Grills at VB

[EAP'sDAD]

Has anyone ever grilled out at VB. I see that it states there are grills to use but I don't see them on the map. Was just wondering if there are tables to eat out at if you do try and BBQ.

 

[TinksDH]

We were there just last week and used the grills. The grills are across the road from the resort and surrounding the pond area and in the woods near the overflow lot and tennis courts. They are your standard metal box with thick rod grate charcoal grills, but work fine. There are picnic tables around that area as well, but we ate back at our cottage instead. Figured it was easier sending two adults over there, grill 5 steaks, and bringing them back than trudge 7 people plus all food/drink/plates over there to eat. If we were just doing burgers/hotdogs, that may have been a different story.

If I recall correctly, in years' past I though the grills used to be on the resort side of the road scattered throughout the property. I asked a CM where they were and they said that for fire reasons they need to be across the street. I find that odd as they have the 'smores campfire singalong a few times a week, but I guess since CM's are tending to the fire they can cover that liability, while a careless guest burning down a lodge would be too much risk!

It only took ~5 minutes or so to walk from our cottage through the property, under the road via the tunnel, and to the grills, another 15 minutes to light/prep the charcoal, another 15 minutes to cook, and 5 minutes to get back so it wasn't too big a deal. The steaks were still plenty warm. Make sure to wear bug spray around the pond as the no see 'ums are thick!

 

[Dean]

There have never been grills on the ocean side. They didn't have grills at all until maybe 1999 and they were put in apparently in part due to my problems there.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

What would be those problems???

 

[photobob]

We grilled over there in June as well. Closer would have been nicer but it was fine.

 

[Dean]

What would be those problems???

I've told the story a couple of times in the past. We do a family trip about EOY and provide the lodging. In 98 we did so at VB with a group of family. We had planned for grilling for 2 nights, had made requests to be near the grills, had been told by a CM that "of course there were grills". So about 1 week before the trip and after we've bought Porterhouse steaks for 9 people for 2 meals, I'm just confirming that all is set. BTW, there aren't grills, we gave you the wrong info. Fortunately we had emails to confirm they had provided incorrect information. To their credits they got to work on it. I did offer to bring a small grill and cook them ourselves but they said no and with fire codes, appropriately so. They first gave me two options. I forget one but the other (and better option) was to pick up the steaks and cook them then return them. Given that timing is everything on such a venture I was not comfortable with those choices. They ended up treating us as a family to lunch including tip. We were treated royally. The manager was by every few minutes and were wonderful, as was our server. At the end of the meal was the first time I hadn't see the manager and I wanted to get an idea of the total so I could leave a tip. He said no, the tip was also covered. I discussed that our server did a great job and I wanted to make sure she was appropriately rewarded and he said not to worry, she had been well taken care of. I felt DVC came through with flying colors and did everything in their power to rectify a situation they couldn't truly change otherwise. It's that and MANY smaller but similar acts over the years that prevent me from being too judgmental on them when some things don't go as well as planned.

 

[TinksDH]

Thanks for clarifying the lack of grills on the ocean side, Dean. I had thought that they were there, but you sound like you know much more about the grills than I would care to!

I also thought they used to have hammocks around the property nestled in the trees near the villas, and I didn't see them there this time either. Am I going crazy, or did I just miss them?

 

[Dean]

Thanks for clarifying the lack of grills on the ocean side, Dean. I had thought that they were there, but you sound like you know much more about the grills than I would care to!

I also thought they used to have hammocks around the property nestled in the trees near the villas, and I didn't see them there this time either. Am I going crazy, or did I just miss them?

There were a couple of hammocks at one point beside the walkway parallel to the beach. I think the first grills were added 1999.