What is Bonnet Creek Resort?

[KarenB]

During our stay at OKW last week, we often went by the entrance for Bonnet Creek Resort. What exactly is this? I know it is not Disney owned, but is it a golf course? A time share? Condos? I did a search, but was not very successful.

Thanks,
Karen

 

[cherylp3]

A timeshare operated by fairfield

 

[ceejay13]

It is a timeshare. We actually drove down there a couple of weeks age when we were visiting. The road winds a ways back and you come to condos in 6 or 7 story buildings. Part of it is still under construction. They look nice but after you are used to the theming and plush landscapes of our DVC resorts, it seemed somewhat on the ordinary. Great location, however.

It was announced just recently, also, that Hilton is going to build 2 resorts on this property. On a Hilton Grand Vacation timeshare resort and a luxury hotel.

 

[littlestar]

Here's some pictures of what the Fairfield Bonnet Creek looks like back in there:

http://bonnetcreek.com/

I wouldn't mind staying there a couple of nights before a DVC check-in just to look it over. It looks nice and the location is good. Of course, it's not Disney, though.

 

[bpmorley]

I wonder if it's going to get the same disney features as the Swan & Dolphin. They're not disney, but they get ME and all the transportation.

 

[Dean]

I wonder if it's going to get the same disney features as the Swan & Dolphin. They're not disney, but they get ME and all the transportation.

Doubtful, I doubt Disney would have even give them a right of way if not required by the courts to do so. FF timeshare are competing with Disney in more ways than one so I doubt they'll go out of their way to help them in any way. But they'll be glad to take their money I'm sure.

 

[Disneyrsh]

Is the resort actually on disney property?

Are they leasing it from Disney? Why would the courts have to allow them anything if it's on Disney property?

I too, have driven by it and wondered, huh, is that golf or what?

 

[Dean]

Is the resort actually on disney property?

Are they leasing it from Disney? Why would the courts have to allow them anything if it's on Disney property?

I too, have driven by it and wondered, huh, is that golf or what?

It's actually on a parcel of land never owned by Disney and from what I hear, the owners would have given away before they would have sold to Disney. The reason for the court issue is that they needed an easement across Disney land to get road access, at least that's what I'm told.

 

[bpmorley]

It's actually on a parcel of land never owned by Disney and from what I hear, the owners would have given away before they would have sold to Disney. The reason for the court issue is that they needed an easement across Disney land to get road access, at least that's what I'm told.

I read something to that effect before.

So why wouldn't Disney set up a transportation system for Bonnet Creek? It would put more money in Disney's pocket. They already do it for The Swan & Dolphin.

 

[Chuck S]

I read something to that effect before.

So why wouldn't Disney set up a transportation system for Bonnet Creek? It would put more money in Disney's pocket. They already do it for The Swan & Dolphin.

The Swan and Dolphin ARE on Disney property, and were contracted to be built and managed by outside sources and meet certain criteria per agreements dating back to the late 70s/Early 80s. Since the S/D are located on Disney land, Disney also has certain rights if S/D do not live up to their end of the agreement. Disney has no such control over the Bonnet Creek property.

 

[cherylp3]

swan and dolphin do not get to use ME

 

[Disneyrsh]

[qu

 

[RobDoc]

Is the resort actually on disney property?

Are they leasing it from Disney? Why would the courts have to allow them anything if it's on Disney property?

I too, have driven by it and wondered, huh, is that golf or what?

The property is bordered on three sides by Disney property and on the other side by the interstate. Disney has never owned the land and technically it is NOT onsite. Legally, property owners are allowed to have access to their property, even if that access passes thru other privately owned land. The access doesn't need to be provided for free however.

In this case, the land sits behind CBR and the access is across Buena Vista Drive from the recent DVC billboard (probably NOT a coincidence). Unless Fairfield wants to negotiate a transportation program with Disney (or neogitate for any other features) I don't anticipate finding that they will ever enjoy any perks afforded to other hotels nearby WDW. I'm sure Disney would be happy to provide services for Fairfield - for a healthy fee.

Here is a recent thread describing other development plans on that same property and another thread from last fall discussion Bonnet Creek including links to other information about the resort.

Enjoy!

 

[bpmorley]

swan and dolphin do not get to use ME

Yes they do. On our trip to BCV in January, ME stopped at BW, Swan, Dolphin, YC and finally BC.

 

[bpmorley]

The Swan and Dolphin ARE on Disney property, and were contracted to be built and managed by outside sources and meet certain criteria per agreements dating back to the late 70s/Early 80s. Since the S/D are located on Disney land, Disney also has certain rights if S/D do not live up to their end of the agreement. Disney has no such control over the Bonnet Creek property.

That sheds some light on my confusion.

 

[KarenB]

Was this piece of land just not part of the whole package when the land was first purchased by Disney before the parks were built? I mean, if all the land around it was purchased, I wonder why this never was? I have heard the stories about purchases being made by names other than Disney, could whoever owned this land have had the "insede scoop" and never sold out?

Kind of interesting......
Karen

 

[RobDoc]

Yes they do. On our trip to BCV in January, ME stopped at BW, Swan, Dolphin, YC and finally BC.

S/D are not included in DME. They are included in land/sea packages thru DCL, so the DME buses do stop there, but they (along with Shades of Green) are not included in the DME program.

Here is some info about DME from the Transportation Board where they address the S/D relationship with DME.

The property in question was held by an unknown investor for a number of years and just within the past few years is being developed with the Fairfield timeshare as the first component of the project. I'm not sure that much information is available (at least publicly) about why Disney never acquired the land back in the 60's. Perhaps the owner got wind of Disney as the buyer, perhaps they just didn't want to sell to anyone at that time. I was told that Disney was offered an opportunity to purchase the land years later, but declined since it no longer fit into develpoment plans and they already had acres of more suitable undeveloped land. (Disney has also been selling some land in recent months near AKL.)

The Fairfield resort sits back about 1/2 mile from the parkway. It has a rather stark appearance, but that will likely improve as landscaping matures and the resort is further developed.

 

[bpmorley]

S/D are not included in DME. They are included in land/sea packages thru DCL, so the DME buses do stop there, but they (along with Shades of Green) are not included in the DME program.

I have pictures from the ME that stopped at S/D. It wasn't a land/sea package. It was from MCO. Me and my wife were shocked when they stopped, but they did. That's why I took the picture from the bus. Our reaction was more of shock that they stopped at 2 non-disney hotels before they stopped at Y&BC.

 

[RobDoc]

Those with land/sea packages arrive at MCO and are transported to their WDW resort by Mears (could be a DCL bus- could be ME bus). After the land reservation, they go on the DCL portion of the package and are transported by DCL bus. S/D is included in DCL land/sea packages, but their guests cannot use DME for regular stays. ME uses their special logo buses, DCL buses and also uses the large Mears motorcoaches (those are usually used on the return trip to MCO).

 

[bpmorley]

Those with land/sea packages arrive at MCO and are transported to their WDW resort by Mears (could be a DCL bus- could be ME bus). After the land reservation, they go on the DCL portion of the package and are transported by DCL bus. S/D is included in DCL land/sea packages, but their guests cannot use DME for regular stays. ME uses their special logo buses, DCL buses and also uses the large Mears motorcoaches (those are usually used on the return trip to MCO).

There must be a mistake somewhere. I asked my wife about this to make sure we did stop at S/D(even though I found the pic). She told me that there were people from our plane that got off @ The Swan. They couldn't not have been on the land/sea deal. I'm not trying to argue about this. I'll never stay at either S/D. I'm perfectly content with all of the DVC resorts. Just wish they would have dropped us off before those guests.