Ok beachy dvc experts....

[ree123]

Trying to put together a beach 4 nt getaway(shhhh-suprise) . Which is better and why? HH or VB? They both look GORGEOUS. If it helps, it would be me, hubby, 2 DD(ages 7, 11) prob getting 1 bedroom. Thanks!! PS Cant wait for AKV .....19 days!

 

[5forDiz]

For our family it would be HHI without hesitation. We do like VB but HHI. Abundance of restaurants on HHI, prefer beach there and really like the overall atmosphere of the resort. Even though the resort itself is located on intracoastal we don't mind going over to the Beach House when we want the ocean, the Beach House is a great oceanfront oasis typically less crowded than the more lively Big Dipper Pool area by the villas.

Have fun planning

 

[ree123]

How far at HH would it be to get to the beach from the rooms? I cant believe all the activities for us and the kids!

 

[5forDiz]

How far at HH would it be to get to the beach from the rooms? I cant believe all the activities for us and the kids!

I'd say about 1/2 - 3/4 mile. There is shuttle that runs to/from Live Oak Lodge; when we were there 3 weeks ago Beach House hours were from 8am - 8pm and shuttle time was listed from 10am - 5pm ( I think BH hours are shortened during cold weather months, not sure how they adjust shuttle schedule then ). We usually drive to Beach House ( there's parking ) but many bike over or walk.

 

[Dean]

I'd say about 1/2 - 3/4 mile. There is shuttle that runs to/from Live Oak Lodge; when we were there 3 weeks ago Beach House hours were from 8am - 8pm and shuttle time was listed from 10am - 5pm ( I think BH hours are shortened during cold weather months, not sure how they adjust shuttle schedule then ). We usually drive to Beach House ( there's parking ) but many bike over or walk.

It's right at 1.2-1.25 miles but will vary a little depending on where you start at DVC HH.

If beach is what you're interested in for a 1 BR for summer using DVC points, I'd go with VB. If you want more activity and restaurants with a beach option, I'd go with HH.

 

[5forDiz]

It's right at 1.2-1.25 miles but will vary a little depending on where you start at DVC HH.

If beach is what you're interested in for a 1 BR for summer using DVC points, I'd go with VB. If you want more activity and restaurants with a beach option, I'd go with HH.

Dean I just called youngest DD over to read your post, she was reading over my post on distance and she said "no way, I don't even think BH is half a mile away". Oh how that girl loves to be right !!

 

[ree123]

Any good links to threads with pix?

 

[5forDiz]

Good stuff here

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2329998

 

[Dean]

Dean I just called youngest DD over to read your post, she was reading over my post on distance and she said "no way, I don't even think BH is half a mile away". Oh how that girl loves to be right !!

Map it for yourself. Here's a quote from one of the Disney pages about the resort.

Disney's Beach House (one mile away from Resort) dining options include...

and from Wikipedia plus another page with the same info

Disney Beach House in Palmetto Dunes, which is about a mile-and-a-half away.

 

[5forDiz]

Map it for yourself. Here's a quote from one of the Disney pages about the resort.

and from Wikipedia plus another page with the same info

Thanks, showed her & she's concluded that it must have seemed closer to her because 'young people think things are not as far off as they actually are'

 

[Dean]

Thanks, showed her & she's concluded that it must have seemed closer to her because 'young people think things are not as far off as they actually are'

It's probably a little further than the maps show due to the way the addresses work with the maps. Door to door it's likely closer to 1.5 miles. We just bought a condo at Villamare which is right next to the DVC beach house. It sure seems that far if one is walking or biking it in the heat of the summer.

 

[RobDoc]

Dean is right. If you are driving from the DVC resort, it is a little over a mile from the resort gate to the Beach House parking lot. If you are walking or biking is will be 1.5+ since you need to use the underpass to cross Rte 278 (the underpass is about 1/4 mile north of the Palmetto Dunes traffic light).

Also, please be aware that bikes/pedestrians do not have the right-of-way in crosswalks at HH. Cars do not need to stop, so be cautious when crossing roadways. There are lots of bike/walking paths all over the island, but when those areas cross roadways/driveways bikes do need to yield to autos.

Enjoy!

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks, showed her & she's concluded that it must have seemed closer to her because 'young people think things are not as far off as they actually are'

You know, of course, that she was right either way?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'd pick VB, because I like the being right on the ocean.

Bobbi

 

[dvcterry]

we love vero but would vote for HHI! there is a buzzer at the beach house, if you need the shuttle after 5 p.m. they'll pick you up. there are many restaurants around the marina to choose from. we walked around there at night and depending on when you go they have live bands on the patios. there are tons of activities, if you call the front desk they can email you the weekly resort activities sheet. they have a teen movie night too, and activities for the older children. lots to do! or just hang out in a hammock! we can't wait to book for next year~HHI here we come!

 

[dvcterry]

oops! i forgot to mention that you can rent bikes daily or weekly at HHI

 

[MinnieGi]

Our family (kids 10 & 6) LOVE HHI!!!! There are so many fun activities at the resort, the cm's are the BEST, the island itself is wonderful with lots to do, love the beach and beach house!!!

 

[Halle]

We love both resorts for all the reasons that have been stated. VB does not have lifeguards on the beach and HHI does. For me that is a big concern because we love to spend the day frolicking in the waves.

 

[Anal Annie]

Trying to put together a beach 4 nt getaway(shhhh-suprise) . Which is better and why? HH or VB? They both look GORGEOUS. If it helps, it would be me, hubby, 2 DD(ages 7, 11) prob getting 1 bedroom. Thanks!! PS Cant wait for AKV .....19 days!

Is this for a summer trip?? If not, then Vero MIGHT be just a little warmer off-season as it's just a little further south.

Having done both resorts now I think we preferred HHI over Vero bcuz there is NOTHING going on in the VB area. Everything closes by 9:00. We're late eaters & had a hard time finding anyplace to eat at Vero that wasn't sweeping up the floor around us at 8:00. HHI has a lot of good restaurants to choose from that are open until 10-11:00. Neither place has a real boardwalk atmosphere though. (Our local Maryland / Delaware beaches that we're used to have boardwalks & amusements and neither HH or VB have anything like that.)

As far as BEACHES go I also give the nod to HHI. It is very wide & has a lot of space for you to set up camp without being right on top of the next guy. The waves were pretty mild tho (DH & DS were hoping for a little more boogie board time). The waves at VB were almost TOO rough when we were there - they were breaking onshore & every time I tried to go in I got pounded. I don't care for that either. While the Vero resort is very beautiful & it's nice to be located right ON the beach if you're going for the beach time itself I'd say HHI has the better beach.