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

[mrzrich]

I was all set to go ahead with starting the process to book a room for the 4th of July week( we're staying for 10 days). But now I see that rates for that time are $160 for a 1 bedroom and $200 for a 2 bedroom( Ken Price's rates) Plus we'll have to pay $14/day to park at the parks on top of that.

We can stay at Pop for cheaper so DH doesn't see the point in staying here if it's going to cost us more. And he doesn't want to give up the ease of being able to come and go on the Disney buses since we're unsure how convenient the BC shuttles are. Our kids are far apart in age so we need that flexibility.

Sigh...we need the room to spread out...but don't want to pay more to stay offsite. Friends of ours are going with us so we'll put 1 of our kids in their room so we aren't over the ratio for our room.

You can stay at POP...4 people and all their luggage in one tiny room with one bathroom.

or you can stay at Bonnet Creek. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a separate living room, a full kitchen and dining room (Save more than $30 a day on Breakfast and even more if you choose to eat a dinner or two in your condo) Washer dryer, so you can pack less clothes. After staying at BC, it would take a lot to get me back in a tiny hotel room with my family again.

I also have to add the pools at Bonnet creek, the mini golf and the other activities are also big pluses in my book.

Would the other family consider sharing a Presidential 4 Bedroom with you?

 

[Upatnoon]

I was all set to go ahead with starting the process to book a room for the 4th of July week( we're staying for 10 days). But now I see that rates for that time are $160 for a 1 bedroom and $200 for a 2 bedroom( Ken Price's rates) Plus we'll have to pay $14/day to park at the parks on top of that.

We can stay at Pop for cheaper so DH doesn't see the point in staying here if it's going to cost us more. And he doesn't want to give up the ease of being able to come and go on the Disney buses since we're unsure how convenient the BC shuttles are. Our kids are far apart in age so we need that flexibility.

Sigh...we need the room to spread out...but don't want to pay more to stay offsite. Friends of ours are going with us so we'll put 1 of our kids in their room so we aren't over the ratio for our room.

Those prices seem high, although you are going on a holiday week. I would suggest shopping around about 2 months before your trip. If you find a great deal, you can cancel your Disney reservation.

Bonnet Creek is often cheaper than a value, but not always. However, when it comes to comfort, there is not comparison.

 

[renxiaomi]

Question here:

For 7 nights, does it have to run from Sat to Sat? I really can not find good schedule flights, if it runs from Friday to Friday it will save me a million. Anybody knows?

 

[Jenny-momof3]

Oh I completely agree that the 2 bedroom would be so much better than the little room at POP. But just can't get past the paying more to stay offsite part.

What do the 4 bedrooms run? Do they have any 3 bedroom units? The other family we're traveling with would definitely be willing to share with us. It's just 2 adults and 1 toddler. If the price would be close to 2 rooms at POP then I know I could convince them.

 

[Brian Noble]

But just can't get past the paying more to stay offsite part.

If money is your absolute bottom line, *and* you are flying into MCO, you usually cannot do better all-in than a Value room with Magical Express.

But, there are other advantages to a condo over a hotel room. For example, most husbands are quickly convinced of the wisdom of a condo once they hear that the door to the master bedroom can be locked...

 

[renxiaomi]

If I work with an owner, do you usually request the owner to list it on eBay? Or do you just directly paypal or write a check? I have never deal with private party before and would like to have some thoughts.

Thanks.

 

[TotoToo]

Oh I completely agree that the 2 bedroom would be so much better than the little room at POP. But just can't get past the paying more to stay offsite part.

What do the 4 bedrooms run? Do they have any 3 bedroom units? The other family we're traveling with would definitely be willing to share with us. It's just 2 adults and 1 toddler. If the price would be close to 2 rooms at POP then I know I could convince them.

There are 3 bedroom units. And per square foot of space you are paying far LESS for BC. As for "offsite" it is all semantics. BC is as on site as any Disney resort but technically the land is owned by someone other than Disney. Do you really care? You still get all the Disney transportation (if you are willing to put up with it - we are NOT) other than the one trip to & from the resort (still free but not on Disney buses). And as mentioned shop around a bit - you are likely to find lower rates especially as the date gets closer. But Holiday times are more in demand thus higher priced so you aren't likely to find a rock bottom price as you would in quieter periods.

For our money the few extra dollars - if there even is any - are more than justified by avoiding the cramped space, the limited amenities and the terrible TV choices of Disney when we're in the unit.

 

[garmich]

Question here:

For 7 nights, does it have to run from Sat to Sat? I really can not find good schedule flights, if it runs from Friday to Friday it will save me a million. Anybody knows?

During Prime season (weeks #7-14, #23-33, #51-52):
Full week stays (7 nights) at Bonnet Creek require check-in AND check-out on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. 3-night and 4-night stays require check-in OR check-out on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

During High, Quiet and Value seasons:
A 2-night minimum stay is required, and you can check-in on any day of the week.

 

[KYoung2000]

... Plus we'll have to pay $14/day to park at the parks on top of that.

We can stay at Pop for cheaper so DH doesn't see the point in staying here if it's going to cost us more. And he doesn't want to give up the ease of being able to come and go on the Disney buses since we're unsure how convenient the BC shuttles are. Our kids are far apart in age so we need that flexibility.

....

Bonnet Creek offers shuttles to all 4 Disney parks ( and downtown Disney). On the first page of this thread there is a link

(i664.photobucket com/albums/vv2/kelsstuffbucket/ShuttleSchedule.jpg)

to the schedule from this past September. The schedule changes depending on the time of the year but you can see that in the morning hours the buses run about every 20 minutes and about every hour for even runs. If you take their buses even 1/2 of your days you are saving money.

 

[DCTooTall]

Question here:

For 7 nights, does it have to run from Sat to Sat? I really can not find good schedule flights, if it runs from Friday to Friday it will save me a million. Anybody knows?

Yes, you can do Friday to Friday. BC works off a point system instead of the classic "fixed week" timeshare system, so there is a LOT of flexibility in the dates. I noticed someone else pointed out the actual breakdown of their checkin/checkout day policy.

Oh I completely agree that the 2 bedroom would be so much better than the little room at POP. But just can't get past the paying more to stay offsite part.

What do the 4 bedrooms run? Do they have any 3 bedroom units? The other family we're traveling with would definitely be willing to share with us. It's just 2 adults and 1 toddler. If the price would be close to 2 rooms at POP then I know I could convince them.

they do indeed have 3bedroom Deluxe and 3Bedroom Presidential units, however there are fewer 3Bedroom units available than 2bedroom units, so if you are wanting one for a holiday week it would be best to reserve ASAP to ensure availability.

there are also 1bedrooom units available, so you may still be able to convince your friends to move with you over to BC if they'd like their own 1bedroom condo which would still give them more room than a room at a Value.


something else you may want to consider since you are looking at a 10 day stay.... a Disney AP. If you get an Annual Pass, It does include Free Parking at the parks. You would need just 1 pass to get the free parking, and would also gain access to any AP discounts which could help make up any price difference. If you are looking at any Table Service dining at Disney, you could also look at the Tables in Wonderland card which would save you 20% off your tab up to a party of 10 (including alcohol) at most Table Service.

There are ways you could find discounts to help make up for any perceived value difference between staying onsite and staying at BC while still allowing you to enjoy the extra space BC would provide you and your family.

 

[Monorail Bob's dd]

I have been reading this thread and we are now thinking we are going to give this a go in July. Do you have to book for a whole week or would a Tuesday-Saturday stay be possible? We are looking to get a 2 bedroom.

Another question - for those of you who have stayed both on-site at Disney and off, do you miss the feel of staying in an actual Disney resort? I love the look of BC and all of the extra space for the price sounds great. We will have a rental car this time, which we do not typically get when we go to Disney, that is why we are willing to try it this time. Any tips for a newbie would be appreciated.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

I have been reading this thread and we are now thinking we are going to give this a go in July. Do you have to book for a whole week or would a Tuesday-Saturday stay be possible? We are looking to get a 2 bedroom.

Another question - for those of you who have stayed both on-site at Disney and off, do you miss the feel of staying in an actual Disney resort? I love the look of BC and all of the extra space for the price sounds great. We will have a rental car this time, which we do not typically get when we go to Disney, that is why we are willing to try it this time. Any tips for a newbie would be appreciated.

I can only speak for myself, but I don't miss the feel of Disney...it's actually the opposite. When I'm staying in DVC (we're DVC members too), I miss the luxury and feel of Bonnet Creek.

 

[Monorail Bob's dd]

If we book through Ken at www.vacationupgrades.com, does he take credit cards? Also, his price for the week we need in July is pretty much the same as booking through Wyndham - is there an advantage to booking one way over the other?

 

[Cdn Gal]

You can stay at POP...4 people and all their luggage in one tiny room with one bathroom.

or you can stay at Bonnet Creek. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a separate living room, a full kitchen and dining room (Save more than $30 a day on Breakfast and even more if you choose to eat a dinner or two in your condo) Washer dryer, so you can pack less clothes. After staying at BC, it would take a lot to get me back in a tiny hotel room with my family again.

I also have to add the pools at Bonnet creek, the mini golf and the other activities are also big pluses in my book.

Would the other family consider sharing a Presidential 4 Bedroom with you?

Yep- Bonnet Creek and other Wyndham timeshares have changed how we travel now. When we go to Toronto or Ottawa for business, and we have to stay in a hotel room- a nice one at that- it is just not the same. We feel bad about it b/c we're not satisfied with a regular hotel room anymore. We love the luxury of being able to spread out and unwind.

 

[klmrph]

I won my stay on Ebay through Farrell's Vacations and just wanted to report that I was able to add a day to my stay, so we are now staying 6 nights. I added a Saturday night for $100, so my 6 nights ends up costing us $595. They also have a website if anyone is interested in contacting them. All of their Ebay feedback is 100% positive and communication has been excellent so far.

http://www.farrellsvacations.com/

 

[ResortsFrmrCM]

What kind of comparison can anyone make that has stayed at Sheraton Vistana Villas in LBV or Cypress Pointe Villas (not Grande) to BC? Do you like BC better?

We are thinking about trying BC this year. We have stayed at CPV and have always been happy with the space and amenities. We have rented a 2 and 3 bed there. Last year we stayed at Sheraton Vistana and thought it was so much smaller in the 2 bed than the 2 bed at CPV. I don't think we would ever stay at the SVV's again.

I am just wondering how BC compares to them and was interested in something different and just wondering what I can expect.

Thanks for any replies!

 

[TotoToo]

What kind of comparison can anyone make that has stayed at Sheraton Vistana Villas in LBV or Cypress Pointe Villas (not Grande) to BC? Do you like BC better?

We are thinking about trying BC this year. We have stayed at CPV and have always been happy with the space and amenities. We have rented a 2 and 3 bed there. Last year we stayed at Sheraton Vistana and thought it was so much smaller in the 2 bed than the 2 bed at CPV. I don't think we would ever stay at the SVV's again.

I am just wondering how BC compares to them and was interested in something different and just wondering what I can expect.

Thanks for any replies!

If you have ever seen a Wyndham unit of the past 10 years they are fairly cookie-cutter type. BC no exception. The difference in Wyndham resorts are the exterior building style & amenities. You'd find a unit about eh size of Cypress Pointe but in a much more isolated setting and with more on site features. Overall we prefer Cypress but have and will probably occasionally use BC as it is a different experience for a change up now and then.

 

[KYoung2000]

Just curious about the Shuttle from Bonnet to the Magic Kingdom. Does it drop you off at the ticket and transportation station or is it able to get you straight to the park so you don't have to take the monorail or boat into the park?

 

[mrzrich]

I was all set to go ahead with starting the process to book a room for the 4th of July week( we're staying for 10 days). But now I see that rates for that time are $160 for a 1 bedroom and $200 for a 2 bedroom( Ken Price's rates) Plus we'll have to pay $14/day to park at the parks on top of that.

We can stay at Pop for cheaper so DH doesn't see the point in staying here if it's going to cost us more.

Oh I completely agree that the 2 bedroom would be so much better than the little room at POP. But just can't get past the paying more to stay offsite part.

But your not comparing Apples to Apples.

Compare POP to a one room Holiday Inn on 192. If the Holiday Inn costs more then its a no brainer

IF YOU MUST compare BC to a WDW Resort, compare it to a 2 Bedroom Villa at SSR or OKW which are basically in the same geographical area on property and have a comparable floor plan.

BTW you won't find a 2 bedroom at SSR or OKW for $200 a night. Even if you rented points from a DVC owner it would be around $600 a night at least. (Not that you can get 4th of July weekend anyway)

 

[amyy]

You have all convinced me. Just waiting on our contract for our 1st BC stay. A bit nervous as this is our 1st time off site. The price difference was too good to pass up.