Wyndham Bonnet Creek Problems? Other Questions

[TwoAtDisney]

1. Problems - On tripadvisor = bed bugs, roaches, mold, ragged/worn furnishings, etc. However I realize there are also lots & lots of satisfied customers with great villas - on tripadvisor & on this site.

Are there certain towers we should request to avoid the above problems? I'm thinking maybe some towers are renovated & some are not.

2. Villa Locations -Are there any other villa requests you suggest - close to elevator, etc.? We are 2 people looking for a 1 bedroom villa.

3. Discounted villas - Also, from this board I got Ken's resv site & Vacation Strategy. Any other easy & good ones? Like VS's refund/credit policy - good deal - don't have to buy travel ins. So far have a great price for this fall, but VS didn't have anything avl for this May. Have an email in to Ken's site, so maybe he will, but his posted price of $100 seems to be much higher than VS.

I know about VRBO, but that seems more involved - renting directly from an owner & more risky. Any thoughts on that?

4. Fees - Once we arrive are there other fees, such as, parking, resort, etc.?

5. Housekeeping - Renting via the above mentioned websites, is housekeeping included? Is there a fee for it, if it is included. We don't care; don't really need it.

6. Any other comparable or better (non-Disney) villa complexes in same area that I can check with VS for prices?

 

[floridacrazy]

Hi everyone. I usually read the reviews on tripadvisor and the comments on this site about Bonnet Creek. There seems to be a lot of people on this site that love BC. I spent 2 weeks at BC last July and really enjoyed it. Our vacation last year was 4 adults and 2 kids in a 2-bedroom and we just loved it. That is why I booked our summer vacation for 3 weeks at BC this year. Reading about the roach problem from someone who has been at BC for a long time has me a little concerned.

I'm not an owner and I rent from someone so I think that renters are given rooms that aren't updated or have problems. We had a problem with the refrigerator and the garbage disposal last year, but that didn't ruin our vacation. We faced the parking lot also, but we still had a very good time.

I live in New York City and in my opinion, New York is the roach capital of the world. I don't think that there is one apartment building in New York that doesn't have roaches. Since Hurricane Sandy, the problem is worse. If you only see roaches in an apartment building, you're lucky.

New York is also loaded with mice and rats. Walk through the streets of lower Manhattan late at night and you will see rats the size of cats. For a couple of months this year I had a mouse problem in my apartment. I live in the apartment building for 32 years and never had a mouse until after Sandy. I've seen mice in the cellar of the building where I live, but they never came up until we ended up with 20 feet of water in the cellar.

I know that there is a bug in Florida called the Palmetto bug which looks like a huge roach. We get those in New York also, but New Yorkers call them water bugs. The ones that are in New York are where it's damp - near pipes that sweat or leak under a sink, etc.

I would rather see a roach than a mouse. If they die and you don't know it's there the smell is really bad.

Now on to the questions you asked. The rooms are clean before you get in, so there is no housekeeping during the week. It's not like a regular hotel. At the end of your stay you have to clean up. Strip the beds, empty the refrigerator, throw out the garbage, etc. There is a list in the room.

If you stay for more than a week, you will have housekeeping during the second week that you are there. That is what they did for us last year.

If you want housekeeping during your first week's stay, it is available for a fee, but I don't know what they charge.

I really don't think that there are too many timeshares in Orlando that have what Bonnet Creek has - the number of pools or lazy rivers. The grounds at BC are beautiful.

Last year was my first year renting from a private owner and it worked out great. I booked my 3 weeks from the same person again. I had some concerns last year being a first time renter and he made me feel so comfortable about it. If I had a question or concern I was able to ask him and I was able to confirm my reservation with BC without a problem.

Just one other thought on the roach problem that was mentioned on tripadvisor. If it is really wide-spread, it will be mentioned on this site. Too many people give reviews about BC.

If you decide to go to BC you won't regret it. I try to take every review with a grain of salt. If a few more people put reviews on TA about roaches at BC then I might start to worry, but not until then.

 

[bulldog42]

My family and I are looking for a place to stay during our trip to Orlando next year. I looked on the Vacation Rental by Owner site and found Wyndham Bonnet Creek. It looks like an amazing place to stay. I have lots of reservations about it though. I have never rented a timeshare and I am not sure how much of the info written on line about this I should trust.

 

[HopperFan]

We rented via SkyAuction and had a great experience in a nice unit overlooking the lake. I will be using them again for there.

 

[bankr63]

I really don't think that there are too many timeshares in Orlando that have what Bonnet Creek has - the number of pools or lazy rivers. The grounds at BC are beautiful.

Just wanted to comment on this one thing. Orlando is the timeshare capital of the world, and Wyndham is a mid-range (IMO) timeshare management company. There are many more, and often much more luxurious options. What BC has going for it most is the location.

Check out timeshare options by Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton in the area. All great options with very high standards of quality. Every resort has a different look and feel, and differing amenities. Pools are standard at all; many also have lazy rivers, or pirate ships water play areas, or other kids attractions.

The Sheraton and Marriott properties at 535 and World Centre Drive have amazingly fast access to the parks due to location right on one of the main Disney access roads.

 

[skylizard]

1. Problems - On tripadvisor = bed bugs, roaches, mold, ragged/worn furnishings, etc. I've stayed several times and never once had an issue with bed bugs, or roaches in the units. They are in the outside area around the grills, but that's to be expected. No mold issues for me. The worn furniture, I've encounteres that a few times, but nothing so bad that I couldn't stay in the room. And to be honest, I've encountered worn furniture in the deluxe Disney resorts which are far more expensive than BC

Are there certain towers we should request to avoid the above problems? I'm thinking maybe some towers are renovated & some are not. Not really. Many of the units in the older buildings have been redone.

2. Villa Locations -Are there any other villa requests you suggest - close to elevator, etc.? We are 2 people looking for a 1 bedroom villa. It all depends on what your preferences are. They all have elevators. Towers 5 and 6 are closest to the lazy rivers and pirates pool, but are a lot busier/crowded. Towers 1-3 are smaller and quieter.

3. Discounted villas - not sure

4. Fees - Once we arrive are there other fees, such as, parking, resort, etc.? No parking fees. Shuttle bus to the parks is either $5 or $6 per person per day.

5. Housekeeping - Since this is a timeshare, any stays 7 nights and under do not get housekeeping. On the 8th day you'll get a free housekeeping visit. You can call at any point during your trip to get fresh clean towels. And they give you enough toiletries for your visit. Most people end up bringing their own if they know they go thru certain things faster (like laundry soap or dishwasher soap)

6. Any other comparable or better (non-Disney) villa complexes in same area that I can check with VS for prices? There are amny others, as someone else pointed out.

my reponses in blue

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I realize "bugs" can be found anywhere. However, I have a SEVERE reaction to insecticide - ambulance type reaction. So I try to be careful when selecting lodging, because I can't let my unit/room be sprayed.

We decided to stay elsewhere next month, however, we have a week reserved at WBC for Nov. Got it thru Vacation Strategy - thanks Disboards - excellent price.

I'll look at the Marriot & Sheraton places. If like those, will switch. If not, will give WBC a try. The WBC location really isn't that big a deal for us - we always rent a car.

Anyone know discounters for Marriot & Sheraton, except VRBO, already know about it.

 

[Janet Hill]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I realize "bugs" can be found anywhere. However, I have a SEVERE reaction to insecticide - ambulance type reaction. So I try to be careful when selecting lodging, because I can't let my unit/room be sprayed.

Not intending to be snarky but I am curious.

Are there any hotels/motels/resorts that aren't treated for insects?

 

[skylizard]

Anyone know discounters for Marriot & Sheraton, except VRBO, already know about it.

skyauction.com
They've got a pretty big selection of timeshares if you search the orlando area.

 

[csm101]

My wife are looking for a place to stay offsite and this resort is often mentioned. If you look at reviews there are many comments about guests being "hassled" to attend and buy time share units. Can anyone comment on these statements?

Thanks All.

 

[dismom115]

We stayed at WBC last month and had no intention of attending the sales pitch. When I went to the parking pass desk I simply told them I was not interested. I was asked if I was sure because they could give me x,y and z. I kindly said I just was not interested and I was free to go. I never had a call or note on my door.

 

[jaykorf001]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I realize "bugs" can be found anywhere. However, I have a SEVERE reaction to insecticide - ambulance type reaction. So I try to be careful when selecting lodging, because I can't let my unit/room be sprayed. We decided to stay elsewhere next month, however, we have a week reserved at WBC for Nov. Got it thru Vacation Strategy - thanks Disboards - excellent price. I'll look at the Marriot & Sheraton places. If like those, will switch. If not, will give WBC a try. The WBC location really isn't that big a deal for us - we always rent a car. Anyone know discounters for Marriot & Sheraton, except VRBO, already know about it.

We stayed at WBC about a month ago. I am very fussy and we LOVED it. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. We had a 1 BR Presidential and it was huge and very nicely appointed. You might go for the presidentials vs the deluxes if finishings are important to you, although I suspect the deluxes are nice too. I could not believe how nice it was for the price and it actually exceeded my expectations.

We avoided the parking pass desk, didn't answer the phone, and were never bothered about the time share presentation.

I've never stayed at any of the Marriott, Sheraton, or Hilton time share locales so I can't speak to how they compare.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[AeroKU]

We stayed in a 2 BR Deluxe unit (Tower 1) in 2012. It was very nice - on par with the 2 BR units at Saratoga Springs (which we stayed at in 2010). Actually, it was a little bit bigger than SS. While we were there, the staff told us we could go up to the top floor and watch the Epcot fireworks from the balcony of one of the 4 BR Presidential units. It was AMAZING. Lots more room, upgraded furnishings, etc. We are staying in a 4 BR Pres. this year in November. I've not been to a ton of Disney resorts, but BC is as nice or nicer than the Deluxe resorts I've been to, and about half the price.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Not intending to be snarky but I am curious.

Are there any hotels/motels/resorts that aren't treated for insects?

Janet, I doubt it - I assume all get "bug" treatment. However, I only have a severe reaction if the treatment is recent, which luckily I can smell. And the weird thing is, I can smell it when others cannot. But, luckily I know when not to go into a place by the smell.

My reaction was caused in the 1980s by an exposure to an insecticide in the days when I didn't think spraying our hotel room would bother me (we had found bugs & called & spraying was done); within 20 minutes I could not move any part of my body, or communicate, & was slobbering - just like the bugs!). Ever since then, I must avoid many/most chemicals smells or severely suffer the consequences. So, finding the bugs & having a room sprayed is not an option for me & that can cause a horrible situation if no other rooms are available for a switch = sleep in the lobby!