Wyndham Bonett Creek questions

[disneymami]

I'm tempted to stay here Feb 2011 only because of so much room at a better price than most WDW resorts that are close to EPCOT.
So, what's so great about Bonnet Creek?
Does it have shuttle service to EPCOT and MK?
Is there grocery shopping nearby?
Is there a full service restaurant close or on property?

Help me to make a decision. Thanks!

 

[kidsister]

I own DVC but stayed at BC last year due to the extra space and price.
I loved the Lazy River Pool and free mini-golf. We had a car which I recommend. There is bus service but not nearly as often as with Disney Resorts.
There are a couple of snack bar type restaurants BUT the new Waldorf/HiLton next door has several elegant and family style sit down restaurants.

BC is essentially 'on site' in that it is on private grounds but surrounded by Disney property (and the interstate tho that is way over past the golf course of teh Hilton). You are just off the road between the Dolphin/Swan/BWV and DTD, next to the Caribbean Beach Resort.

What you lose is free parking and late or early magic hours. Grocery shopping is @ 10 minutes to the Walmart off of 535/6

This year we're combining OKW and BC (a studio at OKW and a 1 bd at BC)

 

[horseshowmom]

If you look through these threads, you'll probably find out all you ever wanted to know about Wyndham Bonnet Creek - http://www.disboards.com/search.php?searchid=6916691

Short answers:

So, what's so great about Bonnet Creek?
Location (can sit on the balcony on watch the fireworks and close to offsite restaurants and shopping), upscale/gated, spacious condos, onsite amenities

Does it have shuttle service to EPCOT and MK?
Yes

Is there grocery shopping nearby?
Yes, Super Wal-Mart is just south on 535 while there is a Publix in the Crossroads just north on 535.

Is there a full service restaurant close or on property?
Don't remember there being one, but the new hotels being built will have restaurants (and there may be one there now - I was last there in December 2008).

After our stay, I'm sold.

 

[HeatherC]

I really don't think you would be disappointed at Bonnet Creek. The only downside for me is that the units are "tower" high rises. Even though you get a nice balcony, I like staying in places where I can walk outside from my unit.

That being said, however, we are staying here for 11 days in February too.

The pools are great, they do have some food...just not full sit down restaurants.

As for groceries, I've actually gone to the Walmart and Publix. But my favorite is using GardenGrocer and having them deliver my stuff to me the day I arrive. Last thing I want to do is go food shopping while on vacation so this works perfect for us.

The space of the units are so much nicer than being crammed into one hotel room. Having the big jacuzzi tub and separate bathrooms with washer and dryer make the place even better.

Have a wonderful trip!! Maybe we'll see you there in Feb!

 

[rob_jen]

Beware of the high pressure Timeshare sales. Beware of the bait-n-switch.

However the place is very nice and the rooms were very good as well.

 

[disneymore2]

Stayed there 2 years ago, I am going to stay again next month. I think everybody has basically explained the up and downs. I have to admit we always bring a car, so not sure about the shuttels. If space is a concern, which normally is once you have kids, then you can't beat it.

One huge piece of advice- CHECK OUT EBAY. We used it last time and using it again this yeat. It is ridicuouls how cheap you can find units. 2 bedroom condo at Bonnet Creek druing busy time at less then $100 dollars a night. Compared to almost $300 if booked thru expedia, etc.

If you are unfamiliar with EBAY do your homework (mainly make sure you are dealing with a person that has good ratings)- only real downside is the cancelattion policy is usally non-existent so beware if plans may change.

 

[disneymore2]

Also I forgot to mention- most ebay listings do not require timeshare presentations. However, they will still offer you one at check in.

 

[horseshowmom]

Stayed there 2 years ago, I am going to stay again next month. I think everybody has basically explained the up and downs. I have to admit we always bring a car, so not sure about the shuttels. If space is a concern, which normally is once you have kids, then you can't beat it.

One huge piece of advice- CHECK OUT EBAY. We used it last time and using it again this yeat. It is ridicuouls how cheap you can find units. 2 bedroom condo at Bonnet Creek druing busy time at less then $100 dollars a night. Compared to almost $300 if booked thru expedia, etc.

If you are unfamiliar with EBAY do your homework (mainly make sure you are dealing with a person that has good ratings)- only real downside is the cancelattion policy is usally non-existent so beware if plans may change.

I agree. Our stay last Christmas (checked in on Christmas Day) came out to about $90 a night for a 2BR/2BA! That was high season to the max, and we got it for a song.

Also I forgot to mention- most ebay listings do not require timeshare presentations. However, they will still offer you one at check in.

They didn't hassle us about it at all. I just declined, and that was the end of it. We didn't get any calls at all in the condo (at least not while we were there).

 

[disneymore2]

Honestly I am surprised how it is possible. U end up paying less then for a value, and they are not comparable in terms of quality and space of room. Unless you do not have a car and need the Transportation, it really is a no brainier- especially with the crowds that seem to be the norm with EMH.

We have stayed at all the value resorts, moderates (except Carribeaen) and AKL. They all have their pluses and minuses. The values are what they are VALUES (i.e. inexpensive motel rooms). Moderates are decent rooms that are overpriced unless you get a good deal. As for the AKL- well that was worth every penny- nothing like looking at a giraffe with your coffee.

If the prices stay the same in the future, unless we want to splurge on a Deluxe- I say Bonnet Creek all the way.

 

[shortbusmom]

just beware the timeshare pitch and they will bug you about the attending their timeshare presentation, also their shuttle service is not really regular or as often as Disney's.

 

[Portugal1000]

We stayed last December and will be back again for 2 weeks on 28th November. We booked through an owner but did not receive a single call asking us to attend a presentation which I was very glad about. I was given a voucher to exchange for a "free gift" which I never bothered to do as I assumed this would then get me noticed and would probably have then been asked to attend presentation.

 

[DanenRox]

One huge piece of advice- CHECK OUT EBAY. We used it last time and using it again this yeat. It is ridicuouls how cheap you can find units. 2 bedroom condo at Bonnet Creek druing busy time at less then $100 dollars a night. Compared to almost $300 if booked thru expedia, etc.

This is so intriguing...I'm somewhat familiar with EBay....the husband more so. But generally speaking, do people offer particular weeks/days of availability? Do the properties get posted a few months before the date? I'd love to know anything you want to tell me....

 

[horseshowmom]

This is so intriguing...I'm somewhat familiar with EBay....the husband more so.

It's a GREAT way to travel as long as you're careful about your seller and realize that in most cases you are not able to change your plans once it's bought.

But generally speaking, do people offer particular weeks/days of availability?

Generally, yes. You can do a search in ebay for the resort you're interested in. In my case, when I've found sellers that I was comfortable with but who didn't have the dates I wanted, I have contacted them through ebay and asked them if they could get my dates at the resort that I wanted, what their price would be, and if they would be willing to do a Buy It Now auction for me.

One of the benefits of BIN is that you can go through bing.com and get a rebate - currently 8% but went as high as 30% last December.

Do the properties get posted a few months before the date? I'd love to know anything you want to tell me....

They can be listed months before, weeks before, and days before. You just have to keep checking back.


Just a few extra points - I only rent from sellers who have great feedback, are SquareTrade verified, and are Paypal protected. I pay with my credit card through Paypal for extra protection.

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I had Bonnet Creek last Christmas for $90 a night. I've also gotten a 2Br/2Ba at Cypress Pointe Grande Villas for the week before Christmas for $300. There are tremendous deals to be had. I'm currently watching for Pigeon Forge for the days leading up to Christmas.

 

[diznee princess]

.

One of the benefits of BIN is that you can go through bing.com and get a rebate - currently 8% but went as high as 30% last December.


what do you mean going through Bing.com? how do you do that? I am currently looking to buy disney tickets with BIN. I actually do that quite often. I buy and sell a lot on ebay, ever since '98. Also rent out timeshare weeks at times.

Can you explain how I can get that rebate with BIN through Bing?
Thanks so much!!

also, sent a PM out to you, horseshowmom : )

 

[horseshowmom]

.

One of the benefits of BIN is that you can go through bing.com and get a rebate - currently 8% but went as high as 30% last December.


what do you mean going through Bing.com? how do you do that? I am currently looking to buy disney tickets with BIN. I actually do that quite often. I buy and sell a lot on ebay, ever since '98. Also rent out timeshare weeks at times.

Can you explain how I can get that rebate with BIN through Bing?
Thanks so much!!

also, sent a PM out to you, horseshowmom : )

I'll give you the short version. Go to bing.com and sign up for a free cashback account (very easy). Then do a search on bing for something (this is where it gets tricky). You have to know "what" to search for. Right now, wii will bring ebay up at 8%. Usually if you'll post on the budget board somebody can tell you what's working (I also check the thread on slickdeals.net). You get that 8% back as a rebate in 60 days (although it seems like I read something about it being immediate in some cases when you use Paypal - not sure about that though). You do NOT have to buy a Wii. That will just get you to ebay where you can purchase whatever you want, but it MUST be a Buy It Now.

Bing also works for other things. For example, I use drugstore.com to order my Frontline for my dogs and cats (with 4 dogs and several cats, I order a LOT of it). How much you get back can depend on the word you use to do your search on. Right now, shampoo will bring drugstore.com up at 25% (different terms may only be 20%, etc.). Drugstore.com also gives their own drugstore dollars based on your purchase, and they usually have some codes out there that you can use (the rebate is paid on the subtotal before the code). I've done very well with it, but have had to request my rebate for them twice when they didn't process it properly (easy to do though).