Decided while we down in Ft. Lauderdale to see if we could book a 2BR at VB for one night on short notice. We called on Friday Nov 7 to see if anything open for Thurs Nov 13 and there was a 2BR open (there were other empty ones were noticed as well). VB appears to be at first glance a weekend heavier place - for example on Thurs night some of the Beach Cottages were empty but on Friday night they were all occupied
Anyways, DW and I decided we wanted to try out VB for a night to see how it was and if we could mix in the future WDW and Beach vacations together to create a more balanced vacation experience
We left WDW Thursday morning (skipped EMH at MK
) without going to the parks (horror of horrors) 
as we wanted to arrive at VB appx. noon or so
Took the 536 out to the 417 (more tolls this way but wanted to start the drive with minimal traffic) and all the way up to the Bee Line (why do they call it the Bee Line)
Drove across Bee Line to 95 South down to 512 and turned onto 510 over to A1A and then right into VB
The drive was great, fast and direct...
We drove up to the gate (no welcome home)
We strode into the lobbty (no Xmas decor was up yet) and took a look around and realised right away it was a nice resort. Received our room under room ready and were in the room #1411 by 12:30pm
The room was very very clean and in good shape - the sofa needed some help with some sagging and the chair needed to a refresh on the upholstery but the unit was in good shape overall. DW checked it out and said she liked it
We then got the kids ready (4yrs and other 5months) and walked over to Shutters for lunch after a quick check of the beach access and pool - lunch was good - DS#1 orderd Mickey Raviloi which he thought was a big joke. After lunch we dressed into out beach attire and went down to the beach for the balance of the day until close to sunset.
The surf was a decent size - waves 2-5 feet but it was going into low tide so there was a reasonable amount of room on the beach for the cabana, chairs and for DS#1 and I to build some sandcastles, and other structures
We all took turns swimming and playing in the water and all had a good time - DS#2 winced at the feel of sand on his feet but started giggling after a bit
The ocean temp was posted as 77 degrees and it was a great temperature
We then went up to the pool before 5pm, caught a chance to go on the slide and played some mini-golf. Debated later whether to drive out for dinner or go to Shutters and decided on staying in the resort so we could continue our relxing mini-beach vacation
The service at Shutters was great and the food was good with a decent sized selection - all were happy with their meals
The only noise we heard at night was some mtce. noise around the facility. The pillows on the beds were not very good and we noted that to the front desk on our departure the next day
We had breakfast in the room and organised ourselves for the 9am beach walk - well the surf was running 4-7 feet plus it was high tide so there was virtually no beach to walk on. DS#1 said he did not want to go on the beach so we played some more mini-golf and walked out under the street across to the lake and back - hunting green footed monsters
We exited the room almost bang on at 11am and then spend the day at the pool and doing some of the activities - had lunch ordered at the pool bar and generally had a great day
DW loves VB since it gives her a "tropical" vacation experience that she cannot get at WDW or at my parents condo in Ft. Lauderdale...another validation for the DVC purchase
We stayed all day by the pool and we had an exersaucer for DS#2 to help keep him occupied when we could not hold him
We used the studios that they have as change rooms whilst the construction is going on and then went off to Shutters for a farewell dinner. DS#1 then used the pressed pennies machine and watched some Mickey Mouse TV whilst DS#2 received a pre road trip feed.
We left VB around 7:45pm very satisfied with out 1 night stay and discussing purchasing an add-on
Thanks
Jason
Anyways, DW and I decided we wanted to try out VB for a night to see how it was and if we could mix in the future WDW and Beach vacations together to create a more balanced vacation experience
We left WDW Thursday morning (skipped EMH at MK
) without going to the parks (horror of horrors) as we wanted to arrive at VB appx. noon or soTook the 536 out to the 417 (more tolls this way but wanted to start the drive with minimal traffic) and all the way up to the Bee Line (why do they call it the Bee Line)
Drove across Bee Line to 95 South down to 512 and turned onto 510 over to A1A and then right into VB
The drive was great, fast and direct...
We drove up to the gate (no welcome home)
We strode into the lobbty (no Xmas decor was up yet) and took a look around and realised right away it was a nice resort. Received our room under room ready and were in the room #1411 by 12:30pm
The room was very very clean and in good shape - the sofa needed some help with some sagging and the chair needed to a refresh on the upholstery but the unit was in good shape overall. DW checked it out and said she liked it
We then got the kids ready (4yrs and other 5months) and walked over to Shutters for lunch after a quick check of the beach access and pool - lunch was good - DS#1 orderd Mickey Raviloi which he thought was a big joke. After lunch we dressed into out beach attire and went down to the beach for the balance of the day until close to sunset.
The surf was a decent size - waves 2-5 feet but it was going into low tide so there was a reasonable amount of room on the beach for the cabana, chairs and for DS#1 and I to build some sandcastles, and other structures
We all took turns swimming and playing in the water and all had a good time - DS#2 winced at the feel of sand on his feet but started giggling after a bit
The ocean temp was posted as 77 degrees and it was a great temperature
We then went up to the pool before 5pm, caught a chance to go on the slide and played some mini-golf. Debated later whether to drive out for dinner or go to Shutters and decided on staying in the resort so we could continue our relxing mini-beach vacation
The service at Shutters was great and the food was good with a decent sized selection - all were happy with their meals
The only noise we heard at night was some mtce. noise around the facility. The pillows on the beds were not very good and we noted that to the front desk on our departure the next day
We had breakfast in the room and organised ourselves for the 9am beach walk - well the surf was running 4-7 feet plus it was high tide so there was virtually no beach to walk on. DS#1 said he did not want to go on the beach so we played some more mini-golf and walked out under the street across to the lake and back - hunting green footed monsters
We exited the room almost bang on at 11am and then spend the day at the pool and doing some of the activities - had lunch ordered at the pool bar and generally had a great day
DW loves VB since it gives her a "tropical" vacation experience that she cannot get at WDW or at my parents condo in Ft. Lauderdale...another validation for the DVC purchase
We stayed all day by the pool and we had an exersaucer for DS#2 to help keep him occupied when we could not hold him
We used the studios that they have as change rooms whilst the construction is going on and then went off to Shutters for a farewell dinner. DS#1 then used the pressed pennies machine and watched some Mickey Mouse TV whilst DS#2 received a pre road trip feed.
We left VB around 7:45pm very satisfied with out 1 night stay and discussing purchasing an add-on
Thanks
Jason
