First trip to Vero Beach

[keliblue]

We are new DVC owners and would like to go to Vero Beach for a few days at the end of September before our WDW vacation. Is this a good time to go ? (we aren't worried about hurricanes) Is this considered a busy time of the year ? Are there good places to eat or off site locations ?

thanks so much

kb

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We are new DVC owners and would like to go to Vero Beach for a few days at the end of September before our WDW vacation. Is this a good time to go ? (we aren't worried about hurricanes) Is this considered a busy time of the year ? Are there good places to eat or off site locations ?

thanks so much

kb

kb, September is a great time to go. The chance of hurricanes exists, but since hurricanes don't worry you... you have nothing to worry about. Busy or crowded at Vero is not anything like at WDW. You will always feel relaxed and happy (unless a hurricane comes). DW and I don't eat out much at all, but we do like to get carryout from Shutter's (which they don't advertise, but do with a smile). Don't know what type of family situation you have, but here is some more info on the resort.

The VB resort provides daily activities for kids & adults with the best CMs of all the resorts.

They have a nice pool & Lighthouse spiral waterslide, a REALLY cool water play area for the real young kids, a hot Jacuzzi, miniature golf, exercise room, ping pong, bike rentals, The Green Cabin Room (bar/restaurant) has 2nd floor covered deck that has a fantastic view of the ocean and is a nice place to relax with your favorite beverage. It also has live entertainment in the evenings. At night they have a campfire / s’more roast (bring the Cutter Advanced to fend off the No-see-ums). You can rent a small catamaran or jet-ski for ocean fun. Across the street they have a lake, picnic tables, nature trail, tennis courts, and basketball courts. Disney built a private tunnel under the road to access this area. And of course they have the ocean and great waves for boogy boarding. Everything from the ocean to the pool to your room is no more than 2 minutes away walking. So it is real easy to break up your day

5 minutes away is Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and a wildlife education center. Just a few minutes further up the road is Sebastian Inlet State Park were the Indian River meets the ocean. There are many good fishing spots around the inlet, and there are river excursions where you can see dolphins, manatee, and tons of other types of wildlife. About an hour north is Port Canaveral, (where the Magic and Wonder dock), the Kennedy Space Center visitor complex, and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge with walking and driving tours. 20 minutes south is McKee Botanical Garden (18 acres) with some REALLY cool vegetation and trees. 30 minutes south in Fort Piece is the Manatee Observation and Education Center.

Average Temps

Average Precipitation

Hope you decide to go...

 

[keliblue]

WOW !!! great info It will just be DH and myself for this part of the trip hooking up with the rest of the family at WDW.. You make it sound like just what the doctor ordered .. Rest and relaxation..... YES !!

thank you

kb

 

[kespo]

There is a great place to eat back over the causeway. It is called
Capt. Hiram's. The front desk can give you directions. We love to go there. It has good food and great atmosphere. It is situated on the bay. They have two entrances. One is open air dining with a band and tables in the sand. The other is inside with windows that open to the bay. A fun place to go. Enjoy!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We like to rent bikes at the resort and ride on the Historic Jungle trail. They give you a map to follow at Ebb and Flo's. Also, every trip to VB begins with a stop at Hale's, on Rt. 1, for some of the very best OJ in the world!

We too, have eaten at Cpt. Hiram's and enjoyed the food, scenery and music!

Bobbi

 

[keliblue]

Now I am getting really excited about going Can someone tell me if the studio's have ocean views or just the rooms at the Inn ??

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have always stayed in the Inn, but this time, we booked a studio because of the sofa to sit on and watch TV. This was DH's idea - he's really the TV person, and so we're trying it. I don't think you can count on a good view in a studio. We're going in March, so I'll post what we get. I really don't care because the beach is so close and there are rocking chairs on the porches of the inn if I just want to sit and see the ocean.

Bobbi

 

[iluvflorida8]

Captain Hirams is good as stated previuosly.

If you venture towards Indian River Mall on Route 60 there is a TGIF's, Bob Evans,Gators,etc. In the Ryanwood Plaza near the mall is the "Italian Grille". The front desk at the resort has the directions and phone numbers also of these restaraunts.

If you go south on AIA and go on Ocean Drive, there is a nice Pizza place called Nino's, with great Italian food reasonably priced.

If you go south on US1 there are all the chain restaraunts also.
Carabba's,Outback,Chiles,Crispers,Denny's,etc

 

[Mahusky]

Now I am getting really excited about going Can someone tell me if the studio's have ocean views or just the rooms at the Inn ??

It is all luck of the draw. Some of the Studios have wonderful ocean views.

 

[kespo]

iluvflorida8---

Love your Margaritaville pic. My family lives in Indialantic. We're stuck in NJ. Wish we were there!!! Thanks for the additional info for Nino's. My husband and I had a hard time finding a nice italian place near the resort. We kept driving north near my family since that was what we knew.

 

[mufasa0505]

My husband and I just took our first trip to Vero last week and loved it! We can't wait to go again.

We took the Indian River cruise (out of Capt. Hiram's marina) and it was awesome! We saw dolphins, gators, turtles, lots of birds and encountered manatees (I couldn't catch any with my camera, though).

We ate at Shutters everyday and spent some time in the Lounge (Green Cabin Room). They had a piano man there from Thurs to Sun who was quite entertaining.

I have to admit that we were worried about getting bored. We are park commandos, but we absolutely loved Vero. We had an ocean view inn room. At check-in I asked if it was direct rather than a side view, and she made sure that we did have the direct ocean view.

 

[cdnsluvdisney]

My husband and I just took our first trip to Vero last week and loved it! We can't wait to go again.

We took the Indian River cruise (out of Capt. Hiram's marina) and it was awesome! We saw dolphins, gators, turtles, lots of birds and encountered manatees (I couldn't catch any with my camera, though).

We ate at Shutters everyday and spent some time in the Lounge (Green Cabin Room). They had a piano man there from Thurs to Sun who was quite entertaining.

I have to admit that we were worried about getting bored. We are park commandos, but we absolutely loved Vero. We had an ocean view inn room. At check-in I asked if it was direct rather than a side view, and she made sure that we did have the direct ocean view.

Where did u book your Indian River cruise from? Is this something you can do when u get there or reserve beforehand?

 

[iluvflorida8]

Where did u book your Indian River cruise from? Is this something you can do when u get there or reserve beforehand?

http://www.riverqueencruises.net/river-queen-tour-details.html

 

[SalandJeff]

I'm thinking of VB for next years trip. We have not been there before. Our dd will be 4. It all sounds so nice and relaxing, but these are not exactly things we get to do much of with our busy girl. Is there enough to keep a 4 yo. entertained? How many days would you recommend? Maybe we will do a split week w/BWV?

 

[Disney Fanatic]

This is why we love Vero in September!! Look at all the crowds on the beach! LOL!!

It is absolutely beautiful, the weather is great (if no hurricanes) and it is so quiet!!

Our favorite month to go now!!

ooops.....sorry for the huge pic,still trying to resize

 

[PamOKW]

Just wanted to second the Italian Grill as a great place to have Italian food. My brother has a saying "What would Tommy Lasorda do?" We all agreed that Tommy would eat here -- and probably has when he's in town for the Dogers. It doesn't have the atmosphere of the Ocean Grill (also great) but it does have great Italian food.

 

[keliblue]

Love the picture on the beach in Sept !! we are so there my kind of crowd

 

[mbhoxsie]

I'm thinking of VB for next years trip. We have not been there before. Our dd will be 4. It all sounds so nice and relaxing, but these are not exactly things we get to do much of with our busy girl. Is there enough to keep a 4 yo. entertained? How many days would you recommend? Maybe we will do a split week w/BWV?

My kids are 6 and 4... They love VB just as much as they do the parks... There's a bunch of activities there, and if you can't find anything, there's always the pool and kiddie pirate ship...

VB is not for everyone though, and it's probabily not a bad idea to do a split stay on your first time out.. Maybe do 4 days at VB and 4 days at BWV... If you like it, you could always go there for longer next year...

 

[Dennyha]

I've read a few places about the beach campfire with s'mores, and the caution to watch out for no-see-ums. We're going to Vero Beach in 2 weeks. Are the no-see-ums an issue this time of year?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I've read a few places about the beach campfire with s'mores, and the caution to watch out for no-see-ums. We're going to Vero Beach in 2 weeks. Are the no-see-ums an issue this time of year?

I think probably the no-see-ums are an issue year round, though worse in the hotter months. Frankly, DW & I have never been harrassed by them in the 8 or so times we've been there. I think the campfire draws them and is really the main problem with them. Nonetheless, bring the Cutter Advanced bug repellent... I think some people taste better than others.