VB 2013 Information & Adoration Thread ---CLOSED---

[amurphy369]

We will be there thur-sat(leaving early sat morning to head to wdw, so no character breakfast), but I will definately make resv, for the buffet thur. night! Thanks again

 

[kristenrice]

Out of the blue, our younger daughter said, "Mom, I want to stay at Vero Beach". So, like a good Disney mom, I go into planning mode.

Right now, we are planning a trip for 2014...but we're not sure when. We have three options:
1) Spring Break (April 6-11)
2) Early June, right after school lets out
3) October 19-25 (kids would only miss 3 days of school due to a teacher's convention)

The initial plan was a WDW trip from October 19-24 with my parents. We'd use all of our available 145 points in a value 2BR at AKV. Now, they are unsure if they will be able to go with us so I have decided to make plans without them.

I was thinking about adding some VB nights to a WDW trip in October. My thought is to fly down on Saturday and stay at an AKV standard studio for 4 nights (50 points) and then rent a car and drive to VB for 3 nights in a 1BR (71 points).

How is VB in October?? We own at HHI and the kids love the beach, but they haven't really done a lot of swimming in the ocean. They like the sand activities (biking, starfish hunting, etc). DD7 said it was the sandcastle slide that caught her eye! She wants to hang out at the pool. Being from Michigan, I am assuming that October will still be warm enough to swim, right? What if it isn't? What is there to keep the kids occupied for 2 days? After 4 days at WDW, which will probably be commando style, a little down time would be great.

Another logistical question...what is the chance of getting a 1BR for a Wed/Thu/Fri in October at the 7-month mark? I know that 1BR's at HHI are difficult because of the limited number. I see that VB only has 36 (which is still 15 more than HHI!) but do they go fast in October?

How is the drive to/from MCO? I'll look into two options...either rent a car at WDW and return it to MCO...or take DME to MCO, rent a car there and drive to VB from the airport. It will all depend on the price of the car and the flight times.

That's all I have for now. This trip is still early in the research and development phase so I am sure I'll have more questions later.

 

[laughinplace199]

I'm so happy I found this thread. We're staying at VB for the first time 8/27-8/30 and we're really looking forward to it.

there's a lot of great info/advice here, so I've got some reading to do!

 

[Happy99]

I am sure this question has been asked before but cannot find it in search

how hard is it to get VB at 7months during late June to the second week of August? That is when we can travel. I am considering it for 2014

Also what are your favorite things to do outside of the resort? DD would be happy sitting at the pool or beach every day. DS won't and looking at the activities there are a few he would really enjoy like archery and surfing. Just in case we may venture out a day or two

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Out of the blue, our younger daughter said, "Mom, I want to stay at Vero Beach". So, like a good Disney mom, I go into planning mode.

Right now, we are planning a trip for 2014...but we're not sure when. We have three options:
1) Spring Break (April 6-11)
2) Early June, right after school lets out
3) October 19-25 (kids would only miss 3 days of school due to a teacher's convention)

The initial plan was a WDW trip from October 19-24 with my parents. We'd use all of our available 145 points in a value 2BR at AKV. Now, they are unsure if they will be able to go with us so I have decided to make plans without them.

I was thinking about adding some VB nights to a WDW trip in October. My thought is to fly down on Saturday and stay at an AKV standard studio for 4 nights (50 points) and then rent a car and drive to VB for 3 nights in a 1BR (71 points).

How is VB in October?? We own at HHI and the kids love the beach, but they haven't really done a lot of swimming in the ocean. They like the sand activities (biking, starfish hunting, etc). DD7 said it was the sandcastle slide that caught her eye! She wants to hang out at the pool. Being from Michigan, I am assuming that October will still be warm enough to swim, right? What if it isn't? What is there to keep the kids occupied for 2 days? After 4 days at WDW, which will probably be commando style, a little down time would be great.

Another logistical question...what is the chance of getting a 1BR for a Wed/Thu/Fri in October at the 7-month mark? I know that 1BR's at HHI are difficult because of the limited number. I see that VB only has 36 (which is still 15 more than HHI!) but do they go fast in October?

How is the drive to/from MCO? I'll look into two options...either rent a car at WDW and return it to MCO...or take DME to MCO, rent a car there and drive to VB from the airport. It will all depend on the price of the car and the flight times.

That's all I have for now. This trip is still early in the research and development phase so I am sure I'll have more questions later.

October is the best or second best month to visit IMHO. The drive from MCO is about 2 hours taking the highway and about 2.5 taking the beeline (528) over to the coast and take A1A down the coast as the scenic route.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I'm so happy I found this thread. We're staying at VB for the first time 8/27-8/30 and we're really looking forward to it.

there's a lot of great info/advice here, so I've got some reading to do!

Got you on the roll call.

 

[caralyn817]

We'll be there from June 30-July 3rd. Can't wait!

 

[msaseifert]

We will be there June 23 thru June....cant wait!! Can someone give me info about the Pirate night dinner? I would really love the seafood buffet but the little friend my daughter is bringing with her cant stomach the smell of seafood....I figured pirate night might be best for all of us. THANKS!!

 

[kahrani]

I am thinking of adding on an extra weekend for our honeymoon and going to Vero Beach after WDW. We'll be there in January. Is it worth going then, or will it be too cold? Last time I went to Florida I was a kid, but I do remember going to the beach on the Atlantic coast and it being freezing (in November). It was much warmer on the Gulf side. It might be nice to just relax around the resort after our trip to WDW though.

What are the transportation options to get to VB from WDW and back to the airport, other than renting a car? Neither of us have driven on the other side of the road before, don't want to cause an accident!!

My other option is perhaps going to Universal for the weekend and staying at RPR. This is all only if I can change our flights, we saved so much money by renting points for our stay that now I want a few more days!

 

[DeeCee735]

Hi everyone

We've been DVC members for over 13 years and have talked about a visit to VB, but every time we plan a trip, we can't seem to pull ourselves away from WDW!
That said, I used the 11th month window to book our home resort for Easter break 2014 with the hopes that we'll be able to move to VB at the 7 month window.
Since we know nothing about the resort or the area, I'm hoping you guys can help a little??

What are our chances of getting a couple of week nights in a VB studio at the 7 month mark for Easter break next year, around the 15th of the month?

How are the studios? Size, beach front location, etc?

I'm a beach bum, husband is not. My intention would be a couple of hours in the morning on the beach, a few hours out and about, back to hanging on the beach at end of day. May I have some suggestions for what there is to do in the area?

Does the resort offer any tours, boating excursions, etc.?

What and how many types of restaurants are on property and what's/where is good to eat in the area?

Does the resort provide beach chairs/umbrellas for guest use or do we need to provide our own?

How far from Cape Canaveral is VB? And how far from WDW is VB?

Any help in planning our first trip is much appreciated!

Diane

 

[msaseifert]

We will be there June 23 thru June....cant wait!! Can someone give me info about the Pirate night dinner? I would really love the seafood buffet but the little friend my daughter is bringing with her cant stomach the smell of seafood....I figured pirate night might be best for all of us. THANKS!!

June 22 thru June 30....LOL

Also does anyone know if our DW annual pass will get us any discounts at vero? Wondered if we should take them with us??

 

[Pete W.]

Hi everyone

What are our chances of getting a couple of week nights in a VB studio at the 7 month mark for Easter break next year, around the 15th of the month?

Diane

We're BWV owners and we stayed at VB for 3 nights during Easter break this year. We checked-in on Good Friday (March 29th) and checked-out the day after Easter (April 1st). I called MS at 9am at the 7-month mark and was able to reserve a 2BR for the first 2 nights and had to waitlist the third night. 1BR, Studio, and Inn Rooms were all available all nights so I booked a studio and an Inn room for the third night as a back-up plan but approximately 4 months out the waitlist came through.

Based on my experience this year, I think you will be able to book a Studio at the 7-month mark but by all means call or book on-line as soon as your 7-month window opens.

 

[tchrrx]

We just spent three nights at Vero before our cruise on the Fantasy. Here are a few thoughts:

- Squid Lips key lime pie was great. The rest of the food was just ok. The service was awful.

- Shutters was amazing! They had the seafood boil that I'd been dreaming of. I wish we would have eaten there both nights of our trip.

- The campfire was a great way to end the evening.

- Rooms were spacious and nice.

- We stopped at Publix for sandwich fixings & cereal. It was great to spend the day on the beach or at the pool, then to head back to the room for lunch.

- We loved that the shrimp basket and kids meals came in sand buckets. We kept the buckets to take to Castaway Cay with us.

- I wish they had more free activities, such as the putt-putt, boogie boards, etc.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Checked into VB about an hour ago and having lunch on Green Cabin Room porch. The resort is absolutely beautiful.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Checked into VB about an hour ago and having lunch on Green Cabin Room porch. The resort is absolutely beautiful.

Sounds wonderful! Have a great stay.

 

[WolfpackFan]

We really lucked out on our room. We got Inn Garden View but our garden view has a very good view of the ocean. Now a question - what is the word on Squid Lips. We asked our waitress in the Green Cabin Room and she lives in Sebastian. She really doesn't like Squid Lips. She recommended Ocean Grill but we really don't want to go that fancy or expensive. Any advice on good seafood that isn't real expensive?

 

[tchrrx]

We really lucked out on our room. We got Inn Garden View but our garden view has a very good view of the ocean. Now a question - what is the word on Squid Lips. We asked our waitress in the Green Cabin Room and she lives in Sebastian. She really doesn't like Squid Lips. She recommended Ocean Grill but we really don't want to go that fancy or expensive. Any advice on good seafood that isn't real expensive?

I signed up for emails from Squid Lips and received a "buy one entree, get one free" coupon. However, our waitress was not very helpful or friendly. When she rang up our bill, she gave us 50% off of our DD's meal. So, DH had to wait for a manager to try to get the problem fixed.

The food was good, but the service was not. We loved the food at Shutters. I would recommend eating there.

 

[Hopefully]

We really lucked out on our room. We got Inn Garden View but our garden view has a very good view of the ocean. Now a question - what is the word on Squid Lips. We asked our waitress in the Green Cabin Room and she lives in Sebastian. She really doesn't like Squid Lips. She recommended Ocean Grill but we really don't want to go that fancy or expensive. Any advice on good seafood that isn't real expensive?

We enjoyed Cap't Hiram's in Sebastian on 2 different trips. Lots of folks think it is a "tourist trap", which it may be, but the food and atmosphere were good.
Also look at Mulligan's in Sebastian. We have not been, but it has an interesting menu.
I was not blown away by Squid Lips either, not sure if it is worth the hype.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Here is a link to some VB pictures I took today - VB pictures.

 

[stevescherer]

Here is a link to some VB pictures I took today - VB pictures.

Great photos, thanks much!

We'll be there on the 18th for the first time.

Can't wait!