Wyndham Bonnet Creek-our thoughts

[DisneyMamaof3girls]

We are just home tonight from a week at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. We had a great week and, overall, the resort was very nice. We had a 2 bedroom on the 13th floor of tower 5. This was a newer tower and everything was in great condition. There were slight issues with the dishwasher and the alarm clock in the second bedroom, but they were minor to us so we didn't bother to call maintenance.

We arrived about 5:00pm last Saturday and I waited in line a good 45 minutes to check in and get my parking pass. The parking pass discussion was extremely uncomfortable and after I declined the presentation very politely, the sales person was incredibly rude. Left a really bad taste in my mouth and started our vacation off on the wrong foot. I did notice some missed calls on the phone, but we were never there when they tried to call.

We did not like the trasportation provided by WBC. The driver was great and very friendly, but it just wasn't convenient. Each bus went to two different parks, so you weren't guaranteed to get there when you planned or to have a seat when the bus picked you up. We got stuck in the rain at Animal Kingdom one afternoon and it was two hours before the next bus pick-up. We ended up killing time in a store and it was pretty miserable. When the bus did come, there were lots of people waiting. Then it went to HS where everyone who got on had to stand.

The staff just cannot compete with Disney cast members. They looked bothered the few times we stopped at the desk to ask questions.

The rooms were wonderful and we loved the extra space we had. The balcony was very nice and dh and I enjoyed it several evenings.

Bottom line for us-they just can't compete with Disney. We missed the Disney trasportation. We missed the dining plan. And we missed the Disney hospitality that the cast members at Disney resorts give you. Next time we go we will stay on-site, even though it will cost us more.

Oh, and we booked through Ken and Denise Price. I would highly recommend them if you do want to try this resort. They were very easy to work with and everything was as they said it would be.

 

[disneymom06]

Thank you for the info on your stay. The check in process does concern me, especially the parking pass part. I hate those types of pressure sales, especially when I say no after waiting so long to check in.

This part has me unsure if it should give it a try here.

I hope that when you were in Disney all else went well.

 

[KAA1972]

I agree with OP 100%. We stayed at Bonnet Creek in Jan. If you do go, decline the presentation. They tell you it's an hour but it was 3.5 and a waste of our morning. Also, unplug your phone when you get there.

We may stay at BC again but for our next trip we are going back to Disney and staying on property.

 

[Upatnoon]

We stayed there last week for the first time in tower 6. When we picked up our parking pass there, The woman asked about how we got the reservation, and I said that we had rented out points on eBay. She just gave me a wink and told me to have a great visit. She didn't even try to get me to attend a presentation! We also never got a call begging us later. This is the first time I have not been "encouraged" to attend a presentation, so that was pretty great.

 

[QJ411]

Eeek - sorry to hear about the transportation troubles! We will be staying there for the first time in May and I am MEGA nervous because we have never stayed off property and I am afraid of the lack of 'Disney magic'.

We booked through Ken & Denise as well and it has been such a smooth transaction - super helpful! I am a bit nervous though, about the check in process and the pressure sales offer for the parking pass. I can very nicely decline but do not want it to escalate further with rudeness, it would not be a nice start to a vacation.

 

[Upatnoon]

Eeek - sorry to hear about the transportation troubles! We will be staying there for the first time in May and I am MEGA nervous because we have never stayed off property and I am afraid of the lack of 'Disney magic'.

We booked through Ken & Denise as well and it has been such a smooth transaction - super helpful! I am a bit nervous though, about the check in process and the pressure sales offer for the parking pass. I can very nicely decline but do not want it to escalate further with rudeness, it would not be a nice start to a vacation.

We were just there and encountered no rudeness at all. I even overheard a couple in the elevator talking about how friendly all the workers were. Obviously, sometimes you can run into a worker having a "bad day" but that can happen at Disney, too.

We always drive instead of taking the Bonnet Creek bus. I have looked at the bus schedule and it isn't too bad, but when I drive, I never have to wait for a bus.

If you want to only take the busses, remember, you can also take a taxi if a schedule doesn't work out at some point. Considering the price difference of a 2 bedroom at a Disney resort vs. a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek, a taxi fare is a small price to pay.

 

[ez]

Our check in a couple weeks ago on a Wed took about 5 minutes, I was next in line. When I went to get the parking pass I told her it was just me and the kids...no hubby on the trip (family was waiting in the car) I was never asked to attend a presentation and never received a phone call while we were there, she gave me my gift pack and that was it, took just a minute there. I think you can't attend a presentation unless both spouses are present...take from that what you will

 

[clshirk]

Our check in a couple weeks ago on a Wed took about 5 minutes, I was next in line. When I went to get the parking pass I told her it was just me and the kids...no hubby on the trip (family was waiting in the car) I was never asked to attend a presentation and never received a phone call while we were there, she gave me my gift pack and that was it, took just a minute there. I think you can't attend a presentation unless both spouses are present...take from that what you will

So let me get this straight... this 'parking pass' is for free parking at the parks? And if I get my hubby to wait in the car and do this, I could likely claim that he isn't with me and get a free parking pass? Is this my understanding?

 

[Janet Hill]

So let me get this straight... this 'parking pass' is for free parking at the parks? And if I get my hubby to wait in the car and do this, I could likely claim that he isn't with me and get a free parking pass? Is this my understanding?

No the parking pass is for parking at the resort and you have to have one to for parking at the resort. Security does sometimes check vehicles.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

So let me get this straight... this 'parking pass' is for free parking at the parks? And if I get my hubby to wait in the car and do this, I could likely claim that he isn't with me and get a free parking pass? Is this my understanding?

The poster was just saying that they can't ask you to attend a sales presentation if both you and your husband cannot attend together. I personally have never had them be pushy about attending, I just say we don't have time for that and I get my pass and off I go. I've also never had a long check-in line, and have always experienced very friendly staff.

 

[topolskis]

What happens is that when you check in and get your room, they send you to another desk to pick up your parking pass/welcome package. That's when you <may> get some pressure for a presentaion. Great idea ez, to say you are married and left the spouse at home. Yes, both must attend the presentation.

 

[swilshire]

If a staff member was rude enough for me to comment on a bboard, I'd make sure to notify a Manager. If you didn't want to waste vacation time, you can ask for the Manager's email address or phone number and inform them now that you're home.

Managers need to know if their staff behaves badly. If the Manager does not respond appropriately, then you know you've got a poorly run property. Usually they'll at least speak to the employee about it.

Sheila

 

[#1hoosierfan]

We had a fabulous stay 2 weeks ago. The check-in line was going to be too long to make our Chef Mickey ADR when we first got there. (about 5:30 on a Saturday) so we just waited to check-in when we got back and there was no wait.

The lady at the parking pass did try a couple of times to get me to attend the presentation, but I just smiled sweetly and make it clear I was NOT interested. No big deal.

We did NOT use the bus transportation to the parks. We drove everywhere, and I loved it.

We had a 5th floor water view in Tower 5, and it was absolutely gorgeous. Everyone on staff seemed to go out of their way to speak and be friendly.

We had a great experience and plan to return to Wyndham Bonnet Creek in the future.

 

[5boyz]

We are just home tonight from a week at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. We had a great week and, overall, the resort was very nice. We had a 2 bedroom on the 13th floor of tower 5. This was a newer tower and everything was in great condition. There were slight issues with the dishwasher and the alarm clock in the second bedroom, but they were minor to us so we didn't bother to call maintenance.

We arrived about 5:00pm last Saturday and I waited in line a good 45 minutes to check in and get my parking pass. The parking pass discussion was extremely uncomfortable and after I declined the presentation very politely, the sales person was incredibly rude. Left a really bad taste in my mouth and started our vacation off on the wrong foot. I did notice some missed calls on the phone, but we were never there when they tried to call.

We did not like the trasportation provided by WBC. The driver was great and very friendly, but it just wasn't convenient. Each bus went to two different parks, so you weren't guaranteed to get there when you planned or to have a seat when the bus picked you up. We got stuck in the rain at Animal Kingdom one afternoon and it was two hours before the next bus pick-up. We ended up killing time in a store and it was pretty miserable. When the bus did come, there were lots of people waiting. Then it went to HS where everyone who got on had to stand.

The staff just cannot compete with Disney cast members. They looked bothered the few times we stopped at the desk to ask questions.

The rooms were wonderful and we loved the extra space we had. The balcony was very nice and dh and I enjoyed it several evenings.

Bottom line for us-they just can't compete with Disney. We missed the Disney trasportation. We missed the dining plan. And we missed the Disney hospitality that the cast members at Disney resorts give you. Next time we go we will stay on-site, even though it will cost us more.

Oh, and we booked through Ken and Denise Price. I would highly recommend them if you do want to try this resort. They were very easy to work with and everything was as they said it would be.

WE stayed there 3 yrs ago and felt the same way..beautiful resort, just not Disney. Hated the transportation and all the suits walking around showing the place...we will never stay there again....onsite all the way......