Vero Beach visit

[CruzNMom]

We had some points to use up so my daughter and I made a quick trip down to Vero Beach. It is not our favorite DVC location but all the Orlando units were booked.

It turned out to be very relaxing but a couple of things made me wonder if DVC is starting to pinch pennies or if its always been this way:

One setup of little soaps, shampoos, etc. is in the room when you check in. If you want more it is $3 for those tiny bottles. Ditto for coffee/tea.

There is a charge for more towels (we didn't need any but seems like in the past there was no charge)

There is no inroom internet connection and to use the one computer in the lobby area is a fee for each 30 minutes - $5 or $15, I've forgotten. Most places I've been in the last several years have a business center where guests have free access.

We ate in the "casual" restaurant the first night and it was horrible. Our meats (pork for my daughter, salmon for me) were fine but the vegetables were inedible. My daughter ordered her pork dish because it came with her favorite vegetable - sweet potatoes. She could not eat it. My salmon came with brussel sprouts and they were overseasoned and burned. All this for $60 (no appetizer, no alcohol, no dessert). We drove into town for the next two nights.

Has anyone else had these experiences?

 

[Daitcher]

The things you mentioned are standard procedure for DVC and most timeshares. Extra towels have always been an added charge. Standard setup of soap, shampoos, and coffee are free. Any additional products incur a charge. We stay at many timeshare properties and they are all ran the same way. That being said, if you called housekeeeping for more towels they would have gladly given them to you without charge. A simple note with a tip requesting more soap/shampoo/cofee would have worked as well. Timeshares are designed to be a home away from home, that means stock your own supplies. I feel very fortunate to even get the start up stuff. We rent condos a lot on the beach and you get nothing. Some don't even provide sheets. As for the food, did you complain? That is unexceptable. We never encountered this and ate all meals on property other than one dinner over our week stay. Food wasn't great but it was always good. Sorry your stay wasn't all you expected, VB is one of our favorites for a beach vacation. We will be there May 7th - May 15th.


DAVE

 

[CarolMN]

We had some points to use up so my daughter and I made a quick trip down to Vero Beach. It is not our favorite DVC location but all the Orlando units were booked.

It turned out to be very relaxing but a couple of things made me wonder if DVC is starting to pinch pennies or if its always been this way:

One setup of little soaps, shampoos, etc. is in the room when you check in. If you want more it is $3 for those tiny bottles. Ditto for coffee/tea.

There is a charge for more towels (we didn't need any but seems like in the past there was no charge)

Those things are normal for all the DVC resorts. We've beenmembers since 1999.

I've been told that when DVC first opened, there was no charge for extra towels. To keep dues down, it was decided to charge and make those who used more towels pay for them.

FWIW, I'm among those who bring my own shampoo, etc. and coffee. Don't much like the stuff Disney provides.

There is no inroom internet connection and to use the one computer in the lobby area is a fee for each 30 minutes - $5 or $15, I've forgotten. Most places I've been in the last several years have a business center where guests have free access.

None of the WDW resorts have free internet. HS Internet service for the WDW DVC resorts just became available recently. It's $9.95 per 24 hour period. We've been told that Disney contracted for this capability and now must recover the costs. I'm OK with that personally - those who use it can pay for it. JMHO. YMMV.

We ate in the "casual" restaurant the first night and it was horrible. Our meats (pork for my daughter, salmon for me) were fine but the vegetables were inedible. My daughter ordered her pork dish because it came with her favorite vegetable - sweet potatoes. She could not eat it. My salmon came with brussel sprouts and they were overseasoned and burned. All this for $60 (no appetizer, no alcohol, no dessert). We drove into town for the next two nights.

Has anyone else had these experiences?

Sorry to hear about the poor food - hope you complained at the time. I haven't been to Vero since December 2004. Our meals were good, but we also ate some meals off site.

Best wishes -

 

[Disney Fanatic]

I loved Vero Beach however I did notice that the prices for dinner at the restaurant were a little high for what you received. I think they need to focus a bit more on the restaurant there.

Having said that, I loved the ambiance of the restaurant and the meal was decent but not great,

 

[fatherAZ]

CruzNMom or anyone else with knowledge of VB, did you go in winter? We are considering splitting a WDW trip with VB in Dec/Jan with our 2 and 6 year old and were wondering if it's too cold at VB during these times of years. Also is there things to do for little children? Thanks

 

[Paul in CT]

As others have said these charges for soap, coffee and towels are typical for all DVC's. (I always bring my own coffee anyway).

My DW and I like the atmosphere of VB and the Green Cabin Room, but we try to dine off property as much as possible. Shutters is OK for breakfast, but for dinner we like some of the local spots like Squid Lips and Captain Hiram's that are both up Rte 1 in Sebastian.

 

[Daitcher]

CruzNMom or anyone else with knowledge of VB, did you go in winter? We are considering splitting a WDW trip with VB in Dec/Jan with our 2 and 6 year old and were wondering if it's too cold at VB during these times of years. Also is there things to do for little children? Thanks

It is hit or miss that time of year. It is too cold for us that time of year unless you are looking at the first week of December. Even then I'd say no. It is always breezy by the beach which turns a comfortable 75 degrees into feeling more like 65 degrees. What you do have in your favor is that the pool is heated. There are activities for little kids. They have the pirate ship play area, mini golf, scavenger hunts, and other scheduled activities. VB is a great place but for a beach trip I'd stick with April through November there. Not much fun to be at the beach when you can't go in the ocean or lay out on the beach.


DAVE