Reflecting on our Vero stay July 21st through July24th

[Melrosgirl]

We were there earlier this month. I doubt we'll go back. Overall a nice place, but between the not so great beach area (walking down that hill to get to the beach is not convenient), to the lack of pool umbrellas (people were literally running to reserve tables at 8 a.m. every morning...I watched from my balcony), to the lack of activities...just wasn't what I remembered it to be. (Our last trip to VB was in 2003 and it was much better.)

I don't think they cleaned the ceiling fans blades since 2003 either in our room. Very obvious dust on the fans.

Don't get me started on the fees for umbrellas, etc. at the beach. We bought our own bc we knew the prices were an insult.

ETA: We never had any problems with sore feet from the beach, but perhaps we have tough feet, LOL. We definitely noticed the shells in the sand though, but nothing that bothered me.

 

[Anal Annie]

Tried to tell you it was PRETTY but QUIET there!! 3 nights was enough for us and it WAS a nice way to unwind after a week at Disney. I think there is only so much "Disney feel" you can do with a property that is off-site. I mean if you want THAT much "Disney feel" then you have to go to Disney!! I'll bet that Aulani will be similar. The thing that Disney does WELL (for the most part) is hire good friendly people and they generally keep up on the grounds & maintenance. Usually nothing out of place - and everything just happens magically overnight while you sleep. The CM's we encountered last summer seemed fine. They were very friendly. We didn't go to the Green Cabin Room or that restaurant (Sonya's?!) as the menu didn't flip my switch.

The TOWN of Vero appeared to be more of a retirement community. Everything closed at 9:00. EVERYTHING. We were not prepared for that & don't usually go to bed until after 11:00 so it left us wondering what to do every evening for 2 hours. Also, no boardwalk, no piers or amusement centers...usually a beach town has a place to hang out in the evenings or if the weather's not cooperative. Nothing. It would've been nice to have a place to walk to...maybe get an ice cream or something. Vero Beach is JUST a beach so it's perfect if all you want to do is NOTHING.

Glad you tried it - now you know what to expect for next time. I will keep you posted on our thoughts of HHI when we go in a couple of weeks. I am HOPING to like it more but am worried about it not being ON the beach!! We're really just trying it in order to have a "cheap" vaca this year and not plop down a bunch of money on AP's & flights. Got my fingers crossed that we like it better!! It may end up being that we like beaches but only if they're Hawaiian beaches!!

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

I find this thread to be a head scratcher.

We went to VB last year for only 3 nights and went back this year for 6 nights and I felt we had twice as much fun as we did the year before.

We went to VB from Jul 12-18 and loved every minute of it. The beach was fun. We spent hours and hours in the water and never had a problem with SORE feet and PAIN from shells.

And the CMs we met were as nice (and in some cases even nicer) than what I've encountered at WDW. I definitely felt like I was at a Disney resort even though I knew that I wasn't at WDW.

We were very happy with the restaurants that we went to and never felt like we had to drive for any excessive amount of time to find a decent place to eat. We went to Capt.Hirams, Squid Lips, Ay Jalisco, Shutters, Orchard Island. I'd go back to any of them again on our next trip.


I wish that I was back at VB right now.

 

[acder12]

It has been far too many years since we last visited Vero Beach but we did several very interesting "excursions" while we were there.

One year we visited during spring training and caught a couple of pre-season major league baseball games. That was a blast.

Another year we took the kids kayaking on the inter-coastal. We litteraly ended up in a pod of manatees. That is a family memory the kids will never forget (or forgive - my youngest still thinks manatees are carnivores waiting to eat little kids that fall out of kayaks).

We drove up the coast just a short distance, rented some fishing poles and had a grand time.

Does the resort still have the basketball and tennis courts across the street?

We have re-directed our beach travel to HHI the past several years because it is closer but I would go back to Vero any day.

Chris D.

 

[TinklednPants]

I find this thread to be a head scratcher.

We went to VB last year for only 3 nights and went back this year for 6 nights and I felt we had twice as much fun as we did the year before.

We went to VB from Jul 12-18 and loved every minute of it. The beach was fun. We spent hours and hours in the water and never had a problem with SORE feet and PAIN from shells.

And the CMs we met were as nice (and in some cases even nicer) than what I've encountered at WDW. I definitely felt like I was at a Disney resort even though I knew that I wasn't at WDW.

We were very happy with the restaurants that we went to and never felt like we had to drive for any excessive amount of time to find a decent place to eat. We went to Capt.Hirams, Squid Lips, Ay Jalisco, Shutters, Orchard Island. I'd go back to any of them again on our next trip.


I wish that I was back at VB right now.

Thanks for posting this. We just returned from two weeks at VB. We go nearly every year. No one in my group has EVER experienced sore feet much less been cut my shells. That slope of sand to the beach won't be there forever (nor is it intended to be)....I'd be willing to bet it will be dispersed my Mother Nature within a few months.
Yes, the pool gets very warm by mid-afternoon in July....not sure what you would like done about that???
The CM's are, as far as I'm concerned, the best of anywhere.
We never drive more than 20 minutes for a good restaurant.
I agree the town closes early, this doesn't bother me in the least. I usually close the pool at 9, have a cup of decaf, unwind and get to sleep by 11.
We spent two weeks and were very sorry to leave.

 

[Anal Annie]

Thanks for posting this. We just returned from two weeks at VB. We go nearly every year. No one in my group has EVER experienced sore feet much less been cut my shells. That slope of sand to the beach won't be there forever (nor is it intended to be)....I'd be willing to bet it will be dispersed my Mother Nature within a few months.
Yes, the pool gets very warm by mid-afternoon in July....not sure what you would like done about that???
The CM's are, as far as I'm concerned, the best of anywhere.
We never drive more than 20 minutes for a good restaurant.
I agree the town closes early, this doesn't bother me in the least. I usually close the pool at 9, have a cup of decaf, unwind and get to sleep by 11.
We spent two weeks and were very sorry to leave.

You must be well rested now!!

 

[queendarvet]

My DH and I love Vero. Two of my kids like it and one gets bored after 1 day. We limit our time there as a family to 4 nights and throw in a WDW trip for 4 nights. This seems to make everyone happy. DH and I go for our own getaways and we love the fact that it is quiet and relaxing. I think the resort feels very disney to me but not in that frantic WDW type of way. This is what makes owning DVC so nice. There are many different options to fit different vacation styles. I am looking forward to trying HHI some day. I'm sure I'll love it.

 

[edk35]

My DH and I love Vero. Two of my kids like it and one gets bored after 1 day. We limit our time there as a family to 4 nights and throw in a WDW trip for 4 nights. This seems to make everyone happy. DH and I go for our own getaways and we love the fact that it is quiet and relaxing. I think the resort feels very disney to me but not in that frantic WDW type of way. This is what makes owning DVC so nice. There are many different options to fit different vacation styles. I am looking forward to trying HHI some day. I'm sure I'll love it.

Exacty NOT every DVC member will LOVE all resorts. I was only giving our thoughts on Vero. I was in NO way slamming the place. I am sure there are some that love Vero and don't like certain resorts at Disney or HHI. We are not all required to LOVE every DVC resort out there.

 

[edk35]

Thanks for posting this. We just returned from two weeks at VB. We go nearly every year. No one in my group has EVER experienced sore feet much less been cut my shells. That slope of sand to the beach won't be there forever (nor is it intended to be)....I'd be willing to bet it will be dispersed my Mother Nature within a few months.
Yes, the pool gets very warm by mid-afternoon in July....not sure what you would like done about that???
The CM's are, as far as I'm concerned, the best of anywhere.
We never drive more than 20 minutes for a good restaurant.
I agree the town closes early, this doesn't bother me in the least. I usually close the pool at 9, have a cup of decaf, unwind and get to sleep by 11.
We spent two weeks and were very sorry to leave.

This was OUR experience, our thoughts...this was not done to SLAM VERO. If my husband said his feet were trashed they were. I saw the bruise and the cut. You make it sound like I INVENTED this stuff. We have been going to Disney for many years and our experience at a NON Disney resort was different. The waiter WAS NOT HAPPY. Again..I didn't make this up. The CM that worked at the poolside place was NOT HAPPY either of the two times I went up there. Vero was NOT a complete horrible experience.... just expressed what we felt about the place. This is why I don't usually do trip reports.

 

[edk35]

My DH and I love Vero. Two of my kids like it and one gets bored after 1 day. We limit our time there as a family to 4 nights and throw in a WDW trip for 4 nights. This seems to make everyone happy. DH and I go for our own getaways and we love the fact that it is quiet and relaxing. I think the resort feels very disney to me but not in that frantic WDW type of way. This is what makes owning DVC so nice. There are many different options to fit different vacation styles. I am looking forward to trying HHI some day. I'm sure I'll love it.

I could see my dh and I going ONE day without kids. I do agree that for us 3 or 4 nights is plenty. We also might like it better a different time of year. This was our first stay. We don't have much to go on.

 

[Tigger031266]

I have to say, our first trip to Vero felt the same way. We we surprised at the lack of anything around. The darkness of the ocean at night and the basic sense of being no where.

However, a few months after going I really wanted to go back. Its like a haunting feeling. The second and third trips each got better because we know what to expect. Our Kids 8 and 12 both like Vero better than any resort. The activities are great. Expecially the morning nature walks with Disney Guides (free) and camp fire. Kids played football on that grass in front of resort.

We struggled with restaurants. We both tried shutters on multple occations and did not find people friendly as well as overpriced mediocre food. And the place next store....I forget what it is called (shoneys or somthing like that) is the same restaurant (cooks....). We like the green cabin. It has great appitizers and pizza and it is cheaper with a better view.

Wait and see you may have a haunting to return

 

[queendarvet]

I could see my dh and I going ONE day without kids. I do agree that for us 3 or 4 nights is plenty. We also might like it better a different time of year. This was our first stay. We don't have much to go on.

It really is a nice place to get away without the kids. It's one of the reasons we did a small add on there (that and pooling our use years to get a beach cottage when we are all there!). I liked reading your trip reports and your final analysis. I didn't think you were slamming VB, just being honest. And I can relate to your husband's feet. When we went in June I noticed a lot of shells before you got past the breakers. I said to my DH that it felt like we were in Sanibel with all these shells! That trip in June was the only time I noticed them though. Hopefully you will give Vero another try. Next time, you'll know what to expect.

 

[joandegennaro]

This was OUR experience, our thoughts...this was not done to SLAM VERO. If my husband said his feet were trashed they were. I saw the bruise and the cut. You make it sound like I INVENTED this stuff. We have been going to Disney for many years and our experience at a NON Disney resort was different. The waiter WAS NOT HAPPY. Again..I didn't make this up. The CM that worked at the poolside place was NOT HAPPY either of the two times I went up there. Vero was NOT a complete horrible experience.... just expressed what we felt about the place. This is why I don't usually do trip reports.

I followed your posts during this trip and have greatly appreciated your candor. Been looking at the possiblity of doing a split stay but since your posts offered a different point of view from the VERO ADORATION posts I am really looking at maybe just staying put at OKW for our trip. It was the beach and ocean that is the draw for us there. Especially with the DD's in tow. We have a wonderful 3 days in March '10 in Daytona Beach where the girls played in the ocean even during the rain storm that spawned a tornado (didn't know this as we drove threw the storm) as soon as we arrived. The weather was cold the ocean was colder but the sand was smooth and perfect to run in and out of the waves. I don't think we would have the same experience at Vero, so I will reserve Vero for a couple only trip as I am more of a pool kinda gal. Please don't stop doing your trip reports as I have enjoyed yours and since we are new to DVC (going home for 1st time in March'11) appreciate those of you who offer an honest opinion of their stays at the various resorts.

 

[edk35]

I followed your posts during this trip and have greatly appreciated your candor. Been looking at the possiblity of doing a split stay but since your posts offered a different point of view from the VERO ADORATION posts I am really looking at maybe just staying put at OKW for our trip. It was the beach and ocean that is the draw for us there. Especially with the DD's in tow. We have a wonderful 3 days in March '10 in Daytona Beach where the girls played in the ocean even during the rain storm that spawned a tornado (didn't know this as we drove threw the storm) as soon as we arrived. The weather was cold the ocean was colder but the sand was smooth and perfect to run in and out of the waves. I don't think we would have the same experience at Vero, so I will reserve Vero for a couple only trip as I am more of a pool kinda gal. Please don't stop doing your trip reports as I have enjoyed yours and since we are new to DVC (going home for 1st time in March'11) appreciate those of you who offer an honest opinion of their stays at the various resorts.

Thank you!!! I didn't think I had painted this horrible picture of Vero...but then again that one poster seem to think otherwise. You know we did a split stay at SSR and BWV in Aug. of 07 ..first DVC stay. When we first checked into BWV we LOVED IT. We thought it was the best thing since slice bread. However after our 3 days there...it was not a fave. However others love it. That is fine too. It is not that we wouldn't stay there again. I am fine staying anywhere DVC at WDW if means we get to take a trip. It was just not our fave. People don't like OKW...we loved it the two times we stayed there. I knew we would not know whether we liked Vero or not until we stayed there. Kind of like HHI..won't know until we try it. Vero might be a completely different trip during a different time of year....without kids might be different. Plus like someone else said....WE NOW know what the area is like. We might plan differently. We would probably get a 2 bedroom if we all came, might bring a friend for dd. We would probably cook there instead of having to drive out somewhere for dinner. We are Disney veterans..but I don't proclaim us to be DVC veterans just yet. We were newbies at Vero..... and I just gave our honest opinion of our stay.

 

[edk35]

Good job! We've already talked about most of this through PM, but it was cool to see your actual final bottom line analysis of your Vero trip.

We found a certain Disney magic lacking too throughout most of the resort as well.

I bet you are glad you are home from your crazy split stay vacay!

Glad it all worked out for you in the end, Tiger

Yes we were glad to get home...not because of the Vero stay, but because we had been gone for 2 weeks.We had a good time on our trip but there were parts of the trip I would DO OVER if you know what I mean?! We talked about all of that SPLIT STAY business on that other thread.

Being a member of DVC has its learning curve too.

 

[Anal Annie]

Thank you!!! I didn't think I had painted this horrible picture of Vero...but then again that one poster seem to think otherwise. You know we did a split stay at SSR and BWV in Aug. of 07 ..first DVC stay. When we first checked into BWV we LOVED IT. We thought it was the best thing since slice bread. However after our 3 days there...it was not a fave. However others love it. That is fine too. It is not that we wouldn't stay there again. I am fine staying anywhere DVC at WDW if means we get to take a trip. It was just not our fave. People don't like OKW...we loved it the two times we stayed there. I knew we would not know whether we liked Vero or not until we stayed there. Kind of like HHI..won't know until we try it. Vero might be a completely different trip during a different time of year....without kids might be different. Plus like someone else said....WE NOW know what the area is like. We might plan differently. We would probably get a 2 bedroom if we all came, might bring a friend for dd. We would probably cook there instead of having to drive out somewhere for dinner. We are Disney veterans..but I don't proclaim us to be DVC veterans just yet. We were newbies at Vero..... and I just gave our honest opinion of our stay.

I think they were referring to ME not painting a rosy picture!! We will go back again one day, in time...it's just not on our short list any more.

 

[5forDiz]

I'm so glad you post as you do because you give a very honest opinion on what your point of view & experiences are during a trip

Honestly I don't get how some will think another family's trip should mirror what theirs happened to be like

 

[joandegennaro]

People posting about what they veiw as a negative may just in fact help others make their trips more enjoyable. After discussing with DH about the shells in the sand at Vero he said "well I guess we have to make sure we bring our water shoes!" Also, I've read how people dislike how expensive it is to rent chairs and umbrellas.....I guess that means we pack those items in the car if Vero is part of our vacation plans. Things that made someones vacation less enjoyable for them might encourage others to look at how they can improve their own experience. OP didn't feel the CM's were up to WDW CM's standards....I will have less expectations of those CM's when I visit VB and maybe as a result I will be pleasently surprised rather than disappointed.

 

[Desnik]

I have to agree with the OP about Vero. It was nice, we liked it at first, but after a couple of days, not so much. I don't think we will be going back there. The lack of food options in the immediate area, the bath water of the pool, the lack of things to do(at the time our DS was too young for most activities) and the "OK" beach just left us feeling not so great about it. By the 3rd day we had had enough and couldn't wait to go.

After posting I noticed it was 5 years ago that we were at Vero! I guess we really didn't like it or want to go back cause it has not been on my mind since, but it doesn't feel like that long ago we were there!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Those are really pretty!!!! Thanks for sharing. You told me NOT to sugar coat.

I know... I was just trying to stick a little thorn in your side

I ask all my all my VB lover friends to not feel the need to defend VB. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes (and some have unusually tender feet).

I have a friend who took his family (DW, DD) to WDW years ago and when he came back he said "I took a bullet for the family". He doesn't ever plan to go back... Of course, I tried to explain all he did wrong to make it enjoyable, but I realized it was futile. Just different tastes.

To those who have had a not so magical experiences with VB... Please understand, some people just don't understand and wonder... "What the hell is wrong with you".

Happy times to all