotels before).
Cyndi

 

[bonoriffic]

I know we should book through an owner, but what are the best sites to do that? I looked at the website suggested (vacationupgrades.com) but it seems as though it is only for week long stays

Vacationupgrades isn't just for week long stays, you will have to pay a slight fee to offset not going a full week though. As it is so close, I would fire off an email today. You will get a quick response (with New Years maybe an extra day) and will know if they even have availability so close out. You will know the exact price right then and there as under 60 days out the price goes down.

You can also do the Vistana Resort 2 bedroom. Just click the link near the top of this page. They have availability for your dates, Fri through Sunday at $129. After taxes and fees that is $145.13 per night. Maybe a little bit more than going through an owner, but you would be done and booked today.

 

[bwo]

Bonoriffic---Thanks for the links, they are great! In looking at a recent confirmation page, it states that the resort is "currently undergoing several construction projects for your future enjoyment. While we are working to minimize disruptions, you may experience noise, obstructed views or traffic. Your patience is appreciated......" Did you experience any of this??? And I'm also wondering about the 4 pm check-in. Do they allow you to check-in(take care of the paperwork) and then use the facilities prior to 4 pm when the room should be ready?? Thanks.

 

[bonoriffic]

Bonoriffic---Thanks for the links, they are great! In looking at a recent confirmation page, it states that the resort is "currently undergoing several construction projects for your future enjoyment. While we are working to minimize disruptions, you may experience noise, obstructed views or traffic. Your patience is appreciated......" Did you experience any of this??? And I'm also wondering about the 4 pm check-in. Do they allow you to check-in(take care of the paperwork) and then use the facilities prior to 4 pm when the room should be ready?? Thanks.

I've been very lazy and hoped to post a trip report, hopefully soon. I may just throw pictures up and video for people to see. The hotel is mostly finished. All work is interior, so there wasn't any construction noise to be heard from Tower 4. You wouldn't be able to walk completely around the entire lagoon without hitting some construction barricades at the hotel, which you could probably go around. I didn't walk that far to find out. One day they re-did the floor of an activity room in the main building. So there was some minor noise for that, and they were painting the outside of a building so some rooms would have a slightly blocked view for 2 hours as they worked their way down the side. I would say construction at this point is similar to general maintenance any hotel has, with the exception of the new hotel which is interior construction only.

We checked in at about 4pm, so we got our keys, the song and dance to get the parking pass, and were on our way in under 10 minutes. But I saw later in the week people using the pool who weren't able to check in yet.

 

[MichaelColey]

We used to use hotwire and stay at nice hotels, but now that we are a family of 6 (4 kids) we need more room. What is the best way for us to do this? ... I know we should book through an owner, but what are the best sites to do that?

Go where the owners are. On TUGBBS.com (the Timeshare Users Group), they have a sub-forum for Rental Requests. I'm sure you could find some Wyndham owners there. I've found great deals on rentals from several there.

 

[klmrph]

Just booked this today for our stay in May. I put in a best offer on an Ebay auction and was expecting to get a counteroffer and it was accepted. We are checking in on a Sunday and staying for 5 nights. The buy it now price was $595 and my best offer of $495 was accepted, should of started lower, but I am still very happy with $495 for 5 nights all taxes and fees included. We are traveling with my mom and niece, so all together there will be 6 of us....3 adults, 2 5 year old girls and an infant. It is going to be so nice to have all the space instead of 2 hotel rooms. I haven't even read this whole thread, but this was exactly what we were looking for.

 

[momto4boyz]

Wow. So Ken is super fast! He said $299 for 2 nights or $399 for 3 nights (including taxes and fees). On Redweek.com I saw someone renting for $110/night. I assume they would add taxes and fees. Hmm...probably end up being the same price.

Would I get a better deal on the TUGBBS website? I was really hoping to pay around $110-125/night so I guess the 3 night stay is pretty close at $133/night.

I know I'm being super thrifty here, the better deal I get, the more times I get to go and I'd love to go for the weekend every other month (since we just drive over from Tampa).

Thanks for your help!

 

[momto4boyz]

Oh, and is there an internet connection in the room? If so, what is the rate/day? Free? My hubby needs to work at night. Thanks!

 

[MichaelColey]

Would I get a better deal on the TUGBBS website? I was really hoping to pay around $110-125/night so I guess the 3 night stay is pretty close at $133/night.

My guess is that it may be a little cheaper, but probably not much. One thing that affects the price is that the owner would has to pay a $99 guest certificate fee for each reservation, and that'll really impact the price of a short stay. It's not much spread over a full week.

What size unit are you looking at? I would suggest getting a quote on a 3BR unit if it's available. The 2BR accomodates 6 (or even 8 they say), but two to a bedroom is much nicer and the price usually isn't much more. Of course depending on the age of your boys, they might not mind (or may even prefer) sleeping in one room.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

Here is some semi-useful pictures. I scanned all the documents you receive at check-in. Click the link you are interested in to see. This is from October 2010.

Disney Shuttle Times

Other Attraction Shuttle Times

Timeshare presentation discounted ticket prices and gift card

Resort Map

Area Map

Fall 2010 Activity Guide 1

Fall 2010 Activity Guide 2

Fall Activity Guide Schedule 1

Fall Activity Guide Schedule 2

Bonnet Creek Brochure and Info 1

Bonnet Creek Brochure and Info 2

Thanks so much!!

 

[wesjohnson]

Just wondering if anyone has ever gotten a room upgrade when checking in at Bonnet Creek. We are booked for a three bedroom for 8 days in February. i was thinking of asking the front desk staff if they offered any upgrades. I thought it might be a possibility, especially if they are trying to sell us a timeshare. Any thoughts?

 

[wesjohnson]

I am planning on bringing a wireless router to BC after reading a few posts about it here. Has anyone does this before and had success? Is it as simple as just plugging it into the existing CAT5 cable? With all the iPods and iPads we have, we really need wireless. It's stupid that BC does not provide it.

 

[aprincessesmommy]

I am going to apologize in advance if someone has already asked this question but I have perused the thread and didn't see an answer. We are taking our first family trip to DW in 4 weeks and it will be my DH and DD's first trip ever. We are booked for a 2/2 at BC and I'd like some advice on which building to request. I called on Fri and they had us in Bldg 1 on the 6th floor which the front desk said was an excellent room. However, I would like something on the 2nd or 3rd floor since DD is turning 2 next week and I don't like the idea of high balconies with such a little one.

He said he would move us to 3rd floor in Bldg 6. My question is that I have seen hardly any feedback on Bldg 6. I'm wondering if anyone has stayed there and what your experience was like. Also, how close are the playgrounds to this bldg and is there construction still going on next door?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer advice! I just love this thread it is full of so much useful information.

Thanks again

 

[geenerbell]

i would love to stay here.looking to go june 25 or june 26 2011 for a week.can you tell me where to book from?tryed with ken and wants $200 a night.would love to get it cheaper.as not much money and want to stay here.as i want to stay close to disney.thanks

Check out ebay!

 

[Alexander]

I made it through about 10 pages of this thread, and while great, I can't make it through the thread in time. So, please help, all you experts out there!

We live in Tampa and like to drive (sometimes last minute) to stay at disney for a weekend. My husband is a contractor so he doesn't get vacation time...certainly not a whole week (maybe a day here or there). We used to use hotwire and stay at nice hotels, but now that we are a family of 6 (4 kids) we need more room. What is the best way for us to do this? I love the Hilton Bonnet Creek and am sure I'd love the Wyndham BC as well.

Specifically, we want to go to BC Friday, Jan 21st through Sunday the 23rd. We'd be willing to go Thursday through Sunday if there is a 3 stay minimum. I know we should book through an owner, but what are the best sites to do that? I looked at the website suggested (vacationupgrades.com) but it seems as though it is only for week long stays. The best I can find is redweek.com. I haven't paid the $15 to join redweek so I can't tell if there are additional fees or not. I don't want to join, however, unless that is the right way for us to do this.

Thanks so much for your help! I never knew there was a whole community of vacation rentals out there (we just went with standard hotels before).
Cyndi

If you find something on Redweek that you want, go ahead and pay the $15. There are no other fees, and that is the only way you can contact owners. We have booked 2 vacations from those posted on Redweek, and could not have been happier! The owners are sweet and worked with me every step of the way. We used 2 different owners and were thrilled with both!

 

[Alexander]

Oh, and is there an internet connection in the room? If so, what is the rate/day? Free? My hubby needs to work at night. Thanks!

There is an internet connection on the main phone in the kitchen area. There is no wireless, so if that is needed, bring a router.

We paid $600 for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom in August and $1,000 for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom Christmas Eve to New Year's Eve. Both of these were rented on Redweek. There are some really good deals out there.

 

[Cdn Gal]

Just wondering if anyone has ever gotten a room upgrade when checking in at Bonnet Creek. We are booked for a three bedroom for 8 days in February. i was thinking of asking the front desk staff if they offered any upgrades. I thought it might be a possibility, especially if they are trying to sell us a timeshare. Any thoughts?

You will only get an upgrade if you are an owner- an owner who has purchased directly from Wyndham.

 

[Cdn Gal]

I am going to apologize in advance if someone has already asked this question but I have perused the thread and didn't see an answer. We are taking our first family trip to DW in 4 weeks and it will be my DH and DD's first trip ever. We are booked for a 2/2 at BC and I'd like some advice on which building to request. I called on Fri and they had us in Bldg 1 on the 6th floor which the front desk said was an excellent room. However, I would like something on the 2nd or 3rd floor since DD is turning 2 next week and I don't like the idea of high balconies with such a little one.

He said he would move us to 3rd floor in Bldg 6. My question is that I have seen hardly any feedback on Bldg 6. I'm wondering if anyone has stayed there and what your experience was like. Also, how close are the playgrounds to this bldg and is there construction still going on next door?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer advice! I just love this thread it is full of so much useful information.

Thanks again

Building 6 is the newest building. It is beautiful. Yes though you are right beside the construction (but it would be the same if you were in building 1) You would be closer to the play structures if you were in Building #1 as it is a shorter walk. To be honest, you really can't go wrong with any of the buildings, they are all really well maintained.

 

[Cdn Gal]

For those of you who are thinking of booking through Ken, book soon! Our fees went up at Bonnet Creek (which we were expecting) but if most of Ken's points are at Bonnet Creek, then his fees went up as well, which means a higher price to the renters. Ours went up about $23 a month.

 

[wed100105]

Wow. So Ken is super fast! He said $299 for 2 nights or $399 for 3 nights (including taxes and fees). On Redweek.com I saw someone renting for $110/night. I assume they would add taxes and fees. Hmm...probably end up being the same price.

Would I get a better deal on the TUGBBS website? I was really hoping to pay around $110-125/night so I guess the 3 night stay is pretty close at $133/night.

I know I'm being super thrifty here, the better deal I get, the more times I get to go and I'd love to go for the weekend every other month (since we just drive over from Tampa).

Thanks for your help!

I am a VIP gold owner at Bonnet Creek and use redweek to rent out our excess points. I can't speak for other owners, but I never add any taxes or fees. The price you see is the price you pay. There are no other costs. I'm also a member on TUG. I can highly recommend both sites. As far as the cost, it all depends on points. For example, I just rented out a three bedroom deluxe for five nights for $500. The renter wanted to go during the week in January. It's a win-win. She gets a fabulous 3 bedroom unit for $100 a night (including all fees) and I use the money to pay for my maintenance fees.

I'm so jealous that you have a short drive to Bonnet Creek! I'd never have excess points if I was that close! If you have any other questions, just ask. There are a lot of other owners on this tread, too. HTH!