Still planning on VB Resort?

[AmyBeth68]

I just want to preface my question by saying that my vacation, obviously, is so much less important than what so many folks (including family of mine) are going through currently in Florida. I am sickened about how much suffering and destruction everyone has had to put up with, particularly in the Vero Beach and surrounding area. It's so sad!

But I do have a vacation decision to make . We just bought a resale and plan to visit WDW in late April. Our closing will be finalized today so I hope to be able to make reservations in the next week or so through MS. Since we are less than 7 months out and it's a popular time to travel, we have to make our decisions pretty quickly. We had hoped to stay at VB for four days and WDW for four days. I just can't decide if it is best to book VB right now? I really have no concept of how long they will need to repair the resort, surrounding areas, the beaches, etc. I know that nobody here has a crystal ball, but I'd be interested in hearing what others are planning to do. My gut tells me to go ahead and book it...that it's probably good for their local economy to have visitors to help off-set the extensive damage?! But I just don't know.

Again...sorry if this question sounds insensitive . I truly can't imagine what everyone is going through in Florida!

 

[kweaver]

We have reservations for VB (our first visit ever) for April 2005. As of now, we're still planning on going. I'm not concerned about the condition of the resort, or even the restaurants or local attractions. I think they will be cleaned up and/or rebuilt before then. However, I am concerned about the quality of the beach...the amount of erosion (it isn't a very wide beach to begin with).

If the hurricanes had only hit Florida's east coast, I'd probably be pushing to rent some of our points and go to the gulf coast (Destin, Ft. Walton, Gulf Shores) instead. Unfortunately, that area got hit by Ivan...so it's a mess everywhere.

We're still considering changing to HH...but the weather probably won't be as nice there. We were spoiled with a cheap Priceline spring break deal at the Marriott Grand Hotel last year. The price was right and the weather was fabulous!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have VB ressies for late May and for August '05. We're keeping them and hoping for the best.

Bobbi

 

[AmyBeth68]

I agree about the beaches . We live in NJ and a few years back we had some terrible Nor'Easter storms that decimated our beaches. When we went for our annual beach trip there was just a narrow cliff of sand where the beautiful beach had been. You could fit maybe one beach chair in our beach area! I guess a lot depends on the weather over the next few months and how much sand the tides redeposit?! I had originally considered HHI for that week as well....but I guess the ocean is too cold to swim in at that time. Hmmmm....still trying to decide what to do.

 

[spiceycat]

Disney's VB will be opened - hurricane season ends Nov 30 - plenty of time for Disney to fix VB.

the problem will be the surrounding area. I would expect some of the property to be deserted - there is only so much a person can take. If you don't mind seeing the destruction of these monsters - then definitely go.

but don't go expecting VB to like it was before. That damage will take several years to fix. Especially the trees - if they fix the trees.

Although in some places the damage will be good thing - I know how can say that - Florida will I expect make more changes to its housing code - too many - far too many roofs were blown off. they will find someway to stop that from happening (see how much a dreamer I am) -

then instead of replacing mobile homes with mobile homes - they will find someway to make the manufacture homes better and perhaps some people will now have enough money (with the government help) to get a real house. Of course many of these people will leave FL - as I say there is only so much a person can take.

 

[AmyBeth68]

I agree Pat...I think lots of folks will move out of FL . My Aunt is 80 and lives in Jensen Beach. These past few weeks have really taken their toll on her and my cousins. It is so stressful...I think lots of people are still in such shock!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

You see, I have this blind faith in Disney that says "If the resort is open, than you can expect a Disney quality experience."
Is that naive, or perhaps just wishful thinking? Perhaps, but I'm goin' with it!

Have a great trip!

MG

 

[spiceycat]

Disney quality will be there - no doubts - but Disney can only control their property and they have some poorer neighbors.

if don't plan on never leaving the DVC property

no take that back - I think even the DVC property will be lacking trees - for a long time.

 

[JimB.]

I'm sure the physical property will be in shape very shortly. perhaps minus some "mature" landscaping.

My big concern is the shape of the beach. It is (was?) very narrow down there, & I'm sure it could not take much storm-inflicted abuse.

Up here in St. Augustine, we had a $20 million beach renourishment completed about 2 years ago.

Every, & I mean EVERY bit of it is gone. I shudder to think what happened on the coastal areas that took the brunt of the force.

Hopefully, the federal government will put beach repair high on the list......................

 

[thegoods]

Please consider keeping your reservations. The CM's and other staff want you to come so that their lives can get back to normal. Surrounding restaurants and businesses will want you to come as well. So what if the beach isn't perfect. There is no doubt the resort will be back to Disney standards and you will still have a great time.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Originally posted by thegoods
Please consider keeping your reservations. The CM's and other staff want you to come so that their lives can get back to normal. Surrounding restaurants and businesses will want you to come as well. So what if the beach isn't perfect. There is no doubt the resort will be back to Disney standards and you will still have a great time.

That is what I was thinking. I'm sure that tourists dollars will help...I'm pretty certain that we will try to make reservations for Vero. Besides....we have been wanting to take the kids to see Kennedy Space Center and this might be a good opportunity. I've also heard that the pool area and CMs at VBR are really wonderful.

 

[Par8hed]

I would encourage everyone who has reservations at VB to CANCEL THEM AT ONCE!



(...there now, that ought to help me get off that @#$% waitlist..)

 

[nickglover]

we plan to be there november 7-10 and we plan to have a good time...I will be sure to post a report as to what we find

Nick in Tampa

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by JimB.
Hopefully, the federal government will put beach repair high on the list......................

Uhm, I'd rather they put people, rebuilding homes and businesses first. No one *needs* beachfront property.

-Joe

 

[AmyBeth68]

Originally posted by Par8hed
I would encourage everyone who has reservations at VB to CANCEL THEM AT ONCE!



(...there now, that ought to help me get off that @#$% waitlist..)

LOL . May I ask for what month you are on the waitlist? I'm just hoping that we can even get ressies for late April at VB!

BTW....we LOVE Jimmy too!

 

[Snowgod]

No one *needs* beachfront property

Except of course for the business owners and their families, the tourists who expect to find a nice beach, and the turtles who need to lay their eggs. The Florida legislature is already working on finding the money to restore the beaches according to the Fort Pierce Tribune.

 

[spiceycat]

hey the army cor of engineers a few years go - spend time, money on putting Miami's beaches back.

I know the gulf (Panhandle) just in 2002 put their beach back and now this.....

they spend several million dollars on it too.

 

[jbthi]

Nick,

We're going to be there Nov. 6 thru 13th. Taking friends who have never been there. Hope the beach isn't too bad.

June

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I'm planning to keep my Vero Beach ressie for mid-November IF they're open by then.

We'll be spending 7 nights at WDW, then 3 at Vero Beach. We plan on resting, relaxing and enjoying the slower pace at Vero. We probably won't leave the property while we are there so the condition of the surrounding area will not affect our travel plans.

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Mom & I are still planning to book VB in October for May 20th to 22nd.

Allison