I need the good, the bad and the ugly...about Vero Beach??

[SnowWitch]

Several years ago I believe they quit taking "ocean View" request for the villa buildings. Due to everyone requesting ocean view. Everyone hear raves about the ocean view inn rooms. I have never stayed in one due to family size, we have 4 kids so we always stay in a 2 bedroom. Our teens like the studio as their space and we also have 2 toddlers that need the extra running around room.

I also must have a washer/dryer at the beach. And I love the conv of having one in the room vs the Inn where you may have to go to a different floor. Probably not a big deal to most because the Inn really is quite small.

I also like having a kitchen while at the beach. At no other time on a vacation would I even consider using a stove but at the beach I do use it. Gasp!

My suggestion would be to request an upper floor, preferrably 3rd floor that will increase your chances of a better view. I always request an upper floor, I do this at Disney or anywhere else for that matter. I hate ground floor rooms.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

On that trip, we were there in April. Must be a seasonal thing.

Sorry you had that bad experience. I had a similar one at Rehoboth Beach DE, when my daughter (8 at the time) was being pulled out. They have lifeguards there, but DAD was keen to be watching every moment. I noticed she was getting too far out and got up from my chair and started yelling at her to come back in closer. She was shaking her head no... and I could read her lips... "I can't"... I ran through the water like a father possessed. I got her and pulled her back in, but the lifeguards were just watching from the shoreline.

Long story made short... the ocean has many different days, depending on the weather. You can't see it, but it is actually NW winds (for the Atlantic) that cause the undertow and rip currents. If you are swimming in the ocean you need to have a partner watching you. Always. AND most important have a flotation device strapped to your wrist. I love the ocean and am quite good at working the waves, BUT never without my board strapped to my wrist. Just like wearing a seat belt. Keep in mind the water is flowing in OVER the water flowing out. If you can get on top of the water you will be flowing into the beach.

Ok... enough said... Hope I haven't scared anyone into avoiding VB.

 

[edk35]

Sorry you had that bad experience. I had a similar one at Rehoboth Beach DE, when my daughter (8 at the time) was being pulled out. They have lifeguards there, but DAD was keen to be watching every moment. I noticed she was getting too far out and got up from my chair and started yelling at her to come back in closer. She was shaking her head no... and I could read her lips... "I can't"... I ran through the water like a father possessed. I got her and pulled her back in, but the lifeguards were just watching from the shoreline.

Long story made short... the ocean has many different days, depending on the weather. You can't see it, but it is actually NW winds (for the Atlantic) that cause the undertow and rip currents. If you are swimming in the ocean you need to have a partner watching you. Always. AND most important have a flotation device strapped to your wrist. I love the ocean and am quite good at working the waves, BUT never without my board strapped to my wrist. Just like wearing a seat belt. Keep in mind the water is flowing in OVER the water flowing out. If you can get on top of the water you will be flowing into the beach.

Ok... enough said... Hope I haven't scared anyone into avoiding VB.

WOW that had to be scary. I will make sure to follow this advice with my kids there this summer. I booked 3 nights there today in a 2 br. on discounted cash with a wait list for 2 of the nights using points.

 

[Starr W.]

The only downside we had in two very nice stays at VB was that we had a very scary incident at the beach when my then-6 year old daughter was pulled under by a ripcurrent, then I was pulled under while trying to pull HER out. No lifeguards, so the chair rental guy jumped in and grabbed her. Not a really friendly beach for younger kids.

Had that happen to my sister at Nags Head, NC back in the day. She was about the same age too if I remember correctly.

 

[rigsby25]

When in Oct. did you go? I'm going 10/11-10/16. How was the weather then?

Like the 3rd week. Maybe around the 18th or something. mid to low 80's.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

WOW that had to be scary. I will make sure to follow this advice with my kids there this summer. I booked 3 nights there today in a 2 br. on discounted cash with a wait list for 2 of the nights using points.

Ha Ha.. the joke is on me... my daughter a couple years earlier had fallen from a second story window to the ground... She spent 3 days in ICU. So, this father is watching every single second.... Hard to do until you realize that life can be taken in seconds.

No matter where you are... watch your kids like they are going to make a bad decision... You are their lifeguards.. Watch them, watch them, watch them...

Damn... I'm spreading a negative wrap on VB... VB has great waves and is prone to greater waves... be smart and know where everyone is at every moment... then go back up to the pool grille and get a hot dog and a mixed drink... you need it at this point.

All things considered.. I've watched many families enjoy the beach and not pay attention to their members, but it scares the heck out of me.

It is not the beach or the ocean... it is the parent's neglect that truly scares me....

Now I'm heading up to Bleachers (poolside bar and grille) and getting me a Long Island Iced Tea (the best value). It's sunset and only the experienced surfers are out in the waters. They are cool to watch...

 

[VLee]

We are going, but I am leary of the riptides. I plan to keep a life jacket on the 6 year and 9 year olds. Back in 2003, an adult daughter (30's) of an acquaintance of mine got caught up in a riptide in Pensacola (FL) trying to pull a child out. She pulled the child to safety, but tragically was drowned herself.

 

[wintergreen]

I was a lifeguard in high school and college, and as a result, cannot relax at the beach. My kids, other people's kids, grown-ups. I watch them all. This incident with my child just about did me in, I felt so guilty for not being right next to her. I have learned my lesson. Good advice about having a boogie board attached to your wrist. I like that idea.

All of this being said, we really like VB. It is a beautiful resort, and we will go back.

 

[edk35]

We are going, but I am leary of the riptides. I plan to keep a life jacket on the 6 year and 9 year olds. Back in 2003, an adult daughter (30's) of an acquaintance of mine got caught up in a riptide in Pensacola (FL) trying to pull a child out. She pulled the child to safety, but tragically was drowned herself.

OMG that is horrible and that is the gulf and the waves are so much calmer. This stuff is scary.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We are going, but I am leary of the riptides. I plan to keep a life jacket on the 6 year and 9 year olds. Back in 2003, an adult daughter (30's) of an acquaintance of mine got caught up in a riptide in Pensacola (FL) trying to pull a child out. She pulled the child to safety, but tragically was drowned herself.

Wow....but really, lets not get tooooo dramatic over this. There are flags that are hung from the lifeguard chair that is close by Disney's beach. I forget what the colors are, but they let you know if the water is too rough to swim. I think that info might be at the CM check in desk. One could always go over to the public beach and talk with the life guard there for any questions.

 

[Tinker74]

Iam going to Vero with my family in late July for a weekend after staying at BCV and before staying at AKV..Iam excited but also nervous for my kids.

On the beach I want to be doing this.. ...But I know I will be doing this... ....watching my kids like a hawk in that ocean.

That is good advice to always make sure there is a parent watching...I'll be the one with the telescope looking for shark fins....