Double post

[chrissyk]

Double post

 

[bobbiwoz]

Mickey Bars are all the ice cream that I need!

We enjoyed the meals at Shutters, breakfast more than lunch, but I would like a more varied menu.

I don't know enough about storm protection policies to comment. We too, own at VB, and I just assume that Disney does what it needs to do. I think the doors are very heavy, I use the HC button to open it.

Bobbi

 

[chrissyk]

bobbiwoz, VB resort should be MUCH better protected for where it is located. Disney is meeting code, but that does not mean that they should not invest in hurricaine protection. DH and I couldn't believe our eyes when we saw the shingle roof and the unprotected windows. Yikes! No wonder this place took such a hit last year Accordian shutters would not detract from the overall appearance of the building, and they would go a looooong way towards protecting the structure in a hurricaine. I'd rather pay an assessment for accordians once than pay an assessment to meet a huge deductable to rebuild the building entirely!

Also, a shingle roof in this area is just asking for trouble. We do have one on our house, but only because it was a brand-new roof installed the month before we closed and roofers are impossible to come by out here still. If we lose so much as a few shingles in a hurricaine, we're upgrading to a metal roof as soon as we can get one installed. Also, there was a really long window to get hurricaine shutters installed this year (18-20 weeks), so we bought our own materials and we're doing them ourselves. There is no excuse for leaving a property unprotected out here VB is a very nice resort. I hope that it's still standing the next time we want to go down there

Also, I agree that breakfast at Shutters was OK (but that they could use a more varied menu). It was lunch that was beyond bad. I just can't believe it...how on earth do you screw up tuna fish

 

[thegoods]

Don't worry about the resort with regard to hurricane protection. It was constructed according to post Andrew Florida Building Codes. It is all masonry and concrete under its decorative facade. The windows made it through the 120 MPH winds of Jeanne in the Vero area. The roof is fine and because it is made of asphalt shingles, it is cheaper to replace. There were many tile and metal roofs that failed during last year's storms and they will be more costly to repair than shingles. Water damage was/will be the main concern for the resort during hurricanes.

 

[chrissyk]

Don't worry about the resort with regard to hurricane protection. It was constructed according to post Andrew Florida Building Codes. It is all masonry and concrete under its decorative facade. The windows made it through the 120 MPH winds of Jeanne in the Vero area. The roof is fine and because it is made of asphalt shingles, it is cheaper to replace. There were many tile and metal roofs that failed during last year's storms and they will be more costly to repair than shingles. Water damage was/will be the main concern for the resort during hurricanes.

Doesn't post-Andrew code mandate shutters for all windows? That's what we were told. Also, post-Andrew code wasn't enforced for anything permitted before 2002, so if they did build to that code, they did it voluntarily. Our house was built pre-Andrew, so I'm not sure if the code allows hurricaine glass as opposed to shutters. I had heard that the update to the code requires shutters though.

I agree that tile roofs failed like crazy last year. I still think it's nutty when I see entire developments being built with tile roofs here However, I don't know of too many metal roofs that failed. If they did, it was likely because the windows were breached and the entire roof came off. Asphalt shingles are just asking for trouble/water damage in this area. We are still debating selling our Vero points because we just didn't like what we saw. The resort is beautiful, though.

 

[thegoods]

Doesn't post-Andrew code mandate shutters for all windows? That's what we were told. Also, post-Andrew code wasn't enforced for anything permitted before 2002, so if they did build to that code, they did it voluntarily. Our house was built pre-Andrew, so I'm not sure if the code allows hurricaine glass as opposed to shutters. I had heard that the update to the code requires shutters though.

I agree that tile roofs failed like crazy last year. I still think it's nutty when I see entire developments being built with tile roofs here However, I don't know of too many metal roofs that failed. If they did, it was likely because the windows were breached and the entire roof came off. Asphalt shingles are just asking for trouble/water damage in this area. We are still debating selling our Vero points because we just didn't like what we saw. The resort is beautiful, though.

The Florida Building Code (FBC) has been modifed several times since Andrew. I am not sure which revision required window protection since I was not working in Florida at the time. Window protection can include hurricane proof windows and window frames (Disney did this at VB) and is not limited to shutters (so I am told). However, because the resort was constructed according to the FBC, it also had to be designed according to coastal exposure design standards of the American Society of Civil Engineers. You should trust that the resort structural design is fine. All bets are off with a Cat 5 storm though. Again, water damage is the resort's primary nemesis.

 

[nickglover]

don't understand your problems with the shingle roof - a cat 3-5 storm is going to cause some roof damage no matter what, but my understanding is the structural integrity of the roof was not compromised significantly

I would have to look again at the windows, but as I recall they are very thick in the rooms (sliding doors) in the Inn - just realizing maybe the townhouses are not as thick, but again I don't think window breakage was a big problem last year, except....

The big exception of course was in the aesthetic design of the Inn with all the skylight windows up top - my understanding is most water damage in the Inn was caused by these windows breaking and water pouring in from the top - if DVC had a chance to start all over, they might have re-thought that aesthetic aspect

DVC is to be particularly commended for building back from the beach and leaving the natural vegetation barrier in place - in my opinion this saved the property from more extensive damage and allowed them to open by 11/5 last year - take a look at the damage in Destin where houses sit on the sand completely exposed - Seaside, FL set the standard for responsible seaside construction, and if followed, provides a great deal of safety and protection

we have never had a bad meal at Shutters, but usually do breakfast and dinner there - try the grilled fish sandwich or steak sandwich or any of the great pizzas and the caesar salad ....mmmmmmmmmm

I agree with your suggestion of an ice cream parlor at vb - they would make much more money - for the present we usually go to the store and get premium ice cream bars and then take them out to the back porch and sit in the rocking chairs

my wishes at vb would be for an ice cream/coffee parlor and an expanded gift store

 

[gppnj]

Just a general comment: I really enjoy reading trip reports.