Vero Beach Closed

[OKWJan]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...sep09,0,6808958.story?coll=orl-home-headlines - This article in the Orlando Sentinel today says Vero Beach will be closed until the end of September (at least). Sounds like the damage may have been worse than we thought.

Jan

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am sure they need some time to evaluate everything that might have to be cleaned up. Water damage could be pretty significant inside units too, not to mention the beach and roads.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I just saw that article this morning. I was wondering how VB made out.

 

[poohnpiglet3]

I guess it's lucky my vacation at VB doesn't start till Oct. 1st!

That is such a shame - especially for the CM's that work there and who will be without a paycheck when they probably need it the most.

Sherri

 

[chris1gill]

Didn't someone get a notice yesterday from DVC that the resort was opening Friday??? What was that about?!

 

[johare]

Originally posted by poohnpiglet3
I guess it's lucky my vacation at VB doesn't start till Oct. 1st!

Well since the first paragraph states that VB could "remain closed through the end of September or longer", it remains to be seen whether your luck is good or bad.

 

[lenshanem]

Oh, geez...

I wonder if DVC is gonna come out with some info or statement regarding how this is going to effect the point system. And how will this effect VB owners?

Almost a whole month! Now does anyone think borrowing will be suspended?!?

I'll be on pins and needles since I was planning on borrowing twice for next summer - one time to take in-laws, the next to take my family.

Is there enough availability within the other DVC resorts to compensate for an entire month gone at VB???

Oh, Ivan you better stay away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kid@heart]

I just spoke with MS and they're projecting VB to open 10/18/04. Had to change my VB 9/24-9/27 stay to BWV. We'll be back to VB next May!

 

[pattison]

We were going to stay at Vero for the weekend of 9/24 (using cash Disney Visa offer), after a 5-night stay at the BCV, but we just saw that it will be closed. I haven't heard from MS yet. My wife called, and all they said was that they would be refunding the money. We were hoping that they would offer us a great deal to stay at WDW for the weekend, even if it meant switching to a different resort for the weekend. Does anyone have experience with such matters? Is Disney likely to offer us any kind of deal to stay at WDW for the weekend since they're cancelling our Vero ressie?

 

[BeverlyJ]

Just spoken with MS and was given the following info regarding Vero Beach:

1. They are still assessing the resort.
2.They can't take reservations for 16th October or earlier at the moment.
3. People with ressies upto 30th Sept are being contacted to change/cancel their reservations
4. From 1st - 16th October they are not doing anything as yet!

I have a reservation for 8th - 11th October, so I am not really sure what to do. I can't change my flights (from UK). I have ressies for BCV from 11th.....there is no availability for DVC 1 beds at WDW for 8-11th.

My plan is to wait and see. I really don't think that Disney will leave us homeless the way that Charley and Frances have done to so many poor folks over there.

Should I be doing more? Anyone else due out there at the same time? What are you going to do?

 

[Happy2BGrumpy]

MS just called us; VB not taking any reservations until 10/19. We're now rebooked at our home BCV 9/12 - 9/17.

 

[mtdewhead]

Although there are no available DVC 1 bedrooms for the 8-11, perhaps they can work something out with a different size unit. Have you called MS to see if there is anything they can do due to the unusual circumstances, (special rate for a 2 bdrm) or if all else fails, you could book into a (dare I say it) a non-DVC resort for the 3 days prior to your BCV reservation.

They may be so overwhelmed with resv. changes right now that unless you specifically ask, they may not be offering. With all the people having to scurrey around and change reservations, I wouldn't wait and see, I'd get a resv. somewhere. Good Luck!

 

[lenshanem]

BeverlyJ, maybe this would be a good time to try a Universal hotel out!

I hope you get it worked out regardless. Best of luck!



Where are all these rooms coming from that people are getting rebooked into, such as the BWV and BCV mentioned? I thought everything was booked up for this time of year?

 

[kingbilly]

Thank you for contacting Member Services.

Our Disney Vacation Club Resorts at the Walt Disney World Resort experienced minimal damage as a result of Hurricane Frances. We are currently in the process of evaluating the condition of Disney's Vero Beach Resort. Our Walt Disney World sites are fully operational, however Disney's Vero Beach
Resort remains closed as we assess impact of the storm to the property. A hurricane impact relief plan is being developed for our Cast Members. We will have updated information tomorrow to share with our Members, Guests and Cast.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We greatly appreciate it during these challenging weather experiences.

Have a Magical Day!!
Lisa

 

[ChickieToo]

We are in the same boat as Bev, and some other people I suspect. DH, DD5 and I are due in WDW at BCV studio from 10/4-10/8 and then set to go to Vero 10/8-10/11.

We are kind of skeptical about keeping reservations for Vero when no one knows what the extent of the damage is. We don't want to be left up a creek come the end of September if things still aren't up to grade. We're concerned about the beach and the overall condition of the town. I feel sorry for people who live there (I have an aunt and uncle in Fort Pierce who sustained little damage--thank God) but from a practical perspective it just doesn't make sense. It will be hard enough for the townspeople sharing the limited resources available but then to add an influx of vacationers might be a stretch. I know if my house were damaged and I was struggling to get back to normal, it would be tough to do so alongside toursits who are, justifiably, looking to have a nice time. Does anyone feel the same way, or am I making too big a deal about all this?

I have been told by MS that I could extend my WDW portion by one day, but that they are all booked for the remainder of the weekend. That was on Wednesday, maybe today is different. I've also tried to get reservations at our favorite beach resort on the West Coast, but because it is Columbus day weekend they are all booked. I suspect that may be the case all over due to the holiday and people changing their plans from other non-Disney Frances-impacted resorts.

We are dissappointed to say this as we were looking forward to our first trip to Vero, but we'd like to just cancel our Vero portion right now and figure out what to do. But I don't want my points in a holding account, I want them restored. Does anyone have a feel for whether or not that can happen?

Thanks for any input.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I am wondering what will happen to maintenance fees for Vero owners.

 

[pattison]

We had a cash reservation booked through Central Reservations (great Disney Visa deal) for 9/19-9/24.

We just got a call that said that Vero Beach will be closed until AT LEAST MID to LATE October!!! This is much later than what Member Services told me earlier today. When I spoke to MS earlier today, they said that there was no major damage, but that they just wanted to make sure that they could provide a superior vacation experience for everyone.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanx for the reports on Vero. We are scheduled to be there Oct 24th - Oct 28th, and we now are formulating a plan B.

I agree that VB should be restored to Disney standards before letting members and guests on the property.

A special assesment may be required, and I don't mind paying it as long as the property is maintained to the awesome standards that it always has been.

MG

 

[lenshanem]

A special assesment may be required, and I don't mind paying it as long as the property is maintained to the awesome standards that it always has been.

Can they charge a special assessment on top of the regular dues for such a circumstance?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by lenshanem
Can they charge a special assessment on top of the regular dues for such a circumstance?

Well, I am not an expert on this, but I do think DVC can charge VB owners a per point fee to cover costs.

We knew this hurricane thing was a possibility when we bought points at Vero.

MG