Should I purchase Vero Beach or Hilton Head?

[SpaceMountain77]

Hi everyone, I am in the process of finalizing my DVC home resort decision. Right now, I am torn between Vero Beach and Hilton Head Island. For me, I do not need the 11-month advantage at Walt Disney World because I will likely visit the beach, Disneyland Resort, and WDW Resort equally over the course of my membership. Actually, I suspect that I will spend more time at the Disneyland Resort and beach.

I know there is a significant difference in dues, but is one resort/beach location more popular and desirable?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[WsPrincess]

I am new to this but I think if you plan to visit Disneyland you should really consider buying there. It is small and hard to get into from what I have read.

 

[erionm]

Honestly, you should not purchase at Vero or Hilton Head unless you are planning on staying at that resort. Any savings in purchase price will be eaten away by the higher dues.

There are only 48 units at the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian. If you plan on staying there, you should consider purchasing there.

 

[ELMC]

Hi everyone, I am in the process of finalizing my DVC home resort decision. Right now, I am torn between Vero Beach and Hilton Head Island. For me, I do not need the 11-month advantage at Walt Disney World because I will likely visit the beach, Disneyland Resort, and WDW Resort equally over the course of my membership. Actually, I suspect that I will spend more time at the Disneyland Resort and beach.

I know there is a significant difference in dues, but is one resort/beach location more popular and desirable?

Thanks,
Jim

In addition to what the previous posters have said, I would look at what times you want to stay at VB and HHI. If they are not high demand times and you think that you can get in there at 7 months, I would suggest buying at WDW. It will help you on the years you do want to stay there and the WDW resorts have much lower maintenance fees than the beach resorts. And...if you want to stay at VGC you should really buy there. Good luck!

 

[chalee94]

I will likely visit the beach, Disneyland Resort, and WDW Resort equally over the course of my membership. Actually, I suspect that I will spend more time at the Disneyland Resort and beach.

your somewhat optimistic notion that you'll routinely grab a villa at the VGC at the 7 month window suggests that you may want to do some additional homework.

IMO, it sounds like you are asking for a lot of frustration and disappointment...

And...if you want to stay at VGC you should really buy there.

and generally be able to plan and book 10-11 months out...

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Honestly, I have conducted several fiscal analyses on the various DVC properties and called member services a few times this week to inquire about availability at different times during the year.

I am looking to purchase 100 points, so that I can stay 7 days and 6 nights in a deluxe studio during Adventure, Choice, or Dream season. At WDW, because of their size, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs are generally all available during the times I am looking to book. A deluxe studio can be booked at Disney's Grand Californian if you are looking for just a night or two mid-week, which works well for me.

I have been to both Vero Beach and Hilton Head and like both; I do not have a strong preference either way. If one is generally harder to book in the summer, I would prefer to make it my home resort.

 

[Tunseeker1]

Honestly, you should not purchase at Vero or Hilton Head unless you are planning on staying at that resort. Any savings in purchase price will be eaten away by the higher dues.

There are only 48 units at the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian. If you plan on staying there, you should consider purchasing there.

If you want to go to the beach then buy at the beach.

The "Higher Dues" everyone talks about are mostly vapor when talking about HHI.
HHI is $5.93
BWV,BCV,VWL are in the $5.50-$5.60 range.

30 cents a year will take a while to eat away at any savings.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Only problem is that HHI is not really on the beach. You have to take transportation over to the beach. And at VB, the beach is washing away.

I'd prefer Gulf Side Florida north of the Everglades.

Dues at VB is $7.12 for non-subsidized dues. BLT is $4.22. SSR is $4.73.

But if your heart is set on a Beach Cottage at VB, you need to buy there.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Just a FYI on the beach cottages at VB....even if one owns enough points to book one, it is still very, very hard to book as there are only a total of 6. I have read several reports of VB owners being shut out of a beach cottage on the first day of the 11 month mark. Just sayin....

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just a FYI on the beach cottages at VB....even if one owns enough points to book one, it is still very, very hard to book as there are only a total of 6. I have read several reports of VB owners being shut out of a beach cottage on the first day of the 11 month mark. Just sayin....

But if you really, really want a beach cottage, you are going to have to own at VB. You aren't going to get it for a week with HHI points.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

But if you really, really want a beach cottage, you are going to have to own at VB. You aren't going to get it for a week with HHI points.

True. But just because you own enough VB points to book one, doesn't mean it will be available. I know this can be said for all resorts, but especially so with the beach cottages as there are only 6. I would much rather rent from an owner and be guaranteed the reservation than to purchase VB points with the hopes of booking a cottage. MF's are just too high for me to take that chance.

 

[bfosbenner]

I personally would like to trade my VB points for those on the main property.
I bought for a good price 10 years ago not realizing the higher dues. The savings is gone now with the higher dues! Since I live at the shore, I dont plan on many visits to VB.
Resale for VB is low and the loss of perks for a resale purchase only protects Disney owned points for sale.

 

[k3chantal]

I would buy points at Grand Californian if you can. Disneyland is landlocked. There just isn't more space for Disney to build there unless they buy more land. It takes many points to stay at GC and demand is high. So being able to book at the 11 month window is important. The DVC property will probably remain unique; it seems like Disney is constantly building on the East Coast.

We have stayed at Vero Beach twice and have love our stays but I would never buy there because it is too far from the Disney parks. It is possible to stay there seven months out. We stayed one time in a two bedroom villa in July and one time in Deluxe studio in May.

If you want the a beach timeshare, there are many, even in Hawaii, that can be purchase for very little and the yearly dues are smaller.

 

[ELMC]

I personally would like to trade my VB points for those on the main property.
I bought for a good price 10 years ago not realizing the higher dues. The savings is gone now with the higher dues! Since I live at the shore, I dont plan on many visits to VB.
Resale for VB is low and the loss of perks for a resale purchase only protects Disney owned points for sale.

Sorry that things aren't working out for you, but thanks for sharing your experience to help others.

 

[bfosbenner]

Just my thoughts and experience...
In the long run, buy where you will stay the most.

 

[tikimimi]

I love both Vero and HHI. I like that Vero is right on the beach, but I love how peaceful HHI is - to me the most peaceful. However if you are not really planning n staying at either often, I would go with whichever has the best rate overall.

 

[tb1972]

I don't know if it was beginner's luck or not (we just joined DVC in Feb), but we booked VB seven weeks out for a week long stay in June. We had to get an inn room though it was OK for us.

Maybe if you aren't particular about the room type, you could have a good chance finding beach availability at the 7th month and choosing another home resort other than VB. I too love the beach but not more than Disney World and the high MF were a down side.

 

[job09]

I own at VB and I love it, beautiful, peaceful and lots of pool/beach fun. I bought a loaded contract at a great price and have had several wonderful vacations. That being said I do wish that I had bought at a resort with lower dues, but overall I still enjoy this purchase.

 

[cjsbmiller]

We are owners at VB and BWV and we have gotten the beach coattage both times we have requested it. Once over Easter Break and the second, this fourht of July week. That being said, it takes a lot of points and the dues are now very expensive IMHO. We love Vero and will keep coming here, but are very sad that Dodgertown is gone- well at least the minor league teams are gone- the facility still exists. It was one of the highlights of every trip to Vero, and definitely an inexpensive nights entertainment. We have been to HHI and yes it is a beautiful location but you need to take a shuttle, your car or bike to the beach. The beach area does have its own pool which is awesome, but I like the convenience of running back to the room to grab a bite to eat, a drink or even use my own villa's bathroom.