My honest opinion of Vero Beach

[Minniemom2girls]

Just returned from 8 nights at WLV followed by 7 nights at Vero. LOVED WLV!! Everything about it was great! Vero, on the other hand, was quite a disappointment. When we arrived we were amazed at our view - SPECTACULAR! The setting is great and the ocean is beautiful. Our disappointment did not lie in the hands of Disney at all. Rather, at the people who were at teh resort with us. We were appalled by the rowdiness of the kids there. We have two children, ages 5 and 6, so I know kids have their moments. But, there were a huge percentage of children who were completely unsupervised! I have no idea where the parents were, I am assuming they were off doing their own thing. We specifically watched two cuples who would drop off their kids at the pool at 8:30 am, go workout, play tennis, kayak, ride jetskis and spend time at the beach before returning to pick up their children at 4 or 5 pm. We mentioned this to a lifeguard who agreed it is a HUGE problem. Too many unsupervised children. He said that most parents are "sick of their kids" after a few days at WDW and bring them to Vero for babysitting. How sad. His opinion of DVC members was very poor, to say the least. He also mentioned how "snooty" members were, which I did notice much more at Vero than I had at any other DVC resort. Fortunately, we were still able to have a decent time WITH our kids. Even our girls were complaining about the kids running around "like crazy" as they put it. We thoroughly enjoyed the beach since we were able to get away from much of the chaos there. But, I don't know how soon I will go back. As I said, I think this is out of Disney's hands. For their part, the resort is spectacular. Unfortunately, there is nothing they can do about uncaring parents who take a "family vacation" to be alone. Thanks for letting me vent! Just curious if anyone else had this same view of Vero. My opinion - go during the school year when there might be less "babysitting" going on.:mad:

[robinb]

Unfortunately, there is nothing they can do about uncaring parents who take a "family vacation" to be alone.


Of course they can! They can make it clear that children under a certain age must be atteneded at all times. If a child is found unattended, they will be turned over to some kind of child care and the parents will be charged by the hour.

Perhaps if this kind of thing is prevalent, then maybe Vero needs to have more half-day or all-day kids programs.

[ripleysmom]

Maybe they should tell these parents to take the cruise!!

[AZKathy]

We did a weekend at VB during our trip to WDW, too, this month. I really did not notice that problem with kids and all, but I was TOO busy watching out for my kids! :) :) :) It certainly makes things bad for others when unruly children are not supervised by their parents. Those lifeguards there should not be babysitters! :)

[The4OfUs]

Its sad that other people's lack of responsibility can impact another's vacation that way, I'm sorry you ran into that.

Unfortunately, I find this attitude reflected in comments from friends and coworkers about Disney in general...this idea that Disney is "safe" so oh gee, this vacation will be wonderful in August for my husband and I because the kids can run loose and we can be on our own. My kids are 7 and 8 (well, 9 in 13 days). There is NO WAY they are "running loose" anywhere, and what would make someone assume that Disney is any "safer" than any other public place for unsupervised children?

My husband is a former CM at MK - and bad things happen everywhere, even in the magic of Disney. People need to take responsibility for their kids at all times, I find that attitude frightening. :(

[prncssjas]

Hi there! I read your post and really felt the need to respond. Like you, DH and I were at VB this year (in May) and I LOVED the resort itself. However, we were shocked at how "unsupervised" the children were. The kids of the room next door to us broke into our room by climbing over the balcony. And then left the door wide open all while we were gone to breakfast!!! Can you believe that?! Believe me, I know how you feel! I mean, YES, we should have locked our door to the balcony but STILL!! Who was going to attempt to defy gravity and break into the balony?? I don't have kids so I didn't stop to think!! We never got one acknowledgement or apology from the parents, even after management and security contacted them. I was upset about this! We were lucky though that we still managed to enjoy our trip.

[rbuzzotta]

Sorry to hear about the kids running crazy and having a negative impact on your vacation. I tend to give my oldest DD a "little" more freedom while at VB and only at VB. I have never let her out of my sight though (she doesn't know that).!!! We have always gone to VB during off times and have only experienced wonderful families caring and playing with their children.

I hope this isn't a new thing happening at VB! I like the idea about unsupervised children being placed in child care and then charging the parents. Maybe it should be explained to parents upon check-in that children under a certain age are not allowed in the pool area, community hall unsupervised!!

[BobH]

My wife spent 6 nights at Vero in June and share some of your views regarding the other guests. Vero is smaller than the resorts at WDW so the bad apples tend to stand out more. I was disapointed by some of the guests carelessness with their trash on the beach, and a few guests habit of hanging their laundry over the balconies at the front of the resort. My wife and I actually enjoyed leaving the resort to go out to dinner to get away from some of the commotion. We were not traveling with children. Ours are now in college. We ate one breakfast at Sonyas. A mother came in with two boys about ages 5 and 7. We watched in amazement as she allowed her 2 kids to run in and out of the restaurant several times while placing their orders. When the server brought them their drinks she announced to him that she wished to cancel the whole meal because her boys had decided they changed their mind and no longer wanted to eat. Having raised two kids I found this incredible. I give the DVC staff great credit for what they put up with from some people. I also got an unwanted shower at the beach exit area from a family not smart enough to realize I was only trying to rinse my feet off at the same shower. I was ahead of them. But this family let their son run up and play with the water and splash anyone within the general area. I laughed it off because I realize kids will be kids, but I do think the parents could have used a refresher course in courtesy.
On the realistic side, however, I think we all have to realize that DVC is primarily a family resort and that you will find the same cross section of humanity among DVC Members as in normal society. I would suggest you try
Vero again in the off season if at all possible. Hopefully
you'll share the resort with a nicer group of people. This is my plan.

[nickglover]

As stated in the original post, this has nothing to do with the actual resort or Disney. Unfortunately, it is happening all over, and is a sign of the times. For every responsible parent, there are also a small percentage of irresponsible parents (just like bad drivers, they can't recognize themselves as being in this group) that let their kids behave in any manner they want, with absolutely no discipline whatsoever. In fact, the parents even seem to enjoy the attention their unruly kids create, calling their names out loud, over and over, but not really disciplining them or stopping the unruly behavior. I see this in the supermarkets, the restaurants, the stores, and every public place I visit. It is the most evident with younger parents, and escpecially ones that are more affluent.
I do think Disney should have a policy concerning unsupervised children. I also just wish parents would always try to be aware of how bothersome unruly behavior can be. There is a disinction between just being a kid and having a good time on the one hand, and being obnoxious and unruly on the other. You have to blame the parents.
Give the resort another chance. It is not always like that, especially when school is in session!

[KNWVIKING]

...this is not a DVC problem,it's everywhere in this country. Parents like the idea of having kids,but want the school system,daycare,television,etc. to raise them. I'll bet if you polled the parents of these unrulely kids you'd find they spend almost no time with them. I'm 42 and I'd bet when I was in school,nobody was on Ridlin or was diagnosed with ADS. We didn't need a perscription for a spanking. I'm almost ashamed to admit it but I can't stand to have my nieces & nephews around because they ARE the kids we are talking about. In the state of New Jersey you need a license to catch a fish, but you don't to have a kid.

[Minniemom2girls]

Thank you all for your kind posts - After talking with my friend who just returned from HH (not Disney) I realized that this is a problem EVERYWHERE. She had the same problem at the resort she was in. It really makes me sad that the times have changed so much. What do we have to look forward to when these kids grow up! Princess Jasmine, I can not believe what you dealt with!! That is an atrocity!!! Those parents should have been banned from Vero - not likely, I know. I'm sorry you had to deal with that. We do plan on trying Vero again in the off season. Hopefully, better luck next time.:rolleyes:

KNWVIKING - Excellent post, my feelings exactly! My children are just that - MINE. I have every desire to spend the maximum amount of time with them. They will never step foot into a daycare. I actually LOVE being with them, what a novel concept! It's sad that the desire to have more has created so many two working parent families with children left to be raised elsewhere - but hey they've got a nice house and a shiny new car - and 2.1 brats living with them.

[ohiominnie]

Rude, inconsiderate, unruly children are almost becoming the "norm" in society. No one wants to squelch the "creativity" of the 3 yr old who jumps from couch to loveseat to chair to coffee table. No one wants to take away the "freedom of speech" from the 5 yr old in the grocery store who calls his mom "stupid" or "mean" (or worse!)

KNWVIKING...you've got it with the Ritalin....there isn't more ADHD now a days....there is less DISCIPLINE!! It's easier to medicate a child than to be consistent and follow through with CONSEQUENCES!!

If parents can't get their 3 or 5 or 8 yr old kids under control, they WILL NOT have control over what those kids do when they are pre-teens or teens!

Kids WILL be kids, but they also need to learn respect for people and things and they need to honor and obey their parents! In our house, if those things aren't done, there ARE consequences!

If we ever make it out to Vero, rest assured, we WILL be watching our kids like hawks!!

Stepping off my soap box now! ;)

ohiominnie :p

[TriciaT]

As the mother of two intelligent, courteous, and well-disciplined children who happen to also have ADD, I find the above comments highly insulting. Attention defecit disorder is a neurological disability. It is not something made up by lazy parents. Without medication, my oldest son can barely function; with it, he is a straight A student with lots of friends and a wonderful, productive life.

There are unsupervised, undisciplined children everywhere. It would bother me too if I was at a resort witnessing that type of behavior. It wouldn't be my ADHD kids though, because I too would be watching them like a hawk.

Comments like those are what gives ADD kids a bad name. Think for a moment what it is like to have children with disabilities before you pass judgement on another person.

;)

[ohiominnie]

Tricia,
I'm sorry if what I said offended you. I did not mean for it to do that. I wrote that there isn't necessarily MORE ADHD now a days....I DID NOT write that there is NONE! I do realize that there are kids out there who must have Ritalin to be able to focus....but the frequency with which Ritalin is prescribed now just astounds me. As a person who has been in the medical profession (I stay home with my kids now) I would see parents come in and want drugs to calm their active 3 or 4 year olds down. And unfortunately, I'd see doctors who would prescribe it! :(

A kid being a kid and running and jumping is NOT a medical problem. They need to be kids.

A kid sassing back to his parents or destroying furniture/toys/whatever or hurting people is NOT a medical problem. They need discipline.

A kid who has trouble focusing on schoolwork or concentrating on a project can be helped by Ritalin. They need Ritalin.

Again, I'm sorry if what I wrote offended you. You sound like a caring, responsible parent who is doing what you think is best for your kids under the supervision of a licensed pediatrician.

ohiominnie :p

[KNWVIKING]

The intent of my post was not to insult or offend people whose children do truely suffer from ADHD. I was stating that irresponsible parents have to blame someone or something other then themselves for having misbehaving children and ADHD seems to be the popular scapegoat. My own nieces and nephews I spoke of are perfect examples of that. My one sister has 5 kids,4 of which are adopted,not of the same blood. What are the odds of all 5 having ADHD ? But when my parents babysit them they're suddenly cured because my parents won't tolerate their "ADHD" !!! The flyswatter has amazing curetive powers.

I do apologize for offending you. I guess we all need to post disclaimer before we make generalize statements.

[Zimbubba]

Unfortunaltly, some lazy parents do use ADD as an excuse. It is even more upsetting when the children have not been diagnosed with it. Face it, there are lazy parents out there.

[TriciaT]

KNWVIKING and OhioMinnie, I really appreciate your replies and apologies. It is not always easy to read a post and interpret other's feelings over the internet. And of course, I am sure you were not aware of some mom-tiger with ADD kids, sweltering in this 95 degree NJ heat wave, really wishing she was in Disney, reading your discussion.;)

Thanks again, and have a great day!

[sueg]

My family was not particularly impressed with VB. But my real aggravation was not with the kids, but with rude peolple on cel phones. I settled at the pool to read a book and a couple came and sat next to me. They each had a phone and they rang non-stop. I got up and moved to a different, albeit slightly less desirable spot and a woman sat down next to me, already talking on her cel. Again, not Disney's fault. Clearly a conflict in definition of "vacation".
That was not the only reason we didn't like VB, but it is part of a lasting bad impression.

[princess angel]

I think Vero has been this way for a while!!! this is the first I've read about the problem, but we experienced it first hand 3 years ago!!!
dh and I stayed at Vero to start our honeymoon in '98. 3 nights at Vero followed by 11 nights at the GF.

We loved Vero, and it was very relaxing, except for the pool! we refused to go in it. there were a ton of kids running around like crazy, obviously unsupervised. it was nuts! so we spent a lot of time on the beach, and never went in the pool.
I agree that kids will be kids, parents probably feel it's safe to leave there kids there because it's a small resort, and whatever. but they should not, it's not safe for the children, and it's not fair to others.

Laura :D

18 days til WDW!!! yipeeeeeeeeee :D :D :D

[DisneyMim]

Excellent thread. I totally agree with all of you. Rude obnoxious kids are everywhere with their rude obnoxious parents. Nobody wants to take responsibility for their children anymore. Unfortunately I have encountered this type of behavior at almost all Disney resorts lately. The last time we were at BWV there were a lot of rude kids at the pool. Same at OKW and the Poly. Sometimes I think that these kids are unsupervised and then I see them go over to their parents and I realize that they were there all along and just ignored everything!! It happens in restuarants, stores, EVERYWHERE!! The last time we were at Vero there were a lot of kids on those stupid razor scooters. Why anyone would take one to a resort is beyond me, my son wouldn't even THINK to ask. Anyway, this boy was using his in the main building. I got off the elevator and was almost run over!! I talked to a CM, but she just said that yes it is a problem and they are trying to do something about it. I agree that obnoxious children are not Disney's fault, but I think that they have to really start stressing to the parents that there are some things that will not be tolerated. It will be very hard, and I'm guessing that some parents may find this offensive because it will "ruin" their vacation (i.e. they will be forced to actually have to WATCH their little angels), but I think it's high time.

I'll get off my soapbox now. This has bothered me for years.

To the original poster, I'm so sorry that you had a less than pleasant trip. Vero is a lovely resort and hope that next time you will have a better vacation.

[Daydreamin]

Like many others on this thread, we too were not as impressed with VB as we had hoped to be. While there were a number of highlights for our family (the pool slide, boogie boarding at the beach, the campfire, the hot tub, drinks/snacks at the Green Cabin Room, bike riding/hiking & watching our kids ride their razor scooters across the road from the main resort), it is not a place we can't wait to visit. Like many others, we also wondered about the people that seemed to be on vacation from their kids (no supervision or nanny's watching their kids). We truly believe in the family vacation concept and enjoy laughing & being with our kids. We struggled with the fact that many of the activities offered at the resort were adult or child only type activities.

Sueg - We absolutely agreed with you regarding the cell phones at the pool! My husband and I go on vacation to get away from ringing phones & work. This seemed impossible at the pool from time to time :mad:. I know alot of people have to conduct business while on vacation, but I'd hope they would have the common curtesy to do this from their room rather than where everyone else has to hear about their work issues.

[Lil]

Okay ~ VB is my least favorite Disney resort. We stayed there the year it opened.....they had the special $89 a nite with some freebies.

We loved our room, the beach, the restaurants, and the 1000 acre woods.

The pool was horrible. People staked out their spots at 8am with personal belonging and didn't show up until 1pm....at least the adults didn't. How do I know....we watched one day. We took our coffee and newspaper down by the pool.....and stayed the day. Kids were running.....running......and screaming.......people were smoking and leaving their trash and cigarette butts by their loungers. Loungers were moved to block access to the pool by the steps. Disney towels were everywhere, kids were taking 3-4 towels......they were left all over the beach.

One good thing ~ ID bracelets were required and checked....so it was Disney guests at the pool.

I am a pool junkie.....I must have shade......I love to read and sleep...with occassional dips in the pool. I can sleep through all noise.....but VB won this round. We will never go back!!!!!

[CaptainMidnight]

I am sad to read of these problems at Vero Beach. It is amazing how rude fellow vacationers can be and the me forst, me only attitude.

Not long ago a poster on these boards was bragging about how she felt being indignant and obnoxious to a CM when they would try to provide some instructions to her was something to be proud of and boast about. Other unreasonable posters were saying, "you go girl." Although a few posts later people began expressing how unreasonable her hypothetical reaction would be. I have not experiences this lack of consideration at Vero, but will be going there in about a month. Razor scooters should only be allowed on the other side of the road. There is plenty of room over there. Hogging pool chairs should not be allowed. I haven't heard of the wrist bands before, but would gladly comply. There is a public beach next door.

But the main point about inconsiderate parents with unruley children is a very good one, and one to raise here. As is the point about the cell phones. While wildly inappropriate, I could see myself applauding someone who picked up the obnoxious ringing phone and threw it into the ocean.

Our last visits did not have the wild pool area. I guess that is one of the advantages of the resort not expanding, is that the pool area is already limited.

We love Vero, but haven't had to experience the obnoxious inconsiderate people you describe. That would certainly lessen the vacation experience.

[AZKathy]

We were just there in June for a long weekend and did not experience any of those things. There were plenty of lounge chairs around the pool and I guess those wild children were not there that weekend! We also did not have any wrist bands to put on. I only saw one child with a scooter during that weekend. One thing I could not stand were those "No-see-ums"! I got back to WDW after that weekend with around 40 bites on my legs and I had bug repellant on!!!

I enjoyed our stay there and we plan on going back again next year for a weekend during our stay at WDW. I am glad I had a nice experience there. I certainly would not do any longer than a long weekend, but I personally can't do the pool lounging/beach longer than a couple of days!

To be honest, I believe those wild children stayed at OKW this time, because that pool area was much more loud and wild! :)

[Halle]

Lil, we had similar experiences our first few years staying at OKW. Chairs saved at the pool with no one sitting in them, and loud groups of people who were a bit on the rude side. We were quite upset since we had recently ourchased until we realized that these people were renters. Now that OKW is sold out I haven't found a problem at the pool.

[normr]

The pool is about the only thing for kids to do at VB, all that energy from nothing else to do I am sure contributes to it, If there were more activities, I beleive it wouldn't be as bad.

[SnowWitch]

We just returned from our trip last weekend. We spent a wonderful week at VB and can't wait to go back. My family didn't experience any of this stuff, granted we spent most of our time camped out on the beach . We rented an umbrella and chairs for the week. We did take our boys to the pool 3 or so times and really didn't notice any behavior out of the way. Someone mentioned going down to the pool early and laying things in chairs and not returning until noon, I did notice this at the main pool at BWV every morning. However we never had problems getting chairs at the pool so I blew it off.

Oh no scooters to speak of at VB the week we were there. Maybe they were having an irresponsible parent week, offering parenting classes?

[nydizfan]

we need to be very carefull about puting all of the bad kids in a pot. some are bad because of the PARENTS. upbringing is a major problem. dave

[CaptainMidnight]

Actually Dave, I think the lack of oversight by parents and parental responsibility or lack there of, was the heart of the concern listed in the post. At least that's how I read it.

[TrudyZ]

We have had "cell phone" issues before. Yes, we don't mind if someone takes a quick important call, but non-stop ringing (acompanied with loud animated conversations) for hours drives me crazy--that's what I came to get away from. And, if they are right next to you, you can't help but hear the conversation--sometimes both sides of it!

My solution--after the 3 or 4th call I join in on the conversation. Oh, perhaps I ask them a question about their conversation, give them advice, ask them if my 2 1/2 year old can say "hello", whatever pops into my head. I am sweetly persistant peppering them with nosy questions and unwanted conversation until they move. It is quick and efficient and works every time.

Trudy;)

[PamOKW]

It's been awhile since I've been to Vero and I haven't encountered these problems in the past (May and October). I'm hoping I won't in the future. But, the problem with unsupervised children "taking over" is one reason why I am reluctant to take a Disney cruise. I can't imagine being trapped on a ship with this kind of behavior.

[KaraKW]

I haven't been to VB, but I can relate to what so many people who have posted about unruly behavior by children -- and the irresponsible parents behind them! I'm a teacher -- I work with children every day, and you would be amazed at the lack of respect for authority these children have -- even at the age of 6!! (I had a kindergartener flick me off in a hallway once!)

And then when I go to malls and restaurants -- ACK! I can't take it... I find it hard to work with children and then go out in public and watch their unruly behavior without putting them in "time out"! It takes all my self-restraint not to say anything as children run around restaurants, knock cereal boxes off of shelves in grocery stores, etc.

One time, I was eating lunch with my sister when I was at a restaurant. There was a child (who looked about 3 years old) in the booth behind her. He kept standing up and looking at us. No big deal. Then he took his (empty) cup and dropped it on the booth beside my sister. She picked it up and handed it to him. Then he dropped it again. His mom turned around and noticed what he was doing. She took the cup from my sister and handed it back to her son. A THIRD time, he dropped the cup on our booth! Now, I'm thinking, make your child sit down and give him something to do (like color)! But she doesn't. The kid stops throwing his cup, but starts spitting. And once he spit INTO MY SISTER'S hair, I couldn't take it anymore! I finally said something.
"Could you please make your child sit down? He's spitting into my sister's hair?"
The mother said to me, "If we're bothering you that much, why don't you move?" (I had arrived before her, by the way).
I replied "I don't think I should have to do that!"
She said, "Well, the world doesn't revolve around you!"
"No, I guess not, but neither does it revolve around your son!"
Well, from there, the conversation became a bit "heated" shall we say?

That's the problem these days...Everyone thinks that the world revolves around them -- and they think nothing of anyone else. Selfish....... I don't want to sound like I "know it all" -- My DH and I don't have any children, so I don't know what it's like to be a parent --but I have quite a lot of experience with little ones through my career. So I'm not totally "ignorant" of how to discipline, to teach, and to care for children either!

Frankly, when my DH and I look around and see what's happening with children these days, we're concerned about having children of our own -- children who would grow up with the "kids of today" .....and suddenly we're not so sure we want to bring children into this world ... how sad is that?

--Kara K.W.