The we loooooove Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek Part 4

[Biggen]

Tower renovation was done when I was there in mid January. All towers were open.

 

[Brian Noble]

This is a piece of conversation I got from the renter after asking some questions about the rental agreement I was sent:

I think I’d proceed if I were you, with one important provision.

This owner sounds as though they fully understand the rules as they are written (at least, assuming I understand them). It also sounds as though they are willing to work to fix something if Wyndham makes a mistake.

I'm not that concerned about hearing wrong information from the front-line phone agents at Wyndham. This is a new policy, is semi-complicated, and Wyndham's phone agent training is no better than Disney's. (Call WDW INFO with a yes/no question three times, and you'll get three different answers!) I'm an active Wyndham owner on TUG, and while I do have a number of the more negative members there on ignore, I am trying to recall a situation in which a reservation was cancelled incorrectly vs. an agent saying it might happen.

So, here is my provision: I would ask (really, insist) that your name be put on the Guest Certificate as soon as you pay the deposit. That gives Wyndham time to screw up---I don't think they will, but they might. If they do, the owner has time to fix things. If the owner can't solve it, they should give you your deposit back--and I would ask them to put that in writing. I would not proceed with the booking if they are unwilling to add your name immediately, because that suggests they might be trying to play the last-minute loophole game, and I would not trust that to work. Your deposit is more than enough to cover the cost of the GC if you cancel on the owner, so it's no great loss to them to burn one.

As a data point, I have successfully used one of my two exceptions for this year just last week, but it was a last-minute emergency booking for my brother-in-law who needed a place to stay on very short notice. So, it might not be very informative. It's the first GC I've used in about a decade or so, so my direct experience is pretty limited.

Reading between the lines of the policy and the conversations by some of the insiders who have contacts at Wyndham, I suspect this policy might be enforced in a fairly targeted way. Unfortunately, you have no way of knowing whether your owner is in the targeted set. At the end of the day, a timeshare rental---whether it be DVC points, a Bonnet Creek stay, or anything else directly from an owner---requires some degree of trust and a bit of risk tolerance. If you are not comfortable doing that, you might be better off renting from a more established company directly, at another resort if necessary, even though it will cost a little more. Good options for easy transit to/from the theme parks include Vistana Resort, the three Marriott Palms resorts at World Center, Silver Lake, and Vacation Village @ Parkway. (I'd consider them in that order.)

 

[Mulliganman30]

I think I’d proceed if I were you, with one important provision.

This owner sounds as though they fully understand the rules as they are written (at least, assuming I understand them). It also sounds as though they are willing to work to fix something if Wyndham makes a mistake.

I'm not that concerned about hearing wrong information from the front-line phone agents at Wyndham. This is a new policy, is semi-complicated, and Wyndham's phone agent training is no better than Disney's. (Call WDW INFO with a yes/no question three times, and you'll get three different answers!) I'm an active Wyndham owner on TUG, and while I do have a number of the more negative members there on ignore, I am trying to recall a situation in which a reservation was cancelled incorrectly vs. an agent saying it might happen.

So, here is my provision: I would ask (really, insist) that your name be put on the Guest Certificate as soon as you pay the deposit. That gives Wyndham time to screw up---I don't think they will, but they might. If they do, the owner has time to fix things. If the owner can't solve it, they should give you your deposit back--and I would ask them to put that in writing. I would not proceed with the booking if they are unwilling to add your name immediately, because that suggests they might be trying to play the last-minute loophole game, and I would not trust that to work. Your deposit is more than enough to cover the cost of the GC if you cancel on the owner, so it's no great loss to them to burn one.

As a data point, I have successfully used one of my two exceptions for this year just last week, but it was a last-minute emergency booking for my brother-in-law who needed a place to stay on very short notice. So, it might not be very informative. It's the first GC I've used in about a decade or so, so my direct experience is pretty limited.

Reading between the lines of the policy and the conversations by some of the insiders who have contacts at Wyndham, I suspect this policy might be enforced in a fairly targeted way. Unfortunately, you have no way of knowing whether your owner is in the targeted set. At the end of the day, a timeshare rental---whether it be DVC points, a Bonnet Creek stay, or anything else directly from an owner---requires some degree of trust and a bit of risk tolerance. If you are not comfortable doing that, you might be better off renting from a more established company directly, at another resort if necessary, even though it will cost a little more. Good options for easy transit to/from the theme parks include Vistana Resort, the three Marriott Palms resorts at World Center, Silver Lake, and Vacation Village @ Parkway. (I'd consider them in that order.)

Thanks for weighing in. i had already paid a $200 deposit, but was told upon paying the remaining part my name would be added within 24 hours. I was told if I couldn't stay because it got cancelled and no options worked that the deposit and guest confirmation and such would be refunded. I don't know if it's the case but was told by the renter that my stay would only have to overlap an owner by one day (the renter says they have an owner checking in May 29th and I would be checking in May 26th..

I guess it's not safe to say even if adding a guest name right away wouldn't still guarantee it wouldn't be cancelled by Wyndham later on.

Last night, I reserved Marriott Harbour Lake at least as a backup for around 129,000 Ultimate Rewards points when it popped back up. I do have a 6 and 9 year old who will be making the trip (5 of us total)

 

[Brian Noble]

That's a well-regarded resort. I think you will like it if you end up staying there.

 

[redboat45]

Thanks for weighing in. i had already paid a $200 deposit, but was told upon paying the remaining part my name would be added within 24 hours. I was told if I couldn't stay because it got cancelled and no options worked that the deposit and guest confirmation and such would be refunded. I don't know if it's the case but was told by the renter that my stay would only have to overlap an owner by one day (the renter says they have an owner checking in May 29th and I would be checking in May 26th..

I guess it's not safe to say even if adding a guest name right away wouldn't still guarantee it wouldn't be cancelled by Wyndham later on.

Last night, I reserved Marriott Harbour Lake at least as a backup for around 129,000 Ultimate Rewards points when it popped back up. I do have a 6 and 9 year old who will be making the trip (5 of us total)

We LOVE Harbour Lake! It's a nice compact resort with 2 nice pools and great hot tubs! They also had a lot of fun activities for kids and the bar is good.

 

[Lookwhatwaltdid]

does Wyndham resort have washer/ dryers available to guest staying in the hotel portion of the property?

 

[missingdisneymore]

The Wyndham Grand has laundry service but not self serve laundry facilities.

 

[DisneyFan10]

I read that this resort has fun kid activities around the pools. Are they listed anywhere, or do you just need to walk around and find them?

 

[missingdisneymore]

I read that this resort has fun kid activities around the pools. Are they listed anywhere, or do you just need to walk around and find them?

The activity schedule changes a bit month-to-month, and has special offerings for seasonal holidays.
The current month activity schedule can be obtained at the activities desk in the main building and tower six, and is posted around the resort on sandwich boards by paths and in building lobbies.

 

[CoP Luv]

How do you book this hotel? I contacted Vacation Strategy a few days ago and haven't heard back yet. Are they still someone to contact? I haven't seen it pop up on any of the other travel websites (Expedia, etc.)

We are only staying one night pre-cruise in May (not a blackout date).

Thanks for any help!!!

 

[DL1WDW2]

.

 

[BostonEd]

View attachment 658432

That probably means nothing to either the Club Wyndham guests (which this thread is about) or even to the Grand hotel guests. It's probably a franchise, and the owner switched from one entity to another. It will probably continue to operate as a Wyndham property.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I was thinking that was reason for their confusion trying to book online.

 

[megsters]

How do you book this hotel? I contacted Vacation Strategy a few days ago and haven't heard back yet. Are they still someone to contact? I haven't seen it pop up on any of the other travel websites (Expedia, etc.)

We are only staying one night pre-cruise in May (not a blackout date).

Thanks for any help!!!

I reached out to them today, got a quote, and booked. Its been a few years since we've stayed there- but VS was speedy.

I would reach out to them again.

 

[CoP Luv]

I reached out to them today, got a quote, and booked. Its been a few years since we've stayed there- but VS was speedy.

I would reach out to them again.

Thanks for your comment. I'm surprised it is taking this long for a response. I will check again with them. I just wanted to make sure they were still in business. haha

 

[blobula]

Is there any issue checking in at midnight or after at this resort?

 

[Upatnoon]

Is there any issue checking in at midnight or after at this resort?

This is a resort with thousands of rooms and the front desk is staffed 24/7. Midnight is not late at all. People are arriving at all hours.

If you are showing up a day or more late I would call though. I have done this when I booked a week but could not arrive until later in the stay.

 

[Missy29]

Thanks for your comment. I'm surprised it is taking this long for a response. I will check again with them. I just wanted to make sure they were still in business. haha

I’m using Vacation Strategy for my upcoming trip in a few weeks, they always get right back with me, this is my third time going through them.

 

[CoP Luv]

I actually found the reply in a random folder in my email. Unfortunately, they are all sold out for my dates!

 

[Jillianemma]

Can someone remind me of the website to reserve activities/cabanas at bonnet creek? Thanks so much!