The 2009 Vero Beach Adoration and INFO thread

[MLC2002]

My family and I had a terrific experience at Squid Lips last year. My DD10 is severely allergic to peanuts and nuts. After reading so many positive reviews of this restaurant we thought we'd try it on our last trip to VB. I contacted them via email a few weeks before we left and received a reply very quickly from the manager, who, ironically, had food allergies himself.

My daughter still talks about her meal there (tilapia with a honey lime glaze!) and wants to return the next time we go. Outside of WDW, she's always understandably hesitant in restaurants, but they put her at ease and she enjoyed herself completely.

There was also a two piece band playing while we ate, which was fun, too.

DVCDawn

Thanks for giving us even more reassurance. We will definitely add Squid Lips to our plans. It is great to know that the manager will work with us by e-mail prior to our visit.

 

[Credit Man]

WOW!!! Just read this entire thread. I think my mouse finger is about to fall off. We are booked for a family reunion in July '10. 17 people in two 2 bedrooms. Thanks for all the great information.

I do have a question; does anyone have any experience with massages at the resort, or spa treatments at any local day spas?

 

[DVCconvert]

WOW!!! Just read this entire thread. I think my mouse finger is about to fall off. We are booked for a family reunion in July '10. 17 people in two 2 bedrooms. Thanks for all the great information.

I do have a question; does anyone have any experience with massages at the resort, or spa treatments at any local day spas?

Credit Man-
If you refer back to your thread
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257277
in which I directed you to this thread -

You will find one person expressing their opinion on the resort massage.

(just mentioning in case you didn't see that)

I can also add that I have had a friend who while staying at VB with me did visit the spa twice (and he's done many spa visits at WDW and on DCL) and he spoke highly of them.

HTH

 

[Credit Man]

Thanks! I don't know how I missed that.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

MLC 2002,

I used to recommend Captain Hiram's for seafood but not anymore. They had 28 health violations at their last inspection. Gross.

We like Woody's BBQ in Sebastian. They aren't fancy but they are good.

Another thumbs up for Woody's and thumbs down for Capt. Hiram's.

CH's, IMO, is the epitome of a tourist trap--mediocre (at best) overpriced food. It's a great setting. I'd go for drinks, but never again for dinner.

We've been to Woody's twice. It's been good both times. I'm very critical of BBQ restaurants (I own a smoker, make my own ribs, pulled pork, etc.), and Woody's does a good job. It's reasonably priced, too.

 

[MLC2002]

Another thumbs up for Woody's and thumbs down for Capt. Hiram's.

CH's, IMO, is the epitome of a tourist trap--mediocre (at best) overpriced food. It's a great setting. I'd go for drinks, but never again for dinner.

We've been to Woody's twice. It's been good both times. I'm very critical of BBQ restaurants (I own a smoker, make my own ribs, pulled pork, etc.), and Woody's does a good job. It's reasonably priced, too.

Thanks for your input! We'll give Woody's a try. My hubby loves BBQ and would be jealous that you have a smoker... so, I won't tell him.

 

[Mahusky]

Can you tell me what the best two bedroom request would be?
It is our first visit to Vero.
I am not sure what floor or room to ask for.
I would like to have a sneak peek of the ocean and close to the pool.
Looking at pics....Building 14 looks the closest.
Any help would be great.

If you are getting a dedicated 2bdr you dont have much of a choice. The Villa units are in the shape on a U with the dedicated 2bdr's towards the parking lot. Don't fret however.... the best requests are top floor.... I am particularly fon of 1535 (south side 3rd floor) room. or you could request Villa 12 but ask to be on the North side of the unit. This past trip we had 1435 and we had nice views of the ocean. Last year I had 1235 and simply did not care for that room at all.

Yes Villa 14 is closest to the pool as well.

 

[MLC2002]

If you are getting a dedicated 2bdr you dont have much of a choice. The Villa units are in the shape on a U with the dedicated 2bdr's towards the parking lot. Don't fret however.... the best requests are top floor.... I am particularly fon of 1535 (south side 3rd floor) room. or you could request Villa 12 but ask to be on the North side of the unit. This past trip we had 1435 and we had nice views of the ocean. Last year I had 1235 and simply did not care for that room at all.

Yes Villa 14 is closest to the pool as well.

We have a resv for a 1 BR unit. I did not ask for any particular view/location. If I decide to call and ask for a specific location, what would you suggest? A view of the ocean would be nice... as would being close to the pool. (I will look at the resort map today, as well)

Thanks!

 

[Mahusky]

We have a resv for a 1 BR unit. I did not ask for any particular view/location. If I decide to call and ask for a specific location, what would you suggest? A view of the ocean would be nice... as would being close to the pool. (I will look at the resort map today, as well)

Thanks!

Ok Ask for top floor..... any of the 1 bdr (I know I will have some dissent here)on the 3rd floor have some sort of good or limited ocean view. The best view (IMHO) are Villa 12 North side and Villa 15 South side room 1536 would be great. My DF and DM had room 1436 and the view was very nice!!!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

We just booked Vero for the first time for our 2010 Ontario March break and I have lots of questions. We aren't sure if we are best to do 1/2 at Vero and 1/2 at a Disney resort so hopefully you can all help me out.

Which airport is recommended to fly into?

My family consists of dh, myself, a will be almost 16yo ds and a just turned 10yo ds'.
We all like to golf so for sure will find one or 2 courses to try out.

What else is there to do in the area to keep everyone busy? The pool will be great for a few hours but my dh likes to have things to do and can't just sit around.

Is it going to be too cold to swim at the beach? How about snorkelling? are there any interesting tours/activities to do?

Restaurants recommended? My youngest ds' is allergic to nuts/coconut/palm oil so is a bit more difficult to feed.

I have from the Sunday to the Friday booked but would we be better to spend a few days at a Disney resort or is there enough in the area to keep us busy?

Thanks - I will continue reading through the 89 pages of this post to see what else I can find.

 

[deej696]

We just booked Vero for the first time for our 2010 Ontario March break and I have lots of questions. We aren't sure if we are best to do 1/2 at Vero and 1/2 at a Disney resort so hopefully you can all help me out.

Which airport is recommended to fly into?

My family consists of dh, myself, a will be almost 16yo ds and a just turned 10yo ds'.
We all like to golf so for sure will find one or 2 courses to try out.

What else is there to do in the area to keep everyone busy? The pool will be great for a few hours but my dh likes to have things to do and can't just sit around.

Is it going to be too cold to swim at the beach? How about snorkelling? are there any interesting tours/activities to do?

Restaurants recommended? My youngest ds' is allergic to nuts/coconut/palm oil so is a bit more difficult to feed.

I have from the Sunday to the Friday booked but would we be better to spend a few days at a Disney resort or is there enough in the area to keep us busy?

Thanks - I will continue reading through the 89 pages of this post to see what else I can find.

Congrats on your first Vero visit Bits, and I'll try to answer a few of the questions. I too golf, and inquired with the concierge about courses for our trip last summer. There were several semi-private or private courses that allowed resort guests to play, and they all looked great on the web. Unfortunately I was sick the day I was supposed to play, so I had to back out.

As to the water temperature, in March its still quite chilly, but you being Canadian it may not be too cold I've lived in Florida my whole life, and I dont get into the Ocean till about late April, and even then its not for long.

As to whether a week is too long, thats tough to say. You mentioned that your husband needs to stay occupied, and in that case he may start to get bored after a few days. We usually stay 4 nights, and on our last day I am pretty much ready to head home. I love to sit on my balcony or at the pool and read, but only for so long. Granted, last visit we never left the resort, so I imagine it will help to get out and play some golf...

As to what airport to use, depends on what you're doing. If you're going to Disney first then obviously go to Orlando. If its going to remain just a Vero trip then its about equal distance to Ft. Lauderdale or Orlando.

Hope this helps, and I'm sure others can add some info on your other questions as well

 

[floridafam]

BitsnBearsMom,

If you can find decent airfare into Melbourne it is a really nice airport and close to the resort. They also have the Melbourne Airport Shuttle that can shuttle you to the resort and rental cars.

There are many golf courses nearby. I don't know if the resort can get you into any of the private ones but it's worth asking. Sandridge is nice and close. Most of the private ones are great.

 

[MLC2002]

Ok Ask for top floor..... any of the 1 bdr (I know I will have some dissent here)on the 3rd floor have some sort of good or limited ocean view. The best view (IMHO) are Villa 12 North side and Villa 15 South side room 1536 would be great. My DF and DM had room 1436 and the view was very nice!!!

Thanks for the suggestions. How do I go about making such a request? Do I call DVC or call the resort directly? Or, do I just make the request at check-in? Can I request a specific unit (such as 1536 or 1436) or just a specific building and/or floor? I am aware that requests are NOT guaranteed, but don't know much about requests otherwise.

Just out of curiosity... what type of dissent do you expect and why?

Thanks, again, for your suggestions!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Thanks - looking forward to our first 'outside' Disney resort experience. I would love to just sit by the pool and relax/read but I know my 3 guys would go nuts. Perhaps we should think of 3 nights at Vero and 3 nights at Disney! I'll have to discuss it with the men!

 

[polyhm83]

Last March we did 3 nts at OKW and 5 nts VB. This year we are doing the reverse, 3 teen boys who like to go to DTD. We had a great time at VB last year, there were 4 teenagers and they seemed to keep busy, but I liked the split stay. Enjoy your trip.

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

Hey, I'm posting their picture so you'll know who they are. Their names are Cody and Hannah. If you see them ask "Hey aren't you Cody and Hannah?" It will probably blow their minds!!

So did your son tell you that some psycho was talking to them at Vero? lol! I actually recognized him at the pool. I tried to remember his name and asked if by any chance his name was Zac. He, of course, said no (and looked at me kinda strange). After he left I realized you had said his name was Cody (my kids watch Zac and Cody on the Disney Channel and I picked the wrong one..lol). Anyway, later on the trip I saw the cute couple in the laundry area and asked him this time, using the correct name. I also asked if his dad was named Bob and was a photographer.. LOL! They looked at me a bit odd but later laughed after I explained our DIS Board connection! Hope they had as great of a trip as we did. The resort was as awesome as was the weather!!

 

[photobob]

He told my wife some crazy woman asked him first if his name was Zack and later asked him if he was Cody!! Then he realized it was his crazy dad that put you up to it! Thanks for doing that! They did have a really great trip. Wednesday they met with Hannah's sister and boyfriend and his dad in Melbourne and went sailing in a 35 foot sailboat and took the dingy to the Squidlips in Melbourne. They also ate at the Sebastion Squidlips, Mulligans and said they had a terrific meal ay Shutters.

After months of wedding planning the Vero Beach was a welcomed laidback trip. If you'd like to see their wedding photos they are on my website.

www.bobcrispphotography.com

 

[debaudrn]

We are here! So far weather has been good. Wednesday we had a pretty bad storm go through. Yesterday was gorgeous! We ate at the Riverside Grill on Weds. It was good and had a band playing. Fun night. It is in Riverside Park. Last night we were all tired from a day in the sun and the beach so we opted for burgers and salad on the Green Cabin Room deck. Lovely view. Today off for another day on the beach/pool. The room this time is so-so. I had requested top floor and got...you guessed it-first floor. No other one bedrooms available. Oh well at least we are here! I have been looking for those chairs and the umbrella to say "hello" to others who are here but I haven't spotted them yet.

 

[preedymtnwest]

Hello, VB Fans!

I've read some, but not all of the posts here and am excited about possibly staying at VB in November 2010. I know that's a long ways away, but....

We're thinking of using our 3-night incentive cruise from our VGC add-on Nov. 21-24, 2010 then staying at VB for 6 nights, which would, of course, go over Thanksgiving. I searched the thread for info about what VB is like at Thanksgiving, but didn't see much.

Can anyone help who has been there? What is the weather like? Crowds? Do they do anything special?

Complicating matters is the fact that I have borrowed almost all my 2010 points already and won't have enough to make a ressie at VB until June, 2010. Looking at the availability thread for THIS November right now, it doesn't look like anyone has reported any November days sold out at VB for 2009, so I'm hoping next June will be early enough to book....

Thanks in advance for any expert info!

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

After months of wedding planning the Vero Beach was a welcomed laidback trip. If you'd like to see their wedding photos they are on my website.

www.bobcrispphotography.com

oh how beautiful!! Such wonderful pics and memories!