RE: The "Transportation Fee @ Wyndham Bonnet Creek

[Ron2]

I just made a Bonnet Creek reservation today and was told that the Disney shuttle service fee would be $5 per person per day (all day use) and would only be charged on the days you choose to use the shuttle. I was also told that Club Access and Bonnet Creek owners will not be charged the fee.

 

[JimMIA]

I just made a Bonnet Creek reservation today and was told that the Disney shuttle service fee would be $5 per person per day (all day use) and would only be charged on the days you choose to use the shuttle. I was also told that Club Access and Bonnet Creek owners will not be charged the fee.

That sounds more rational, practical to implement, and fair than the other things that have been announced and reversed, or rumored...although...$5 per person will still be a bit of a burden for families with several kids.

I personally think something like $10-$12 per day per unit for those using the shuttle would be better. I think enough people would use it to generate sufficient revenue to help the WBC HOA's finances.

$25 per day for a family with three kids a) seems a LOT like price-gouging, and b) is enough of a hurdle that the family might look for other options -- either other ways of getting to the parks, or other places to stay.

 

[C30NY]

I'm glad the fee will not be charged to owners. It leaves the flexibility for us all to go and come as we like, without being tied to one car or having to worry about how much it's costing. Plus added in with the Disney AP, it makes no car much more realistic since all transportation within is free.

 

[uscav8r]

I personally think something like $10-$12 per day per unit for those using the shuttle would be better.

$12/day/unit was the ORIGINAL fee that was recently added!!!!!!

Now families that go (who are not BC of CWA owners) will like pay MORE! Nice job....

It seems like some people on this BBS are making this recent update out to be some sort of a victory, but I am far from convinced.

As a BC owner it was not likely to affect me, but people should be careful of what they wish for, cuz they just might get it (and not in the way they expected)....

 

[ronparise]

$12/day/unit was the ORIGINAL fee that was recently added!!!!!!

Now families that go (who are not BC of CWA owners) will like pay MORE! Nice job....

It seems like some people on this BBS are making this recent update out to be some sort of a victory, but I am far from convinced.

As a BC owner it was not likely to affect me, but people should be careful of what they wish for, cuz they just might get it (and not in the way they expected)....

The original proposal would have cost every family $12/day, whether a couple, or an extended family of ten.whethe they used the shuttle or not. The new proposal charges each person that uses the service. You can argue that $5 a day is too high, but you cant argue that a user fee isnt the more fair way to pay for the bus

 

[JimMIA]

$12/day/unit was the ORIGINAL fee that was recently added!!!!!!

Right. I think everyone here is aware that $12 per day/unit was the original number. But the original fee was to be imposed on everyone, whether or not they used the shuttle. That was a stupid decision, IMHO, and it obviously didn't fly.

The key words in my post, however, are "... for those using the shuttle."

That is a world of difference from what your HOA initially (and foolishly) tried to impose.

$12 per day per unit for those USING the shuttle is a reasonable fee for those who USE the shuttle.

 

[bnoble]

You can argue that $5 a day is too high

And I think you'd be wrong.

For example, ART costs about that, at least for those 10 and over.
http://www.rideart.org/individual/

That's in Anaheim, where hotels and the parks are considerably closer to one another than you'd find at WDW.

 

[luckyrose]

As far as I know there is no charge now. It could happen. but not yet or ever. But maybe never.

 

[chriskre]

$25 per day for a family with three kids a) seems a LOT like price-gouging, and b) is enough of a hurdle that the family might look for other options -- either other ways of getting to the parks, or other places to stay.

Might as well take a taxi and not ride with the herd.

 

[MFT]

Does anyone remember an earlier posting, in which some people staying at BC were talking to another family waiting for the shuttle. I don't recall how the conversation went, but the other family wasn't even staying at the resort! They just drove in, parked, and were taking the free shuttle over to Disney. I wonder if this is a common problem at BC, with non-guests using the shuttle (as well as probably the pools, etc...)

Some resorts are better than others at checking the purpose of those folks pulling in. Others, I think are a bit more slack checking who you are and why you are there. And of course, many don't have a gate at all... just cruise on in.

I don't have an issue with this fee, as a pay to play option makes sense. As it is, we rent a car, so use it to the park, etc... So I would have had an issue paying $84 for a week of not using the shuttle.

 

[jjmanthei05]

Does anyone remember an earlier posting, in which some people staying at BC were talking to another family waiting for the shuttle. I don't recall how the conversation went, but the other family wasn't even staying at the resort! They just drove in, parked, and were taking the free shuttle over to Disney. I wonder if this is a common problem at BC, with non-guests using the shuttle (as well as probably the pools, etc...)

Some resorts are better than others at checking the purpose of those folks pulling in. Others, I think are a bit more slack checking who you are and why you are there. And of course, many don't have a gate at all... just cruise on in.

I don't have an issue with this fee, as a pay to play option makes sense. As it is, we rent a car, so use it to the park, etc... So I would have had an issue paying $84 for a week of not using the shuttle.

From my experience, it is difficult to do. We tried to look just look at the resort when we were on an RCI exchange to Summer bay and it took me close to 5 min to talk myself past the guard. Yes I was able to get in by being adamant I had a reservation but I don't think this is a "common problem".

Jason

 

[JimMIA]

From my experience, it is difficult to do. We tried to look just look at the resort when we were on an RCI exchange to Summer bay and it took me close to 5 min to talk myself past the guard. Yes I was able to get in by being adamant I had a reservation but I don't think this is a "common problem".

Jason

Agree. This practice is a problem for DVC resorts, especially SSR, but not for WBC. Quite a few people park at Downtown Disney, ride the bus, and then ride the bus back to SSR and walk back to their cars. Been a problem for years.

At WBC, you have to show a room key to get into the property -- not the stupid "parking pass," incidentally which is NOT accepted for entry.

 

[chriskre]

At WBC, you have to show a room key to get into the property -- not the stupid "parking pass," incidentally which is NOT accepted for entry.

It depends who is at the gate.

 

[JimMIA]

It depends who is at the gate.

Yep, that's the way of the world these days...especially down here in "Paradise" where we live!

 

[Ginger's Mom]

We just returned from a Daytona/Disney weekend. The security seems to have been increased at the Bonnet Creek Gate. You either use your room key to open the right lane gate, or go by the guard in the left lane.

Scored a 1BR Pres. on the 15th floor in Bldg. 6. Stayed in a 1 BR Pres. in the 17th floor of Bldg. 6 in December. Points is points!!!!!!!

Newest scam........."Sales" offers and advertises some sort of small-group "workshops" that take about an hour, supposed to be "question and answer." Will give you breakfast and $75 to attend. I believe someone else said that at the end of the workshop, you break into much smaller groups for "the push." You can put lipstick on a pig...............

Also, since we declined their most generous offer, and then went to our room and unplugged the phones, we found a Seaworld postcard under our door later that asked us to "come down and complete the registration process." Didn't fall for that, either.

Seems like "Sales" is a little less aggressive in Bldg. 6 than in the other non-Pres. Bldgs. But we still have not topped the vicious Sales Team at Smoky Mtn.!!!!!!

Anne in SE FL

 

[Ginger's Mom]

PS We were also told by "Sales" that Wyn just purchased "Shells" timeshares. I am new to this group---did I miss something--or was that another Wyn lie to get you to go to their "workshop"??????

Anne in SE FL

 

[bnoble]

Wyndham did purchase Shell Vacation Club. However, much like WorldMark, it is run as a completely independent entity.

 

[Ginger's Mom]

Thanks. Haven't I seen you elsewhere? Brian?

Anyway, I looked at their inventory, all 24 sites. Kinda ho-hum compared to Wyn.

Anne in SE FL

 

[rickandcindy23]

All you have to do is blink, and the transportation fee changes.

Now they are charging $5.00 per person per day for a shuttle fee. Yep, and that is the front desk saying it.

No reason to count on the resort's transportation. The savings on shuttle fees will pay in full for the car rental.

Bonnet Creek, get your act together!

 

[am1]

All you have to do is blink, and the transportation fee changes.

Now they are charging $5.00 per person per day for a shuttle fee. Yep, and that is the front desk saying it.

No reason to count on the resort's transportation. The savings on shuttle fees will pay in full for the car rental.

Bonnet Creek, get your act together!

I was told round-trip. One ways are not sold.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I was told round-trip. One ways are not sold.

I never said anything about one-way was $5. It's $5 per person per day. Where are the reactions to this change. No one is seeing this post because everyone thinks the issue is over and done.

 

[tschwa2]

I never said anything about one-way was $5. It's $5 per person per day. Where are the reactions to this change. No one is seeing this post because everyone thinks the issue is over and done.

Well it was posted about 8 days ago on this thread and there were a couple of reactions (2 pages back). My feeling is that a per person/ per day fee is fairer than charging everyone (except owners at BC at club access) whether they used the shuttle or not. For those who don't want to or can't rent a car and park at the park it is available. But no one has to use it and pay the fee if they don't want to.

 

[Sandi Bo]

When they were first building Bonnet Creek, the shuttle service only ran a couple times a day. They talked about how it would get better as more buildings were built. And it has.

If they charge $5 per person, who will pay to take it? Doubtful anyone that has a car, it will be cheaper to pay Disney parking fees.

That will leave mostly free riders (Bonnet Creek owners and CWA is what we are hearing).

If they keep the shuttle, I don't expect the service to be as good as it is today. And I wouldn't expect BC to make any money, because they won't get many paying customers. I suppose they will save money if they are able to reduce the number of shuttles running.

Just too bad, IMO, it was a nice perk to Bonnet Creek.

 

[am1]

I never said anything about one-way was $5. It's $5 per person per day. Where are the reactions to this change. No one is seeing this post because everyone thinks the issue is over and done.

Never said you did. Not sure where you would think that. But what I have been told is it is $5/person roundtrip not per day. One cannot take the shuttle back to Bonnet Creek paying for a oneway or a roundtrip.

 

[DavidnJudy]

Relieved

I have a reservation through RCI for WBC for the end of March, and I got a letter from RCI about 2 weeks ago saying I would need to pay 84 dollars for shuttles whether I used it or not. I was like this -> , but I couldn't change to another resort because Easter week is very popular. And besides I was really looking forward to WBC because we have never stayed there and it looks awesome!

I never got another letter from RCI saying the fee was gone - I learned it by googling and finding it on TUG - thank you TUG ... BUT I did get a letter from Wyndham .. one of those "We are excited that you have choosen Wyndham Bonnet Creek ..." etc etc.. It is a nice "pamplet" of what they have. In there it said - "This Resort offers a daily round-trip shuttle from the lobby to the Walt Disney Resort for a fee." ... I thought Hmmmm this doesn't sound like it is manadorty but you pay the fee if you ride - This totally makes sense!!! And I could even see people with a car using it if for instance some people in your group wanted to go to Univeral and other Disney, then some could use the shuttle that day - totally makes sense.

Anyway, I was going to try to fight the fee when I got down there, based on the letter Wyndham sent (not the RCI letter.) But now I don't have to fight not to pay for a service I would never use (not going to Disney and have a car), AND a fee I didn't know about when I booked it! Wyndham did the right thing here. Sure it could be cheaper for the round trip, sure it could be free, but at least they are not charging people who won't use it.

Thanks TUG for easing my mind about my upcoming trip.

By the way when you are figuring in the cost of the shuttle VS. renting a car, remember if you don't rent a car you have to ADD the cost of transportation from the airport TO the resort. (Of course if you drive there yourself you have your own car and don't need the shuttle. I am thinking only airport people even need the shuttle.)

Thanks WBC for doing the right thing (even if you did the wrong thing at first)