Vero activities for kids?

[bcvdreamer]

I want to go to Vero, but my dh is worried that my boys (13 & 7) will be bored after a few days at the beach/pool. They love to boogie board and I've heard the water is rough, is that true? We go to the Outer Banks every year, so that's the kind of surf we're used to, if that helps.

What other activities are there to do nearby besides the scheduled Disney activities?

He did suggest taking an adults only trip to check out the resort. Sounds good to me!

Thanks.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

They won't get bored. One of the nice things about VB is how compact and close everything is. The ocean, pool & waterslike, your room, the game room, mini-golf, basketball courts, tennis courts, bike & hike trails are all within a 2 minute walk. So nobody in your group has to be committed to doing the same thing, at the same time, or for the same duration. They also have ping pong and bike rentals.

The VB resort provides daily activities for kids & adults with the best CMs of all the resorts.

If somehow boredom creeps in... 5 minutes away is Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and a wildlife education center. Just a few minutes further up the road is Sebastian Inlet State Park were the Indian River meets the ocean. There are many good fishing spots around the inlet, and there are river excursions where you can see dolphins, manatee, and tons of other types of wildlife. About an hour north is Port Canaveral, (where the Magic and Wonder dock), the Kennedy Space Center visitor complex, and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge with walking and driving tours. 20 minutes south is McKee Botanical Garden (18 acres) with some REALLY cool vegetation and trees. 30 minutes south in Fort Piece is the Manatee Observation and Education Center.

I like the sound of the adult pre-trip trip though. Makes perfect sense.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Actually there is lots to do right at the Vero Beach Resort. Outside of the resort I know there are boat tours, fishing tours, mall, movies, fine dining, the shops of downtown Vero and more.

As far as the ocean swimming, I was raised near the Atlantic Ocean and I find this area to be somewhat treacherous. We only went in up to our knees, lol. There is a very strong undertow and I watched sharks very close to shore on two different trips.

Here are the activities as taken from the website:
--------------------------------------
Fun & Games

Swimming Pool
Dive into fun at the Mickey-shaped pool and take a ride on the Pirate's Plunge pool slide.

Anchors' A-Weigh
Work out on state-of-the-art exercise equipment.

Community Hall
Enjoy board games, arts and crafts, card games and table tennis at this low-key place to hang out and take a break.

Blinker's Arcade
Play a variety of video and pinball games at this high-tech game room.

Eb & Flo's Rentals
Rent a bicycle, sporting equipment and more for your recreational needs, and sign up for activities.

Rub Dubs
Relax and refresh with a rejuvenating full-body massage.

Naturally Good Times
Get back to nature with a fascinating selection of bike tours, bird watching expeditions, nature hikes and more. Ask for a complete list of activities at check-in.

Port Holes Miniature Golf
Challenge your friends and family to a round on our 9-hole miniature-golf course.

Resort Activities
Gather 'round the campfire, gaze at the stars or dive to new depths. Disney's Vero Beach Resort offers a bevy of exciting activities that will entertain your entire family. Ask for a complete list of activities at check-in.

2Dc - Disney Discovery Club
Discover, create and explore in supervised programs just for kids ages 4-12. Enjoy a variety of activities - including volleyball, soccer, games and races - with dinner included.

Just for Kids
Take to water and land for special activities especially for our youngest Guests. From catch and release fishing to snorkeling, there's something for every age. Ask for a complete list of activities at check-in.

Just For Adults and Teens
Find the perfect activity to make your vacation magical with these special classes and events for teens and adults. Ask for a complete list of activities at check-in.

All Around Town
Delve into the rich history of this Atlantic Coast town and explore land and sea on fascinating tours of the Manatee Observation Center, McKee Botanical Gardens or Dodgertown, spring home to the Los Angeles Dodgers. You also can attend the theater, take a river cruise and do so much more. Ask for a complete list of activities at check-in.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

As far as the ocean swimming, I was raised near the Atlantic Ocean and I find this area to be somewhat treacherous. We only went in up to our knees, lol. There is a very strong undertow and I watched sharks very close to shore on two different trips.

I guess I forgot to respond about the ocean swimming. I must be loosing it

I think maybe I have spent more hours in the VB ocean than most all other members. It is a true passion of mine. With that in mind here is what I think...

Some days the ocean waves are huge and they knock you around pretty good. On other days it is frustratingly calm. On most days it is just like the waves you find in NJ, DE, or anywhere else on the east coast.

As far as the under tow (rip current, actually) In my opinion VB is surprisingly light on rip currents. Much less than say Ocean City or Rehoboth. I think VB's Sandbar is much larger and more stable than those places.

Sharks. Once again, this is the ocean.... this is where sharks live, but in nine years and hundreds of hours in the VB waters I have never witnessed a shark. Lots of dolphins, but no sharks.

All-in-all, I think your 13 yo will have a blast on his own. Your 7 yo will have a blast with mom or dad with him. And both should have boogie boards strapped to their wrist. Sort of tethered life preservers if you will.

Have a great time

 

[CarolAnnC]

I should have mentioned that both times we witnessed the sharks in the waters at Vero Beach Resort, we also noted the sign on the beach set up by Disney reporting that sharks have been sited with due caution necessary.

Yes, it is their natural habitat, and we are invading their natural habitat so we must exercise caution when they have been spotted and the alert put out.

The wave height will vary with the tides - if the tide is coming in you will have larger waves and the opposite when it is low tide.

The beach is beautiful to not only swim in but to take leisurely walks too. I always enjoy doing that at the end of the day.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

The beach is beautiful to not only swim in but to take leisurely walks too. I always enjoy doing that at the end of the day.

Hope I didn't come accross as snarky (snatched that word from starbox). I surely didn't intend to.

Last year DW wife were walking the beach at like 1am looking for turtle hatchlings and of course we respect the no lights rules. Well, I ended up kicking big rock (a small boulder actually) and breaking my little toe. Looked like a big purple grape.

I have come to believe it's safer in the water for me. Otherwise, we really love to walk the beach in the morning to see the sunrise.

Couple of my favorite sunrise pics...

VB Rocks!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Nothing taken as snarkiness..is that a word?LOL!

Anyway, my trips to Vero were between 1997 and 2000 when my DH passed away. Could be that sharks subsided since then, but we had them on 2 out of our 3 trips down. All were in summer, so maybe that has a bearing on it too.

Love your sunrise pics, very nice!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Well thankfully, someone bumped this thread I was looking for this morning and couldn't find.

This thread will give a lot more info on VB.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1431524

 

[bcvdreamer]

Disdaydreamer and CarolannC,

Thank you for the quick and very thorough description of Vero! The links and the pictures are great too! I was sold on the resort from the beginning, now I'm excited, as with anything having to deal with Disney! I can't wait to show this thread to my family.

Thanks again.

Lisa

 

[njmeisje]

This is a great thread, thanks. BTW, your sunset pictures are just lovely.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

If it's any help, here are some of the activities my kids did at VB last month:

soccer (6 and up)
Tot craft time (3-5 w/parent)
Un-Birthday party (4-10)
Marble Match (6 & up)
Parent & Tot craft (3-5 w/parent)
Intro to Harmonica (7 & up)
Family Bingo (all of us)
Water Slide races
Matey Mike's Treasure Hunt (3-5 w/parent)
Dive In Movie (this was fun!!)
Tot Seaside Chefs (3-5 w/parent)
Seaside Chefs (6-12)
Paper Airplanes (another favorite!!)
Kickball (6 & up)
SnorkelEARS (7-15)--sign up for this early, space is limited and it fills up fast!