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Bonnet Creek vs Harbour Lake (Marriott)

travelhacker

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We've stayed at Harbour Lake a couple of different times and it is perfect for kids that are our kids age (when we stay they will be 7, 3, and 3).

However, I have been tempted to try something new, and I am holding a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek for some dates that will work well for us.

Bonnet Creek's pools look like a lot of fun. Our oldest should be tall enough to do the slide, and we love a good lazy river.

What would you choose? I think cost will be a toss up.

How are the activities at Bonnet Creek?
 

cbyrne1174

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Here is my order of preference for Orlando for both systems. I have a 5 year old. I don't go to theme parks when I stay in Orlando because I can just drive to them whenever I want. I mainly use the resorts pools and amenities as a short getaway.
1. Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve (for JW and Ritz pools)
2. Wyndham Reunion ( 11 pools and a water park with a lazy river)
3. Wyndham Bonnet Creek (5 pools 2 lazy rivers)
4. Marriott Royal or Sabal Palms (for World Center pool access)
5. Marriott Grande Vista
6. Harbour Lake

If you are using Wyndham points, I think Reunion is the better resort for kids swimming. I think Lakeshore reserve is the nicest non DVC timeshare in Orlando, but Reunion has the best swimming amenities for both adults and children, but some people don't like the fact that you have to drive for 2 minutes to access them all, but you could go to a different pool every single day you are there and still not use them all. Here is a video, but it doesn't include the lazy river.


Here is a video of the actual water park:
 

travelhacker

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Here is my order of preference for Orlando for both systems. I have a 5 year old. I don't go to theme parks when I stay in Orlando because I can just drive to them whenever I want. I mainly use the resorts pools and amenities as a short getaway.
1. Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve (for JW and Ritz pools)
2. Wyndham Reunion ( 11 pools and a water park with a lazy river)
3. Wyndham Bonnet Creek (5 pools 2 lazy rivers)
4. Marriott Royal or Sabal Palms (for World Center pool access)
5. Marriott Grande Vista
6. Harbour Lake

If you are using Wyndham points, I think Reunion is the better resort for kids swimming. I think Lakeshore reserve is the nicest non DVC timeshare in Orlando, but Reunion has the best swimming amenities for both adults and children, but some people don't like the fact that you have to drive for 2 minutes to access them all, but you could go to a different pool every single day you are there and still not use them all. Here is a video, but it doesn't include the lazy river.


Here is a video of the actual water park:

Great advice. I've always wanted to try Lakeshore Reserve but it's a bit harder to get as a getaway, and I have no interest in using an exchange in Orlando when Getaways are so cheap and plentiful.

I have seen Reunion pop up, and that could be a pretty cool option that I will have to consider. I'd be exchanging using RCI Points for Reunion. Are there any additional fees for the water park?

There seems to be a lot of love for Bonnet Creek. Why do you prefer LR over it?

Thanks!
 

cbyrne1174

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Great advice. I've always wanted to try Lakeshore Reserve but it's a bit harder to get as a getaway, and I have no interest in using an exchange in Orlando when Getaways are so cheap and plentiful.

I have seen Reunion pop up, and that could be a pretty cool option that I will have to consider. I'd be exchanging using RCI Points for Reunion. Are there any additional fees for the water park?

There seems to be a lot of love for Bonnet Creek. Why do you prefer LR over it?

Thanks!

The reason I prefer LR over BC is because the resort is much prettier. They both are attached to a 4 star resort, but the grounds and theming are much prettier at the JW Marriott. I also think Reunion is much prettier than BC. Bonnet Creek is mainly praised for its convenience to the parks and every pool is a short walk, but Reunion is the superior resort when you factor in luxury. If you are using RCI, then Bonnet Creek would be the better use of points, but Wyndham owners can book Reunion the same dates currently on RCI for as little as 107,250 points.

1590768566979.png
 

ski_sierra

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Here is my order of preference for Orlando for both systems. I have a 5 year old. I don't go to theme parks when I stay in Orlando because I can just drive to them whenever I want. I mainly use the resorts pools and amenities as a short getaway.
1. Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve (for JW and Ritz pools)
2. Wyndham Reunion ( 11 pools and a water park with a lazy river)
3. Wyndham Bonnet Creek (5 pools 2 lazy rivers)
4. Marriott Royal or Sabal Palms (for World Center pool access)
5. Marriott Grande Vista
6. Harbour Lake

If you are using Wyndham points, I think Reunion is the better resort for kids swimming. I think Lakeshore reserve is the nicest non-DVC timeshare in Orlando, but Reunion has the best swimming amenities for both adults and children, but some people don't like the fact that you have to drive for 2 minutes to access them all, but you could go to a different pool every single day you are there and still not use them all. Here is a video, but it doesn't include the lazy river.

This is great info for me as we plan to visit Orlando in the next few years. Orlando wasn't on my radar but I think the Orlando TS have much better quality and amenities for kids compared to most resorts in the West/Hawaii.

Lakeshore reserve would to be the most expensive/difficult to book on this list. I don't see that many LR units in II as compared to the other Marriotts in Orlando. Reunion can be booked using WM. The availability is pretty good since it is only 3 BR and costs 17k for a week vs. 12k for most other 3 BRs in WM.

But the advantage of other Marriotts is they can be booked using ACs or getaways.

So tough choices overall.
 

cbyrne1174

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This is great info for me as we plan to visit Orlando in the next few years. Orlando wasn't on my radar but I think the Orlando TS have much better quality and amenities for kids compared to most resorts in the West/Hawaii.

Lakeshore reserve would to be the most expensive/difficult to book on this list. I don't see that many LR units in II as compared to the other Marriotts in Orlando. Reunion can be booked using WM. The availability is pretty good since it is only 3 BR and costs 17k for a week vs. 12k for most other 3 BRs in WM.

But the advantage of other Marriotts is they can be booked using ACs or getaways.

So tough choices overall.

If you want to try Lakeshore, you could always rent DC trust points off an owner for the cost of the MF (65 cents per point). I often see people selling the points on here for MF costs. A "deluxe studio" is essentially a 1 bedroom with a small full functioning kitchen. You can sleep 2 adults and 2 children comfortably. A week would cost about $1125 that way. If you have to use what you currently own, then WM Reunion is your best bet. The Hilton amenities are plain at all 4 of their locations.
 

ski_sierra

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If you want to try Lakeshore, you could always rent DC trust points off an owner for the cost of the MF (65 cents per point). I often see people selling the points on here for MF costs. A "deluxe studio" is essentially a 1 bedroom with a small full functioning kitchen. You can sleep 2 adults and 2 children comfortably. A week would cost about $1125 that way. If you have to use what you currently own, then WM Reunion is your best bet. The Hilton amenities are plain at all 4 of their locations.

That's too much to stay in a studio. If I don't get an II exchange to at least a 1 BR, I will just stay at the other options. FL has so many other nice TS.

I see some sightings for summer time frame. I'm sure I could get one when I put an OGS for summer or thanksgiving.

 

cbyrne1174

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That's too much to stay in a studio. If I don't get an II exchange to at least a 1 BR, I will just stay at the other options. FL has so many other nice TS.

I see some sightings for summer time frame. I'm sure I could get one when I put an OGS for summer or thanksgiving.


The studio deluxe at LR is the same size as a 1 bedroom standard in WM. Here is the Floor plan. Idk why it's called a studio. I think it's because it's missing an oven. It has a small stove and dishwasher, but no oven.

1590795338805.png


 
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