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

[wed100105]

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.

Not to get off topic here, but on my assessment my property taxes were included this year. The increase in cost is very minimal IF it includes my property taxes in my monthly assessment instead of in October with a separate bill. Did you notice this, too?

 

[momto4boyz]

Thanks for the replies...ya'll are SO helpful! I'll keep working on it. Glad to hear redweek and tugbbs are the right places to be looking.

Thanks also for the info on the internet connection. Using a cable would work just fine for us, as long as he can get connected.

P.S. Wed100105: if you ever need to get rid of some points cheap, we'd be happy to pop over for the weekend to use them for you! Just let me know.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

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

This isn't true. I'm an owner who bought resale off of Ebay and I got upgraded from a 2 bdr to a 3 bdr this past Oct. You can get upgraded if you ask nicely at the desk and they have excess availability. I always try!

 

[TotoToo]

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

Total sales BS (do you expect anything else?). Naturally if you are VIP, which can only be done now with direct Wyndham purchase (don't EVER do that - you'll lose big time) there is the possibility, but no guarantee, of an upgrade. If you aren't VIP there is almost as good a possibility of an upgrade but again no guarantee. One of tens of thousands (in $$) of reasons never to buy Wyndham timeshare retail. What you get for the extra $$ is not guaranteed (any of it not just upgrades) but your initial money is gone - that's a guarantee for sure.

In fact at this time while Wyndham timeshares (points) are perhaps THE best value in all of the timeshare systems (and not just because of BC but the whole Wyndham internal system which has a ton of great resorts/locations available to owners) you shouldn't buy - even resale - unless you plan to use the system. Buying to rent or trade is not a good value due to annual fees and (with RCI) exchange fees. If you buy to use the internal resorts it is a great value as you can get points virtually free and then just pay the annual fees. For use it's a great bargain.

 

[klmrph]

Just curious, how many were able to check in before 4pm? If you did check in early, what day did you check in and were you there during a slow season?

 

[Baltica]

I'm curious about early check in as well.

If we aren't allowed to check in before 4:00, is it still possible to use the resorts facilities (i.e., pool) or should we find other things to do until the room is available?

 

[TotoToo]

I'm curious about early check in as well.

If we aren't allowed to check in before 4:00, is it still possible to use the resorts facilities (i.e., pool) or should we find other things to do until the room is available?

Depending on the level of occupancy (higher= less chance) we've had the use of facilities approved or denied at various Wyndham resorts. There seems to be no set policy but it never hurts to ask. I would plan on a "no" but if they say yes then its a bonus.

 

[Cdn Gal]

Not to get off topic here, but on my assessment my property taxes were included this year. The increase in cost is very minimal IF it includes my property taxes in my monthly assessment instead of in October with a separate bill. Did you notice this, too?

Thank you!! I just pulled out my paperwork and looked more closely at my assessment summary- yes the increased amount does include the property taxes. I have always hated paying for it separately every year! That is good news b/c all I knew was that I was paying $186 and now it is over $200. Thank you

 

[Cdn Gal]

Total sales BS (do you expect anything else?). Naturally if you are VIP, which can only be done now with direct Wyndham purchase (don't EVER do that - you'll lose big time) there is the possibility, but no guarantee, of an upgrade. If you aren't VIP there is almost as good a possibility of an upgrade but again no guarantee. One of tens of thousands (in $$) of reasons never to buy Wyndham timeshare retail. What you get for the extra $$ is not guaranteed (any of it not just upgrades) but your initial money is gone - that's a guarantee for sure.

In fact at this time while Wyndham timeshares (points) are perhaps THE best value in all of the timeshare systems (and not just because of BC but the whole Wyndham internal system which has a ton of great resorts/locations available to owners) you shouldn't buy - even resale - unless you plan to use the system. Buying to rent or trade is not a good value due to annual fees and (with RCI) exchange fees. If you buy to use the internal resorts it is a great value as you can get points virtually free and then just pay the annual fees. For use it's a great bargain.

This has been our experience: We have always asked before for an upgrade and we have been told that b/c we are non-vip (we too purchased off of ebay) that we cannot get one. This has been told to us by the front desk. (and yes we have asked nicely) This has not just been for BC but for Daytona Ocean Walk and GG Williamsburg. My dad too has asked for an upgrade and has not received one either when he has stayed at BC. (he bought resale) My godfather however who purchased directly from Wyndham has always gotten an upgrade for not only BC but for Vegas etc., etc. Regardless we have been very happy with our accommodations. I will make sure to try again when we do San Antonio in a couple of months.

 

[Cdn Gal]

Just curious, how many were able to check in before 4pm? If you did check in early, what day did you check in and were you there during a slow season?

March break- no early check in, August, 2nd week, yes we were in at 10am.

 

[Echo queen]

This has been our experience: We have always asked before for an upgrade and we have been told that b/c we are non-vip (we too purchased off of ebay) that we cannot get one. This has been told to us by the front desk. (and yes we have asked nicely) This has not just been for BC but for Daytona Ocean Walk and GG Williamsburg. My dad too has asked for an upgrade and has not received one either when he has stayed at BC. (he bought resale) My godfather however who purchased directly from Wyndham has always gotten an upgrade for not only BC but for Vegas etc., etc. Regardless we have been very happy with our accommodations. I will make sure to try again when we do San Antonio in a couple of months.

We just became VIP in 2010, Our first stay since was San Antonio Dec 18 for 5 nights. We tryed to upgrade once in the 30 day window with no luck They said they were booked solid for our stay. Good luck If you have any questions about SA I may be able to help. We have been happy with Wyndham bought through Wyndham Live and learn.

I guess I will try for an upgrade at BC in August

 

[TotoToo]

We just became VIP in 2010, Our first stay since was San Antonio Dec 18 for 5 nights. We tryed to upgrade once in the 30 day window with no luck They said they were booked solid for our stay. Good luck If you have any questions about SA I may be able to help. We have been happy with Wyndham bought through Wyndham Live and learn.

I guess I will try for an upgrade at BC in August

Exactly my point. VIP or not the availability of an upgrade is solely dependent on availability and few better units sneak through to check in if it's an in demand time. So paying to be VIP (which means a purchase cost that is as much as 95% to 100% higher than resale - there are nice packages of Wyndham points out there for free plus closing) is unfortunately a guarantee of nothing (benefits are NOT guaranteed and can/have been changed - always lowered - at will by Wyndham) except that they got far too many dollars from you at purchase. You cannot resell VIP so it has zero value there.

Over 15 years experience with the very good Wyndham system (thee have been a number of ownership & name changes over those years) says buy a reasonable amount of annual points (we've found 250,000 - 300,000 a goos number) that allows you to pool, borrow, rent and exchange to stretch what represents about 2 weeks in a 2 bedroom unit to one high value (3-4 bedroom and/or Presidential level) unit or 3-4 or more units (by careful stretching of points/RCI deposits - you get a free RCI Weeks account with your ownership of points) and ask for the VIP benefits such as early check in / late checkout, upgrades, etc - your chances are just as good as the VIP owners tends to be. The purchase now days will be well under $1500 - perhaps as low as a few hundred. For that it represents a practically unbeatable value if you use it carefully.

Renting is certainly a less obligating option for a short term but if you plan to use top demand times and frequently over 5-10 years owning inexpensive points may be the far better choice.

 

[twoplustwins]

Waiting for the official "okay" from DH . . . but we are booking for November!!!!

 

[Candit98]

Check out ebay!

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

My husband and I have points to rent at Bonnet Creek due to an illness in the family we are not able to use the points and are looking to get rid of them. If you are interested in a quote I would be happy to give you one.

Thanks

 

[DCTooTall]

Not to get off topic here, but on my assessment my property taxes were included this year. The increase in cost is very minimal IF it includes my property taxes in my monthly assessment instead of in October with a separate bill. Did you notice this, too?

Thank you!! I just pulled out my paperwork and looked more closely at my assessment summary- yes the increased amount does include the property taxes. I have always hated paying for it separately every year! That is good news b/c all I knew was that I was paying $186 and now it is over $200. Thank you

I had noticed that too. Honestly it'd be interesting to see what my monthly total is this month to see if the monthly payment includes the taxes or if it's a lower amount than what was shown on the budget assessment with the separate tax bill later.

Florida is the only state that usually bills separate right? I wonder if it's a change in the way wyndham handles them, or if it's just a flaw in their "form" which doesn't account for the way the State bills.

 

[klmrph]

Which pool(s) are saltwater?

 

[Marci]

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.
Cyndi

We have a similar situation, but live on the East Coast of Florida. I've booked 2 night stays through Ken at VacationUpgrades before. Because of that $99 fee that owners have to pay you certainly do better per night if you stay longer, but IME he doesn't limit you to week long stays.
I too am pretty new to this type of "hotel" booking, which is why I feel pretty good about booking with Ken. He has had many positive reviews here and knows what he is doing--very professional, has a rental agreement etc. He seems to know what he is doing vs someone who is doing this as a one time thing because they can't use their own points.
Good luck!

 

[aprincessesmommy]

Thanks so much!

 

[skylizard]

My husband and I have points to rent at Bonnet Creek due to an illness in the family we are not able to use the points and are looking to get rid of them. If you are interested in a quote I would be happy to give you one.

Thanks

I'm looking for a rental for 2/19-2/27. Would that be a possibilty?

 

[two*little*birds]

How do people book a presidential unit? Also, are they only available in 4 bedroom units?

When booking (through Ken or someone else) how do you make a specific room request? i.e. would like a high floor, possible view of nightly fireworks?

How far is parking from your perspective unit?