Discovering Vero Beach

[PamOKW]

It seems as if many DVC members are starting to explore Vero Beach. Just wondering what our different experiences are.

[prncssjas]

Pamokw: We bought our points at VB and I have very glad that we did. I like ensuring that at some point during our vacations to WDW, we will have some quiet beach time. While I would also like to add some WDW points later (BWV, VWL. OKW or whatever comes up!), I love it that VB is our "home" resort. I will be interested in seeing the final results of your poll! :D

[PamOKW]

PrincessJ, I wasn't sure how to put this together but I'm curious whether Vero is starting to "catch on" more than in the past. Having some or all home resort priority may become more of an issue, especially since they won't be expanding the size of the resort. I got mine. ;)

[PamOKW]

Bumping for more replies.

[msdis]

We keep saying that we are going to Vero "next time". Then next time rolls around and we are at BWV and every time we start a new AP we have to keep going to WDW till that year is up. So until we break the cycle it will be hard to go to Vero. I have a feeling once we do we will probably find we will go more often. I suppose if we had tons of points then it would be easier, but we can just barely get in 2 long trips and 1 short trip for our AP's. Anyone else with this "cycle" problem?

[Joan BWV98]

We spent a week at Vero in 1999. Our kids went to space camp and then we flew down to pick them up and spend a week at the beach. We loved it! We are thinking of splitting our Thanksgiving time up between BW and Vero.

We did the unusual thing, we stayed and Vero and added on points for BW.

Best investment I have ever made!:)

[DisneyMim]

We really like Vero, but not enough to buy points or even stay for a long visit. We usually go for 3 or 4 nights, added on to a Disney visit and pay cash. My family loves the west coast of Florida better than the east coast anyway so it would probably be a different story if Disney had built a resort over there instead (or in addition). This is just my opinion. I know Pam asked for different opinions so I thought I'd share ours. We LOVE Disney World and spend all of our points there. Just can't bring ourselves to use them anywhere else!!

[PamOKW]

I'm not sure what the numbers are really showing either! Opinions like some of you have taken the time to post help round out what people are thinking about Vero. I agree that 3-4 nights is a good amount of time to spend, then I'm looking for more action too. But I sure do love those days!

[AZKathy]

We look forward to our stay at VB this week; will let you know how we like it!:smooth:

[dvcdudes]

We went to VB for a full week and that is a bit long. I voted that I liked it but wont be going back regularly. It was a great resort and we had a ball there but if and when we do go back it will be for 1-2 nights after a WDW trip.

[nickglover]

We went to VB three times as non-members (1997, 1998, and 1999) and now have been once as a member (May, 2001). We love it!

[Snowgod]

After driving by the resort on the way to the in laws, DW and I decided to buy our points there. We hope to do an addon to OKW at some point.:smooth: :pinkbounc :p :earsboy: :earseek:

[Zimbubba]

We very much enjoyed our few day stay there. It will become a regular part of the WDW routine. We probably would not be interested in a whole week there.

[baileybrad]

see us spending a week there. We have no problem with a lazy beach vacation. Unfortunately, we have not had the opportunity to stay at Vero Beach DVC yet. It seems like a trip there would be very similar to our very laidback trips to HH DVC. Just lots family time and water time. The only negative that I have heard that might bother us is some have mentioned on these boards that the beach is not all that great. But again we look forward to finding out for ourselves...we are kind of hard-headed that way.

[Paul in CT]

We have been to VB three times for two nights/three days each time tied into vacations at WDW as OKW members. We like the laid back atmosphere and the beach. We will be going back again in August! :bounce:

[BobBrazeal]

I'm pretty new to DVC so I'll probably be trying it at some point in the not to distant future.

[Phil hetherington]

We have been going to Vero since 1997. Vero was the reason we ended up joining.

We have points at Vero, OKW and BW.

We have been to Vero 7 times in the last 4 years and love it.

We have stayed from 3-8 nights and have paid getting the DVC discount to help extend.

The more we go the more we like it.

My daughter loves the Kids Camp so much we have to book ahead from the UK to make sure she can get in!

:smooth:

[mickeyc]

We visited VB several years ago. It was OK! We don't like the east coast beaches. We spend time relaxing on the west coast of Florida--the Sarosota area. We didn't care for the area in general and we don't plan on returning. The WDW resorts are much nicer and I think you can find quiet time there. However, a vacation is a vacation. For those who like VB, enjoy!!;)

[PamOKW]

One last try for opinions.

[donald@home]

Vero is BY FAR my favorite resort. While I still enjoy my time at WDW (of course) I am finding my "down" time at Vero more and more satisfying than my "active" time at The World. We started with 3 days at Vero using OKW points when Vero first opened, then finally did an add on and now spend about 6 nights there. I could EASILY spend more time.

I have said it before, I think it will become more difficult to vacation at Vero without the 11 month window given the size of the resort and the increased popularity among DVC members. If you are one of the ones who voted that you would be vacationing regularly at Vero and don't have any Vero points, you might consider adding some. It is truly a very special place.

[BobH]

My wife and I tried Vero Beach last week. We stayed 6 nights and found it very nice. We might try to go back in
the month of October - hoping for less of the troublesome "no see-um" mosquitos. It is a great place to relax. The beach was nice for a long walk at low tide.
The beach is not as beuatiful as some we have tried in Bermuda, but the overall experience at Vero is very, very good.

[J.P.]

We have been members at VB for the last six years. We go every year and always are very sad when we have to leave. My kids love the beach, pool and all the activties they have going on down there. It has been a great investment. JP

[NJParkhopper]

My mom lives about 40 minutes away from VB. Since we always stay at her place when we go to WDW, we'll definitely be hitting VB at some point. We'll probably split up the time between WDW and VB (and of course, Mom's!)

[wdw1972]

I started with OKW points, but before my first dvc trip I wanted to add on more points. My use year at okw had already sold out, so since we love spending part of a week at Daytona (Daytona Beach Shores - where it's more family oriented) I decided to add the points at Vero.

On our first visit, I loved the resort, but was disappointed with the beach.....it's nowhere near as nice as the beaches up by Daytona. The resort though, makes up for that - there are no *nice* resorts in Daytona, lol! For a while I still did Daytona for cash for a *beach* vacation, did Vero for the resort, and of course went to wdw alot. Now I have no time for Daytona - since I've kept adding dvc points. We're going to Vero twice this summer - both times for 2 nights prior to wdw. On the 2nd trip I also booked a couple of extra rooms for friends to join us, and next year I'll book a 2 br so friends from Scotland can enjoy the resort with us for a couple of days before wdw. I don't see myself going to Vero for very long stays - especially with wdw so close, but 2-3 nights is just about perfect for us.

[J.P.]

We love VB, we go every year as a relaxing vacation before we go to OKW. WE enjoy all the activities, beach,food and the rooms. JP:p

[DVC97-RobKathy]

We own Vero Beach points. Bought 130 this past October. We used them in March to go to Hilton Head (we hadn't been there yet) and also a few days at Wilderness Lodge Villas (since they are new). Enjoyed both. But we do plan to try out Vero too.

[aricau]

We split up a Disney trip 2 years ago and spent several days at Vero Beach. We liked it but my family prefers the Florida panhandle beaches. The sandy beaches and the water on the panhandle is just beautiful....too bad Disney doesn't invest in a resort out that way.....we would be there every year!

[scott.campbell]

Was at Vero Beach this year, loved it so much we did an add on !!!!!!

[imgoingtodisney]

Im flying back to FL from MA in 12 days. Before the 6 of us leave for my very first cruise my MIL and I will stop and tour Vero Beach. My husband and I just bought our very first DVC points after a 9 night stay at Wilderness Lodge 5 weeks ago. So we are planning on staying at Vero Beach within the next 5 years.

[Pam Lau]

We stayed at Vero for the 1st time last month and loved it. We took a couple days to drive down from Chicago and then spent four nights at VB before taking the 3 night cruise and then spending almost a week at WDW in our Home Resort BWV. We really enjoyed the down time at VB. It was nice to just do nothing. The kids enjoyed running around the resort and playing in the ocean. We plan to return. Vero is great for a 3-4 night stay.

[Wildman9]

Is Vero Beach sold out?

[PamOKW]

No. Points are still available at Vero.

[Patricia]

We visited Vero a few years ago and loved it! My family loves the atmosphere and the peacefulness of the entire resort. We added on there two trips back and I still end up using cash in addition to my points there! The first time I did this, the cash discount was available right away. Lately, they haven't had the cash discount available at all. I am still waiting for it for my trip in June. I am not sure if this is an indication that Vero is gaining in popularity, but I think so. We are doing a week in WDW and a week at Vero. A perfect combination for us.

[yasuern]

We are going in july - its our 1st trip as dvc members and can't wait to have a non park vacation.

[pharmlivin]

We bought at VWL but took a short 5 day stay at Vero in March. We stayed in a 1 bedroom. WE LOVED VERO. DH said next time he wanted to stay longer in a studio or Inn room. We have not stayed at anyother DVC resort yet...I think I'm going to have a hard time letting go of Vero. This was my concern about adding or even buying there in the first place. When we were there the beach was very eroded away and someone (the kid who does the towels on the boardwalk to the beach) said Disney had just hauled in $50,000 worth of sand for replenishment and it was gone in a matter of weeks. My concern was the dues that it might require down the road to keep the beach from meeting the pool at some point. I would add on there in a minute except the beach maintenance might just be too costly and be reflected in uncontrollable dues. Any thoughts?

[PamOKW]

I'd have to look over my documents but I don't believe that beach replenishment would be a member responsibility.

There are plans for a massive replenishment for the whole area.

[Firefighter Mickey]

Adding sand to the beach may not be a member expense, but it's certainly clear that Vero and Hilton Head are much more at risk for damage from hurricanes than any other DVC resort, and this could potentially impact dues (though hopefully the insurance would pick up most of this) - and then there's always the risk of the entire resort being wiped out. But, getting out of bed in the morning is a risk, so, we figured what the heck....we loved the resort, and frequently use it to wind down from a disney vacation.

We have 70 points at Vero, and sometimes I wish for more, because it's going to be really tough for us to get that beach cottage for a decent length of time with only 210 points to work with.

[Cinderella]

Hi Pam - Great thread. We joined in January 2001 and will be trying Vero for the first time this September. We also hope to try Hilton Head Island very soon. We are also thinking that with points everywhere selling out quickly we may need an add on at a beach resort so maybe Vero will sway our decision.

[nezy]

I have only stopped at Vero for a day after we got off the Disney Cruise on our way to West PalmBeach t o visit my mom. We spent the day at Vero and loved it.

Years ago befroe Vero opened and was in constuction, they were planning to build on both sides of A1A. They seemed to have stopped that . Does anyone know what the story is wtih that? If member interest increases as it seems to be in Vero,will they continue w/ the expansion or have they sold this property?

[Beth]

I'm sure PamOKW could tell you, but I think it's been 1-2 years since they sold that property.

We were there over SuperBowl weekend, and there's not been anything done with the property by the purchasers - I'm not sure of their intentions.

Disney still has the property <i>directly</i> across the street - with the walking trail, the tennis courts, the additional parking, the lagoon, the picnic tables, the soccer field, etc.

There was talk on this board for a while that the property immediately south (on the beach side of A1A) of the resort was also Disney's, and that they might expand <i>there</i>. Not sure if that was true, or not. There's another condominium not <i>too</i> far south of the resort. Anyone seen it lately? They were <i>really</i> having problems with erosion when we were there in February. They built too close to the beach wall, IMO.

[CaptainMidnight]

Yes, I belive the property across the street was sold, so that they will not be building on the non-beach side of A1A. Personally, I'm glad they won't. I wouldn't want to stay that far away from the beach and the pool. When I saw the expansion plans, they did not include an additional pool on the other side of the street. I believe Disney still owns a pie shaped piece of land just south of the property on the beach side which would allow space for an additional building there. And, across the street, they do have all the maintenance buildings, etc. So they will need to keep some space over there. A little expansion of this resort would be fine with me, but as an owner, I'm glad it won't be having major building on the non-ocean side. At one point I was able to find a map of the expansion plans for Vero online, but I haven't been able to find it again.

DVC also had land in other places that they ended up selling, some was near Disneyland. The onsite resorts seem to sell much better than off site resorts at this point, but personally I am very glad the offsite choices for beach vacations exsist. Heck, that's why we bought there, we don't want to go to WDW every vacation, we like to relax by the beach in addition to going to Disney World. That's the beauty of DVC, different choices for different tastes. We also wouldn't mind a bit visiting HH. People are finding it difficult to get reservations at Vero and HH during some times of the year at teh 7 month window, that certainly speaks to the success of these two resorts, even if they have been a little slower at selling out than the rapid sales we've seen at WLV and BC.

[Barb]

We'll be trying VB for the first time at the end of our June trip. We're using it as our wind down after a week at VWL. We'll be there for 3 nights. Looking forward to it. :D

[PamOKW]

I'm sure PamOKW could tell you LOL! ;) I don't know everything.

I was just wondering myself if anyone had heard if the property was sold. I know someone saw it advertised in the Wall Street Journal quite some time ago.

I agree that I'm spoiled by being so close to the ocean. One of the reasons I bought an add-on there was to increase the odds that I wouldn't have to stay on the non-ocean side once it was built. I'm curious also as to who might have purchased the property and what there plans will be.

[Mrs. Snowgod]

We own 2/3 of our points at VB, and plan to go home there for the first time this June. 1/2 hour from my DM, so we can visit and have a getaway at the same time.

:jester: :smooth: :jester:

[ncligs]

We are looking forward to our 1st visit to VB on June 30th for 4 nites, then up to OKW for 3 nites.:D

[Desperado]

When reviewing older info about Vero beach, there seems to be a viewpoint that Vero was a big mistake. I noticed one person keeps bringing up very negative comments about the place. Is it a nice place to visist or should it not be considered? Would anyone buy membership there?

[antnee]

We hope to be able to try VB soon during spring training se we can watch the Mets play the Dodgers

[hoosiergirl]

We stayed at VB three times as an addition to our OKW vacation and always wished we had spent more time there (VB). This past January we stayed at VB first before going to Boardwalk--and ended up cancelling BW and just staying at VB the whole week!!! It was so relaxing we didn't want to leave! (We had never stayed at BW but didn't regret giving up the opportunity!) We came home and added on 100 pts. at VB! So--YES! Desperado, people still do buy membership there! :)

[KarenB]

VB is our home resort and we can't wait to stay there for the first time this June. We will be spending 4 days ot VWL and 4 days at VB.

When we bought into DVC, we used Magical Beginnings which made the purchase more affordable. At first, I wondered if we made a mistake because we did want to spend a lot of vacation time trying out different DVC resorts. But know I feel we made a good choice. We are flexible as to where we stay at WDW, since we feel each DVC resort on property has good qualities about them.

But since VB is small, I like having that 11 month window to secure that part of the trip and to be flexible with the 7 month window at WDW.

I think that in the future, we will find that we will spend most of our time at VB. But for now, we will enjoy splitting the time between WDW and VB.


aahhhhh....but then there is HH!!! Spent last JUne there and fell in love with it!! :D :D

Karen

[CaptainMidnight]

We greatly enjoy our relaxing visits to Vero Beach, and there's no way we consider it a mistake. We like to go to Disney sometimes, not every single vacation. So, Vero seemed like a good choice for us. Sometimes, given the young age of our children, a beach and a pool is a recipie for a fantastic reconnection and relaxation time. It also works well for us in combination with WDW time to have some park time and beach time.

I wouldn't read too much in to negative comments about Vero, in fact I don't know if I'd read anything into them, we love the resort and are very happy we invested there. The rule of thumb is invest where you think you'll want to stay most often and expecially during peak seasons, when reservations may be hard to get. There are resales available for Vero. Depending on how many points your buying, you may want to consider splitting your points between two resorts. There are several threads about doing that to your advantage for the 11 month window.

[Firefighter Mickey]

Originally posted by Desperado
When reviewing older info about Vero beach, there seems to be a viewpoint that Vero was a big mistake. I noticed one person keeps bringing up very negative comments about the place. Is it a nice place to visist or should it not be considered? Would anyone buy membership there?

The references you are seeing are generally toward Vero being a financial mistake for Disney; Hilton Head gets lumped in to the same catagory usually. Both HH and VB have taken much longer for Disney to sell than any other resort, and it is sometimes suspected that the reason that Disney hasn't done any other off-property resorts is because of the lackluster sales pace at HH & VB.

I think it's generally agreed by everyone that both resorts are wonderful vacation locations; they aren't a WDW vacation, but that's why they are a particularly nice option to have.

[PamOKW]

I agree with Firefighter Mickey that even the "unnamed person" with the negative comments generally qualifies those statements by saying that the resort itself is deluxe. The question is whether people are "misled" into buying at Vero when their intention is to stay at WDW. True, it's easier to book at your home resort with the advantage but it is certainly not impossible to book at WDW with a membership at Vero or HHI.

Originally, when DVC was getting into building offsite resorts, I was concerned about the impact of all these offsite people competing to stay at OKW. Surprisingly, DVC abandoned the offsite plans when the discovered how many resorts they could continue to build at WDW and still have people knocking each other down to buy. The concern now seems to be the reverse. Chances are very good that you will find somewhere at WDW even with very little notice but, as the popularity of Vero and HHI grows, thousands will be competing for the very limited villas at these resorts.

If you really enjoy these resorts, having home resort advantage is becoming more valuable.