VB/HH question

[vcasey]

I'm considering adding on 50 points with Magical Beginnings. Home resort now is BWV and becuase of my daughter's school and activities we always vacation during the summer. Typically we like to do 5-6 days WDW and 2-3 days at a 'beach'.

Summer 2002 we'll do our first trip to Vero. My first thought was to make the add-in points at Vero but was also curious about HH. And thought some years we'd drive down and split between HH and WDW instead. Its a hard call not having seen either, but my rep suggested since I vacation in the summer make the add-on HH because its harder to get in there in the summer and that would give me the 11 mo advantage when I do want to go there and also I'd save on maintenance. She said I shouldn't have issues getting into Vero at the 7 mo. point during the summer. So.. my question of all my fellow DVC members is do you agree with her advice? I'd also welcome any comments pro or con on either resort.

 

[PamOKW]

From what I've seen on these boards that sounds like good advice. HHI is a real summer resort and has some months in the winter where it isn't all that appealing making the prime times very desirable and the competition tough. Vero, on the other hand, is really off-season in the summer months. The number of people who combine it with a WDW vacation has reversed this for the Disney resort but, in general, it's not as popular as the winter months.

 

[RobDoc]

You got some good advice ( from both your guide and PamOKW). Vero's busy season is during the winter months, when us snowbirds like to find a warm stretch of beach. HH definitely has a busy summer season and while 7 month reservations may be found, they are definitely NOT a sure thing. VB is much more easily accessible in the summer than HH.

Enjoy!

 

[BobH]

Seeing that you are from New Jersey you may wish to consider Vero because the weather will be warmer for more months of the year than Hilton Head. I imagine swimming at Hilton Head is out of the question in Jan-Feb-March whereas Vero would be warmer at those times. It is a completely personal decision, however. I booked Vero Beach last June and was told the resort was completely full the first week of June. Member services told me I got the last room. The other consideration is proximity to the beach. Vero is right on the beach. Hilton Head is not. The beach is a mile away.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Vero is right on the beach. Hilton Head is not. The beach is a mile away.

Only a small part of Hilton Head is on the beach, there is a nice beach house with a pool, kids play area with water jets, changing areas, lounge area and food service that is serviced by a van that runs between the resort and the beach house. But the main resort is on the other side of the island, and you can actually pull your yacht up to a dock there. Are you planning on taking your yacht on this vacation?

My advice is like that above, buy at the resort which will be hardest to get into during the peak seasons you plan to vacation. Demand for HH is pushed towards the summer. Vero point requirements are cheaper in the summer. One option might be for you to go to the rental board and rent some points and then take a vacation split between the two resorts so you can make a comparison decision and be happy with your eventual purchase for the next 40 some years.

 

[sumessefui]

Your guide gave you good advise if you vacation in the summer. Also, being from NJ, it is an easier drive to HH than Vero. We own at OKW and have been to both HH and VB. We like VB, but only for 2-3 nights. HH we like to make a primary vacation and stay for 6 nights, so that is where we did an addon. But everyone has different likes.

 

[Dean]

I'd agree, for all of the same reasons as above. HH is much closer to you and you could combine it with a drive trip if you decided to stop there. VB will not be that difficult to get into during the summer unless you want a Beach House. It's especially easy for studios/Inn rooms.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

We were trying for May 1 bedroom dates and were told that they were filled up. I wonder if the availability will be less as the resort nears being sold out. But Summer being less points may be an indication your right that there is more avaialbility.