Vero Beach Vs. Hilton Head

[tamsenrigi]

Hello,

I'm already thinking about next year's vacation (staying at OKW in a few weeks) and I think after several years in Orlando, we may need a change of pace.

If you've stayed at both, which would you recommend over the other, and why? I'm planning for a mid July trip.

Thanks!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd also be interested in hearing how they compare. I've only been to HHI, but I've been told that Vero Beach is right on the ocean, but more isolated (if you leave the resort, there's nothing else close). But if you want the ocean, Vero Beach is the better choice, I've been told.

 

[vandy]

I was wondering this as well. PLUS: Does Disney pick you up at a local airport like they do in Orlando?

 

[CraftyMouse]

Although we like both resorts, we much prefer Hilton Head. It has a laid-back feel and offers both a marshland/woodsy experience plus the beach experience at the Beach House. We enjoy biking around HH (it is VERY flat with lots of bike paths) and just prefer the atmosphere of the island to that at Vero. We also find that there is more to do at HH than at Vero.

I'm sure you'll pros and cons for both resorts. If you prefer being right on the beach and don't mind a more isolated resort then head to Vero. If you prefer a woodsy resort that also has beach access and that is more in the middle of things (although it's not crazybusy) then head to HH. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

And to vandy...no, there is no airport pick-up at either Vero Beach or Hilton Head. You will need to rent a car or arrange for a car service to transport you.

 

[Laneychris]

Great info.

 

[gscott8075]

We enjoy both resorts tremendously.

Vero is on the beach, but there is not much to do outside the resort.

It has more than HH onsite - volleyball, golf, soccer, archery, bigger pool, massage, etc and two restaurants. The Green Cabin Room is awesome.

HH is isolated - yet in the middle of everything. We love biking to the beach each day.

You can't go wrong with either. Overall, my family prefers HH, but we have a great time at both!

 

[mikesmom]

The bottom line may be which can you get. We have gotten VB at 7 months in the summer. HHI has never come through. It is VERY difficult to get HI in the summer if you do not own there and have 11 month booking privileges.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We love both. Both have relaxed atmospheres. Both have GREAT CMs and plentiful activities for children and young teens.

I prefer HHI for birdwatching and general wildlife encounters. The marshes and intercoastal waterway really brings the wildlife to you. VB has plenty of wildlife, but mainly at a distance.

The beaches are different. HHI has very shallow and long beach shelf and waves are zero to minimal, whereas VB has a deeper and shorter shelf and produces 2' to 6' waves. The other major difference is the VB resort sits right on the beach, whereas the HHI resort sits on the marsh and has a beach-house fronting the ocean about 1.5 miles away.

HH Island and the beach (not the DVC resort) can be VERY crowded in peak season (mid June - mid Sept). You can walk out onto the beach from the DVC beach-house to find thousands of people there. AT VB over a 100 people would unusual.

HHI has grocery and other stores much closer and within easy biking distance. They also seem to have a better scheme for biking paths. VB has a path, but it is one 8 mile path up to Pelican Island. HHI is much more spread out than VB and I find it much more enjoyable to have bikes even for going to and from the pool (we stay in the lodge). VB is pretty compact and everything is within a 2 minute walk.

HHI has a main resort pool and the beach-house pool, but both seem undersized to me. I think VB has the better slide.

Lately, we tend to alternate from VB to HHI and then BWV once about every 3 years. As I said we love both and I think you need to visit both at some time to get your own feel for them.

If you have infant(s) or toddler(s) I would say go to VB. Everything, the room, pool, beach, mini-golf, restaurants are a 2 minute walk. Emergency visits back to the room are quick and easy. Also, they have a zero depth water play area that is fully contained with one entrance/exit.

HHI has an abundance of restaurants and shopping nearby. If you are not the cook-at-home while on vacation types then you might get tired real quick with the VB selection of restaurants.

That is just some of the differences and likenesses.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We love both. Both have relaxed atmospheres. Both have GREAT CMs and plentiful activities for children and young teens.

I prefer HHI for birdwatching and general wildlife encounters. The marshes and intercoastal waterway really brings the wildlife to you. VB has plenty of wildlife, but mainly at a distance.

The beaches are different. HHI has very shallow and long beach shelf and waves are zero to minimal, whereas VB has a deeper and shorter shelf and produces 2' to 6' waves. The other major difference is the VB resort sits right on the beach, whereas the HHI resort sits on the marsh and has a beach-house fronting the ocean about 1.5 miles away.

HH Island and the beach (not the DVC resort) can be VERY crowded in peak season (mid June - mid Sept). You can walk out onto the beach from the DVC beach-house to find thousands of people there. AT VB over a 100 people would unusual.

HHI has grocery and other stores much closer and within easy biking distance. They also seem to have a better scheme for biking paths. VB has a path, but it is one 8 mile path up to Pelican Island. HHI is much more spread out than VB and I find it much more enjoyable to have bikes even for going to and from the pool (we stay in the lodge). VB is pretty compact and everything is within a 2 minute walk.

HHI has a main resort pool and the beach-house pool, but both seem undersized to me. I think VB has the better slide.

Lately, we tend to alternate from VB to HHI and then BWV once about every 3 years. As I said we love both and I think you need to visit both at some time to get your own feel for them.

If you have infant(s) or toddler(s) I would say go to VB. Everything, the room, pool, beach, mini-golf, restaurants are a 2 minute walk. Emergency visits back to the room are quick and easy. Also, they have a zero depth water play area that is fully contained with one entrance/exit.

HHI has an abundance of restaurants and shopping nearby. If you are not the cook-at-home while on vacation types then you might get tired real quick with the VB selection of restaurants.

That is just some of the differences and likenesses.

Thanks Rob! This is going to kinda be our vacation pattern as well....I cancelled that beach club add-on. Want to see how HHI is, and because I can drive to it, might end up there more than I thought. I think BWV, VB, HHI is a wonderful vacation rotation!!

 

[princessesrule4]

We love both! We are 1.5 hours from HHI so we go 2 or 3 times a year or whenever we need a getaway and then we go to Vero ( a 6.5 hour drive or we would go there more often!) for Spring Break. We have a car so we are able to go off property and there are definitely some good restaurants, shopping, grocery stores, etc. within a 5 - 10 minute drive. We never cook at Vero ( or HHI) and think the on property food options are good. We like Shutters and Orchid pizza will deliver to the resort. Vero is more self contained and we enjoy just relaxing by the pool all day and the kids will go do their activities, sports, etc. , we'll go down to the beach, play mini golf and eat at Bleachers for lunch.
They are different but wonderful resorts and I would recommend trying both!

 

[tamsenrigi]

Thank you so much for the great information!