RE: The "Transportation Fee @ Wyndham Bonnet Creek

[recycleman]

Transportation Fee @ Bonnet Creek

We just concluded a visit at Bonnet Creek (2/22 - 2/26) and at checkin was ready to complain about the $12/day fee, until the receptionist said there was no charge. She explained that effective March 1st, there will be a $5/person roundtrip charge to use the shuttle, and not the automatic $12/day charge as previously stated.

 

[Goofyhobbie]

Letter From WYNDHAM VACATION OWNERSHIP, INC.

The following letter was slipped under the door of most if not all of the occupied units at Wyndham Bonnet Creek this evening.

WYNDHAM
Vacation Ownership​

RE: DISNEY PARKS TRANSPORTATION SHUTTLE TICKETS

To Our Valued Owners and Guests:


Based on owner feedback, the Bonnet Creek Homeowners Association will modify its transportation fee to a $5 per person/per round trip fee for ALL guests, regardless of ownership. Children 3 and under will ride free. The fee which goes into effect on March 2, 2013, covers the cost of providing shuttle transportation to and from Walt Disney World® theme parks.

Locations to purchase tickets:

• Front Desk: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

• Concierge Desk: 7:30 a. m. - 8:30 p. m.
  (except on Thursday when the hours are 7:30 a. m. - 5:00 p. m. )

• Activities Desk: 8:00 a.m. - 11.00 p. m., 7 days a week]

The following methods of payment are accepted:

• Cash

• Major Credit Cards, including American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover

• If you have a major credit card on file, you can charge their tickets to their room at either the Activities Desk or the Front Desk.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact a member of the Front Desk staff by pressing '0' from your in-room phone.



Sincerely,

s/Richard Scinta
Resort Manager
Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort

RS/cm

Wyndham Vacation Ownership, Inc.
Bonnet Creek Resort
9560 Via Encinas - P. O. Box 22819
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Ph (407) 238-3500​

 

[montygz]

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.

Our family of 5 would have to pay $25 for the shuttle -- which means we won't be using it as it is more than double the cost of parking at Disney.

It's a shame because it was a great amenity for the resort and the buses were often full. Since Bonnet Creek caters to larger families and is a popular resort to rent, I'm sure many of them will abandon using the bus service because of the cost.

I'd be curious to know why they decided to end the free bus service.

Was it because the buses were too crowded and the owners wanted to create a incentive for people to drive their cars to the parks?

Was it because the owners were jealous of the inexpensive cost of renting and were looking to punish renters financially?

So many resorts have gone the "upsell" route for everything from parking to luggage to disguise the true cost of a vacation, it's a shame Bonnet Creek is joining them.

 

[comicbookman]

Was it because the buses were too crowded and the owners wanted to create a incentive for people to drive their cars to the parks?

Was it because the owners were jealous of the inexpensive cost of renting and were looking to punish renters financially?

So many resorts have gone the "upsell" route for everything from parking to luggage to disguise the true cost of a vacation, it's a shame Bonnet Creek is joining them.

I suspect it was as simple as those owners that don't use the buses where tired of paying for them. It is no different from a resort that charges extra for horse rides or to rent boats. The tickets also make it easier to restrict ridership to only those staying at the resort. I have no problem with use fees for amenities that go above and beyond the standard. I do think some accommodations should have been made for existing reservations, At least through April.

 

[JimMIA]

Was it because the owners were jealous of the inexpensive cost of renting and were looking to punish renters financially?

I doubt if they're trying to "punish" anyone -- just trying to recover some costs paid from their MFs.

I personally think the bumbling manner in which this has been implemented has shown that the HOA is pretty clueless.

I also think the pricing may have the opposite effect from what they wanted. If they'd been a little smarter, they could have made this work. But the way they're blundering through it I think the most likely outcome is the elimination of the buses entirely because large family groups won't be able to afford to ride them.

Doesn't matter to me because we drive everywhere, but I think the WBC HOA has shot themselves in the foot.

 

[timeos2]

Assuming this latest update (everyone who uses the shuttle pays $5 per person - no owner or other designated exceptions) actually sticks (it is the what, 7th revision?) then it makes anyone who rushed into an ill-advised purchase at BC to "save" look rather silly.

The bottom line remains that points are points in the Wyndham system except for ARP. It also shows again that Wyndham will so whatever they want and the owners are powerless to stop it. It is best to base any purchase / hold decisions about Wyndham strictly on the guaranteed value and best estimated ongoing cost of the points and ignore the rest such as any perceived owner only benefits / VIP. All it will do is base any purchase decisions made on a bed of rapidly shifting sand.

 

[jjmanthei05]

Our family of 5 would have to pay $25 for the shuttle -- which means we won't be using it as it is more than double the cost of parking at Disney.

It's a shame because it was a great amenity for the resort and the buses were often full. Since Bonnet Creek caters to larger families and is a popular resort to rent, I'm sure many of them will abandon using the bus service because of the cost.

I'd be curious to know why they decided to end the free bus service.

Was it because the buses were too crowded and the owners wanted to create a incentive for people to drive their cars to the parks?

Was it because the owners were jealous of the inexpensive cost of renting and were looking to punish renters financially?

So many resorts have gone the "upsell" route for everything from parking to luggage to disguise the true cost of a vacation, it's a shame Bonnet Creek is joining them.

This isn't necessarily double for family's to use the shuttle if they had no intention of renting a car to begin with. Then it becomes significantly cheaper than paying $300-$1000 for a rental car/minivan. I guess i don't see how this is a big deal. It is a cost of the vacation. If you are renting from an owner then negotiate a lower price to cover the added cost. Would you rather had them not offer the service at all?

Jason

 

[ronparise]

I'd be curious to know why they decided to end the free bus service.

The bus service was never free,

The owners at Bonnet Creek were paying for it in their maintenance fees

Now the folks that use this "extra service" will pay for it

 

[timeos2]

The bus service was never free,

The owners at Bonnet Creek were paying for it in their maintenance fees

Now the folks that use this "extra service" will pay for it

Ron is absolutely correct. Nothing at any timeshare is "free" - someone is paying for it. As long as it is an optional service not normally a part of a stay at most resorts & everyone (owners too) pays the same I have no problems with it.

 

[JimMIA]

Assuming this latest update (everyone who uses the shuttle pays $5 per person - no owner or other designated exceptions) actually sticks (it is the what, 7th revision?) then it makes anyone who rushed into an ill-advised purchase at BC to "save" look rather silly.

Does someone who rushes into ANY timeshare purchase need any help looking "rather silly?" I think not.

And especially someone who rushes into a timeshare purchase to save $12 per day on buses or whatever!

 

[chapjim]

This isn't necessarily double for family's to use the shuttle if they had no intention of renting a car to begin with. Then it becomes significantly cheaper than paying $300-$1000 for a rental car/minivan. I guess i don't see how this is a big deal. It is a cost of the vacation. If you are renting from an owner then negotiate a lower price to cover the added cost. Would you rather had them not offer the service at all?

Jason

I'm not sure why I should lower my price. My cost structure didn't change. Plus, for many guests, there is no added cost because they weren't going to use the shuttle anyway.

Bonnet Creek is now just like other resorts. A guest can drive somewhere, pay for a shuttle where available, ride the city bus, take a taxi, whatever.

The City of Alexandria offers a free shuttle from the King Street Metro Station to the Potomac River front. Let's say Alexandria starts charging $1 for tokens for a one way ride. Should I reduce my asking price for a rental at Wyndham Old Town Alexandria? By how much?

 

[vacationhopeful]

I'm not sure why I should lower my price. My cost structure didn't change....

Everyone wants a bargain -- I can rent Star Island cheaper than Bonnet Creek; just like Bonnet Creek is cheaper than DVC. You get what you pay for.

The shuttle was "sales tool" to sound like you were staying inside the Disney gates (arch) with a "shuttle" to the WDW parks. And now, the HOA was having to pay the bill, the FREE became a chargable luxury.

Finally, someone realized selling tickets on the bus wasn't going to work and checking WHO owned what, wasn't going to work, either.

I can wait for the "how do you handle a lost ticket on the resort bound leg of the trip?" esp for a young teen.

Now, I can see a new rule, under 18yo must be with an adult who is responsible for the child.

Just goes to show, the more they try to insist Bonnet Creek is just like Disney, the more it becomes apparent it is NOTHING like DVC.

 

[JimMIA]

I'm not sure why I should lower my price. My cost structure didn't change. Plus, for many guests, there is no added cost because they weren't going to use the shuttle anyway.

Right, for the folks who drive like we do, the fee means nothing.

OTOH, I suspect that the general rental market audience has a rather high percentage of shuttle-riders. To those folks, the fee matters -- especially those guests staying in 2-4 bedrooms with larger groups. The fee will be a consideration for those people -- not a deal-breaker necessarily, but something to think about.

Bonnet Creek is now just like other resorts.

Which is not a good thing for Platinum VIPs running a rental business.

Previously, WBC was better than other resorts. Now it's equal.

That is not a good thing for those in the rental business.

 

[zabo]

Originally Posted by montygz

I'd be curious to know why they decided to end the free bus service.


My wife was told by Wyndham that the reason they are charging for bus service is because people that are not staying at the resort are parking their car and taking the shuttle for free. This then mean less parking spaces for the people who have reservations and are staying at the resort. Parking is a big complaint from people who stay there.

I have only been there once and I couldn't park anywhere near the tower we were in. Cannot remember which tower I was in, but it was next to one of the shuttle pick-up areas.

Mike

 

[Ginger's Mom]

Not so sure that what your wife was told was true. If it came from someone trained/employed by Wyn, and their lips were moving, then it is probably NOT true.

If it was true that outsiders park at BC and ride the shuttle, it would seem that the security gate was a totally useless waste of money and therein lies the problem.

Truthfully, the mediocre, limited-service shuttle is hardly worth sneaking in for.

PS To verify who is on the shuttle, why not have everyone show their ROOM KEY???? This isn't even rocket science!

Anne in SE FL

 

[bnoble]

I suspect that the general rental market audience has a rather high percentage of shuttle-riders.

But it wasn't always so. A few years ago on DISboards, conventional wisdom was "rent a car at Bonnet". It's only been the last year or so that the bargain-basement folks have changed that to "the shuttles are okay." Frankly, we can probably live without the bargain-basement folks.

And, honestly, Bonnet is the wrong place to be renting things out if you are a Plat mega-renter anyway. There's just too much competition---at Bonnet specifically, and Orlando generally---and it is a buyer's market just about year-round.

It will still draw "Disney-centric" rental guests better than the other Wyndham Orlando resorts, because it feels like it is inside the bubble.

 

[montygz]

The bus service was never free,

The owners at Bonnet Creek were paying for it in their maintenance fees

Now the folks that use this "extra service" will pay for it

I agree 100% percent the bus service wasn't free, just like the pools aren't free and the minigolf isn't free. I look at these things as a whole that make the resort what it is, not as individual items.

Some may say that bus service to Disney isn't a "core" service, but I disagree. The reason most people stay at Bonnet Creek is to visit Disney. The buses were often packed, often times with large families and groups.

There is no doubt that running a top-flight resort like Bonnet Creek costs more money every year, and fees have to go up to pay for it. I would think they are worth paying for to keep the level of service the same.

I also hope they don't keep looking for new things to charge for, like pools, minigolf, or parking. After all, not everyone swims, minigolfs or parks at the resprt.

Anyhow, I'm not an owner but I am a frequent renter and I think its a shame.

 

[pbarager]

This is another great tool for the sales department to entice the weak. "Free Disney Shuttle Tickets" for the family!

 

[Ginger's Mom]

Just put this on my BC Survey:

The resort is wonderful but the vultures in Sales make you dread checking in and being in your room. NO weary traveler should have to be grilled by Sales while just trying to get a parking pass. This abuse must stop. We even have to turn off our phones--so then they slip notes under your door. So much for enjoying "the good life"--isn't that the slogan on the room keys?

To make matters worse, the HOA is trying to institute a mandatory $12 user fee for a mediocre shuttle. No, wait, they have changed their mind, no, wait, now it is even worse--it is $5 per day per person--effective Mar. 2--even if you made your reservations 13 months ago. Something is very wrong at this resort. Business goes where it is wanted and stays where it is well treated. Do we "feel valued" ? (One of your survey questions.) How can we?

Ask yourselves--what would Disney VC do? Now there is a successful role model of Customer Service!!!!

 

[bnoble]

Ask yourselves--what would Disney VC do?

Sure, they provide "free" transportation. But, it is not free.

Taking a quick peek at ebay, it looks like WBC points are still right around $5.25/K in MFs. A peak-season (the highest) 2BR week at Bonnet Creek, as an owner, with no point discounts, costs 224K, or $1,176 in MFs. A Magic Season (the *2nd* highest season, not the highest) 2BR at Saratoga Springs costs 315 points. Dues at SSR are $5.34, so the total Dues cost of that week is $1,682---an extra $500 give or take. Of that total, more than 10% ($0.55.pt) is Transportation, or $175, give or take. Every SSR owner pays that for every week, whether they use ME or not, and whether they use the theme park shuttles or not.

 

[ronparise]

I agree 100% percent the bus service wasn't free, just like the pools aren't free and the minigolf isn't free. I look at these things as a whole that make the resort what it is, not as individual items.

Some may say that bus service to Disney isn't a "core" service, but I disagree. The reason most people stay at Bonnet Creek is to visit Disney. The buses were often packed, often times with large families and groups.

There is no doubt that running a top-flight resort like Bonnet Creek costs more money every year, and fees have to go up to pay for it. I would think they are worth paying for to keep the level of service the same.

I also hope they don't keep looking for new things to charge for, like pools, minigolf, or parking. After all, not everyone swims, minigolfs or parks at the resprt.

Anyhow, I'm not an owner but I am a frequent renter and I think its a shame.

I thought long and hard about the question posed in your post...Specifically what are the core services that must or should be included if a hotel wants to call itself a resort. This begs the question; What is a resort? and whats the difference between a resort and a hotel?

Here are three definitions I found on line:

In North American English, the term "resort" is now also used for a self-contained commercial establishment which attempts to provide for most of a vacationer's wants while remaining on the premises, such as food, drink, lodging, sports, entertainment, and shopping.

A place that is a popular destination for vacations or recreation

A hotel is a facility that provides accommodations (bed & bath basically) for transients like travelers and tourists. A resort is a recreational complex that normally has a center of attraction, like a beach, a garden park, a swimming pool and a restaurant.


So in my own words, a hotel provides a bed and bath, a resort provides that plus other recreational ammenities on site. (lets call them "resort ammenities") Enough so that the property is a destination in itself, and there is no need to leave the premises. In fact the Wyndham directory is careful to call out several of their properties where that is not the case, (they dont have much in the way of "resort amenities") and give them a special name (Avenue Collection) just so we know that they are different from the rest and that we shouldnt expect a "resort experience" at these properties.

So back to "The Bonnet Creek Resort" It is my feeling that Bonnet Creek lives up to the definition of a resort. That there is on site enough in the way of recreational activities, that a guest has no need to venture off site. There are swimming pools, water slides, a lazy river, mini golf, pool tables, etc, and now that the hotel is open, shopping , restaurants and a spa. Some of these things are included with the cost of your stay and for some they charge extra, but the common thread is that they are all on site

To provide transportation off site seems counter to the whole idea of a resort. That some people use Bonnet Creek for just for the bed and bath and spend some or all their time at the nearby amusement parks seems to violate the whole idea of a "resort destination" to me. I understand that there are things to do and see outside the gates of Bonnet Creek, but I think its perfectly reasonable to tell a guest, that if they want to leave, they are on their own. Transportation off site is not a "core service" provided by the owners for their guests.

 

[JimMIA]

But it wasn't always so. A few years ago on DISboards, conventional wisdom was "rent a car at Bonnet". It's only been the last year or so that the bargain-basement folks have changed that to "the shuttles are okay." Frankly, we can probably live without the bargain-basement folks.

I agree, but that was then and this is now.

And I definitely don't think we'll be living without the "bargain-basement folks." In fact, I think there is a strong trend in the direction of the bargain basement. When you see people freaking out over an $84 addditional weekly charge for an entire family, there's not much doubt about what floor you're on!

And, honestly, Bonnet is the wrong place to be renting things out if you are a Plat mega-renter anyway. There's just too much competition---at Bonnet specifically, and Orlando generally---and it is a buyer's market just about year-round.

Yes, but. There are at two fairly large rental businesses which seem to specialize in WBC rentals. WBC (and WDW generally) may not be every mega-renter's paradise, but somebody is doing a whole bunch of renting at WBC!

 

[uscav8r]

I suspect it was as simple as those owners that don't use the buses where tired of paying for them.

Except that I haven't seen any decrease in my monthly fee rate... Of course there could be other offsets that one cannot see. I guess if I really wanted to know I could research it...

 

[bnoble]

WBC (and WDW generally) may not be every mega-renter's paradise, but somebody is doing a whole bunch of renting at WBC!

At least one (VS), and at this point probably both, are just brokers for other owners, much like David/DVCRequest. If you do the math, the owners who are supplying the points are barely covering maintenance fees unless the broker is essentially taking nothing. The broker doesn't care as long as they can find enough supply---they always get paid. And, for the broker, Bonnet makes sense because even though it is low margin, it is high profile, so it requires less in marketing costs.

It's possible that one (VU) is truly a mega-renter with at least 1M in developer/PIC points plus a pile of resale points. But if so, they aren't making that much over their TCO, and should be renting other resorts for a better return.

 

[Ginger's Mom]

Sure, they provide "free" transportation. But, it is not free.

Taking a quick peek at ebay, it looks like WBC points are still right around $5.25/K in MFs. A peak-season (the highest) 2BR week at Bonnet Creek, as an owner, with no point discounts, costs 224K, or $1,176 in MFs. A Magic Season (the *2nd* highest season, not the highest) 2BR at Saratoga Springs costs 315 points. Dues at SSR are $5.34, so the total Dues cost of that week is $1,682---an extra $500 give or take. Of that total, more than 10% ($0.55.pt) is Transportation, or $175, give or take. Every SSR owner pays that for every week, whether they use ME or not, and whether they use the theme park shuttles or not.

Hey Brian,

I know it isn't free but the Disney transportation system is SUPERIOR to the Wyn Shuttle, you must admit. I don't mind paying for something THAT convenient. And when you trade-in to a Disney TS, thru RCI, I think you pay a mandatory $79 for a full week--a bargain compared to BC!!!!!!!

As a parent, when my kids (and their friends) got to be teenagers, it sure was wonderful to have the Disney trans. to rely on. We could all go our separate ways and get back to Ft. Wilderness successfully. I imagine the same can be said for the DVC.

Anne