Just back from Vero Beach, any questions??

[kamgen]

We just returned from a wonderful trip to VB! The weather was great, the food was great, and the resort is fantastic (but we already knew that!)
If anyone has any questions, please let me know!
We ate at Shutters (two dinners and one breakfast) and at South Beach Grille in Vero Beach. That was great. They have a salad bar with over 50 items and homeade dressings. Really nice place.
We drove over to EPCOT for the day to see the Flower and Garden festival. IT was beautiful and the weather was fabulous. We also visited the new AKL and loved it.
Overall a great trip....cannot wait to go back!

 

[PamOKW]

Thanks for the report! Where is the Sunset Grill? (Always looking for new restaurants in Vero). Also, did you have PS at AKL or were you able to enter to look around? There have been conflicting reports about how tight security would be at AKL.

 

[kamgen]

Well, first let me say that the South Beach Grille was fabulous. It is right on A 1 A.
If you go south out of the resort on A1A , it is about 13 miles down on the left.

As for AKL, we had PS for Jiko, but we had our DVC member parking permit in the car window and the guard just smiled and waved us through! We did see him turn MANY people away though.

We toured the lodge for awhile then headed to Jiko for dinner. Unfortunately my dh was very ill and we had to leave right after the appetizers. I can say we enjoyed the wine and appetizers and will return for dinner someday
The lodge is beautiful and we did see various animals roaming the area.

 

[MnParrothead]

Kamgen, glad to see you had a great trip. How full was the resort? Was the ocean temp. warm enough to swim in?

 

[kamgen]

the ocean was really nice. The temp was around 78 or so. I loved it.
The resort was crowded on the weekends, they even asked to see our room keys. But during the week it was really nice and quiet.
I will highly recommend the first week of May.

 

[prncssjas]

Kamgen: I am very glad you had a great time. DH and I just bought at Vero and I cannot wait to go down there! Just a few questions...was this just a Vero trip? You did end up going to the parks though right? How was the drive to the parks? I want to do a VB only trip but am concerned about driving out there and back so I am wondering if I need to book some theme park resorts too (OKW, BWV, VWL)...please tell me how that was for you.

Is there any shopping in the area--malls or small stores? What was more crowded--the beach or the pool? Do you think the resort is romantic? I ask because it's only DH and I and I thought maybe an anniversary trip would be nice. How are the non-sit down eating places? Better than the full service restaurants?

Well--I'd love to hear more so please share!!! We are practically neighbors...I am from Dearborn!

Thanks again!

Rima

 

[kamgen]

This is great! I work in Dearborn!

Well, VB is a great place and I think it is very romantic. The pool was more crowded than the beach, but not bad at all. The only walk up eating place onsite is Bleacher's which is at the pool. We like their food and their drinks are great. THey serve things like burgers, nachos, chicken fingers, and chicken salad.
We also had drinks in the Green Cabin Room and really loved it. THere was music too.

As for off site, there are plenty of places to go. There is a mall not to far, with a movie theater. THe staff at VB will be able to help you with everything. They are very helpful.

We drove over to EPCOT for one day. It took us about 2 hours each way. It isn't a bad drive. We like road trips, so we do not mind.
Last time we went to VB we did half the trip at WDW and half at VB. If you are looking to relax, VB is wonderful. I could've stayed much longer! Hope this helps!

 

[BobH]

Did you find it necessary to make reservations for Shutters or Sonyas before leaving home or was there sufficient availability after you arrived?

 

[prncssjas]

Thanks Kamgen!!! Yes, that is very helpful!! Because now I am thinking of maybe splitting up our vacation. Doing half on site and half at VB. Do you always rent a car? Or do you just rent for the VB portion? What do you think works best? This is great!!! DH and I almost bought a house in Brownstown...at the new sub off of I-75 and West Road (I think...). What a small world--pun intended! LOL!!!



Thanks again!

 

[Renee']

Did you purchase the refillable mug? Are they still the Blue 2000 Celebration mug or have they got an actually Vero Beach mug?

Thanks!

 

[kamgen]

We did not make PS from home, but we made them same day while we were there with no problem. YOu can make them from home, but we did not need to. We ate two dinners and one breakfast at Shutters.

THe refillable mugs were not blue, but we did not get one, so I am not sure. I don't think they said Vero Beach on them though. We went to the Super Walmart and stocked up our fridge with stuff.

Yes, we usually get a car when we go to WDW and to VB. We like having one. We still use the WDW busses, but the car makes it easier to go offsite. It also works out cost wise for the two of us.

 

[Cinderella's Mom]

I'm new to this DVC concept and am learning as I go, so bear with this silly question. Are the home resorts (Vero Beach, Old Key West, etc.) only for use by DVC members or can anyone book rooms there? I received my DVC info yesterday and have fallen in love with the Vero Beach property!!

 

[KMarie]

kamgen,
Happy to hear you had a nice trip! Please tell us about your room. What size room did you stay in, what kind of view did you have, was it in good shape? You have any recommendations on rooms based on your experience?
Thanks for the info!


Cinderella's Mom: yes, non-DVC people can stay at Vero and pay, just as they can at the DVC resorts at WDW.

 

[kamgen]

We stayed in a Studio this time around. It was in Vacation home 14, near the pool. It was in great shape and sufficient for the three of us.

Last visit we stayed in an ocean view Inn room. I preffered it to the studio because I loved the ocean view and being able to keep the patio door open for the breeze. My dh liked the studio better. To each his own.
The studio had one bed and a pull out sofa, while our inn room had two queen beds.Both had a fridge, microwave, cofee pot, etc.


We love VB and cannot wait to go back.

Hope this helps!!inkbounc

 

[KMarie]

Thanks for the info kamgen!
We're planning on going to VB for the first time this winter and really want an ocean view. So, we probably will book an inn room for the view, although I'd really prefer a one-bedroom for that whirlpool tub!

 

[jbthi]

KMARIE,

We stayed at VB last December, the weather was great, the resort was beautiful. We stayed in a studio lockout and didn't care too much for the room. It was so noisy and I don't believe it was the members fault that were in the 1 BR. A normal speaking voice and TV volumn sounded like they were in the same room. I don't believe you would have that in an Inn room.

I'm sure you will have a great time. Even though we didn't care for the room we still had fun and I would like to go back to VB.

The service desk around the corner from the checkin was
very helpful suggesting shopping and sightseeing areas.

 

[tarzanman]

I love VB too. I prefer the ocean view inn rooms to the regular studio as well. We don't stay in the room much though is really doesn't matter. If you have children and want to save some money, a one bedroom with a kitchen would be advisable.

One thing that people haven't mentioned is the VB beach is not that big. In fact when my DW and I were there last week, the ocean came almost up to the breakers in front of the resort during high tide. The DVC people there said that they will have to bring in sand to replenesh the beach. It should be nice though. The beach that was there during low tide was very nice.

Don't forget to go the Welcome Home morning coffee when you are are there. It is great for breakfast if you are not a breakfast eater. They have coffee and tea and muffins. At lunch they have another one with lemonade and cookies for an afternoon snack.

To go with something that someone else had asked about non-members staying there, the DVC guide there said that when the resort is sold out it will be a members only resort.