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

[Baltica]

We're nearing the end of our stay at Wyndham Bonnet Creek right now. It's because of this thread that we're here in a three bedroom unit in Tower 6. It's exceeded our expectations in every way and I'm already looking forward to planning our next stay here in a couple of years.

The place has loads of room and is so close to the parks. We've been regular visitors to the pools and the grill areas near our building. And the one thing I was worried about - the hard sell on the timeshares - wasn't a problem at all thanks to the advice about unplugging the phones.

I'll be recommending this place to folks once I get back home. Big thanks to Vettechick99 and everybody else here that have been so helpful with advice and in answering questions.

 

[f19810]

I just made reservations tonight and can't wait. I am not planning on renting a car and will rely on the shuttles and taxis. Is it easy to get a cab from the parks and downtown Disney? Any idea how much a taxi is?
Thanks

 

[momof3girls6712]

Only 6 more days until we check in. I am getting so excited, I am not sure how I will last the next few days. This will be our first trip offsite and I am really looking forward to it thanks to this thread.

 

[Baltica]

I just made reservations tonight and can't wait. I am not planning on renting a car and will rely on the shuttles and taxis. Is it easy to get a cab from the parks and downtown Disney? Any idea how much a taxi is?

We rented a car so we haven't used any taxis. I've seen a few waiting for folks that have called for them so I figure it should be a piece of cake.

You might want to try the free shuttle service to the parks and to Downtown Disney. Even though we had the car we relied on the shuttle about 50% of the time. If its schedule works for you, you'll find it reliable and quick. And easier on your wallet.

 

[4parkers]

how do the points work on ebay?

 

[Brian Noble]

I am not planning on renting a car and will rely on the shuttles and taxis.

I would encourage you to reconsider this. You have to pay to get back and forth from the airport anyway---the additional expense of a car will be modest, and it gives you a lot of flexibility. You can still use the shuttles to get back and forth to the parks if you like (or even a cab once or twice if you need to) but I bet you'll appreciate having a car, if only for quick grocery runs, etc.

 

[f19810]

You might want to try the free shuttle service to the parks and to Downtown Disney. Even though we had the car we relied on the shuttle about 50% of the time. If its schedule works for you, you'll find it reliable and quick. And easier on your wallet.[/QUOTE]

I plan on using the shuttles to get to the parks, it is just getting back after the fireworks or dinner that I need a taxi.

 

[f19810]

I would encourage you to reconsider this. You have to pay to get back and forth from the airport anyway---the additional expense of a car will be modest, and it gives you a lot of flexibility. You can still use the shuttles to get back and forth to the parks if you like (or even a cab once or twice if you need to) but I bet you'll appreciate having a car, if only for quick grocery runs, etc.

I have no need for a grocery run. I bring fiber one bars for breakfast and will be eating out for my other meals. Part of a vacation is not having to cook and clean up after cooking, so I don't really need groceries. I would only use the car to get to and from the airport and it isn't worth if for me. If I had somebody else to help with directions and cost it would be a different story.

 

[rak5701]

I have no need for a grocery run. I bring fiber one bars for breakfast and will be eating out for my other meals. Part of a vacation is not having to cook and clean up after cooking, so I don't really need groceries. I would only use the car to get to and from the airport and it isn't worth if for me. If I had somebody else to help with directions and cost it would be a different story.

We took a cab from Downtown Disney (2 of us) and it was about $25.00 with a tip.

 

[Upatnoon]

We took a cab from Downtown Disney (2 of us) and it was about $25.00 with a tip.

$25 for a 2 mile cab ride? That seems high.

 

[TotoToo]

$25 for a 2 mile cab ride? That seems high.

That is similar to what we have heard as well. We find that two or three cab trips easily would cover the cost of a small rental car. And the extra convenience the car offers is priceless.

 

[f19810]

$25 for a 2 mile cab ride? That seems high.

I called Mears for an estimated cost and from Downtown Disney and Epcot it is $7-8. From Animal Kingdom it was $14 and from the Magic Kingdom it was $18.

 

[twinspluscade]

So..I'm considering cancelling our reservation at POR at booking here instead. With being a family of five, we would love the extra space. I have a few questions though that I hope someone can answer:

1. Is there a place on-property to buy milk?

2. How crowded do the lazy river, waterslides, and pool get in the late afternoon and evening? We would be there May 21-28.

3. We would book through Ken. Do we pay in full when making the reservation, or when checking in? What if we'd have a family emergency and have to cancel--is it possible to get a refund?

4. We will have our own car, and drive to the parks each day. How many minutes to get to each park?

5. Any certain building or view we should request? When do you make requests?

Thanks so much!

 

[Catira]

$25 for a 2 mile cab ride? That seems high.

I've taken a cab twice from downtown disney back to resort. On both occasions I was charged $15 plus what I tipped driver.

 

[snappy]

So..I'm considering cancelling our reservation at POR at booking here instead. With being a family of five, we would love the extra space. I have a few questions though that I hope someone can answer:

1. Is there a place on-property to buy milk?

2. How crowded do the lazy river, waterslides, and pool get in the late afternoon and evening? We would be there May 21-28.

3. We would book through Ken. Do we pay in full when making the reservation, or when checking in? What if we'd have a family emergency and have to cancel--is it possible to get a refund?

4. We will have our own car, and drive to the parks each day. How many minutes to get to each park?

5. Any certain building or view we should request? When do you make requests?

Thanks so much!

You can buy half gallons in the resort store-about $3.00 I think.

We have gone in May for several years. Since there are multiple pools and multiple hot tubs, they don't seem crowded. There are even two lazy rivers.

We have booked through Ken too, now at least 5 times. We had a down payment, and then the rest within 60 days of the trip I think. Ken's policies are probably listed on his website, vacationupgrades. We have never had to deal with a family emergency. Why don't you email or call him and ask for his policy on this issue?

Make your location request up front in your email when finalizing the reservation. I would then follow up with Ken by emailing him about 10 days before check-in. He and his wife have been very accommodating with location requests. Also, once the reservation is in your name, you can call yourself and specify your requests.

I like buildings 4 and 5 the best, and I like the fireworks view, high floor. I like being close to the bar between buildings 4 and 5, there are many activites there, and you are right there by the pool in front of 4 and the zero entry lazy river in front of 5. Building 6 looks good too, I am not sure if I would like the view as well though in building 6. We stayed in building 3 the first year, and I did not like it as well. I think I would like building 1 as well, especially the fireworks view.

We have stayed at this resort more times than any other, except boardwalk villas. I think it is a good value, and it grows on me more with each stay.

 

[Upatnoon]

So..I'm considering cancelling our reservation at POR at booking here instead. With being a family of five, we would love the extra space. I have a few questions though that I hope someone can answer:

1. Is there a place on-property to buy milk?

2. How crowded do the lazy river, waterslides, and pool get in the late afternoon and evening? We would be there May 21-28.

3. We would book through Ken. Do we pay in full when making the reservation, or when checking in? What if we'd have a family emergency and have to cancel--is it possible to get a refund?

4. We will have our own car, and drive to the parks each day. How many minutes to get to each park?

5. Any certain building or view we should request? When do you make requests?

Thanks so much!

How long it takes to drive to the parks depends on which park. If you are familier with Disney, but don't know where Bonnet Creek is, it is right next door to the Caribbean Beach Resort.

Hollywood Studios is about 5 minutes (or less), Downtown Disney, 5 minutes, Epcot, 12 minutes, Animal Kingdom about 14 minutes and about 10 minutes to the TTC for Magic Kingdom. You then have to take the boat or monorail to Magic Kingdom. So that park takes the longest to get to.

 

[amyy]

So..I'm considering cancelling our reservation at POR at booking here instead. With being a family of five, we would love the extra space. I have a few questions though that I hope someone can answer:

1. Is there a place on-property to buy milk?

2. How crowded do the lazy river, waterslides, and pool get in the late afternoon and evening? We would be there May 21-28.

3. We would book through Ken. Do we pay in full when making the reservation, or when checking in? What if we'd have a family emergency and have to cancel--is it possible to get a refund?

4. We will have our own car, and drive to the parks each day. How many minutes to get to each park?

5. Any certain building or view we should request? When do you make requests?

Thanks so much!

We are going in Feb and renting from Ken. He said there is no refund. If the weather is bad he might be able to extend us a day. I am a bit worried because Disney is always great about unexpected situations. We only had to cancel once but we were refunded 100%. I am trying to find trip insurance for this trip. Worried with weather, the flu etc. I have a post a bit farther down and someone recommend a site for trip insurance.

 

[Ellajoan]

Just booked through Ken for first week in April. Excited to try somewhere new, we've always stayed at Windsor Hills. We have 3 kids, any building recommendations? Close to pool and activities would be great.

TIA!

 

[katallo]

We stayed in Building 2 last fall. It was in very good condition but still had the laminate countertops and no flat screens. We heard they were updating the entire resort. Does anyone know if all buildings have been updated? Thanks

 

[Lava124]

Just booked here for a trip and started to read through thread for this info but it is so long just sort of missed it I guess.What would be the best building to request for a fireworks view?The 2nd question would be how far ahead should I call them to request this?

Thanks