Just Back ... 4 days BCV, Week at Vero

[MJS]

Just back from a great trip to Florida! First time to visit Vero - a nice change of pace from WDW. We were there for a week - a little long for us, but we enjoyed the relaxation. Loved the housekeeping CMs. We stayed on points at BCV, paid for VB, so had Mousekeeping everyday. Very clever towel animals each day. Great beach - fun CMs - loved the rockers on the porch.

The BCV as always was great. Loved the 5th floor view of Epcot and Illuminations. Any questions?

 

[Desnik]

Glad to hear you had a great time!
I have some questions about Vero. What did you do at night? Were there any activities going on at night for families/kids? Did you rent any bikes? If so where do you rent them exactly at the resort? How much and what type of bikes are there? Were you there with kids? What did they enjoy during the day? We will be there in June so any info you can provide would really be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[MinnieInMI]

I'm also interested in what is happening at VB - we are going for the 4th of July week. I'm particularly interested in the activities being offered, and what may be appropriate for my 12 year old niece.

Also, did you go to the character breakfast? Which characters are at the breakfast and which days is the breakfast scheduled for?

Thanks, Donna

 

[MJS]

We did not rent bikes when we were there, but I saw many families doing that. You could call the resort and ask, or post on this board. I am sure some DIS members know the rental info.

The only character meal offered when we were there was on Saturday with Goofy and Max at Shutters. We made a PS 30 days in advance. Making PS is much more laid back at Vero than at WDW.

There are all sorts of activities for kids of all ages - throughout the day and in the evening. Each day is different. There are campfires in the evenings aound 8:30pm, craft and athletic things during the day, as well as the kids club. The club was offered from 5 to 8 pm on selected days we were there. It goes up to 12 years old, I believe, and when we were there most of the kids were older and the CMs had them out playing soccer, etc. The CMs seemed more like coaches than babysitters.

When you check in they will give you a daily schedule of activities, and for those with a fee (club, Unbirthday Party, etc), you sign up at Eb and Flo's (the Activity Center) by the pool. There are some interesting things for older kids to do (surfing lessons, scuba, fishing, bike hikes, etc). If you would like, I can give you more specific information.

There is also the beach and the ocean with lots of fun stuff. My little one love collecting shells! Not too many of those here in MN!

 

[DisnutDave@work]

We've read here that the Epcot view at BCV has been marred somewhat by the new "Soarin'" building. Did you notice that?

 

[apulk]

[When you check in they will give you a daily schedule of activities, and for those with a fee (club, Unbirthday Party, etc), you sign up at Eb and Flo's (the Activity Center) by the pool. There are some interesting things for older kids to do (surfing lessons, scuba, fishing, bike hikes, etc). If you would like, I can give you more specific information.]

Would love to have more details on the daily events at Vero. We're going to do 4 nights at the BCVs and 4 nights at Vero the last week of May/first week of June. Our home resort is Hilton Head and really stay close to the resort/beach and we have planned our days around the events the kids expect to do....like, "what is a vacation when you don't paint a fish and make a t-shirt..."

Any info more on Vero (and BCV) activities (and rates) would be appreciated.

Andy

 

[goofy4wdw2]

Hi MJS,

We heard that the BCV store recently underwent some changes and expanded the food area. Is this like a small food court? Anything fresh prepared, sandwiches, or is it just like a mini-mart grocery store with mostly packaged foods?

Thank you!

 

[MinnieInMI]

I would also like more specifics re: the VB activites. Thanks!

 

[MJS]

The BCV store reopened the day we checked out. I was there only a few minutes, but the food selection was greatly expanded, with what I would call a coffee bar, prepackaged and fresh foods and more. Much more floor space than before. Many bakery goodies (as opposed to simply boxed donuts) and I think there was a place to sit with bar stools - a mini food court. I will ask DH later, he may remember better than I do.

As for Vero, I will unpack my daily activity guide "Playful Pastimes" and show you a sample day later today.

 

[MJS]

Here is a listing of activities from Vero for Thursday, March 31, to provide you with a sampling of a day's offerings:

9am - Bocce
9:15am - SCUBA Experience
Ages 12 and up
10am - Parent and Tot Craft
Ages 3 - 5
10:30am SnorkelEars
Ages 7 - 15
11:00am - Waterslide Races
12:15pm - Intro to Harmonica
Ages 7 and Up
1:15pm - Sun Gazing Telescope
1 - 5:00pm Kayak Adventure
Ages 8 & Up
1:15pm Bubbles
2:15pm - Disney Pin Trading
2:15pm - Scavenger Hunt
3:00pm - Tot Time Tea Party
Parents and kids ages 3 - 5
3:00pm - Unca Banjo - Performing on back porch
4:15pm - Underwater Fish Hunt
5:30pm - Matey Mike's Treasure Hunt
Ages 3 to 5
6 to 10pm - Sonya's Seafood Buffet
6:30pm - Story Time
7:30pm - Star Gazing
8:00pm - Ron Bartol
Green Cabin Room

Under each listing is the location and the fee, sign up requirements (if any).

 

[MJS]

Also Eb and Flo's Rentals is the place to go for pool towels, tennis rackets, balls and court reservations, life jackets, bicycles, volleyballs, basketballs, miniature golf, croquet sets, bocce sets, ping pong sets and board games (Life, Candy Land, etc.).

Also in the pool area are anchors-a-weigh fitness room, steamers sauna, blinkers arcade, community hall, Bleachers bar and grill, Port Holes Miniature Golf, Shuffleboard and more.

 

[MJS]

The week that we were there, the Un-Birthday Party was held on M-W-F at 2pm for ages 4 to 10. You have to sign up at Eb and Flo's on the morning of the party. We did not do this, but they advised us to be there at 8:00am - 8:30am to line up to register.

One day when we were there, the resort offered a Pelican Island Bike Hike for ages 12 and up (under 18 required an adult). Scenic 10 mile bike ride to the Nation's First Wildlife Refuge with a naturalist.

Other offerings included Disney Cel painting for ages 10 and up, Sing Along Campfires (8:30pm M-W-F-Sat), Creatures from the Lagoon for ages 7 to 17 (Visit the Environmental Learning Center to explore and learn about the Indian River Lagoon), Fishing Fundamentals for ages 7 and up (Catch and release), and more.

I hope this gives you a flavor of the offerings at Vero!

 

[apulk]

MJS -- thanks so much for posting these. We're a little nervous (not really....just that we LOVE HHI so much) about switching from our favorite summer beach spot. Our 4 kids range from 15 to 6 and we've had some great memories from the activities that are there. Gyotaku, campfire songs and smores, un-birthday party, "ghost" stories by B'lou, teens night, etc.

As it gets closer I'm starting to wish we would be staying for longer than 3 nights (other nights before and after at WDW).

Andy

 

[MinnieInMI]

Thanks so much for the info. I am so looking forward to our trip in July! Donna

 

[MJS]

I have never been to HHI, but I would bet that it is similar in some ways to VB.

Glad the info was helpful. Have a great trip!

 

[socks3]

We've been to HH and to VB. We loved both places (leaving tomorrow for VB!). What I like about VB over HH is that the beach is right out your door and you don't have to drive to get there.

 

[gracelrm]

MJS - We're thinking of going summer of 2006 and were thinking six nights. Your post indicated you might have been there "too long", at what point did you feel like you'd been there long enough and were ready to leave. We've stayed four nights before and wanted to be there longer, so I'm curious as where the cut-off time for you was of being there too long.

 

[MJS]

We arrived on Saturday, and by Wednesday night, we were looking for things to do outside of the resort. We really needed the R and R, and Vero is a great place to get it. By Wednesday we had also explored the area, shops, restaurants (Ocean Grill and Capt. Hiram's are MUSTS) etc., but the primary focus of our trip was to stay at the resort and relax. As I noted at the beginning of the thread, we began our trip at WDW, and Vero is a nice change of pace. I do have to say that we can relax at WDW(we are BCV members), and we have what we call resort days when we do not go to the parks.

Part of our challenge was that our little one is 5, almost 6. If you look at the listing of activities there are many things for kids a bit older. She was not too excited about doing things with 3 year olds. The kids club was dominated the week we were there by 10 - 12 year olds, and they played soccer, etc, so that was not a good fit either. She had a great time and met other children at the pool and beach, but the activities were not a good fit for her age wise.

Travel is a very individual/family decision. What helps us relax and what we enjoy may be very different from others. It is great that Disney offers so many options.

 

[juliesue]

Wow, I didn't realize there were so many activities at Vero. We haven't gone there since we are people who really like to "have something to do" on vacation. We cannot sit at the beach all day (can't take the sun or the boredom for more than a couple of hours). My impression of Vero was that it wasn't a lot more than that.

Your post has made me reconsider it. Maybe we will give it try for 3 days or so the first time.

Thanks!!!

 

[bunny19]

My extended family and I are going to VB the last week of June. We even got a beach cottage after a three week wait on the waiting list. I'm interested in the Unbirthday Party for my grandchildren. Can you call ahead 30 days or more to make reservations? How much is it?
Thanks for any help you can give!

Eleven more days before DH and I visit SSR - it's our home resort!