Plz help me decide - Beach Club or Vero Beach?

[newmommy]

We are thinking of a mini-vacation - 3 nights, no parks! We just want to relax, swim, etc.

DS4 loves lazy rivers so... SAB looks good, but he also loves ocean waves, so... VB looks good, too. We were originally going to go on the 3-night Wonder cruise, but using points and cash, it is too expensive right now (still paying for DVC membership!)

I'm evenly split between the two because VB seems more relaxing and more similar to a cruise because of the beach and kids activities BUT... SAB looks so awesome and we like good food, which there is a lot of in the BC area.

What would you do?

 

[bobbiwoz]

When are you planning to go? I've seen VB's ocean be calm, but really you can't guarantee that it would be suitable for a 4 year old. I give the edge to BCV. I think we would be visiting Epcot at least, so it wouldn't be a no park trip.

We like them both, did a BCV/VB trip in June!

Bobbi

 

[newmommy]

We are planning April 24-27 (Thurs-Sun). I know that VB has availability as of yesterday, but haven't checked on BCV yet, so maybe there won't be a choice!

I'm getting a bit nervous hearing how strong the surf is at VB! Although DS probably wouldn't go in past his knees, judging from past experience, if it is really rough w/ a strong undertow, even that could probably knock him over!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Do you know that the lazy river part of SAB is deep? It's not a walkable lazy river.

We're bringing our DGC, they'll be 3, 4 and 5 to VB this June. The whole family will be watching them. They have enjoyed the Cape May NJ beach experience this summer, and we're hoping they do alright at VB too. At any rate the pool, and the pirate ship will give them lots to do...and also, just building sand things keeps them occupied as well.

Whatever you do, I think that April will be a lovely time to go!!!

Bobbi

 

[canals68]

My family and I love Vero Beach. Pool is great there. Not BCV pool, but still alot of fun. The waves will vary based on tides and it can be as calm as it is rough. The atmosphere is more tropical than BCV. You feel more like you are on a true beach vacation.

BCV are great, don't get me wrong. But it would be hard for me to go there and not go to a park.

 

[Halle]

Dining options in VB are a bit of a drive if that matters to you at all. We love the ocean and have been to VB the past three summers, waves are much calmer even at high tide than Cape May NJ. High tide at VB isn't like high tide in NJ.

 

[starbox]

If I wanted to relax, VB without a doubt. In addition to the ocean, there's a nice pool, and a cool pirate ship water playground-area for young kids. There is CS, TS and Signature dining on the resort, a pizza place right across the street, and lots of good dining about 10 minutes away in Sebastian.

There's no way I could stay at BWV or BCV and be content not going into the parks at all, I know I'd end up buying passes.

 

[newmommy]

I just read about the new Toy Story Mania attraction, I believe is very softly scheduled to open late April '08... hmmm that means if we stay at BCV and Toy Story Mania is open we would have to go to the parks. I tend to agree w/ several of you who said it would be very hard to be at BCV and not go to the parks. I'm worried if we stay there, no matter how hard I try to fight it, the draw to the parks will be too strong. But, oh, the food.... how bad is it at VB? I haven't really read any positive reviews about the onsite restaurants, and with a child with food allergies, I hesitate to go anywhere not Disney or not familiar to us!

 

[Miz Diz]

This is the exact same thing we have been trying to decide for April. Vero or BCV? We finally decided Vero because we've never been and thought we would give it a try. We like to do at least 1 beach trip a year anyway. AND we know we would end up in the parks if we go to BCV.

Whatever decision you make, you will have fun!

 

[gracelrm]

We've been to both VB & BCV and I must say we love them both. I would probably vote for VB for you for this trip for a couple of reasons. SAB is absolutely fantastic, but it is so big and so deep in some places - I would worry about having a young, non swimmer there. This past June, we were there with our 3 kids and I watched DS7 like a hawk the entire time. It was busy and crowded and it was hard to keep up with him at times. We did not use the kiddie part of SAB - so maybe if your child would be happy in that area, it wouldn't be so nerve-wracking keeping track of him/her. VB for pool purposes, it is very easy to supervise the kids without staying a foot away from them at all times. The activities at VB are great for kids too. It is such a relaxing place.

The food at VB is fine, but not outstanding. There are places nearby that are also good and I think almost any eating establishment now days must cater to food allergies - it's too big of a risk not to!

If the beach movie thing is still going on at BCV - that might be another plus for it. That might be a nice diversion from the parks in the evening.

Either way - you can't go wrong!

 

[newmommy]

Thanks for all of the helpful comments so far... such a hard decision and one I feel very fortunate to "have" to make

I think we are leaning towards VB at this point.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Well... you know I'm going to be unbiased... No, really... starbox hit on the real thing... do you wan't to relax... and at the same time, your kids have a blast.... I mean VB has the best programs for kids. A four year old will have a blast in the zero entry pool at the pirate ship fun area... I can't actualy convey the wonderful times we have had at VB, but I can sure try. Give it a try.... You won't regret it.

Hey Starbox... missed you again, but glad to see you back in action.