VB---how do you stay?

[Johnnie Fedora]

Do you vacation at VB as its own trip, or do you only stay at VB pre or post WDW?

We are thinking about (mostly dreaming) an add-on at VB. I would like to use it as an alternate vacation location (i.e. a holiday vacation spot, Easter/Xmas/TG when the kids are out of school but WDW is to crowded to get your pass moneys worth). We own at HH and absolutely love it.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We stay 4 nights prior to our WDW stay. At least for now, that's how we'll keep it. I would have a hard time going to Florida on vacation and not visiting WDW.
We absolutely love our VB points!
We are affraid to try HH, as I'm sure I would want points there as well!...

 

[Guff]

We've done it a number of ways:
Fly into Miami (we're from the UK), few days at VB, up to OKW for a few days and then back to VB to finish.
Fly into Orlando (Sanford for pref), then OKW then VB.
Sanford, OKW, cruise, VB, Sanford.

So many combinations. The only one I wouldn't repeat as the first, via Miami. Having found Sanford I try to avoid Orlando International if I can.

Gareth

 

[Patricia]

We have visited Vero 5 times so far, once each summer for the past 5 years. All but one of those times we went to Vero after a week at WDW. I love the idea of going to the relaxing Vero after the fun and running around at WDW. One trip we only did Vero and it was wonderful too!I have to confess though, we did drive up and do the MK for the day. I just couldn't take it! This summer we are doing WDW for 6 days and Vero for 5 afterwards.

 

[ncligs]

Johnnie,

We have been to HH and love it also, but you will really fall in love with VB once you try it. We have done both. VB first then OKW, and VB by itself. Any combination would be fine.

In the summer of 2004 our family (4 DVC members) are putting our pts together to get 2 Beach Cottages at VB.
The advantage that VB has over HH is you really never have to leave the resort at VB. The ocean and pool are with in 3-5 minute walk from where ever you are staying (Inn or villas).The pool is probably the best of all DVC pools

except for the SAB.

 

[Pinnie]

August is going to be our first stay at Vero and we decided to try it this way.

Thurs - Sunday - All Star Movies (Got the AP rate

Sunday - Tuesday - Vero with friends so we got the 2 bedroom

Tuesday - Sunday - OKW with friends and staying on HIS points in a 2 bedroom.

I am kind of excited to try sandwiching Vero in between WDW and Drum Corp finals.

pin
remember the magic
DVC/BCvs 2002

 

[Tagrel]

We will be going to Vero mid trip. Starting at VWL, then Thurs - Sunday at Vero, and then returning to BCV. Can't wait to try Vero!

 

[CarolMN]

This December will be the third time I have stayed at VB, and the first time I have used points. For each trip, we have/will stay only 2 - 4 nights prior to our WDW visit.

While I think the resort is absolutely gorgeous, unless you are wild about swimming/sun bathing (I'm not), I think more than 3 nights there is just too much. IMHO, VB makes a great before or after add-on to a WDW trip, but doesn't offer enough for more than that unless you are willing to spend a lot of time visiting other places in the surrounding area. YMMV.

P.S. You may want to keep in mind that this is the opinion of someone from Minnesota (the State of Hockey - Go WILD!) who thinks large bodies of water are for fishing, ice skating or hockey, and temperatures over 75 degress are akin to spending time in H---E---double hockey sticks!

 

[SnowWitch]

We have also done this several ways. But we generally do Vero when we're doing US/IOA. We spend 3-4 nights at US/IOA and then move over to VB for a week.

Last summer I got a little tired of IOA/US and wanted to skip it this summer so we're doing VB for 7 nights.

We love the relaxing feeling at VB and after doing Disney and US/IOA 2-4 times a yr for the last 7 years we don't mind taking a laid back lay on the beach listen the waves vacation.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

We will be staying at Vero for a few days after our 7-day cruise this Nov. I am really looking forward to it. What appeals to me about VB is the option of a spring trip (March/April) somewhere warm. WDW is too crowded for my liking at springbreak time. Is the 11 month window a must for VB springbreak trips? I think it would be.

Also, I think the 11 month will be a necessity for both Vero and HH as the total DVC membership grows. More people will want to vacation at the offsites, especially at peak times. Saratoga will likely be huge and add a lot of new members.

We are considering an add-on at VB possibly through a resale, but need to wait till after a refinance to check if it is in the budget.

 

[natt]

These suggestions have my wheels turning (again)! Living one hour from the beach makes it hard to justify going to Florida for a beach vacation. But I love the US/IOA combo idea! Hmmm, might be able to squeeze this into '04 or '05!?!

 

[Candace]

I have done it both ways - adding 4 days after a week at WDW in the summer, and also Vero by itself with all adults in a beach cottage in January. Next March, for my spring break (I teach), I am going with my mom and staying 5 nights in an ocean view inn room. She will probably complain about NOT being in the beach cottage again! I bought a 90 point add-on just for the 11 month booking window for spring break. That gives me 5 nights in the OV room, or by borrowing and banking, I can get the beach cottage for 5 nights in January. Even though I love HH and own points there, I really like not having to leave the resort at VB if I don't want to for restaurants and beach.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Last June our extended family drove down and started with 3 days at VB to get used to the summer heat near water before going to WDW. We LOVED it! We were really impressed with the layout of the resort and all there was to do. Other than a visit to the lounge (and how lovely it was), we prepared most meals in our room - we had a 2BR, and our BiL and nephew felt as though they were in the lap of luxury.

As an early riser, I have to say that there are not many sights that compare with sunrise on the beach (maybe sunset from the California Grill?!?!)

We saw many people who were wrapping up their WDW vacations at VB, but we liked it for a starter to get rested up from our long drive down from New England.

 

[madcoco]

We do things kind of differently being in FL most of the summer. We hop back and forth putting 7-10 days at VB in between WDW stays. A rental north of VB and relatives. Other times of the year I may stay 1-2 nights at VB when working in the area.

 

[mbhoxsie]

We've stayed at Vero Beach a few different ways......

Before going to the parks... After going to the parks, and also made it a seperate trip last year and stayed for 8 days...

IMHO, going to VB on any Florida trip has pretty much become a necessity lately...

 

[rwlyo]

We will be at Vero in less than a week! We'll be there from Sunday thru Friday (5-18 to 5-24). Normally, we do WDW first, then unwind at VB. This time we are spending the entire time at Vero. Relaxation is the goal! We will probably take a day and do something at Disney, but we're still trying to decide what that will be. This will probably be the last vacation that our daughter will be with us by herself, as she's getting married in '04. which will make this a special time.

 

[madcoco]

Welcome! Hope you enjoy your stay and personal time with DD.
Enjoy.

 

[vernon]

I've done HH as a "stand alone" vacation, but Vero is always as a 2-4 day stay before or after WDW.

 

[icydog]

Originally posted by natt
These suggestions have my wheels turning (again)! Living one hour from the beach makes it hard to justify going to Florida for a beach vacation. But I love the US/IOA combo idea! Hmmm, might be able to squeeze this into '04 or '05!?!

What is US/IOA anyway?
Do any of you Vero owners want to swap for WDW location so I can get a beach cottage for spring break 2004?

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by icy-dog
What is US/IOA anyway?
Do any of you Vero owners want to swap for WDW location so I can get a beach cottage for spring break 2004?

icy-dog

US/IOA= Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
Sorry can't help with your request.......we are reserving a Beach Cottage for 4th of July week at VB in 2004.