Vero Beach

[DonkeyHoTay]

We stay at Vero several times a year because it's so close - the beachfront cottage is incredible. You will hang out mostly upstairs and the actual beach is incredibly close, so much so that we usually leave the doors open to listen to the ocean and wander out on the deck for the views. Have yet to stay at the Inn, but those oceanview rooms are probably awesome too. Highly recommend VBR.

 

[Girlstar30]

Hi, long time VB owner!

So I will say this...DH and I purchased our first DVC contract in 2001, 150 points direct from Disney at VB (I think we paid $70 for direct pricing with incentives). It was the only resort for sale (and re-sale was not really a thing...). We still have and love this contract. While we don't visit VB every year, when we do go, we love the resort and we love the beach-y town feel. There is a really nice half marathon in the town of Vero Beach at the end of January (that starts and ends at a nice park a couple of miles from the resort) and we love to run this race so it's great to book VB when we want to do this (we are not from FL so it's a real treat for us).

The resort is right on the beach and the ocean front views from the Inn are gorgeous. The cast members are amazing. And the quick service at the pool is.

I can see why most people would not want to own at VB because ugh, those dues...but for us, it works and we love it. I'll be sad to see this contract go in 2042. Like all things DVC, it's not one size fits all.

Were the maintenance fees on the higher side when you bought it compared to other resorts or did that happen more dramatically as time went on?

If it was 2001 and direct was that price I would have bought as well if maint fees were reasonable!

We are going this year and I am so afraid because my wife goes off of emotion and not price when wanting to purchase DVC resorts and she is most excited to stay here out of all the hotels we are staying at.

I heard the cast members were phenomenal from many people, we love animals and are hoping to see turtles, and I love the idea of a resort with a lot of activities that adults would enjoy too and of course a Disney beachside vacation! Im sure the water will be warm and inviting in September. If she wants to purchase i will fight her on it, because for our age and travel goals I dont want a 2042 resort, but I feel the fight is coming

 

[prncssjas]

Were the maintenance fees on the higher side when you bought it compared to other resorts or did that happen more dramatically as time went on?

Ah, I cringe when I go back to look this up. So when we purchased, our dues were around $3.75 per point and yes, they were higher than Old Key West and the Boardwalk but not SUPER crazy higher...just higher. Then, with each passing year, it felt like the gap kept getting wider and wider as VB (and HHI) increased at much faster rates. But by that point, we loved our contract and were not interesting in selling because it was still very easy to trade out at 7 months. Fast forward a few years later, Disney starts making owning "direct" a more seemingly optimal option so we knew at that point, we aren't going to let the contract go. The restrictions on resale aren't great to me.

I hope you have the best time--again, VB is not for everyone and I don't think I would go there for weeks on end (there isn't much "to do" if you are not into beach lounging). But I personally think it's a gem because it works for us. . Can't wait to hear about your trip--have big fun!

 

[Girlstar30]

Ah, I cringe when I go back to look this up. So when we purchased, our dues were around $3.75 per point and yes, they were higher than Old Key West and the Boardwalk but not SUPER crazy higher...just higher. Then, with each passing year, it felt like the gap kept getting wider and wider as VB (and HHI) increased at much faster rates. But by that point, we loved our contract and were not interesting in selling because it was still very easy to trade out at 7 months. Fast forward a few years later, Disney starts making owning "direct" a more seemingly optimal option so we knew at that point, we aren't going to let the contract go. The restrictions on resale aren't great to me.

I hope you have the best time--again, VB is not for everyone and I don't think I would go there for weeks on end (there isn't much "to do" if you are not into beach lounging). But I personally think it's a gem because it works for us. . Can't wait to hear about your trip--have big fun!

Thank you! I cant wait!!!

 

[Girlstar30]

Ah, I cringe when I go back to look this up. So when we purchased, our dues were around $3.75 per point and yes, they were higher than Old Key West and the Boardwalk but not SUPER crazy higher...just higher. Then, with each passing year, it felt like the gap kept getting wider and wider as VB (and HHI) increased at much faster rates. But by that point, we loved our contract and were not interesting in selling because it was still very easy to trade out at 7 months. Fast forward a few years later, Disney starts making owning "direct" a more seemingly optimal option so we knew at that point, we aren't going to let the contract go. The restrictions on resale aren't great to me.

I hope you have the best time--again, VB is not for everyone and I don't think I would go there for weeks on end (there isn't much "to do" if you are not into beach lounging). But I personally think it's a gem because it works for us. . Can't wait to hear about your trip--have big fun!

Ah I have a question, is there anything we should book ahead of time? I know for Aul there's some things, I want to make sure we do it right!

 

[tx911]

Hi, long time VB owner!

So I will say this...DH and I purchased our first DVC contract in 2001, 150 points direct from Disney at VB (I think we paid $70 for direct pricing with incentives). It was the only resort for sale (and re-sale was not really a thing...). We still have and love this contract. While we don't visit VB every year, when we do go, we love the resort and we love the beach-y town feel. There is a really nice half marathon in the town of Vero Beach at the end of January (that starts and ends at a nice park a couple of miles from the resort) and we love to run this race so it's great to book VB when we want to do this (we are not from FL so it's a real treat for us).

The resort is right on the beach and the ocean front views from the Inn are gorgeous. The cast members are amazing. And the quick service at the pool is.

I can see why most people would not want to own at VB because ugh, those dues...but for us, it works and we love it. I'll be sad to see this contract go in 2042. Like all things DVC, it's not one size fits all.

All of our dues will be up there in a few short years

 

[CarolynFH]

We had a couple of nights in an Ocean View Inn Room a few years ago - that was lovely because it guaranteed an ocean view from our balcony.

Were the maintenance fees on the higher side when you bought it compared to other resorts or did that happen more dramatically as time went on?

VB and HHI maintenance fees are higher due to insurance costs (hurricane and tropical storm damage) and what being close to the ocean does to buildings. Insurance costs in particular have risen dramatically.

 

[Girlstar30]

We had a couple of nights in an Ocean View Inn Room a few years ago - that was lovely because it guaranteed an ocean view from our balcony.


VB and HHI maintenance fees are higher due to insurance costs (hurricane and tropical storm damage) and what being close to the ocean does to buildings. Insurance costs in particular have risen dramatically.

Makes sense!

 

[kilik64]

Were the maintenance fees on the higher side when you bought it compared to other resorts or did that happen more dramatically as time went on?

If it was 2001 and direct was that price I would have bought as well if maint fees were reasonable!

We are going this year and I am so afraid because my wife goes off of emotion and not price when wanting to purchase DVC resorts and she is most excited to stay here out of all the hotels we are staying at.

I heard the cast members were phenomenal from many people, we love animals and are hoping to see turtles, and I love the idea of a resort with a lot of activities that adults would enjoy too and of course a Disney beachside vacation! Im sure the water will be warm and inviting in September. If she wants to purchase i will fight her on it, because for our age and travel goals I dont want a 2042 resort, but I feel the fight is coming

Figured you'd probably seen this by now, but guess not.

https://dvcnews.com/dvc-program-menu/financial/annual-dues-by-resort

VB has subsidized dues like AUL, but even those are pretty high now.

But yea, VB was in line with the other resorts at the time, and the original dues was pretty cheap. VB was supposed to be a lot larger but they scrapped the plans to build more than they did so the dues had to jump up because of that, if you bought in the first couple years you got to keep the lower dues based on the projected total points at that time.

 

[Girlstar30]

Figured you'd probably seen this by now, but guess not.

https://dvcnews.com/dvc-program-menu/financial/annual-dues-by-resort

VB has subsidized dues like AUL, but even those are pretty high now.

But yea, VB was in line with the other resorts at the time, and the original dues was pretty cheap. VB was supposed to be a lot larger but they scrapped the plans to build more than they did so the dues had to jump up because of that, if you bought in the first couple years you got to keep the lower dues based on the projected total points at that time.

I hadn't seen it, this is very useful, thanks!

 

[gleddo]

My wife and I bought VB in 1997 and never regretted it. Sure the dues are high but we love it anyway. We've been going for a week each year since 97 except for 2020. We even went for Y2K when we couldn't get in a WDW DVC resort.

 

[Cfabar1]

Figured you'd probably seen this by now, but guess not.

https://dvcnews.com/dvc-program-menu/financial/annual-dues-by-resort

VB has subsidized dues like AUL, but even those are pretty high now.

But yea, VB was in line with the other resorts at the time, and the original dues was pretty cheap. VB was supposed to be a lot larger but they scrapped the plans to build more than they did so the dues had to jump up because of that, if you bought in the first couple years you got to keep the lower dues based on the projected total points at that time.

VB Subsidized is the ultimate needle in a haystack... Very tough to find those contracts for sale...

We love VB... sold a VB contract a year ago because I feared where the prices were going... I was right and very glad we sold it...

But, if the right circumstance came available, I would be very interested in getting back in... the prices right now are just a little too high still though...

 

[Girlstar30]

I just know im going to love it!