Vero Beach ?

[Terry S]

I see that Vero Beach is sold out in one use month and close in other months so I have some questions.

I have never been to Vero so please excuse my ignorance, but what does Vero have that WDW does not have besides the beach/Ocean?

I think one of the big reasons we bought at WDW is that there is so much to do that you can never run out of things to do but, if you do just want to relax and take it easy you can do that also. My husband and kids don't like to lay around and do nothing, so I worry about what there is for them to do at Vero.

Please educate me on why you feel it is worth it to take the extra time to drive to Vero instead of just relaxing at the pool at WDW? Thanks.

 

[PamOKW]

It's a personal preference. I happen to love vacationing in the area of Florida around Vero (heck, that's where I hope to live someday). The one drawback to my purchase at WDW was wondering whether I would still be able to have my Treasure Coast vacations. When they built Vero and I saw how beautiful it was, my problem was solved. Vero Beach has been a popular winter vacation spot for many years. I wouldn't say it's an area geared to small children although the resort itself has filled that gap. It's an area with the ocean, shopping and dining. It also has golf and fishing for those who enjoy that.

Does it appeal to you? Maybe not. But it's just like lots of vacation options -- some like them and some don't. You would never catch me spending a week in a cabin in the mountains.

 

[KNWVIKING]

We just got back from VB. I would love to live a few hours away so that a couple short trips a year would be doable (is that a word?). I missed the excitement of WDW and International Drive, but we intended this to be a different type of trip and it was. like I stated in a previous post, Vb will probably never be a primary vacation location again,but will make a great primer or unwinder from a WDW trip. I'll never buy points- maybe a small inexpensive resale- but I don't think I would ever have trouble booking at 7 months.

 

[kel3420]

We bought into Vero because generally we like to do Disney every other year and a beach vacation on the off years, so this was a perfect match for us.

 

[CarolMN]

MY DH & I visited VB twice within the past 7 months. Once (3 nights) was with my youngest brother's family which included a 5 year old and a 16 month old baby. The second time (4 nights) was with another brother's family and included an 10 year old and a 16 year old.

I am not a beach/pool person (seldom use the pools at WDW), but I do like to sit outside and read or people watch. Loved standing on the boardwalk watching the sun rise and walking through the sand at the water's edge. The slide was fun, too, although I thought the view at the top was better than the ride down. Both my DH & I enjoyed our VB visits. I do have to say that 3 nights there was PLENTY for me. We probably will not visit again for several years. Can't imagine staying there for an entire week (unless maybe it was in one of the Beach Cottages, LOL. Those are truly awesome)!

The resort is absolutely gorgeous. One of my SIL's would live there if she could! She loves the beach and sitting out in the sun.

From your description of your family, you may not be a candidate for a VB add on. I'd suggest that you try a short visit either before or after your WDW vacation. We were able to get some very good cash rates for our November and February visits. (Our points were already committed to the WDW portion of our stays).

In summary, we enjoyed our stays and will go again sometime in the future. We won't visit often enough to make an add on worth our while. We'll either use our BWV points or pay cash.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Terry S, just to clarify here (I don't want to give false info), The Sept use year at Vero WAS depleted of inventory, but they have a way of shuffling points from other use years to replenish some in Sept.

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by Terry S
I see that Vero Beach is sold out in one use month and close in other months so I have some questions.

I have never been to Vero so please excuse my ignorance, but what does Vero have that WDW does not have besides the beach/Ocean?

For me, its the lack of a bazillion people that is appealing. And the ocean/beach thing....but you didn't ask about that.

I think one of the big reasons we bought at WDW is that there is so much to do that you can never run out of things to do but, if you do just want to relax and take it easy you can do that also. My husband and kids don't like to lay around and do nothing, so I worry about what there is for them to do at Vero.

There a number of things which you can do in and around the VB resort. Some are Disney run, others are local area attractions. Going to the VB pages on Disney's site would give you a better idea of the activities Disney runs. I'm sure there is an Indian River/Vero Beach 'chamber of commerce' website which would offer more about the area and things to do.

Please educate me on why you feel it is worth it to take the extra time to drive to Vero instead of just relaxing at the pool at WDW? Thanks.

Uhm, because we like it? Educating on why I like being at the shore, watching the sunrise over the horizon, listening to the crash of the waves along the shore, looking for a sea shell type which I've never seen before, feeling the warm (or cool, depending) sand between your toes, or the tide pulling the sand out from under you as it returns to the sea, or snuggling under the stars as the ocean freighters blink merrily along the horizon, or inhaling a lungful of tangy salt air, is difficult.

Disney opened VB in part because their research indicated that _alot_ of people after visiting Orlando would book a vacation on one of the coasts in Florida. Seems that many of us like beaches and oceans, and the concept of relaxing after an active vacation at WDW worked synergistically with going to a beach area.

If you're not a beach/ocean lover, it might not be justifiable to you to go to VB. Sitting around the pool in a WDW resort is not a bad way to relax...and it is certainly better than doing work...which i should be getting back to..

I hope this helps,
Joe

 

[Terry S]

Thanks all! VB sounds like the type of place I would love, I love the beach and the sand (walking on it, not swimming in it) and PamOKW you would never catch me in mountain cabin or a tent for that matter, no offense to anyone, but that is why I waited for BCV instead of buying at WLV. I am now considering going for a girls only, vacation with my friends to check it out. But, it does not sound like the place that the rest of my family would enjoy, so I might be best just to try my luck with the 7 month window. Thanks again for your input.

 

[BuzzLightYear3]

We're giving VB a try this year after spending 5 days at BWV. We were originally thinking like you that we could always choose to hang around the pool for a couple days even at one of the WDW DVC resorts if we wanted relaxation, so we bought at BWV, but I've found that that's easier said then done......something about WDW just makes me want to stay on the go.....so much to see/do! I'll hang around the pool for an afternoon, but that's between my morning and evening agendas! I think going to VB for a few days after BWV will force me to relax a little more (which will probably be much appreciated by the rest of the family) and I expect I won't return from vacation exhausted....still happy but not exhausted! This will be our first trip, so I don't know if this will all turn out as planned, but it's my current theory!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

jmminarik, well said.

We have three children under the age of 5. A beach, pirate ship and a pool keeps them happy all day and allows us to relax and play with them without waiting in lines or crowds. There's something about being at the ocean that has always been very relaxing to me, and means a real vacation.

If it's not for you, best wishes, that's the beauty of DVC, many options for different desires and likes. The hussle and bussle of WDW is great sometimes, but not all the time for us. Good luck with your decision. There's always the 7 month window to try all resorts.