Things to do at Vero?

[photobob]

We're planning to go to Vero Beach for two nights after five nights at WDW. I was wondering things to do around VB resort. We'll most likely spend most of our time at the pool or the beach, but i was wondering what other close by options are there. Any insight or links would be greatly appreciated..

BTW 2 families. 4 adults plus 2 children ages 10 and 14..

 

[skelooch]

IMHO, not much, be prepared to do a lot of driving, even for restaurants.
You better like the beach and/or pool.
I would have done it the other way around, VB then WDW, that way you have something to look forward to.
The Green Cabin Room does have a great drink called an Ocean Potion, if Larry's the bartender try one or more, maybe you'll forget you're in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Dizzy4Dizney]

I agree. We went to Vero Beach in May for 3 nights after 7 nights at the BWV. We lasted 2 nights before heading back to WDW. I'm not one to sit around and sit on a beach or pool. If that's all you like to do, then you will be fine The restaruant there is good and they do have activities for the kids, but my DD (5), kept asking for Mickey.

Some people like the rest after a week in Disney.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Enough with the negative vibes. You're either going to WDW or the beach. If you like the beach then you will love Vero. VB has got to be the easiest of all resorts to workout with young children because everything, the pool, beach, restaurants, activities are a 2 minute walk from your room. You can claim your spot at the beach or pool (or both) and easily go back to your room to use the bathroom, refresh a drink, make lunch, etc. There are other things to do too.

They have a nice pool & Lighthouse waterslide, a hot jet pool, 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. You can rent a small catamaran or jet-ski for ocean fun. Across the street they have a lake and nature trail, tennis courts, and basketball courts. Disney built a private tunnel under the road to access this area.

Five minutes away is Pelican Island and a wildlife education center. Also minutes away is Sebastian Inlet were the Indian River meets the ocean. There are river excursions where you can see dolphins, manatee, and tons of other types of wildlife. About an hour away is Cape Canaveral, (where the Magic and Wonder dock), the Kennedy Space Center (museum & tours), and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge with walking and driving tours.

Have a great trip.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Thanks SO MUCH for this post, Rob! I am just sitting down to plan a last-minute trip to Vero in late January, and this was exactly the type of info. I have been looking for. I searched old threads, and lots of folks said there are "tons of activities for the kids" without listing any specifics, so I was so happy to see your post.

As to the OP, there are always lots of opinions on every DVC resort--positive and negative, so read them all and then make your best guess. One thing I noted from the earlier poster who did not like VB was that this poster clearly only stays at BCV--which is fine. If a person loves a particular resort, then that is wonderful that he/she found a perfect place for vacationing. However, it will also likely cloud that person's judgement of other resorts.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Thanks

 

[photobob]

Thanks, Rob. We'll be ready for some down time and little R&R, sounds like Vero will be some very nice wind down time. May even take my beloved kite to the beach! Our last trip we were so busy going from park to park that we never visited the pool at Coronado. This will be our first trip as DVCers so I'm hoping we can do a little more of smelling the roses while at WDW. You'd think after 7 trips in 9 years we'd get to that point, but you know how it is when you get there, you want to do as much as possible.

Thanks again,
Bob

 

[DVCconvert]

I've spent quite few nights in a beach cottage at VB - had no problems enjoying the resort. I'd echo DisDaydreamer's suggestions. If your mindset is that you're going to a seaside 'old florida' resort (and not "Disney World") you will not be disappointed. Once you check in, make sure your review the scheduled activities at the community hall - it's always looked as if there were something for kids (and adults) of any age going on!

 

[bwvBound]

Sebastian Inlet - rent the canoes. We spent an afternoon paddling about and loved it. Plenty of wildlife (rays, fish, birds, and one racoon on a small island?).

 

[princessesrule4]

If you are like us, it will be so relaxing at Vero that you won't want to leave the resort. We just sat by the pool all day and used it as our "base". Everything is right there so DD would walk over to do paper flowers or whatever activities we signed her up for that day. DS would do the teen activities like the mini golf tourney, capture the flag. We ordered lunch at Bleachers, went down to the beach if we felt like it, DH and the kids walked across the street to play basketrball when they wanted. You could go up to the room - we were in an OVIR and throw in laundry,etc. because it's all right there. We ate dinner at Shutters or ordered pizza at Orchid's who deliver to the resort. We literally never left the resort and it was the most relaxing vacation we've had in a long time! We bought an add on at Vero since we loved it so much and can't wait to go back in April! Have fun!

 

[photobob]

Thanks for the responses, sounds like a good relaxing time before we head back to the real world..

 

[JoEllen]

We second Rob's suggestion for Pelican Island and the nature walk. Very close to VB and a nice excursion.

 

[3DisneyKids]

If you are like us, it will be so relaxing at Vero that you won't want to leave the resort. We just sat by the pool all day and used it as our "base". Everything is right there so DD would walk over to do paper flowers or whatever activities we signed her up for that day. DS would do the teen activities like the mini golf tourney, capture the flag. We ordered lunch at Bleachers, went down to the beach if we felt like it, DH and the kids walked across the street to play basketrball when they wanted. You could go up to the room - we were in an OVIR and throw in laundry,etc. because it's all right there. We ate dinner at Shutters or ordered pizza at Orchid's who deliver to the resort. We literally never left the resort and it was the most relaxing vacation we've had in a long time! We bought an add on at Vero since we loved it so much and can't wait to go back in April! Have fun!

This might be a dumb question...but are there additional fees for playing mini golf and doing the activities in the community hall?

 

[DVCconvert]

This might be a dumb question...but are there additional fees for playing mini golf and doing the activities in the community hall?

That's not a dumb question, but yes there are some charges (but not for everything). DVC members get discounts for most things. With mini golf (as I recall) the charge is $2 per game for non member, $1 for members. You can also buy a lenght of stay mini golf pass for $5. Community hall charges are similar to anyother DVC community hall charges - generally just covers materials used in the activity. Usually in the $3-$5 dollar range.

HTH

 

[lovinthemouse]

We loved Vero. We were there for 5 nights over Spring Break '06 and are going back for Spring Break '07. We enjoyed the beach and pool everyday and in the evening we went out for dinner. It is a very relaxing vacation. Absolutely nothing like WDW. If it is rest you are looking for then you will love this. Have a good Trip

 

[TinkerHokie]

Be sure to check out "Squid Lips" while you're there. It is a little casual fresh seafood restaurant we found on the intercoastal north of the DVB between there and Sebastian. We went three times in five days and our whole family loved it! there was always a "Jimmy Buffet" style musician there, and it was "open-air" style with a dock.

They also had colorful t-shirts for $10 that our two college daughters have had fun wearing around campus!

 

[Hixski]

Be sure to check out "Squid Lips" while you're there. It is a little casual fresh seafood restaurant we found on the intercoastal north of the DVB between there and Sebastian. We went three times in five days and our whole family loved it! there was always a "Jimmy Buffet" style musician there, and it was "open-air" style with a dock.

They also had colorful t-shirts for $10 that our two college daughters have had fun wearing around campus!

Count me in on "Squid Lips" too. DH and I loved that place. We ate there twice and went to Happy Hour once in the 4 days we were there. At Happy Hour you could get giant shrimp sprinkled with bay seasoning for 35 cents apiece. They also had grouper fingers for about 5 dollars. DH and I made a meal from those.

 

[jjpenguin]

We found it really relaxing and great to chill out after running around WDW. There are a lot of kids activities at the resort (scuba lessons, turtle talks & walks) as the resort is away from everywhere else. There are lots of nature reserves up and down the coast , there is a manatee museum close by and also a shipwreck museum.

 

[3DisneyKids]

For those going to Vero in January/Feb....the slide will be closed for refurb and then the whole pool will be closed...don't have the exact dates, though MS does.

 

[DVCconvert]

3DisneyKids:
For those going to Vero in January/Feb....the slide will be closed for refurb and then the whole pool will be closed...don't have the exact dates

Vero Feature Pool - Closed for refurbishment from 1/8 -1/25/07
Vero Pool Slide closed for refurbishment from 1/8 - 2/11/07