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

[2BoysMom]

Upon check-in I overheard that you are allowed to smoke on the balconies just not inside the units. There was even an ashtray on our balcony table and I saw others smoking on their balconies. I am not a smoker though...... So maybe someone else has more info. I did not see anyone smoking at the pools.

Thank you for the review of your recent stay. Can you explain more about the "uncomfortable bed"... ie, too soft, too hard, too lumpy? Thanks

There were a few smoking specific areas near the grilling areas, and on the balconies that did come with ashtrays.

I found the beds to be comfortable. I am someone with hip issues, and have often had problems with hotel beds, but I did very well at WBC.

Hope that helps.

 

[MichaelColey]

It seems like we found the beds a little less firm than we liked.

 

[cam&chris]

We arrived on Saturday May 14th around 1:30 pm. I had read on here about the staff being adament that you can't check in before 4 pm unless you were a VIP so I was kind of afraid to try checking in early. We had been driving 2 very long days from Canada so I decided to try and I was pleasantly surprised!

I was able to check in and choose my building/view/room very easily with the help of a very friendly check in clerk named Jose. Rooms in towers 5 and 6 weren't ready yet so with Jose's help, I chose building 3 with lake/firework view. We were on the 6th floor in unit 652 (2 bedroom deluxe). We had such a great view of not only the lake but a full on view of the Epcot ball and we were able to easily see the Epcot AND the MK fireworks from our balcony each evening.

The room was immaculately clean and had everything that you would ever need for an enjoyable vacation. The room did not have granite countertops or stainless steel appliances or flat screen t.v.s but it didn't matter - it was still a VERY nice room.

We used all the pools and my boys (ages 12 and 8) loved them all but their favourites were the lazy river by building 5 and our own pool in front of our building 3.

We played mini golf one day and played pool and ping pong in the main building too.

The grounds are immaculate and every morning as I sipped my coffee on the balcony, I watched the crews clean the pool, the bbq grills and the grounds so that everything was ready for each new day.

We didn't use the bbq grills but many others did and there are plenty of grills around the grounds with picnic tables and lovely views of the lake.

There are many activities for kids and adults planned throughout the week and you receive a guide when you check in. They had a free welcome breakfast on Monday, karaoke by the pool another evening, a reptile show for the kids one afternoon and so on and so on and so on.... there were sooo many activities that we could have stayed at the resort all week and been pleasantly entertained for free LOL.

We used the shuttle 2 days and found them to be great. My only recommendation would be to get on them at building 6 because then they go to the main building and sometimes they were a bit crowded but not too bad. It is such a short ride to each park that even if you have to stand, it is manageable. Even though there is a break in the shuttle schedule each day, it didn't bother us. We took the 8:45 am shuttle to Epcot and caught the first shuttle back at 3:15 pm. For us, that worked - we weren't ready to go back to BC before then. On Wed, we took the 8:55 am shuttle to AK and then the 4 pm shuttle back to Bonnett Creek - again, that worked fine for us but for others who may finish at the park by 1 or 2 pm that wouldn't work and you may want to drive yourself.

I will post pictures over in the WBC photo thread for people who may want to see the unit and view and I took many pics of all the building and grounds and I will post those too.

 

[cam&chris]

I forgot a few things in my previous post LOL.

When I was checking in, there was another guest checking in next to me. I could not believe how RUDE she was to the poor clerk. She was loudly demanding a room in tower 6. The clerk was trying to explain to her that she could absolutely have a room in tower 6 when one was ready but that housekeeping does that tower last and rooms probably wouldn't be ready until around 5 pm. Well, this lady (and I use the term loosely) was yelling that that was NOT good enough and she wanted a room immediately in tower 6 and she was NOT going to wait

I felt sooo bad for that clerk because he was still being extremely friendly and was trying his best to suggest and alternate for her but she just wouldn't listen. I don't know the outcome because I got my room key and left.

Then it was time to move onto the dreaded parking pass pick up. I went over to that desk and showed them my check in form. The woman just gave me my pass - no trying to book me into a presentation - no hard sell - NOTHING! We also didn't receive a single phone call from them all week.

 

[cam&chris]

Thank you for the review of your recent stay. Can you explain more about the "uncomfortable bed"... ie, too soft, too hard, too lumpy? Thanks

We found the beds to be very comfortable - everyone will have a differing opinion though so I say just wait until you get there and judge for yourself

 

[Obadiah Stane]

Thank you for the review of your recent stay. Can you explain more about the "uncomfortable bed"... ie, too soft, too hard, too lumpy? Thanks

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!!

Lumpy would be a fair way to describe it. One of the best beds we have slept on was at the Swan last year. It was dreamy. We have one at home very similar to this. The one at BC felt much like the hide-a-bed. As a matter of fact, there were times I thought that is what we were sleeping on.

Thanks for the congrats.

 

[party-of-five]

Thank you for the additional info on the beds. I understand that 'comfy' is a subjective term. I prefer a firm mattress and a good night's sleep after a long day in the parks with kids is a must!!! Thanks for the info!

 

[Cdn Gal]

We arrived on Saturday May 14th around 1:30 pm. I had read on here about the staff being adament that you can't check in before 4 pm unless you were a VIP so I was kind of afraid to try checking in early. We had been driving 2 very long days from Canada so I decided to try and I was pleasantly surprised!

I was able to check in and choose my building/view/room very easily with the help of a very friendly check in clerk named Jose. Rooms in towers 5 and 6 weren't ready yet so with Jose's help, I chose building 3 with lake/firework view. We were on the 6th floor in unit 652 (2 bedroom deluxe). We had such a great view of not only the lake but a full on view of the Epcot ball and we were able to easily see the Epcot AND the MK fireworks from our balcony each evening.

The room was immaculately clean and had everything that you would ever need for an enjoyable vacation. The room did not have granite countertops or stainless steel appliances or flat screen t.v.s but it didn't matter - it was still a VERY nice room.

We used all the pools and my boys (ages 12 and 8) loved them all but their favourites were the lazy river by building 5 and our own pool in front of our building 3.

We played mini golf one day and played pool and ping pong in the main building too.

The grounds are immaculate and every morning as I sipped my coffee on the balcony, I watched the crews clean the pool, the bbq grills and the grounds so that everything was ready for each new day.

We didn't use the bbq grills but many others did and there are plenty of grills around the grounds with picnic tables and lovely views of the lake.

There are many activities for kids and adults planned throughout the week and you receive a guide when you check in. They had a free welcome breakfast on Monday, karaoke by the pool another evening, a reptile show for the kids one afternoon and so on and so on and so on.... there were sooo many activities that we could have stayed at the resort all week and been pleasantly entertained for free LOL.

We used the shuttle 2 days and found them to be great. My only recommendation would be to get on them at building 6 because then they go to the main building and sometimes they were a bit crowded but not too bad. It is such a short ride to each park that even if you have to stand, it is manageable. Even though there is a break in the shuttle schedule each day, it didn't bother us. We took the 8:45 am shuttle to Epcot and caught the first shuttle back at 3:15 pm. For us, that worked - we weren't ready to go back to BC before then. On Wed, we took the 8:55 am shuttle to AK and then the 4 pm shuttle back to Bonnett Creek - again, that worked fine for us but for others who may finish at the park by 1 or 2 pm that wouldn't work and you may want to drive yourself.

I will post pictures over in the WBC photo thread for people who may want to see the unit and view and I took many pics of all the building and grounds and I will post those too.

Can't wait to see your pics! I am glad that you had a great time there. You went at a great time of the year! How was the drive?

 

[cam&chris]

We took I 79 and I 77 because we wanted to also stop at the Nascar Hall of Fame in North Carolina. It took us 2 1/2 days because of the stop but the drive was very beautiful and you can't beat the gas prices in the U.S. LOL. I was able to fill my SUV for $45 where it costs me almost $75 in Canada depending on the the price per litre.

 

[ClanHarrison]

I was able to fill my SUV for $45 where it costs me almost $75 in Canada depending on the the price per litre.

I guess I have nothing else to complain about...

 

[saysay]

Thank you for the additional info on the beds. I understand that 'comfy' is a subjective term. I prefer a firm mattress and a good night's sleep after a long day in the parks with kids is a must!!! Thanks for the info!

We found the beds to be just right for us. My husband even commented how comfy they were.

Not lumpy at all IMO. I don't like too soft a bed or too padded. I would not say the bed was too firm, it was just the right for us in the middle, but closer to firm than soft. We slept great!

I also love the beds at the Swan....slept just as good here as I did there in February. Sure not the same, but good enough for me.

 

[TotoToo]

I forgot a few things in my previous post LOL.

When I was checking in, there was another guest checking in next to me. I could not believe how RUDE she was to the poor clerk. She was loudly demanding a room in tower 6. The clerk was trying to explain to her that she could absolutely have a room in tower 6 when one was ready but that housekeeping does that tower last and rooms probably wouldn't be ready until around 5 pm. Well, this lady (and I use the term loosely) was yelling that that was NOT good enough and she wanted a room immediately in tower 6 and she was NOT going to wait

I felt sooo bad for that clerk because he was still being extremely friendly and was trying his best to suggest and alternate for her but she just wouldn't listen. I don't know the outcome because I got my room key and left.

Then it was time to move onto the dreaded parking pass pick up. I went over to that desk and showed them my check in form. The woman just gave me my pass - no trying to book me into a presentation - no hard sell - NOTHING! We also didn't receive a single phone call from them all week.

We had a similar experience at the wonderful sea side Wyndham Royal Vista in 2000 (yes, Y2K!). The "b" ahead of us sounded like your's and she got no satisfaction regarding her early room demands. We stepped up, said no problem with the wait & just wanted to leave some groceries (which they let us do). When we returned at 3:30 (still early) we were pleasantly surprised when they said the room was ready and REALLY surprised when it was the Penthouse! Since we had heard her demanding a top floor room we have always assumed they assigned it to us rather than give into her ranting and screaming. We'll never know for sure but we sure did enjoy a great week in THE best unit at Royal Vista (the similar one next door was used as the model so you know it was a top notch location).

 

[britt54311]

Does anyone know or can confirm what is in the 3rd bedroom of a 3 bedroom unit? I have seen that it is a queen and also seen that it is a second king. also have seen somewhere it is another set of full size beds. thks.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Does anyone know or can confirm what is in the 3rd bedroom of a 3 bedroom unit? I have seen that it is a queen and also seen that it is a second king. also have seen somewhere it is another set of full size beds. thks.

The 3BRs are one King (master), one with two queens or two fulls (I think this varies in towers), and one with another king. At least this is what I have learned from my research.

 

[two*little*birds]

I guess I have nothing else to complain about...

LOL, I know it's off topic but couldn't help post too. As a fellow Canadian, I nearly fainted last week when it cost $83 to fill up my Hyundai Santa Fe!

 

[grandmadebby2]

Does anyone know or can confirm what is in the 3rd bedroom of a 3 bedroom unit? I have seen that it is a queen and also seen that it is a second king. also have seen somewhere it is another set of full size beds. thks.

Wyndhams Club Wyndham Plus Resort Vacation planning book show a 3 bedroom deluxe at Bonnet Creek to have K,Q,2D,QS with a maximum occupancy of 10. Itdoes not show what is in the presidential 3 bedroom. But just for reference it shows the 4 bedroom presidential as having K,2D,K,2D with maximum occupancy of 12. It may be different but I can usually depend on the book to be accurate. It came out it 2009 and goes through 2011.

 

[dtripli]

Thank you for the review of your recent stay. Can you explain more about the "uncomfortable bed"... ie, too soft, too hard, too lumpy? Thanks

We found the beds to be very comfortable - everyone will have a differing opinion though so I say just wait until you get there and judge for yourself

I just wanted to add that I can not wait for you to post your pics as well! We'll be at BC mid-June. I was considering building 3 for a room request; so Im anxious to see your pics. I've been checking the photo thread WAY to often to check for them! lol

Thanks again for the review.

 

[mnightin]

I'm confused!

October 2011 will be my first family trip to Disney. I found Bonnett Creek because we rented a similar unit for a trip to Wisconsin Dells, WI earlier this year, so I started thinking about lodging here instead of onsite.

Here's my question -- how on earth could most families afford to stay onsite at Disney? Granted, I need to get two rooms for my family, so the price is a bit higher for me. But as I look at the onsite rates for the moderate resorts they're still at least 2x and sometimes 4x Bonnet Creek.

Am I missing something? Is it really that much more expensive on property? Example - right now the Polynesian is about $4,000 for one week (two rooms). BC is looking like about $1,000 for the same time.

I thought I'd ask this group because many of you have done both and you all see the benefits of BC. Just wanted to make sure there aren't some crazy deals I'm unaware of on property before I move forward with BC.

Thanks so much!

Mnightin
DH, DS (8), DD (5), DD (7 months)
First trip to WDW this October!

 

[linnell]

No, you're not wrong, it is insanely expensive to stay onsite. There are discounts here and there, but for the most part the pluses are:
1) Location Location Location - if you're staying at the Polynesian (or Contemporary and Grand Floridian, you're on the monorail. Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach Club is walking distance to Epcot and DHS).
2) Extra magic hours - some people love these, I just think it makes the parks more crowded
3) Disney Dining Plan -Prepay for all your meals. It used to be a better deal because appetizers and tip were included, but now it is just the entree and dessert.
4) Free transportation

Some people just think if they're going to Disney, they need to stay at Disney to get the whole experience.

I loved staying on property last year, but we spoiled ourselves and stayed in a 1 bedroom villa and can't go back now. Our kids go to bed so early, that if we were all in one room... it'd be torture.

 

[1GR8DISNEYFAN]

I'm confused!

October 2011 will be my first family trip to Disney. I found Bonnett Creek because we rented a similar unit for a trip to Wisconsin Dells, WI earlier this year, so I started thinking about lodging here instead of onsite.

Here's my question -- how on earth could most families afford to stay onsite at Disney? Granted, I need to get two rooms for my family, so the price is a bit higher for me. But as I look at the onsite rates for the moderate resorts they're still at least 2x and sometimes 4x Bonnet Creek.

Am I missing something? Is it really that much more expensive on property? Example - right now the Polynesian is about $4,000 for one week (two rooms). BC is looking like about $1,000 for the same time.

I thought I'd ask this group because many of you have done both and you all see the benefits of BC. Just wanted to make sure there aren't some crazy deals I'm unaware of on property before I move forward with BC.

Thanks so much!

Mnightin
DH, DS (8), DD (5), DD (7 months)
First trip to WDW this October!

We love the Poly, both times we stayed there we had 40% off, but the room was still close to $1800 for 7 nights. This year it would have been about $2600 for 9 nights, including 35% off. Our 2 BR Pres unit is costing us $1700, so quite a savings. Rooms at the Poly do sleep 5 so if your family includes everyone in your signature, you would only need 1 room. You can't beat the convenience of the monorail. For the price I would choose Bonnet Creek over any moderate or value resort. We wanted to try something different this time for a few reasons, but I hope to go back to the Poly agian.