Vero Beach

[airjay75]

I'm an hour away from VBR and can usually find good options on short notice within 7 months - even the 3 bdrm oceanfront cottage on occasion. I really like this resort, but I don't need to buy points here because of that.

Yeah, I can see some value for myself to having direct points there. Would make it easier to tack on a few days to my WDW trips where I plan to use my 11-month priority window and/or using the points for a longer stays, possibly during more peak seasons like spring break or the holidays.

 

[airjay75]

I know this town well as my wife is from the area and we visit family there often and always stay at VBR.. My view is it is much nicer than Cocoa and you described it perfectly - quieter, nicer, quaint beach town on the island. Great local dining options (ask the VBR staff for local recommendations) and onsite dining is good too.

Alright, here goes my offer! (Not really, but it is nice to hear that)

 

[sethschroeder]

Alright, that does give me some pause. Long story, but I have quite a bit of experience with the Titusville/Merritt Island/Cocoa Beach area - have some family who used to live there. If the Vero Beach area is anything like that, I'd take a hard pass - I could go for occasional rental at Cocoa Beach, but wouldn't want to own a timeshare there.

Vero Beach looks like a much nicer beach town than Cocoa Beach - looks like a lot more nice houses on the beach, less high rises/condominiums, and on the whole like a quieter, nicer, quainter beach town. If anyone feels like sharing thoughts on that, would love the hear about it. (Yes, yes, I know I should visit for myself first.)

Oh it absolutely looks nice and peaceful. Its not a shot at the area at all.

My point was more so that I can redirect my flight to the Caribbean for a beach stay or MCO/FLL/MIA/HOU for a cruise.

Its like in my area of the country that has some really nice resorts and areas but if you were coming all the way from Florida I can see you redirecting to a ski lodge in the Rockies or Bahamas for Atlantis for a waterpark instead.

 

[airjay75]

I think I talked myself back off the ledge, for the moment anyways. It’s not like these cheap VB contracts are going anywhere. Need to get myself there, check it out, and then maybe. I think my mind has just been so focused on buying more direct points, it’s almost a shock to the system to see these VB contracts going for so little per point.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Ok, someone talk me off the ledge. It seems like I could get a 200 point contract (in my UY) for under $10k - man that feels tempting. A week at the Jersey Shore in a small rental easily runs you $5k per week. I guess the issue is the dues, right? At $14.40 pp, probably not much longer before you have to pay more in dues than you could rent them for, in which case, you're basically upside down value wise.

But, it could be nice to have those points to add on a few days at the beach to your WDW stay. And, those extra points could probably be pretty easily used for last minute stays at OKW or SSR, right? So, you get some mileage out of it there.

But, I really need to wait until I least visit the darn place, right? But, it's so cheap - I mean, could try it out for a couple of years, and if we don't like it, get rid of it, right? Sure, might have to sell it for $5k, but if we got a couple of years of beach vacations out of it, wasn't that pretty cheap? (No, no, no, do not submit an offer)

While it doesn't make sense for me to buy there, plenty of people are still buying it resale AND direct. One thing all of those people have in common from what I've seen, is they are very happy with their purchase. It makes sense for some people, even if it's more about the joy of owning a resort that they love and not about the financial aspect. If you aren't sure that you love the resort, you might just want to pass on it for now until you visit and stay there.

^ Not sure this is the best place to ask for help convincing you not to buy points.... some of us have DVC purchase impulse control problems. Not me necessarily! .... but some of us.

This is true. OP can tell us they want BLT, Poly and Riv, but we'll all still jump for joy if they purchase Vero instead.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Ok, someone talk me off the ledge. It seems like I could get a 200 point contract (in my UY) for under $10k - man that feels tempting. A week at the Jersey Shore in a small rental easily runs you $5k per week. I guess the issue is the dues, right? At $14.40 pp, probably not much longer before you have to pay more in dues than you could rent them for, in which case, you're basically upside down value wise.

But, it could be nice to have those points to add on a few days at the beach to your WDW stay. And, those extra points could probably be pretty easily used for last minute stays at OKW or SSR, right? So, you get some mileage out of it there.

But, I really need to wait until I least visit the darn place, right? But, it's so cheap - I mean, could try it out for a couple of years, and if we don't like it, get rid of it, right? Sure, might have to sell it for $5k, but if we got a couple of years of beach vacations out of it, wasn't that pretty cheap? (No, no, no, do not submit an offer)

There will be a point where VB will be a resort that is a giveaway resort and you cant sell it for anything (much sooner than wdw resorts for sure). If I bought VB it would be only for VB using at WDW is a waste imo. With that said, it's still hard to own when you can book there at 7 months with much cheaper points. Also, be on lookout for VB subsidized while it's rare rare, you never know when one might pop up.

If the dues stay the same (they wont) but for calculations if they stayed as is you would be at approximately $3415 per year in costs. If you want to see the increases in dues historically this is a great site. https://www.dvchelp.com/page/maintenance-fees-current-and-historical

 

[tx911]

There will be a point where VB will be a resort that is a giveaway resort and you cant sell it for anything (much sooner than wdw resorts for sure). If I bought VB it would be only for VB using at WDW is a waste imo. With that said, it's still hard to own when you can book there at 7 months with much cheaper points. Also, be on lookout for VB subsidized while it's rare rare, you never know when one might pop up.

If the dues stay the same (they wont) but for calculations if they stayed as is you would be at approximately $3415 per year in costs. If you want to see the increases in dues historically this is a great site. https://www.dvchelp.com/page/maintenance-fees-current-and-historical

But it’s hard to look at those 200 point contracts for $10k and not feel your pulse racing a little.

 

[VGCgroupie]

But it’s hard to look at those 200 point contracts for $10k and not feel your pulse racing a little.

I know. So hard. Im so glad my husband made me this spread sheet to snap me back into reality on total cost. I bet he sure is glad too!

 

[mort1331]

But it’s hard to look at those 200 point contracts for $10k and not feel your pulse racing a little.

thats still $50per point,,,,too much,,,,now if you offer $30 and they accept,,I dont thing it would be rofr'ed.
As nice as the resort is,,,it is on the high list to be the 1st one to $0 point

 

[airjay75]

There will be a point where VB will be a resort that is a giveaway resort and you cant sell it for anything (much sooner than wdw resorts for sure). If I bought VB it would be only for VB using at WDW is a waste imo. With that said, it's still hard to own when you can book there at 7 months with much cheaper points. Also, be on lookout for VB subsidized while it's rare rare, you never know when one might pop up.

If the dues stay the same (they wont) but for calculations if they stayed as is you would be at approximately $3415 per year in costs. If you want to see the increases in dues historically this is a great site. https://www.dvchelp.com/page/maintenance-fees-current-and-historical

Thank you so much for this - you inspired me to go back to my spreadsheet and do some calculations of my own. Compared the cost per year of 200 points - looked at resale BLT, VB, SSR, OKW, and direct RIV and Poly. Resale BLT and direct RIV or Poly are far and away the best deals when looking at it like this - all within $100 per year of each other. Resale SSR is about another $300/year, resale OKW (2042) about another $450/year, and resale VB another $775/year. VB doesn't get to the same cost per year as SSR until it's priced at $10 pp - I guess we can see why it might just go to $0 at some point in the future.

Of course, there are other factors to consider when deciding which way you want to go, but this really makes VB a very bad deal unless there is just reason you really, really need priority booking before 7 months. Looking at the DVC availability tables at dvcfieldguide.com, it would appear you've got your pick of just about anything you want at 7 months.

I think that puts an end to my VB temptation. But, still really want to stay there!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Thank you so much for this - you inspired me to go back to my spreadsheet and do some calculations of my own. Compared the cost per year of 200 points - looked at resale BLT, VB, SSR, OKW, and direct RIV and Poly. Resale BLT and direct RIV or Poly are far and away the best deals when looking at it like this - all within $100 per year of each other. Resale SSR is about another $300/year, resale OKW (2042) about another $450/year, and resale VB another $775/year. VB doesn't get to the same cost per year as SSR until it's priced at $10 pp - I guess we can see why it might just go to $0 at some point in the future.

Of course, there are other factors to consider when deciding which way you want to go, but this really makes VB a very bad deal unless there is just reason you really, really need priority booking before 7 months. Looking at the DVC availability tables at dvcfieldguide.com, it would appear you've got your pick of just about anything you want at 7 months.

I think that puts an end to my VB temptation. But, still really want to stay there!

Spreadsheets for the win!!

 

[Cfabar1]

I think I talked myself back off the ledge, for the moment anyways. It’s not like these cheap VB contracts are going anywhere. Need to get myself there, check it out, and then maybe. I think my mind has just been so focused on buying more direct points, it’s almost a shock to the system to see these VB contracts going for so little per point.

We are too close to dues season, when I expect the contracts to depreciate even more... Just my view!

 

[Budzooka]

We absolutely love VB and have stayed there once per year since 2020 with this year’s trip coming next month. We prefer to book a 1 bedroom and that’s not always available at 7 months, so we book two studio rooms if not.

For that reason, I keep an eye on listings, but just can’t convince myself to pull the trigger. I’m worried about what the future holds for this resort and the dues are so high. I’ve seen listings as low as $34 and I may move once it gets into the $20s, but we’ll see.

In the meantime, we’ll keep visiting!

 

[Girlstar30]

Right now if you buy Vero beach does it come out cheaper than booking cash with all the dues and what not or does this make no sense at all? I know bwv comes out to like $17 pp (i think could be wrong), what about Vero?

 

[airjay75]

Right now if you buy Vero beach does it come out cheaper than booking cash with all the dues and what not or does this make no sense at all? I know bwv comes out to like $17 pp (i think could be wrong), what about Vero?

Good question - according to https://verobeach.disney.go.com/, average/night before taxes is $496, but that doesn't specify which room category. That said, I just did a few searches for rooms at the times of my next 2 planned Disney trips, and not a single room was available. So, guessing it is pretty hard to stay there on cash (aside from renting points).

 

[Girlstar30]

Good question - according to https://verobeach.disney.go.com/, average/night before taxes is $496, but that doesn't specify which room category. That said, I just did a few searches for rooms at the times of my next 2 planned Disney trips, and not a single room was available. So, guessing it is pretty hard to stay there on cash (aside from renting points).

Didn't even think about that. I remember trying to search for vgc dvc rooms on the website and getting frustrated they were NEVER available for me to see pricing