More Info on Vero Beach...???

[DisTeach1]

Hi,

We are planning on staying at Vero Beach for two nights in October provided there is room at 7 months out. I'm looking for more info on VB, such as layout of the resort, restaurants, things to do, golf courses, etc. I have no idea on any of it.

We love wildlife, my husband likes to golf, my mother likes action-LOL. She is NOT a laid back senior, but loves to do stuff. My husband wants to golf, so I was looking for things for my Mom and I to do during that time.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

They have a nice Mickey shaped pool & Lighthouse spiral waterslide, 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, 8 mile hike/bike trail to Pelican Island, 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.

EDIT: Also check this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1431524

Average Temps

Average Precipitation

You should be able to get the days you want.

Have a great trip

 

[Harley-Mouse]

WE booked there this OCT for 2 nights at 2 mounts out with no problem. VB is great we only stayed on resort grounds. Thay did have things to do. We will be going back this July 4 night this time. What kind of room did you book?

 

[DisTeach1]

I haven't booked yet, because I'm not at the 7 month window. We will book a 2 bedroom, because it is my Mom, my son, and my husband and myself.

The only thing I've read that gives me some concern is about the waves...are they really "formidable"? That sounds a little scary!! My son loves to boogie board.

I'm going to research some golf courses...I don't think mini golf is what my husband had in mind...LOL, although we'll do that with our son.

 

[Harley-Mouse]

i found the waves to be ok but there is a strong undercurent. I would make shore DS has a life jacket but we only whent in to 12inch or so. Just be Safe and keep a eye on him there are no live gaurds on the beach. Enjoy the beach get some shells and have your son Look for Shark teeth thay wash up on the beach.

 

[Jerseygirl63]

My parents have lived in Vero Beach for twenty years now. The area has exploded since they first moved there. Do yourselve a favor and get a GPS in your rental car or rent one from AAA. There are great restaurants all around the area. We love Captain Hiram's, Seafood Shanty (but lately my folks say this one has gone downhill), Mack's Filling Station, Vince's Pizza. Lot's of mall shopping and specialty shopping on the beachfront. Just enjoy, relax and say hi to my folks-they like to stop in to the resort and have a cocktail at the bar upstairs

 

[Jerseygirl63]

Oh I forgot, lot's of golfing in the area -just look out for the gators-I wouldn't go after that ball in the pond

 

[Candace]

As for restaurants, we like Captain Hirams and Squid Lips, both in Sebastian. In Vero Beach, right on the water is Ocean Grill, which is excellent, and nearby is a really good italian restaurant called Ti Amo Sempre. Orchid Pizza is very near the resort - take out or delivery to the Disney resort. It's very good and reasonably priced. If you like sushi or Thai food, the front desk has a couple of restaurant suggestions. I think one was called Sake and I can't remember the other which is the one we visited. Good grief! My memory! Anyway, it was wonderful, in a little shopping area in downtown Vero. The front desk could tell you. We ate at all of these last week and I would recommend all of them. HTH!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I haven't booked yet, because I'm not at the 7 month window. We will book a 2 bedroom, because it is my Mom, my son, and my husband and myself.

The only thing I've read that gives me some concern is about the waves...are they really "formidable"? That sounds a little scary!! My son loves to boogie board.

I'm going to research some golf courses...I don't think mini golf is what my husband had in mind...LOL, although we'll do that with our son.

That was probably my word (formidable). I used it because I didn't want to be alarming, didn't want to be misleading by minimizing, but still wanted the boogie and surf boarders to know they are rideable waves. To me they are just FUN.

The wave sizes are a constantly changing thing. Some days the waves are relentless and some days the waves are not big enough to catch a ride. Typically, it seems the waves are most active between 11 am and 2 pm and sometimes later. It all depends on the weather in the region.

Nonetheless, the bigger waves break further out. I wait in water up to my neck to get a big one. The children will typically play in the wash of the waves that have already broken. How old is your son? Regardless of age I think anyone going into the ocean should always have a boogie board or some floatation device STRAPPED to or on them.

Don't worry about this, truly. Just be smart.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

. Regardless of age I think anyone going into the ocean should always have a boogie board or some floatation device STRAPPED to or on them.

Hmmmm......I guess the noodle won't cut it!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Hmmmm......I guess the noodle won't cut it!

NO

 

[DisTeach1]

My son will be 15 and he's number #1 on his swim team...but that almost makes it worse, in my opinion. He thinks he's "invincible" and the ocean "would never get me". You know teenagers. We've stayed twice at Cocoa Beach, and once I thought it was mild and once the waves were too rough for him to go much past his knees. We go to the ocean every year in California, so he's used to me worrying about it.

Would anyone compare Cocoa Beach to Vero Beach...the "atmosphere" seems similar to me...

 

[goldenears]

We went to VB last Sept. and left the kids home with the grandparents for our firt getaway in a while.
We spent most of our daytimes at the pool. We didn't swim in the ocean, but took some really nice walks along the beach. We were even able to see some baby sea turtles that had just hatched.
We ate at Shutters once...it was okay, but preffered the dining off site.
The Lemon Tree was our favorite. Dinner is one price and includes a glass of wine, app, meal and dessert. This is located in the downtown area.
We also ate at Ti Amo Sempre, which was really good. Unfortunately, the Ocean Grill was closed while we were there, but we heard really good things about it.
Have fun!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

My son will be 15 and he's number #1 on his swim team...but that almost makes it worse, in my opinion. He thinks he's "invincible" and the ocean "would never get me". You know teenagers. We've stayed twice at Cocoa Beach, and once I thought it was mild and once the waves were too rough for him to go much past his knees. We go to the ocean every year in California, so he's used to me worrying about it.

Would anyone compare Cocoa Beach to Vero Beach...the "atmosphere" seems similar to me...

Cocoa and Vero are almost exactly the same. Cocoa may a little bit bigger wave now and then. Just be nagging mom and insist that the boogie board is always strapped on. Mine is always on and I'm 50 now.... ugh.

He'll be fine... Just don't let him see the Jet Skis for rent.

What a blast they are. $50/30mins. Good father/son thing to do. Or maybe you and your mom could do a mother/daughter ride.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We were even able to see some baby sea turtles that had just hatched.

You lucky ducks... we've been trying to see either mom laying eggs or hatchlings for years and years, but have yet to witness either.

 

[gracelrm]

Would anyone compare Cocoa Beach to Vero Beach...the "atmosphere" seems similar to me...

If you're talking about the ocean/waves/etc... Yes, I would think they were comparable. If you're talking about the area of Cocoa Beach compared to Vero Beach - they don't seem quite the same to me. Cocoa Beach seemed more tourist oriented to me. We were in Cocoa during June and usually go to VB in October - so perhaps that is the difference. But I think VB is much more laid back and quiet than Cocoa. Also, the Disney VB resort is not quite in the main area of Vero Beach. There's not a lot of action around the resort, other than what the resort has to offer.

I hope this doesn't sound negative, because it's not meant to. We love VB and would love to go there every year. As far as rooms go - if you can't get a 2BR, make sure you consider 2 connecting OVIRs. You won't have the full kitchen or the garden tub, but you'll have a great view and be in a great location.

 

[La2kw]

My son will be 15 and he's number #1 on his swim team...but that almost makes it worse, in my opinion. He thinks he's "invincible" and the ocean "would never get me". You know teenagers. We've stayed twice at Cocoa Beach, and once I thought it was mild and once the waves were too rough for him to go much past his knees. We go to the ocean every year in California, so he's used to me worrying about it.

Would anyone compare Cocoa Beach to Vero Beach...the "atmosphere" seems similar to me...

If you've been to the beach in California, you'll find the waves at Vero to be nothing to worry about. They are just ripples compared to the Pacific Ocean. We have real waves in California.

Vero is much quieter than Cocoa. Especially the DVC resort. Cocoa is fun, but seems a bit more "touristy". You'll enjoy Vero, I'm sure.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

But I think VB is much more laid back and quiet than Cocoa. Also, the Disney VB resort is not quite in the main area of Vero Beach. There's not a lot of action around the resort, other than what the resort has to offer.

Exactly right. The waves are a little bigger in Cocoa, but I would much rather share the beach with 50 other people in VB than 500 people in Cocoa.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We have real waves in California.

If I were pro surfer I would go to Hawaii were the REAL waves are.

 

[mackeyapp]

I just booked three nights at Vero Beach for late June with the remainder of the trip to be at AKL Villas. Really looking forward to seeing Vero but was a bit disappointed that we couldn't get Ocean View for our dates. Had to settle for garden view but at least the ocean should be nearby. It will be a great surprise for out boys.