Bellesmama
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 28, 2004
- Messages
- 99
We (DH, DD5 & me) made our first trip to Vero Beach from 8/21 8/26 and absolutely LOVED it! Now I want to do an add on!
It was exactly what we wanted a relaxing do nothing vacation. All we did was go to the pool or beach during the day and went off site to dinner 3 nights. Actually DH did a little bit of exploring the area when he went to find some geo caches.
We had a 1 BR(#1240) on the 3rd floor of bldg. 12 and had a spectacular full view of the ocean from the balcony without having to crane our necks. Although building 12 is the furthest away from the pool area, we enjoyed the peace and quiet of it.
DINING on site: We had lunch at Bleachers our first day so we could get the beach pail special for DD. We couldnt find an available table because they were all reserved first thing in the morning (since 8:00AM) so we just ate at our chaise lounges by the pool. We had lunch out on the balcony of the Green Cabin Room on our last day a great place to people watch!
At Shutters we had dinner(Sat) and breakfast(last morning), once each.
We ate at Sonyas on Wednesday night (not the seafood night). A nice sophisticated atmosphere.
We never had to wait to be seated at any of these restaurants. All the food was good with no exception. All the other times we had breakfast and lunch back at our villa it gave us a nice break from the heat and sun.
DINING off site: all of these are within 20 mins. of the resort
Squid Lips(Sebastian) very casual, waterfront dining at Fins Marina, open air restaurant(i.e. no air conditioning). Relaxed atmosphere there was a blues band playing that night. DD enjoyed throwing bread into the water from our table to feed the catfish. Very attentive, friendly waiter. Food was fresh and yummy! We got there around 6:30 on a Sunday night no wait for a table plenty available. I think this was our favorite overall for food and atmosphere.
Ocean Grille(Vero Beach) more traditional atmosphere, closed windows but still a nice ocean view. We had a very well trained waitress who knew the menu inside out. Food was excellent, too! I think my favorite part was the fabulous gift shop! We got there around 6:30 on a Monday night no wait for a table, seemed like it started getting busy around 7:00.
Captain Hirams(Sebastian) very casual, waterfront dining, open air restaurant. We chose to be seated inside but at an open window because it looked like thunder clouds were looming. There was no wait we got there around 6:30 on a Tuesday night. Food was also good and fresh! I think my favorite part was walking around after dinner - gift shop and a bar on the beach(Sand Bar).
CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES
During the day we our DD didnt really want to leave the pool area to participate in anything other than the Unbirthday Party I stood in line at Eb & Flos beginning at 8:30AM on Monday morning to make sure we got in. She said that they played musical chairs, hit a piñata and made cup cakes. She gave it a thumbs up.
She and I did manage to go a beaded jewelry making craft the first thing one morning before she got into the pool.
Discovery Club Price - $30; time 5:00 8:00; offered several nights a week for ages 4-12. You can sign them up ahead of time. I signed DD up within 30 minutes of it starting on Saturday. You drop the kids off in the lobby at the Inn bldg. And they give them dinner and have various activities(she decorated a T-shirt) and games at Community Hall or on the Croquet lawn. Our DD went Saturday night(we were hoping she would have made some friends to chum around with all week, but unfortunately she didnt) and Wednesday night. Says she liked it. We watched the kids play a couple of tag like games on the croquet lawn while we had drinks on the balcony of the Green Cabin room I think that was my favorite entertainment of the week!
MISCELLANEOUS
Gym I went in the mornings between 7:30 and 9:00 never had to wait for a machine hardly anyone in there
Water Aerobics it was offered on Monday morning at 8:00AM a good excuse to get out and into the pool but not a workout at all! It was only 30 minutes and the instructor was having technical difficulties with the CD it was skipping.
Beach we spent very little time at the beach because I felt it dropped off too rapidly for little ones. DD was disappointed because she enjoys exploring and playing in tide pools but this beach didnt have any
Pool Fantastic water temperature was like bath water coming from New England this is heaven on earth for us! The slide was a blast scared myself silly a couple of times I was going down so fast! They had a DJ by the pool for entertainment on Sunday afternoon but I felt he was spending too much time flirting with a couple of young ladies while he had the kids up dancing and doing the limbo(it reminded me of the pool games on a Carnival Cruise ship). DD is still small enough to enjoy Tiger Lily spent about 1/3 of her time there.
Campfire nice way to end the day but wish we knew more of the songs! Dont forget the insect repellant!
Mini golf bought the length of stay pass for all of us definitely an excellent value and the course was never too crowded.
I'm ready to plan our next DVC trip!
It was exactly what we wanted a relaxing do nothing vacation. All we did was go to the pool or beach during the day and went off site to dinner 3 nights. Actually DH did a little bit of exploring the area when he went to find some geo caches.
We had a 1 BR(#1240) on the 3rd floor of bldg. 12 and had a spectacular full view of the ocean from the balcony without having to crane our necks. Although building 12 is the furthest away from the pool area, we enjoyed the peace and quiet of it.
DINING on site: We had lunch at Bleachers our first day so we could get the beach pail special for DD. We couldnt find an available table because they were all reserved first thing in the morning (since 8:00AM) so we just ate at our chaise lounges by the pool. We had lunch out on the balcony of the Green Cabin Room on our last day a great place to people watch!
At Shutters we had dinner(Sat) and breakfast(last morning), once each.
We ate at Sonyas on Wednesday night (not the seafood night). A nice sophisticated atmosphere.
We never had to wait to be seated at any of these restaurants. All the food was good with no exception. All the other times we had breakfast and lunch back at our villa it gave us a nice break from the heat and sun.
DINING off site: all of these are within 20 mins. of the resort
Squid Lips(Sebastian) very casual, waterfront dining at Fins Marina, open air restaurant(i.e. no air conditioning). Relaxed atmosphere there was a blues band playing that night. DD enjoyed throwing bread into the water from our table to feed the catfish. Very attentive, friendly waiter. Food was fresh and yummy! We got there around 6:30 on a Sunday night no wait for a table plenty available. I think this was our favorite overall for food and atmosphere.
Ocean Grille(Vero Beach) more traditional atmosphere, closed windows but still a nice ocean view. We had a very well trained waitress who knew the menu inside out. Food was excellent, too! I think my favorite part was the fabulous gift shop! We got there around 6:30 on a Monday night no wait for a table, seemed like it started getting busy around 7:00.
Captain Hirams(Sebastian) very casual, waterfront dining, open air restaurant. We chose to be seated inside but at an open window because it looked like thunder clouds were looming. There was no wait we got there around 6:30 on a Tuesday night. Food was also good and fresh! I think my favorite part was walking around after dinner - gift shop and a bar on the beach(Sand Bar).
CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES
During the day we our DD didnt really want to leave the pool area to participate in anything other than the Unbirthday Party I stood in line at Eb & Flos beginning at 8:30AM on Monday morning to make sure we got in. She said that they played musical chairs, hit a piñata and made cup cakes. She gave it a thumbs up.
She and I did manage to go a beaded jewelry making craft the first thing one morning before she got into the pool.
Discovery Club Price - $30; time 5:00 8:00; offered several nights a week for ages 4-12. You can sign them up ahead of time. I signed DD up within 30 minutes of it starting on Saturday. You drop the kids off in the lobby at the Inn bldg. And they give them dinner and have various activities(she decorated a T-shirt) and games at Community Hall or on the Croquet lawn. Our DD went Saturday night(we were hoping she would have made some friends to chum around with all week, but unfortunately she didnt) and Wednesday night. Says she liked it. We watched the kids play a couple of tag like games on the croquet lawn while we had drinks on the balcony of the Green Cabin room I think that was my favorite entertainment of the week!
MISCELLANEOUS
Gym I went in the mornings between 7:30 and 9:00 never had to wait for a machine hardly anyone in there
Water Aerobics it was offered on Monday morning at 8:00AM a good excuse to get out and into the pool but not a workout at all! It was only 30 minutes and the instructor was having technical difficulties with the CD it was skipping.
Beach we spent very little time at the beach because I felt it dropped off too rapidly for little ones. DD was disappointed because she enjoys exploring and playing in tide pools but this beach didnt have any
Pool Fantastic water temperature was like bath water coming from New England this is heaven on earth for us! The slide was a blast scared myself silly a couple of times I was going down so fast! They had a DJ by the pool for entertainment on Sunday afternoon but I felt he was spending too much time flirting with a couple of young ladies while he had the kids up dancing and doing the limbo(it reminded me of the pool games on a Carnival Cruise ship). DD is still small enough to enjoy Tiger Lily spent about 1/3 of her time there.
Campfire nice way to end the day but wish we knew more of the songs! Dont forget the insect repellant!
Mini golf bought the length of stay pass for all of us definitely an excellent value and the course was never too crowded.
I'm ready to plan our next DVC trip!
!!! I can't wait to visit VB...it's definitely on my "to do" list. Maybe April for a few days? I really appreciate the details regarding children's activities.
.
