Vero Beach Pros/Cons vs. a WDW Property

[Dano2007]

I'm thinking about buying at Vero Beach, where I plan to visit on occasion, however, I probably would visit WDW more often. I'm not particular about which resort at WDW I would stay at and I would travel at non-peak times. What would be the pros/cons of purchasing in Vero Beach as opposed to a WDW resort? The price per point seems significantly different.

 

[MarylandMommy]

I think the most significant difference is the maintenance fees cost. Vero Beach's are higher than the others. Over time, this would wipe out any savings from the initial investment. I had this same question before I bought in!

 

[mikesmom]

The second issue is that would you be particular if you couldn't stay at WDW at all? It's a regular issue on these boards that people say they don't travel at peak times, so why can't they find a room in the resort of their choice? Basically the problem is that busy DVC times are NOT the same as busy WDW park times. DVC is busy in January (New Years followed by the Marathon), busy in Spring break (which could be anything from Feb through late April), VERY busy Oct 1st throught the end of the year (Food & Wine fest followed by Holidays). As a matter of fact the traditional peak times (summer vacation) are a bit less busy for DVC - those of us not tied to school schedules don't travel in the heat. The only times it is easy to make a DVC ressie tends to be late august through mid-September and early May.

Don't get me wrong, I love Vero, but the only way I would buy there as my only home resort, would be if I thought I would want a Beach cottage during Spring and summer months. Otherwise, the possibility of being shut out of WDW added to the higher dues and possible hurricane issues would tell me to buy elsewhere.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I agree. If you want to use most of your DVC at WDW, don't buy Vero. Don't get me wrong, the odds are excellent you will get something at WDW using VB points at 7 months, but you may not get exactly what you want.

On the other hand, if Beach Cottages during peak season are in your future, buy VB.

MG

 

[Pig Pen]

I own at VB and have never had a problem booking at WDW. Sometimes I don't get exactly what I want, but I have always managed to book a stay. That being said, I am also okay with using all my points at VB if need be. I am not married to staying onsite only.

Of course when I bought, I was very naive and if I had known what I know now, I would have spent the extra $$ and bought at Beach Club.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I own at VB and have never had a problem booking at WDW. Sometimes I don't get exactly what I want, but I have always managed to book a stay. That being said, I am also okay with using all my points at VB if need be. I am not married to staying onsite only.

Of course when I bought, I was very naive and if I had known what I know now, I would have spent the extra $$ and bought at Beach Club.

Well, you certainly are a well rounded DVCer!
Own at VB, but would have bought BCV. A VWL groupies tag with a label stating you like BWV too!

MG

 

[Lenc324]

I own at Vero and I always have gotten what I wanted at 7 months.

 

[bobbiwoz]

On the other hand, if Beach Cottages during peak season are in your future, buy VB.

MG

Is peak during the summer or in the winter?? When have you gotten a Beach Cottage? We're hoping for end of June '08, with our VB points.

Bobbi

PS. To OP, I would buy at VB for mostly VB stays. I've used our points else where, but we like all of our homes so much, that most points stay where they're from.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Is peak during the summer or in the winter?? When have you gotten a Beach Cottage? We're hoping for end of June '08, with our VB points.

Bobbi

Hi, Bobbi. I'm really not sure what is considered peak at Vero, other than what the book has listed.
I don't really worry about it, as I always call day by day at 11 months when I want a cottage. We have had cottages in May, and October. Those are the months we visit Vero. If it's just my wife and me, we get a 1br. If we have guests, which we do fairly often, we get a cottage.

Good luck with your cottage, and remember, they're all awesome but not equal. Although they're identical, some are better than others. Some have better landscaping and so forth.
Our favorites are the two extreme end units. We request these, but with only 6 cottages requests don't get filled easily.

MG

 

[Wendy1953]

I'm thinking about buying at Vero Beach, where I plan to visit on occasion, however, I probably would visit WDW more often. I'm not particular about which resort at WDW I would stay at and I would travel at non-peak times. What would be the pros/cons of purchasing in Vero Beach as opposed to a WDW resort? The price per point seems significantly different.

If you plan on using the DVC points at the DVC's in WDW more often than Vero Beach, the biggest plus to owning a DVC on property gives you the 11 month window to book your trip at your home resort. Owning at VB you only have the 7 month window to book at WDW, and even though your expected travel is during non-peak times, you still could run into problems getting on-site ressies with the 7 month window. Prices per point are different, but the yearly maintenance fees are also!

 

[cgcruz]

If you own at Vero Beach, do you still get the same WDW perks as the In-park Resorts (AP discounts, Restaurant Discounts, etc)?

 

[gppnj]

Today I just booked two days at VB for September. I'm very excited. (Stay away, hurricanes!) I stayed at VB back in 2000, and I loved it. I still look back on that vacation as the most restful one I've ever had. That was perhaps the only time I ever returned home less tired than when I left. of course this September, I'm going to WDW after VB, so I won't be rested this time.

 

[DVC Grammy]

If you own at Vero Beach, do you still get the same WDW perks as the In-park Resorts (AP discounts, Restaurant Discounts, etc)?

Yes. Once you're a DVC member, it makes no difference which is your home resorts. Your perks are the same.