posted 05-30-2005 20:41            

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Originally posted by timeos2:
It is a beautiful resort but rather isolated so you must have a car unless you plan to depend on the Disney transportation (a notorious waste of valuable on site time but it is free). Even then you would have to get to & from the resort from the airport. I'd recommend a car. no matter what resort you pick in Orlando.

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posted 05-30-2005 20:43            

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DVC member

posted 05-30-2005 21:24               

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Originally posted by Carl D:
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The FF shuttle is complimentary to guests and runs as frequently as any of the Disney buses do (about every 30 min is the average). But you can kill an amazing amount of time waiting for buses, transferring to monorails, boats or trains - even the trams when you do drive and park are designed to use up time so you spend less time in the parks. The FF shuttle is no better or worse than the rest of the Disney fleet. After you use that you still have to depend on the Disney system designed to move a massive amount of people on a Disney schedule. Not the schedule to maximize expensive park time for the guests.

And on Disney property or not it has the same problems all onsite resorts do. You are locked into what Disney wants you to do & pay unless you drive outside the gates. Since it is surrounded by Disney there is no difference between the dirt there and the dirt once you cross the line. The resort itself has larger units and is more upscale than most Disney resorts and, as always, at lower cost. If someone didn't tell you it wasn't Disney land you wouldn't know it since you can't get there unless you go inside "real" Disney land. It's a moot point only important to Disney attempts to hawk higher priced RTU properties. If you want you can even get early park entrance times, the package services, etc while on site so there isn't much you don't get except the high cost. Fairfield has a real winner for those that demand the Disney experience. And best of all you're not locked into Disney with FF as the points trade to all other FF resorts when you tire of everything Disney. It's win win.

posted 05-30-2005 21:48            

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Originally posted by timeos2:
The FF shuttle is complimentary to guests and runs as frequently as any of the Disney buses do (about every 30 min is the average).

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BTW, the average is less than 30 minutes. Where did you get that info?

posted 05-30-2005 21:59               

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Originally posted by Carl D:

BTW, the average is less than 30 minutes. Where did you get that info?

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While I haven't used Disney transportation in about 4 years now I never waited less than 20 minutes for any Disney Bus route - longer for the resorts. They may post shorter times but it doesn't seem to happen (or at least it never did for us). And at park closing times you could easily kill an hour or more waiting for a bus with room for more passengers. Even the monorail & boats are a nightmare then and you have no choice but to use one due to the design. Give me the easy walk at my own pace to the Universal garage over the Dis system. I'll bet if they could design it today they wouldn't have the massive open parking lots but garages like Universal. It is better for everyone and saves valuable land.

posted 05-30-2005 22:11            

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Originally posted by timeos2:
Since it is surrounded by Disney there is no difference between the dirt there and the dirt once you cross the line.

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Originally posted by timeos2:
The resort itself has larger units and is more upscale than most Disney resorts and, as always, at lower cost. If someone didn't tell you it wasn't Disney land you wouldn't know it since you can't get there unless you go inside "real" Disney land.

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To those who have not seen it- The haunting Native American music, the flickering lanterns, the dark woods, the rocking chairs (could go on and on)... Truly take you to another dimension.
Don't take my word for it, go visit for yourself.

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Originally posted by timeos2:
It's a moot point only important to Disney attempts to hawk higher priced RTU properties. If you want you can even get early park entrance times, the package services, etc while on site so there isn't much you don't get except the high cost. Fairfield has a real winner for those that demand the Disney experience. And best of all you're not locked into Disney with FF as the points trade to all other FF resorts when you tire of everything Disney. It's win win.

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As far as stays outside of WDW, I couldn't care less. But, that's only my opinion. I do realize others have different destinations in mind.

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DVC member

posted 05-31-2005 04:30               

Talk about a fantatic DVC member. The sounds would scare me to death.

We own at Fairfield in Pompano Beach and have been to a Bonnett Creek pitch.

I personally would rather be married to Fairfield than DVC but that's just a choice. Nice to hear that the Bonnet creek is almost up to Disney standards though.

Dan

posted 05-31-2005 08:04               

I don't care who owns the dirt - we will probably drive but the shuttle can always come in handy

posted 05-31-2005 10:02            

However, that doesn't change the fact that it is not Disney, and you will not get Disney benefits or a themed resort while staying there.
Package delivery, early/late admission, transportation, charging privileges, are just some of the tangible benefits of staying on the "Disney owned dirt".

posted 05-31-2005 10:18               

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Originally posted by Carl D:
However, that doesn't change the fact that it is not Disney, and you will not get Disney benefits or a themed resort while staying there.
Package delivery, early/late admission, transportation, charging privileges, are just some of the tangible benefits of staying on the "Disney owned dirt".

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Carl is a great defender of all Disney & I enjoy the back and forth between us. Someday we are going to meet up in Orlando & have that beer. One correction to the quote above. The early admission and transportation can be available to those at FF depending on how you purchase your park admission. They don't offer the direct to resort package delivery (although you can have the package sent to the gate of the park for pickup when you leave - just not directly to your resort so I'll count that as 1/2 of a feature) and you certainly can't charge anything to the FF resort from the parks. So all but 1.5 of those "features"
(none of which I put all that much dollar value on) can be included with your FF Bonnet Creek stay surrounded by the dirt of Disney (grin).

As for the themes I like the lobbies of many of the Disney resorts. But the experience doesn't really carry into the units. If you want the theme go to the resort & sit in the lobby or have a meal there. Much cheaper than staying at those resorts or owning a RTU there. Once the door on your unit closes the theme is basically gone & you have a fairly standard quality unit. Again the lobby and maybe a pool isn't worth the extra $$ to me.

posted 05-31-2005 19:18            

We visited the resort briefly for a walk-through a few weeks ago. The main activity areas are all open. According to the resort plan at final build-out, there will be two more pool & play areas around the lake.

Personally, I don't think the pictures do it justice at all. We'd LOVE a stay there! No question - your kids will love it too! Enjoy!

posted 06-01-2005 04:26            

quote:

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Originally posted by Carl D:
However, that doesn't change the fact that it is not Disney, and you will not get Disney benefits or a themed resort while staying there. Package delivery, early/late admission, transportation, charging privileges, are just some of the tangible benefits of staying on the "Disney owned dirt".

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Except for transportation, these privileges don't add up to much. In 20+ trips to WDW (with virtually all staying on Disney grounds), I have never used package delivery. And those who spend anytime planning know that Extra Magic Hours are not very valuable at all. The crowds are very heavy during these times (especially the evening EMHs), and most touring sources urge you to skip them anyway. The charging privileges, in my opinion, are a farce. Any vendor that accepts a Disney charge also accepts Visa. That is not much of a benefit.

Perhaps a big advantage will be Magical Express (free airport transportation and ability to check bags at the Disney resort for certain airlines). The program appears to currently having some difficulties, but I expect these to be worked out shortly and this may turn out to be a good advantage.

Returning to the transportation issue, I've heard that the complimentary Fairfield transportation is a very viable alternative to Disney (unlike Vistana, Orange Lake, Marriott, etc.).

As for the dirt, that is not much of a "real" argument. You can't tell who owns the dirt simply by viewing it. You are buying into hype through advertising.

I've also heard the theming at Bonnet Creek is excellent. I would love to stay there for the nice water facilities. Disney, though, has wonderfully themed resorts with great amenities (restaurants, etc.).

JMHO!

posted 06-01-2005 05:58               

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Originally posted by tsguru99:

Perhaps a big advantage will be Magical Express (free airport transportation and ability to check bags at the Disney resort for certain airlines). The program appears to currently having some difficulties, but I expect these to be worked out shortly and this may turn out to be a good advantage.

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This has nothing to do with Disney specifically but checking bags on airlines in general. It has become my goal in any travel to absolutely avoid checking baggage. There are far too many chances for delay, lost luggage or theft. It is also far more enjoyable to have small, relatively light bags to deal with than monster steamship sized ones. Actually the very best baggage handling occurs when you get a regional sized jet that allows carry on but also offers plane side pick up. That way you keep control of the bag until the flight is ready to go but don't have to lug it in and out of the cabin. One of the biggest advantages to timeshares (at least those that actually meet Gold Crown/RID/5* standards) is having a washer/dryer in your unit so you can have clean clothes both during your stay and to take home. Helps reduce the amount of luggage space required.

I simply wouldn't trust placing my baggage with a hotel or resort and plan to see it at the end of my flight(s). If you're that trusting I guess it could be an advantage but one I'll never try.
And no matter HOW trusting you are NEVER check a laptop computer. Never. If you do kiss it goodbye.

posted 06-01-2005 08:39            

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Originally posted by tsguru99:
In 20+ trips to WDW (with virtually all staying on Disney grounds), I have never used package delivery.

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And those who spend anytime planning know that Extra Magic Hours are not very valuable at all. The crowds are very heavy during these times (especially the evening EMHs), and most touring sources urge you to skip them anyway.

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The charging privileges, in my opinion, are a farce. Any vendor that accepts a Disney charge also accepts Visa. That is not much of a benefit.

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We like it for many reasons, but here are the 2 main reasons:

1) All of our charges are on one itemized statement. It is much easier to reconcile my CC statement, and not have to keep track of numerous receipts while traveling.

2) Since we are DVC Members, our room key/charge card says “MEMBER” on it. This lets our restaurant server (or any other vendor) know that we are entitle to any DVC benefits that may be in place.
That was more beneficial before joining DDE, but it still comes in handy.

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Perhaps a big advantage will be Magical Express (free airport transportation and ability to check bags at the Disney resort for certain airlines). The program appears to currently having some difficulties, but I expect these to be worked out shortly and this may turn out to be a good advantage.

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Returning to the transportation issue, I've heard that the complimentary Fairfield transportation is a very viable alternative to Disney (unlike Vistana, Orange Lake, Marriott, etc.).

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As for the dirt, that is not much of a "real" argument. You can't tell who owns the dirt simply by viewing it. You are buying into hype through advertising.

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Honestly, I have been to WDW almost 30 times, and I’m well beyond the advertising and hype.
I do enjoy learning many interesting facts about WDW, and that does get me hyped.

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I've also heard the theming at Bonnet Creek is excellent. I would love to stay there for the nice water facilities.

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As you said earlier, this is all JMHO.

posted 06-01-2005 18:17               

As far as package delivery, we have used the delivery that is free for everyone... have your packages shipped to the front gate and pickup everything on the way out... We don't use it for a small park like Studios or small purchases but if we start buying large items or alot of stuff in Epcot it works great.

Also, we have stayed onsite and offsite and with a car we can get back to an offsite timeshare in about 15 minutes (never go in the summer) which is faster than any Disney Transport short of the monorail hotels. So our afternoon breaks are easier offsite.

We also like to Zig when the crowd Zags so we never go to the park with early entry even when we stayed on site. Does it work? One day it was the MK early entry day and we went to Epcot and was the 7 & 8th ones in... had the park to ourselves for almost an hour.

As far as theme... what is the theme of Old Key West? A hotel/village/resort in Florida?

Just another view...... we started out mainly onsite and now mainly stay offsite. Did we save any money.... No.... but we traded in 5-7 day onsite stays for 14 days offsite.

posted 06-01-2005 18:41            

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Originally posted by PeterS:
Also, we have stayed onsite and offsite and with a car we can get back to an offsite timeshare in about 15 minutes (never go in the summer) which is faster than any Disney Transport short of the monorail hotels. So our afternoon breaks are easier offsite.

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As far as theme... what is the theme of Old Key West? A hotel/village/resort in Florida?

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Have you ever seen the Villas at Wilderness Lodge? Or the non-DVC resorts Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Polynesian?

I'm glad there are options to suit everyone's taste and budget.

posted 06-01-2005 19:38               

The fact is that the cost of those little perks is in the thousands per week of usage. There is no objective analysis that can be used to prove it has more value. It's just rationalization at its best.

Once all the smoke clears, the reality is that Disney fanatics just like Disney because its Disney. Stop trying to justify these little perqs as worth it. That's nothing more than being penny wise and pound foolish.

I would respect Disney fanatics more if they just said, "yes, I tremendously over pay for what I actually get with Disney Vacation Club, but I don't care because I just love Disney and I don't care what it costs."