We just returned from VB on 4/15 after a 5 night stay. Since we stayed from Sun through Friday, we missed the character breakfast on Saturday am ...sorry I can't help you with this.
To answer your food questions....
1. We didn't eat at Sonya's while there due to no desire to dress more formally during the stay ... heard many good reports though and especially the Sunday brunch.
2. Ended up eating 1 dinner & 1 breakfast at Shutters. The breakfast was great for the entire family (DH, DS-9 and DD-12). Dinner was okay...DH said his shrimp meal was great, but my mahi mahi was only so-so. Selections for our kids were standard. Service was great for both meals. Didn't have PS arrangements for dinner and ended up waiting for about 45 minutes for a table. Recommend making PS for either Sonya's or Shutters for all dinner meals.
3. Trully enjoyed the pool bar/grill service at Bleachers. Great food (we really loved the tuna sandwich & fruit plates...the hamburgers we had were awesome) and pool drinks. Used both the window service and the waitress. During peak times, its quicker to get your food using the waitresses.
4. Ate several early evening appetizer, deserts & drink meals at the Green River Room...a kid friendly bar with excellent service and great fun to sit on the porch. This ended up being our favorite dining place from a price, food quality and service standpoint. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
5. For off site dining, refer to the binders found by the guest services desk to the right of the main service desk. The binders have maps and menus for area restaurants so that you can check out the selection and prices. Captain Hiram's in Sebastian has been a restaurant that others on these boards have recommended. We ended up not eating off site so I can't help.
6. Manatees...we went on a Lagoon tour at Harbor Branch Oceanographics that was recommended by VB. We saw an alligator, dolphins, lots of different birds and a manatee in the channel. It was a great tour for older kids (10 & older) and adults. The tour guide was fun and we enjoyed it. VB resort uses these folks for several tours they offer during the week. Check out the activity schedule they give you at check in and register at Eb & Flo's at the pool. Guest Services was great about finding out info for us.
Go and enjoy...we felt 5 nights was too much for our family (kids needed more action), but it all depends on what you are looking for in the trip. I would have been perfectly content to spend hours at the pool laying in the sun, reading and sipping pool drinks. If we had it to do again, we spend the extra points to stay over the weekend. Much more action and activities.
Dream it and you're there!
Off Site - '80,'82,'84,'87
Caribbean Beach - '92,'95,'00
DVC Purchase - 6/00
Vero Beach - '01
[This message was edited by Daydreamin on 04-18-01 at 08:13 PM.]
