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

[twoplustwins]

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.

we feel the same way! good luck!

 

[Ckmommy72]

Hello all, I'm new to DISboards, as we are planning our first family vacation to WDW next January...yes, 2012 LOL. Even though we have a year until we go, I am finding myself completely immersed in all the information available. The more I look and read, the more I think that staying somewhere like Bonnet Creek is going to be the best choice for us.

That being said, as much as I'd love to book something right away...maybe it'd placate me for awhile, and stop my obsessive surfing Disney related sites...I realize that the best rates for Bonnet Creek are found 60 days or less prior to arrival. So, my question is this - if I do wait until November or later to book a trip in January, what is the likelihood of there being quite a bit of availability? I realize there is no firm 100% way of knowing, but I'm just interested In getting an idea.

Thanks in advance.

Cari

 

[Echo queen]

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)

This is exactly what I was thinking

 

[TotoToo]

Hello all, I'm new to DISboards, as we are planning our first family vacation to WDW next January...yes, 2012 LOL. Even though we have a year until we go, I am finding myself completely immersed in all the information available. The more I look and read, the more I think that staying somewhere like Bonnet Creek is going to be the best choice for us.

That being said, as much as I'd love to book something right away...maybe it'd placate me for awhile, and stop my obsessive surfing Disney related sites...I realize that the best rates for Bonnet Creek are found 60 days or less prior to arrival. So, my question is this - if I do wait until November or later to book a trip in January, what is the likelihood of there being quite a bit of availability? I realize there is no firm 100% way of knowing, but I'm just interested In getting an idea.

Thanks in advance.

Cari

If you have exact dates you require then waiting much past 7-8 months prior to check in to reserve can be risky. You will save with requests closer to the use dates but at the serious risk that those exact dates won't be available.

 

[MichaelColey]

That being said, as much as I'd love to book something right away...maybe it'd placate me for awhile, and stop my obsessive surfing Disney related sites...

No, you'll still obsess about it. At least I do.

I realize that the best rates for Bonnet Creek are found 60 days or less prior to arrival. So, my question is this - if I do wait until November or later to book a trip in January, what is the likelihood of there being quite a bit of availability? I realize there is no firm 100% way of knowing, but I'm just interested In getting an idea.

Do you have a week picked out in January yet? If you're flexible, or if it's the last week of January, and you're not looking for a 3BR or 4BR unit, I would think you should be fine. January is busy the first week or so because of New Year's and is moderately busy for MLK, but in general January is pretty slow.

I would suggest finding a VIP Platinum renter that you're comfortable with and letting him know A LITTLE MORE THAN 60 DAYS OUT what you're looking for and that you want to get it at the 60 day window. If he books it first thing in the morning, exactly 60 days out, he shouldn't have any problems.

If it does happen to book up, there are many other timeshares (probably 100 or more) available around Disney. Most aren't quite as nice (or close), but many of them are great and most are cheaper. You should be able to find SOMETHING acceptable in the off chance that Bonnet Creek is booked.

 

[DCTooTall]

Hello all, I'm new to DISboards, as we are planning our first family vacation to WDW next January...yes, 2012 LOL. Even though we have a year until we go, I am finding myself completely immersed in all the information available. The more I look and read, the more I think that staying somewhere like Bonnet Creek is going to be the best choice for us.

That being said, as much as I'd love to book something right away...maybe it'd placate me for awhile, and stop my obsessive surfing Disney related sites...I realize that the best rates for Bonnet Creek are found 60 days or less prior to arrival. So, my question is this - if I do wait until November or later to book a trip in January, what is the likelihood of there being quite a bit of availability? I realize there is no firm 100% way of knowing, but I'm just interested In getting an idea.

Thanks in advance.

Cari

If you have exact dates you require then waiting much past 7-8 months prior to check in to reserve can be risky. You will save with requests closer to the use dates but at the serious risk that those exact dates won't be available.

What he said....

...But i'll add this. From reports I've seen from people here, Ken has been good with rebooking people if he can within that discount window and passing the savings along.

 

[bwo]

I agree with Toto also---I would have loved to wait and tried to get a lower rate, but I had exact dates, which spanned July 4th weekend, and needed a 3 bedroom. From all I've read, I feel like if I waited until the 60 day mark, I may not have been able to get those holiday dates. And from what I've read, there may not be any 3 bedrooms available for the last week of June through July 5th? I am using Ken, feel very comfortable, and keep reminding myself that while I could have gambled to save, I'm still saving a couple hundred dollars a night when compared to Disney Deluxe, I have my dates and my 3 bedroom. Someday when I'm retired and my three little ones are grown, I'll have the flexibility to travel whenever I want and take advantage of those $100.00 per night rooms. Life is good....

 

[Monorail Bob's dd]

Booked today through Wyndham for 5 days, 4 nights in a 2 bedroom at the end of July. How do I make requests for location and views? Also, if we arrive at the resort before check-in time, can we use the pool while we are waiting to check in? Is there a place to change?

 

[garmich]

Booked today through Wyndham for 5 days, 4 nights in a 2 bedroom at the end of July. How do I make requests for location and views? Also, if we arrive at the resort before check-in time, can we use the pool while we are waiting to check in? Is there a place to change?

In the main building where you check-in, there are public restrooms with a changing area, which I've used. I believe there is also a shower.

 

[Ckmommy72]

Thanks for all the replies. Our dates are very flexible...basically we can do anytime between New Years Day and Presidents Day.

I would suggest finding a VIP Platinum renter that you're comfortable with

Other than Ken Price from vacationupgrades.com, who I've seen mentioned here many times, how do I know if a renter I'm looking at is a VIP platinum renter?

 

[MichaelColey]

I think most of the big renters are VIP Platinum. (They're at a huge disadvantage if you're not.) Just ask, and I'm sure they'll tell you.

The reason VIP Platinum owners are able to offer such good deals at 60 days is that they're able to get a 50% discount on the points required at 60 days, plus if there's availability for the unit size you want and the next lower unit size, they can reserve the smaller unit and get an immediate, automatic, free upgrade.

 

[julie1218]

i contacted an owner (is it ok to put an owner's name on here? initials are k.g.) and was offered $75/night for a one bedroom for may 16-23. that seems to be a really good rate. any input on whether i should snag it? is using my resort network.com reliable? seems like it would only be as reliable as the owner. he accepts payments from paypal (which seems better than cash!).

i don't know this person from adam, and i would like to use the recommend ken price but his rate is $120, which is $55 per night more. perhaps, ken price would come down once i got within the 60 day window and this person is already on that price.

any input appreciated!

 

[katallo]

i contacted an owner (is it ok to put an owner's name on here? initials are k.g.) and was offered $75/night for a one bedroom for may 16-23. that seems to be a really good rate. any input on whether i should snag it? is using my resort network.com reliable? seems like it would only be as reliable as the owner. he accepts payments from paypal (which seems better than cash!).

i don't know this person from adam, and i would like to use the recommend ken price but his rate is $120, which is $55 per night more. perhaps, ken price would come down once i got within the 60 day window and this person is already on that price.

any input appreciated!

Julie,
I can only speak from experience with Ken Price. He has always done his best to offer us a lower price at the 60 day mark. That being said, I know there are many other trustworthy avenues. Use you judgement...if it feels right, go for it. I had such a great feeling with Ken from the beginning and have booked through him for years.

 

[lillygator]

just booked a 2 bd for espn - cheaper than all star sports!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ksumn1]

Hi ya'll. I searched the thread and may have found the answer to my question but I'm trying to make sure.

We're looking at a trip in 2014 (my college Graduation gift) and am trying to figure out some dates. I saw that BC doesn't really change it's seasons/rates calendar so I figured it'd be a reasonable question.

We are considering a trip from Friday, May 30 to Sunday, June 8. The dates of May 30 to June 3rd fall in high season, and June 4-June 8th falls in Prime Season. How would this work, normally? Would we pay the High Season rate for the first portion, Prime for the rest? Would it be the same reservation?

We're looking at booking with Ken Price, but since it's ridiculously far out, I thought I'd ask around here first, to see if anyone has dealt with this same situation.

We're starting to do a Dave Ramsey type program and we have alot of p's and q's to get in order first, and want to have a firm budet in mind from the beginning. And because I'm an OCD planner and I enjoy planning and replanning!!

TIA!!

 

[KAA1972]

We just got back from our first stay at BC and it was fantastic! We rented points from eBay. I was nervous but the price was great! 548 for 7 nights over marathon weekend! And, the seller had 100% positive feedback. Everything was great with check-in -- except my husband signed us up for the sales presentation -- gag -- the 1.5 hour presentation turned out to be 3+ hours. Too long for $100.00. But, we got out of there and solidified our commitment to never buy Wyndham retail -- but to consider buying resale at some point!

The property was beautiful! Our room was great and the beds were super comfy!

My only complaint was that the hot water didn't seem to be very hot and the dryer took a long time to dry our clothes. Both are minor complaints...

Overall, it was an awesome stay! Thanks to this board I was happy to find out about BC!! Thanks again to everyone for their advice!

 

[julie1218]

what does renting points mean vs. just buying a week from someone one ebay? is it the same thing?

 

[KAA1972]

what does renting points mean vs. just buying a week from someone one ebay? is it the same thing?

It's the same thing. Just two different ways to refer to it. I've always used the term "renting points" because technically you are just renting the points from them for a specified amount. Whereas "buying a week" seems to imply ownership. But, both are exactly the same. Just two different ways to call a spade and spade.... You are giving an owner money in exchange for a stay on their points. I picked up the term "renting points" from DVC Boards where they commonly use the term "rent points" but it's the same as buying a week on ebay or directly from an owner....

 

[mnorton]

What is the rules/law on Timeshare Presentations and where can i get a copy of the Florida Law to take with me just in case we decide to take a timeshare presentation?

 

[traveljunkie]

Hello,
what building(s) should I request (2 Bedroom) if I am traveling with teens--not sure what pool/activity area would be best. Also I'd rather have a lake view over fireworks if it means looking at a parking lot. Any suggestions?

Thanks!