Vero Beach 2012 thread closed... see 2013

[bobbiwoz]

Here at DVBR for a couple days. Have 2 connecting OVIRs on the second floor. I'm liking this location. Up the flight of stairs in the lobby, green cabin room on the way to the room. My little one (really not so little) is feeling under the weather so we are spending a little time in the room watching Sponge Bob.

Had Orchid Island Pizza night of arrival, Capt. Hiriam's Sand Bar last night and tonight is MoBay Grill. Wanted to go to Squid Lips but probably won't get to this trip. Beautiful weather. We haven't been here in 4 years (2 years ago we cancelled due to the beach enrichment, i.e. trucking in sand). My husband gets sad about the loss of beach that has happened over the years. Miss having the BC of last time. That point reallocation really hurt. It also doesn't seem as busy as the other years??? I know they have implemented some crowd easing
techniques such as towels in the rooms which seems to lessen the chair saving and buzzers at Bleachers.


Here for 2 more nights if anyone has questions.

Did you ask for the connecting OVIR's? It would be great if they were guaranteed! You're not kidding about the reallocation of points as they affected the BC! However, I must admit, we're actually renting one for a weekend this June because the weekend points came down quite a bit.

 

[lisareniff]

Did you ask for the connecting OVIR's? It would be great if they were guaranteed! You're not kidding about the reallocation of points as they affected the BC! However, I must admit, we're actually renting one for a weekend this June because the weekend points came down quite a bit.

I did request the connecting OVIR's, and crossed my fingers. I was going to call the resort a few days before to make sure they were aware of my request and know that it was important to us. However, I forgot until the morning we were to travel from WDW to VB. I called and they had already assigned our rooms as connecting. They do seem to have a number of connecting pairs. I remembered there being maybe 7? OV on the 4th floor and now I'm counting 4 on the 2nd. I took a picture of the 2nd floor floor plan that I'll post when I get back.

Anyone want to get the 3rd floor?

 

[Lauralooneyfordisney]

Are they still doing the Pirate dinner thing? Also did you or are you going to try the sunday brunch? We have a ressie for that when we are there. I just wanted to know if it was worth it or not?

 

[backyardponder]

We're going for our 1st trip to Vero Beach on April 1st. We'll be there until April 5th. We have 3 children ages 8, 6, and not quite 4.
Do we need dining reservations ahead of time? Or can we just wing it when we get there?
We're thinking about a day trip to the Space Center but we were hoping to wait and see if there's a day with mediocre weather. Is this a bad idea? Do we need tickets in advance?
Our youngest will be 1 month shy of his 4th birthday. It looks like this will exclude him from many of the kid activities. Is this flexible at all? We really are "rule followers" so I'm not looking to break the rules but I hate to have him feel left out.
I'm super excited to try a different type of vacation.

Thanks,
Amanda

Amanda, I don't see any problem with your son participating in activities for 4 year olds if he is 3.9 years old. Personally, I wouldn't say anything and just register him for the activities.

John

 

[DrMomof3]

You would likely be at VB during Spring Break season... last week during there were times when Sonya's was booked. If you want to eat at a specific time then I would make reservations. If you don't really mind what time you eat then I would think you could wing it. However I would make reservations in advance if you want to dine during one of times the characters appear. Currently it's offered on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Thank you! Maybe I'll book a Monday night dinner now and en wing-it!

Amanda, I don't see any problem with your son participating in activities for 4 year olds if he is 3.9 years old. Personally, I wouldn't say anything and just register him for the activities.

John

Thank you! My youngest is exceptionally tall for his age so I'm sure nobody would even think that he's too young if we don't say anything. I also figure we'll see what interests the kids when we get there.

Amanda

 

[lisareniff]

Are they still doing the Pirate dinner thing? Also did you or are you going to try the sunday brunch? We have a ressie for that when we are there. I just wanted to know if it was worth it or not?

We have never done the Sunday Brunch because we are usually not here on Sunday. I did see the Pirate Dinner on the activities schedule for Monday night from 5-9 with Pirate Goofy and Pirate Donald. They also had a seafood buffet set up for tonight and a Character Breakfast with Goofy and Donald on Sat morning.

BTW we did have dinner at MoBay Grill and we really enjoyed it. DH and I both had different fish dishes that were cooked perfectly. I had a grilled jerk Mahi and DH had pan seared grouper in brown butter and pecans. They were very kid friendly with a kids menu that had about 10 items (mac & cheese, grilled cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, etc) so don't be scared about bringing the kids. It's a small place with only about 12 tables.

 

[lisareniff]

I have corrected a mistake in my previous post and just wanted to make sure no one saw that...

Pirate Dinner -> Monday (currently)

 

[lisareniff]

Just wanted to add... You lucky duck!!!! Love those BCs

 

[lisareniff]

We're going for our 1st trip to Vero Beach on April 1st. We'll be there until April 5th. We have 3 children ages 8, 6, and not quite 4.
Do we need dining reservations ahead of time? Or can we just wing it when we get there?
We're thinking about a day trip to the Space Center but we were hoping to wait and see if there's a day with mediocre weather. Is this a bad idea? Do we need tickets in advance?
Our youngest will be 1 month shy of his 4th birthday. It looks like this will exclude him from many of the kid activities. Is this flexible at all? We really are "rule followers" so I'm not looking to break the rules but I hate to have him feel left out.
I'm super excited to try a different type of vacation.

Thanks,
Amanda

Hi Amanda. I think your kids will really like VB. It is pretty laid back here. It has been a while since I had to worry about that end of the age limit (youngest is 10) but I would think with most of the crafts, etc they wouldn't have a problem with his age, perhaps only with his ability, which could be solved by staying and helping him.

 

[festus105]

Yes the Pirate dinner is currently offered on Monday nights... Since Shutters isn't that big our kids we able to spend a lot of time with Pirate Goofy and Pirate Donald. Much better than a character dinner at WDW in my opinion.

 

[lisareniff]

Had a great day here at VB, hot and sunny. Had fun swimming in the pool and ocean, a few rounds of mini golf and shuffle board.


We think we saw a sea turtle just off shore! We were seeing fish jumping and joking about sharks then saw a dark spot just under the surface. My DD16 was getting scared like teenage girls do, then it lifted it's head out of the water. We saw it for a few minutes just under the surface lifting it's head once in a while. Very cool. We could be wrong because it is a little early for the turtles.

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

Need to find a restaurant for my birthday! Nothing fancy, and we are already having the pirate dinner and the character breakfast (yes, we have two little kids age 4 and 8) at the hotel so I want to branch out...

Thinking Tex-mex or seafood, any thoughts on the restaurants below?

Ay' Jalisco
El Toro Tacos & Tequila

The Ocean Grill
Dockside Grille

Southern Comfort Grill

Thanks!

 

[DrMomof3]

Hi Amanda. I think your kids will really like VB. It is pretty laid back here. It has been a while since I had to worry about that end of the age limit (youngest is 10) but I would think with most of the crafts, etc they wouldn't have a problem with his age, perhaps only with his ability, which could be solved by staying and helping him.

Thank you Lisa! I appreciate the input!!! The older 2 are pretty protective of him anyway but I would absolutely stay and help.

Amanda

 

[robhawk]

We ate at the Ocean Grille twice this week. We also really liked the Riverside Cafe! You can see the sunset while dining! Also Scampi Grille for Italian. Hope this helps!

 

[DVCconvert]

Need to find a restaurant for my birthday! Nothing fancy, and we are already having the pirate dinner and the character breakfast (yes, we have two little kids age 4 and 8) at the hotel so I want to branch out...

Thinking Tex-mex or seafood, any thoughts on the restaurants below?

Ay' Jalisco
El Toro Tacos & Tequila

The Ocean Grill
Dockside Grille

Southern Comfort Grill

Thanks!

Sadly, El Toro closed last year.
We have enjoyed both Southern Comfort, and The Ocean Grill.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Are they still doing the Pirate dinner thing? Also did you or are you going to try the sunday brunch? We have a ressie for that when we are there. I just wanted to know if it was worth it or not?

They were not doing the Pirate dinner in January. We did have breakfast with characters, and enjoyed that on Saturday.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Just wanted to add... You lucky duck!!!! Love those BCs

Last year in June we were at VB again for just a weekend, and we went with a 2 bedroom. I was surprised that even the dedicated 2 bedrooms didn't have 2 queens in the second bedroom, so only 2 real beds in the unit.

Between the view of the BC AND the total number of real beds, I just thought we all would enjoy a BC for this year's weekend.

Yes, we are lucky and are nearly out of VB points until 2014. I have just enough for 3 nights in an OVIR for next January, and I'll be booking that today!

Bobbi

PS. We did the pirate night with the family 2 years ago in June, and it was a hit with adults and kids alike!

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

We ate at the Ocean Grille twice this week. We also really liked the Riverside Cafe! You can see the sunset while dining! Also Scampi Grille for Italian. Hope this helps!

Sadly, El Toro closed last year.
We have enjoyed both Southern Comfort, and The Ocean Grill.

Thanks!

Ocean Grill it is and I will keep Southern Comfort in mind for the other open night for dinner... will check out Riverside Cafe too!

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

Sorry for all the questions this week... but I have started packing!!!

I have 2 questions before I take up luggage space with items that are at the resort.
1. Are there beach/pool towels provided?
2. Are there sand toys to borrow (like at Castsway Cay?)

Thanks again everyone! We are very excited!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Sorry for all the questions this week... but I have started packing!!!

I have 2 questions before I take up luggage space with items that are at the resort.
1. Are there beach/pool towels provided?
2. Are there sand toys to borrow (like at Castsway Cay?)

Thanks again everyone! We are very excited!

You will have a pool towel for everyone in your unit,(for what the limit of people your unit can have, not the actual count) and they may be exchaged for clean ones at Ebb and Flo's!

I don't know about sand toys.