Windsor Hills vs Bonnet Creek

[EMHDad]

I am debating between Windsor Hills & Bonnet Creek. Now, I have found that I can find WH for maybe 60-65% of Bonnet Creek. So here's my question... why Bonnet Creek over WH?

I know BC is closer. However, has anyone stayed at both? Is it negligably closer or does that difference really matter? Tell me your thoughts.

 

[Disney Ella]

I've stayed at both and prefer BC. WH is close to AK, while BC is close to Epcot and DHS. BC has much more of the resort feel that I prefer while I'm on vacation. WH just seemed like it could be a housing development anywhere, although it was perfectly nice.

 

[EMHDad]

One big question is on the travel time. Does it really feel like you are saving a lot of time going to BC as opposed to WH? or no?

 

[wgeo]

For travel time "a lot" is a relative term. The drive is short from both. We did WH the first year and it averaged around 15 minutes (sometimes closer to 10)to get from WH to the parking lots, expect for Animal Kingdom which was closer. When we stayed at BC last year, the average was closer to 5 minutes to get to the parking lots, maybe closer to 10 if you hit all the lights, except for Animal Kingdom which was longer. For us that difference isn't very much, we felt it was very easy to get to the parks from both places. The one place we did notice a difference was going to downtown disney - we like to eat there a lot and it was much much closer to BC.

FWIW I would be very happy to stay at either place again, but would probably lean toward BC because the kids liked all the pools, and we liked the drive to DD.

 

[robinb]

One big question is on the travel time. Does it really feel like you are saving a lot of time going to BC as opposed to WH? or no?

No. I stayed at the Hilton next to Bonnet Creek 2 years ago and in a house around the corner from Windsor Hills in December. I would say that BC is maybe 5-10 minutes closer, depending on the park.

 

[Brian Noble]

There isn't really a huge difference in drive time. Maybe a few minutes, maybe not, depending on where you are going.

Instead, I think the most significant difference is the "vibe" at each place.

Staying at WH is like staying at your uncle's very nice condo while he is away---and it just happens to be a 12 minute drive or less to every theme park parking lot. There are some common resort amenities (the pool, a simple convenience store) but it's still more private and "residential". If you are in a pool home, rather than a condo, then it's even more private (though also more expensive).

Staying at Bonnet is more like staying at a "resort". There are several different counter service and sit-down restaurants. The pool complex is larger and more interesting. Several other shared resort amenities---mini golf, fitness center, etc. You give up some quiet and privacy, but you get a more "active" vibe. Bonnet has the additional plus that you never have to drive under the "See You Real Soon!" sign; you never leave "the bubble". For some people, that's a big deal. Others don't really care.

 

[chicagoshannon]

The drive time is comparable.

WH is just a condo/house in a neighborhood. It has a pool with a slide, a kids splash pad (small just has a couple of jets that shoot up water) and a hot tub. The pool is pretty nice. They have a game room and a movie room but there are no scheduled activities. They do have private houses and townhouses with their own pools also.

BC has 3 pools (maybe 4) and 2 or 3 of them have slides. They also have 2 lazy rivers and kiddie pools. They have some food on site and a couple of bars. They have a game room room and a lot of activities. When we were there last year they had an animal place come in with small reptiles, a face painter, movies on the lawn outside, roasting marshmallows, and a few more things I can't remember. They also have mini golf and a nice playground.

If you're planning on spending a decent amount of time at the resort I'd stay at BC. If you're just planning on sleeping and getting in some pool time at the end of the day, WH will suit you fine. Both of them have gated entrances but WH's was guarded much better.

 

[Teacher03]

I've stayed at both, and my family prefers BC over WH for many of the reasons already stated. BC had more of a resort feel. We enjoyed the choices of many pools, the mini golf, and the restaurants on site. Driving from either was very easy. Both are very nice places to stay, so I am sure you will be happy with either.

 

[Cynt]

Thanks everyone for posting to this thread. It shed much light on the differences of the two resorts. I went with BC because we have 4 generations going and I think it will be a little for everyone to do especially on down days.

 

[trishwal]

We've stayed at BC and WH Townhome. The kids really liked Bonnet Creek better, but loved their mini pool at the town home as well. Discovered we are resort people, and it was just AWESOME to stay inside the Disney bubble...Drive times to the parks were easy, even shopping at Wal-Mart didn't take us into the touristy trashed-up area like you'll have to look at when going from Windsor Hills to the parks.

With that said, we opted to stay in a big house this time because the family reunion part is as important as the destination. It really depends on your priorities.

 

[twinsmom]

Whats the best way to rent at Bonnet Creek? Which agency?

 

[aubriee]

Whats the best way to rent at Bonnet Creek? Which agency?

Some people get good deals on ebay. I got quotes from Vacation Strategies, Vacation Upgrades, Farrell's Vacations, and a lady (through VRBO) that somebody over in the I Love Bonnet Creek thread recommended. I round up going with Vacation Strategies because they were the cheapest for my dates. It just depends on what inventory they have for your particular dates though as to what each charges. Get quotes from several sellers.