what is bonnett creek resort like?

[Cdn Gal]

We can only vacation during 'prime' times. So for that reason, are you somewhat guaranteed to get into your own home resort? (BC) For instance, I will pay the extra $$ for maintenace fees if it guarantees me Christmas/March Break. Or do they have a certain number of rooms available for people from other Wydham resorts to be able to get as well? (please keep in mind that I would be buying used ) Thanks for answering all of my questions, it is really helping our decesion!

 

[kidsister]

I own DVC and love it.
But Bonnet Creek provides an excellent option to the high points for larger and weekend DVC units.
Last trip was going to be just my sis and I at an OKW studio.
But then we invited my BIL and needed a larger unit.
An opportunity to rent Bonnet Creek came up and I took it. Then we discovered that because the renter was VIP that we were automatically upgraded to a 2 bd/2bath unit...It was beautiful and we certainly enjoyed ourselves.

We missed the DVC 'owner' experience a bit re late entry park nights, but that 's the only disadvantage IMHO. There is still a lot of construction going on, and we had to ask to be moved to the old building (where check in is) but I loved our location and really enjoyed the resort.

If you're asking about buying into it however....I always check out what the units rent and resale for before even thinking about that. With DVC I can always rent or sell for more than maintenance costs and purchase...so I'm actually making an investment. Not so much for most other timeshares, tho I don't know where BC stands as I've only rented.

 

[DWFan4Life]

Wow, sounds interesting to me. I'll better check it now, It will be exciting if we can stay there on our next trip. I hope this will happen. Thanks a lot for this info.

Have a nice day everyone.

 

[zbraunj]

I am a Wyndham VIP owner. I would be happy to rent a unit for anyone who is interested. I would like $800/week for a 2 bedroom. Let me know if you're interested.

 

[dansyr2514]

We'll be staying at a 2 bedroom from 3/17-3/22. We also got it from an owner off ebay for $780. Any hints or tips on a location to request. Would be nice to have a fireworks view and be semi-close to the pool. Also anyone with any tips on restaurant in the area..any suggestions would be welcome.

 

[horseshowmom]

We'll be staying at a 2 bedroom from 3/17-3/22. We also got it from an owner off ebay for $780. Any hints or tips on a location to request. Would be nice to have a fireworks view and be semi-close to the pool. Also anyone with any tips on restaurant in the area..any suggestions would be welcome.

Honestly, I think any of the buildings would be considered to be close to the pools. We were in building 5 (they were working on a new pool behind it when we were ther), but it was only about a 2-3 minute walk to the main pool at the activity building. When you call them, just ask for the best fireworks view (they know which ones that would be). If you want a lakeview as well, you'll need to be on the back side of the lake (buildings 1, 2, or 3). I liked buildings 4 and 5 (no lakeview but great fireworks views - no buildings in between).

There are several restaurants in nearby Lake Buena Vista on SR535 (take 536 to 535) - Landry's, Lonestar Steakhouse, Golden Corral, Perkins, Cici's, etc. There are also quite a few to choose from in Downtown Disney (you can google for those).

 

[dansyr2514]

Thanks for the info...can't wait to get there.

 

[Cdn Gal]

My friend gave me his password etc to for Whydham owners to book on-line. But, when I scroll to Chritmas of next year it won't let me book. (I'm already logged in as a VIP member) Does this mean that Christmas units for next year are already booked??

 

[Janet Hill]

It means that it is more than 10 months out and you have to call ms to find out what is available. To book now in this timeframe, you either have to own there or be a VIP and have an available ARP at 11 months out.

 

[Lisa P.]

My friend gave me his password etc to for Whydham owners to book on-line. But, when I scroll to Chritmas of next year it won't let me book. (I'm already logged in as a VIP member) Does this mean that Christmas units for next year are already booked??

Does your VIP friend own any points at this home resort? If not, he won't be able to see availability until 11 or 10 months out, depending on his level of VIP. So, you may need to wait until late February (10 months before Christmas) to see any thing.

Also, if you mean Christmas of 2009, it's within prime season. Prime season reservations may only be booked for 3-, 4-, or 7-night stays beginning or ending on a Fri, Sat, or Sun. So once you are within the booking window, try seeking one of those and you'll probably see availability. At 3 months out, any length of stay may be reserved anyplace, if it's available. Other (not prime) seasons may be booked for any length of stay at any time, 2-night minimum.

If you mean Christmas of 2010, inventory will not show as available until late November 2009, 13 months out for home resort owners. HTH.

 

[Lisa P.]

Ah, Janet, you beat me to it! And gave a simpler answer too!

Also anyone with any tips on restaurant in the area..any suggestions would be welcome.

The resort has a free, limited schedule shuttle to Downtown Disney, where there are many nice restaurants. If you'll have a car, you'd have easy access to all of the Disney Resort restaurants as well, with the whole BoardWalk area right down the street, including the Swan and Dolphin. There is no charge for self-parking at the BoardWalk. Check out the Disney Restaurants forum for more ideas about onsite restaurants, favorites and pricing.

For offsite, drive out of Bonnet Creek and turn RIGHT and go past Downtown Disney, turning RIGHT onto Hotel Plaza Blvd. At the traffic light at the end, you'll find several restaurants in the first two blocks to your left, a couple more in the Crossings straight ahead and several more if you turn RIGHT and go under the I-4 highway then turn left - you'll see restaurants right there. We like Bahama Breeze there.

Or drive out of Bonnet Creek and turn LEFT and follow the signs to Rte. 192 Kissimmee East and Celebration. There are many good restaurants in both of those directions.

Pick any major chain and you'll probably find it within one of these areas. For more unique and somewhat pricy local restaurants, there's always Restaurant Row. Go out to the light at the Crossings (mentioned above), turn LEFT (Rte 535) and travel up to Dr. Phillip/Sand Lake Road, turn RIGHT and you'll see them all on both sides of the roadway for a good mile.

To return to Bonnet Creek from anywhere, follow signs to Disney's Epcot Area Resorts and the Caribbean Beach Resort and you'll see Bonnet Creek next door.

 

[Lisa P.]

We can only vacation during 'prime' times. So for that reason, are you somewhat guaranteed to get into your own home resort? ... if it guarantees me Christmas/March Break.

Buying from the developer vs. resale does NOT affect your ability to reserve ahead of anyone else. Here's how it works...

At 13 months ahead of travel, ALL of the inventory at each resort is made available for owners from THAT home resort to reserve time, using up to the total number of points that they own at that home resort. At 11 months out, a limited amount of reservations may be made by non-home-resort owners with certain levels of VIP ownership and certain contracts owned at particular sister resorts.

Whatever unreserved inventory exists at 10 months ahead of travel is ALL opened up to ALL Wyndham points owners to reserve time, using any and all FairShare Plus (now called Wyndham Plus?) points that they own. Exactly 10 months out from a desired reservation is the best time to call Wyndham or go online and secure a reservation throughout the system.

Other than prime beachfront weeks in summertime, in 10+ years as a Wyn owner, I have not seen a lack of primetime availability at 10 months out. Bonnet Creek has been showing plentiful availability in 1BR and 2BR units for Christmas/Easter at the 10 months mark, but it does quickly disappear within a few weeks of the 10 month mark. So while owning there does not guarantee that you will be able to get your holiday time, it may make it easier since you'd be able to book earlier than 10 months out.

Also, if you want or need the larger units, 3BR and 4BR, at ANY of the resorts which have them (including Bonnet Creek) during any moderately popular season, those do seem to get booked solidly by the home resort owners before the 10 month mark. If this could be a recurring interest of yours, you may opt to buy your resale contract at the desired home resort. HTH!

 

[Cdn Gal]

My friend has his point from that resort, but again I can't find anything on-line. I suppose that he'll have to call to find out what is available. )he's not very good with the computer & he has dial up) Yikes!

 

[dansyr2514]

Thanks guys for the info. I printed it out to take with all my crucial disney info. We will have a car since we're flying into Sanford so we can pretty much eat anywhere

 

[Cdn Gal]

Thanks again for all of the help! I have read the Whydham primer and we are still considering it. We're looking at 500,000 pts and yesturday I was on-line checking out the RCI and other Whyndham resorts in Hawaii and overseas. It really is a hige decission. But thanks for everything so far, I'll keep you all updated!

 

[Brian Noble]

My friend has his point from that resort, but again I can't find anything on-line.

You can't use the web site to book during the home resort priority period. You have to call for that.

 

[Cdn Gal]

Thanks Brian- I was wondering what was going on! I'll hear back later tomorrow night as to whether or not we are going to stay at BC this March Break. I really hope so as this would probably be the deal breaker with my DH- to see if we like this style of vacation! Thanks

 

[Ashleybs]

I know this might be a silly question, but what do you mean by there is no daily maid service? We are using a friend's timeshare in June and have never stayed here before. Thanks!

 

[Janet Hill]

No daily maid service is just that. You take out your own trash, and make your own bed. If you want clean towels you can either throw them in the washer or exchange for fresh ones (not sure if BC does exchange or not). If the floor needs vacumming you do that yourself as well. Bonnet Creek provides the vacuum in your unit for you to use, as well as a washer/dryer, dishwasher, trash bags, paper towels, dish towels, dishwasher soap, dish detergent and a couple of single use boxes of tide. There's a trash chute on every floor, so taking out the trash is no biggie.

From your question, I assume you are not familiar with timeshares. No daily maid service is quite common for timeshare stays. You can pay extra to get maid service. However, aside from loading and starting the dishwasher, you are not exprected to clean the unit before you leave.

 

[Ashleybs]

Thanks for explaining that Janet! No, we have never stayed in a timeshare resort before so I wasn't exactly sure what means besides what it sounded like. Thanks again!