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Va Beach or Outer Banks

S

shagnut

TUG Member
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Location
Winston Salem, NC
I have a free week in RCI that I must use by 7/13. I have never been to Va beach but thought it would be fun because we could go to Busch Gardens. I'd also like to take Kelli over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/tunnel.

It's been ages since I've been to the OBX so that would be aok too, but I've never been to VA beach. Thoughts? shaggy
 
Been to wmsburg several times and like it , but we like the beach and it would be an easy daytrip to Busch Gardens. I'll have to see where they have availability. shaggy
 
Love Virginia Beach! I was recently there while visiting my son and his wife.

The beach is well maintained. The water was a comfortable temperature. There is LOTS of activity.

Most of the timeshare are right on the beach. A couple are across the street.

It reminds me of Seaside Oregon, except that it is warm.

Have a great time wherever you choose.

elaine
 
Again, if you haven't been to VA Beach; try something new and unexplored

I love the OBX (about a 2 hr drive), but over the last few year, I'm loving VA Beach more and more (40 min drive). Nice beach, nice boardwalk, nice restaurants. You can walk places, bike places or take the trolley that cruises the "strip".

If you like art shows (with jewelry and crafts thrown in), sand volley ball, music, etc.; I recommend the Boardwalk Art Show. It starts on Thursday and runs through Sunday. I try to go every year. My brother-in-law and his girlfriend were down from NY for that weekend this past June to celebrate my sons' graduations. They loved it. There's three main music stages along the boardwalk. The art show runs for about 15 blocks. People watching from your oceanfront balcony or sitting along the boardwalk is quite enjoyable. The beach is nice and wide, though packed in some areas more than others. Sand volley ball runs several blocks and is fun to watch also.

Below are links to oceanfront events and the art show. The 2012 schedule is still up, but usually the events take place at the same time each year. The Boardwalk Art Show is June 13-16, 2013.

http://www.beachstreetusa.com/events


http://www.virginiamoca.org/outdoor-art-shows/boardwalk-art-show

I like all the VA Beach resorts in RCI, except the Atrium. Only because it is two blocks off the oceanfront and is located on the main road (4 lanes) into the oceanfront area. However, with so much to do, one doesn't stay in the unit that much. Keep in mind, except for The Colony, the units are small in Virginia Beach. Ocean Key Resort is across the street, but I recommend it. I am an owner there and they completely renovated the resort, as well as all units. The reviews are terrific on TripAdvisor. I've been tracking it since the renovations were done. It was ranked #3 of 120 VA Beach hotels. It is currently ranked #1 of 120 VA Beach hotels. I stayed at Barclay Towers for the first time this past June and enjoyed my stay. Ocean Sands also had a complete renovation a couple of years ago. Only drawback is the resort does not have any balconies. Ocean Key (mentioned previously) only has a few units with balconies. My favorite RCI resort is Four Sails where I am also an owner. It is a basic oceanfront resort in a fantastic location with beautiful views from the balconies (all units). The staff is incredible and the amenities decent. There is an onsite restaurant and there is complimentary use of bikes for riding along the boardwalk.

I think you should give VA Beach a try!
 
shagnut said:
Been to wmsburg several times and like it , but we like the beach and it would be an easy day trip to Busch Gardens. I'll have to see where they have availability. shaggy
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Shagnut, it is an easy drive from OBX to Williamsburg, if you avoid the traffic on I-64 between 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM -6:00 PM Monday - Friday.

OBX is very laid back and most of the resorts are located on the beach.

Va Beach resorts will have more to offer for adults and children to enjoy in my opinion.

Enjoy your vacation .
 
Not sure what kind of free week you have in RCI but if you are looking for May-July 2013 you may not be able to get Outer Banks or Virginia Beach. If you are looking for something off season or are lucky to grab something last minute you should be fine.

I like Ocean key but its kitchen area is really small. There is nowhere to put groceries except in and on top of the refrigerator. The bathroom doors are also about 1/3 smaller than regular doors. We travel with suction type grab bars for my grandmother so if we can't get an accessible unit it is usually ok but she could not get her walker through the bathroom doors without collapsing it. Both times I've stayed we had a dedicated 2 bedroom w/o balcony. The one bedroom units my be designed differently.

We have never taken advantage of it but the Ocean Key/Sands/Atrium also have free or low cost ($10 or less per person) day trips to Williamsburg, Hampton, and maybe Norfolk if you don't want to drive.
 
Are you sure you have enough TPUs to make the trade?

shagnut said:
Called RCI with no luck today. Will call back later. shaggy
Click to expand...

If you can do mid-May, you might have better luck than June or July. If you do have enough TPUs, you might want to do an ongoing search.

VA Beach

May weeks avail. for 14-20 TPUs

June weeks avail. for 23-24 TPUs including Boardwalk Art Show Weekend!


OBX

May weeks avail. for 13-23 TPUs

June weeks avail. for 20-21 TPUs
 
If you're still looking for opinions, I'd like to add mine:

From VA Beach you're more centrally located to both the OBX and points up north. It'd be easy from there to see the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Busch Gardens, and Williamsburg.

And if time allows and you want to explore further, it's a nice drive over to Charlottesville, so you could see Monticello, and detour through the Shenandoah Valley on your way back to VA Beach.

Later Spring is a beautiful time to visit the area. Azalea Gardens in Norfolk would be in full bloom at that time of year.

Dave
 
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I am hoping for Va Beach but may have to take whatever I can get. I think this is a low priority type week. I was offered Las Vegas when I need to be there. Since when did the Tahiti Vac Village go RCI? They used to be II only.
If I go there then I will need to rent a car which is something I' don't want to do.
 
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