VB Oct?

[EeyoreJMH]

Hi there!

My husband, mother, in-laws, and I are heading down to WDW for a stay at BWV in October during the Food and Wine festival. The other day we got to talking and all decided we'd like to extend our vacation outside of WDW. Originally we had planned on booking cabins on the DCL, but in the midst of doing so, we found out the Wonder had been chartered. Now we're thinking about heading over to Vero, since we've been told it's only about 90 minutes from WDW and it's the only DVC property we've never visited.

I was wondering if anyone might be able to tell me what Vero would be like in October. The DVC website says the temps can be in the 80's-- is this true? Would the ocean water be a swimmable temperature? (granted, it has to be better than MA). Does Vero do anything for Halloween? (we'd be there 10/29-11/1)

Also, has anyone reserved rooms on cash during this time of year? If so, any idea what the DVC rates might be or would renting points be a better option (this will be a weekend)? Our BWV stay is using most of our points, so these won't be an option (sigh-- never enough points )

I apologize for all thse questions, but I feel Vero is the one DVC property about which I am clueless Thanks in advance for any assistance!

 

[floridafam]

IMO, the best time to be at Vero Beach is October.

The weather is wonderful and the resort is not real busy compared to the spring/summer months. We have been at least 3-4 times in October.

Yes, they do special things for Halloween. They have activities scheduled throughout the day. Kids can makes masks, they have a costume parade, costume contest, cast costume contest, trick or treating, pumpkin carving contest, slime relays, etc.

They had a Halloween party at night with a DJ, complimentary cider and donuts, caramel apples and other things for sale at Bleachers.

They have several locations throughout the resort where kids can trick or treat. They dry the pirate ship play area and decorate it for Halloween.

I can't begin to tell you how much fun we had last year.


Also, we have some nights booked at a member discount of $135 per night plus tax for an inn ocean view room. You may want to call MS and see if there are still member discounts available and for what type of rooms. The Birnbaum discount may also be available that time of year-look for the coupon in the back of the Birnbaum book. I would book with the member discount, though.

We are going back again this year. The weather is always nice-not too hot or too cold. We only had a few showers last year that maybe lasted for an hour total. We just went to the Green Cabin Room while it rained and played checkers.

Here are some pictures from our last vacation. There may be a few from Vero at Halloween.

www.homepage.mac.com/energylab/PhotoAlbum2.html

 

[PamOKW]

Just to second Floridafam's comments about it being a great time of year. Vero is the start of the tropical part of Florida and stays warmer than Orlando all winter. October can be very summerlike. September can be hot. The water will be warm enough to swim....the water never gets colder than about 60 all winter.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by EeyoreJMH
..Also, has anyone reserved rooms on cash during this time of year? If so, any idea what the DVC rates might be or would renting points be a better option (this will be a weekend)? Our BWV stay is using most of our points, so these won't be an option (sigh-- never enough points )...

We ran the numbers on rented points vs rack rate at VB, and found that over the weekend it always pays to book rack rate or DVC discounted rate . October is super slow season in VB, so book thru MS and see if you can't get the DVC rate first. Otherwise, book at rack rate and check back for DVC rates. Even if you pay rack rate for the weekend nights, you'll still be better off than using points, plus you'll get daily mousekeeping.

VB is a beautiful resort. Enjoy your visit there.

 

[bobbiwoz]

floridafam, I enjoyed your pictures!

Bobbi

 

[floridafam]

I've got more Halloween pictures of VB. I'll see if my DH can post them tonight-they are on his computer.

 

[EeyoreJMH]

Floridafam-- I, too, must say wonderful pictures!

Everyone-- thank you for your tips and help. I called MS and was told that DVC rates were not available for our stay, but it is comforting to know that they may become available. (Sadly, I must have caught a MS castmeber on a Grumpy day). Thank you, pumpkinboy, for your thoughts on cash vs renting points. That was really helpful!

We have a fairly large group, so on a whim, we tried reserving the Beach Cottage on cash, but was told this was unavailable for cash reservations, although I could book it with points. Does anyone know if they are unable to rent this for points, would it eventually open up for a cash reservation? No big deal, we'd be quite happy with Inn rooms if that's all they have

At any rate, we're really determined to stay here now after reading the glowing reviews

Thanks again!

 

[pumpkinboy]

OK, so now I am at the office with my spreadsheet in front of me (finance geek that I am). Here are the weekend numbers, assuming adventure season points costing $10 a point (a rate at which many folks will rent to you), and taking taxes into account on the rack rate and DVC rate.

Garden View Inn Rm: pts $220; Rack $184; DVC $138
Ocean View Inn Rm: pts $230; Rack $201; DVC $151
Studio: pts $230; Rack $184; DVC $138
1BR: pts $430; Rack $279; DVC $209
2BR: pts $600; Rack $362; DVC $272
Beach Cottage: pts $1,070; Rack $781; DVC $585

So there you go. Pretty interesting, eh? (well, maybe interesting only to cheap, um frugal, finance geeks like myself).
There are even more anomalies in January, which for some reason is Dream season at VB, but low season for cash ressies. On 1&2BRs it can be cheaper to book even some weekdays for cash with DVC rate than to book for points. Plus last winter they were offering studios for $99 a night for Disney Visa cardmembers; and you get maid service with that.

As for the beach cottage opening up for cash ressies, I think under the member agreement, they must save the alloted points availability for members up until 1 or 2 months before the date, then they can open it up for cash. So maybe make your ressies now, then keep checking back for the beach cottage (in my dreams! those BCs are gorgeous!) every month or so. I think they try to hold onto them for points using members who need a whole week (which is as it should be ).

I hope my ramblings help clarify things for you. Have agreat time there!

 

[floridafam]

FYI,

I actually had a beach cottage booked for October with cash. I booked last October. At the time, it was available for both cash and pts for all dates between October 23 and November 2.


This is around the same time that we change our ressies and were offered the cash discount on the inn ocean view room.

I was rather surprised that the beach cottage and the discount on the inn rooms was available so far ahead.

 

[EeyoreJMH]

That chart was amazing! Thank you so much!!!

As she-who-plans-budgets (and itineraries!) for the three groups involved with this trip, I truly apprecaite your help

And yes, I agree, the villas should be kept for points first. I'm perfectly happy to take any "leftovers" with cash reservations

 

[floridafam]

A few things I have noticed about Vero in October.

It is less busy at this time of year than others.

The resort gets more crowded on the weekends.

The weather is usually perfect.

Last year, we had been there a few days when the CM working at Bleachers told us a huge group of high school kids were checking in for the FHSAA Swim and Dive Finals in Sebastian. I immediately thought this would ruin our trip.

The kids were so nice, friendly, they talked to my children and to adults around the pool. They were quiet at night and they made the Halloween party a lot of fun. It was a pleasure to have all of them staying there at the same time. I actually called the FHSAA and told them how wonderful and well behaved they were.

My DH was laughing because these 17 yr old kids kept calling me "ma'am"

The CM's at VB really make you feel like you are family.

 

[floridafam]

We are currently watching our video of our trip last October.

The pirate ship was completely decorated with cobwebs, skeletons, glow-in-the-dark things.

They had Halloween decorations throughout the property-tombstones, etc.

The DJ party lasted until 10pm. Many of the cast members joined in and were dancing. Everyone was having a great time.

All of the CM's at Shutters and Sonya's were in costume and they had a special Halloween dessert that night for the children.

I'll see if I can get my DH to put the video and some pictures on our website. He's studying for a test Tuesday so it might be a few days.

At the pirate ship, they were handing out glow-in-the-dark necklaces, Halloween stuff, tattoos (sp?).

I can't wait to go back!!!!!!!

That night, one of the CM's came up to my children and gave them each a gift and a hug and said she was going to miss them. I think DH was sad he didn't get a hug. Her Halloween costume was a Miami Dolphin's cheerleader (his favorite team)

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Not sure if this would help but there is a coupon in the Birnbaum's Official Guide for 20% off the rack rates in October. It's not the DVC 25%, but since that's not available, this one might be.

HBC

 

[EeyoreJMH]

Just had to say thanks again for all this wonderful info! We just reserved the last weekend in October in a Beach Cottage at the DVC member rate (yes!). I've been re-reading these posts and now we're even more excited

What a nice way to end a WDW trip!