Vero Beach 2012 thread closed... see 2013

[S'sMom]

Hello,
We will be there in June...

Does the buffet dinner at Shutters still exist? Just curious

Second, Does anyone have a picture of the Cabana? Or do you know what it consist of? I am trying to decide on the Cabana or the two chair and umbrella set. Which one is better?

Third, has anyone ever done the bike ride? I want to do this. Oh and does it have a seat for our three year old? I know they have those seats on Castaway Cay.

Any assistance would be great

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

DrMomof3 Glad to hear you had a good time despite the unfortunate illness sweeping thru the family. A few questions.....How was the sleeper couch? Were the kids comfy? Was the balcony nice for relaxing despite the view or did the view kinda ruin it? Do you have any pics of the room? Would you go back here again or would you just rent a condo on another beach? If you would go back, would you get a 1 bdrm again or switch to a 2 bdrm or just stay at a room in the Inn?

Sorry for so many questions but I remember you from other threads and know you have great insight that I appreciate.

Thanks Amanda !!

 

[DrMomof3]

DrMomof3 Glad to hear you had a good time despite the unfortunate illness sweeping thru the family. A few questions.....How was the sleeper couch? Were the kids comfy? Was the balcony nice for relaxing despite the view or did the view kinda ruin it? Do you have any pics of the room? Would you go back here again or would you just rent a condo on another beach? If you would go back, would you get a 1 bdrm again or switch to a 2 bdrm or just stay at a room in the Inn?

Sorry for so many questions but I remember you from other threads and know you have great insight that I appreciate.

Thanks Amanda !!

I'm honored that you value my opinion!
The sleeper couch was perfectly acceptable. I didn't sleep on it but I did lay down with the kids a few times and I would have been ok sleeping there. The sleeper chair was similar. We were on a cash reservation so we had daily Mousekeeping. One annoying thing was that they would take the sheets off each day and fold them up and put them away. Which meant that the day we returned at 10pm from a long day at Disney, my DH kept 3 sleeping kids in the car while I ran upstairs and made the beds.
The balcony was lovely. It was accessible from both the bedroom and the living room. We didn't eat breakfast in the room most days but there was a table with 4 chairs and it would have been a perfect breakfast table! I don't care that much about views so it wasn't ruined at all. Not that I wouldn't have appreciated an ocean view but I would never let that affect my vacation! It was shady and peaceful and a great spot for reading my book during afternoon quiet time.
I didn't get pics of the room before our stuff was everywhere. I thought it was comparable to other one bedroom villas at Disney. Reminded me of the BCV that we stayed in 2 years ago. Only one bathroom but a separate HUGE whirlpool tub and then a stall shower. My kids can all 3 fit comfortably in the tub and apparently one day while Jessica was getting her hair wrap done, my 6'4" husband hopped in the tub with the 2 boys!!!
100% we would go back again. I think I might do a split-stay with a Disney resort. 3 days at Vero and 3 days at Disney. Something like that. It was a much mellower trip than Disney and I think that was great! We've had a very stressful time in our family for the past lots of months so chillaxing (as my children like to say) is welcome! Tons of kids activites, good pool, good water slide. My little one LOVED the pirate play area and they did a good job of keeping big kids away from that area so the little ones could enjoy it (My older 2 are right around 48" which is the max height for the play area. They definitely asked the teens and pre-teens to leave the area but we're so strict that my kids couldn't play with their younger brother - a good compromise between policing and not being overly strict.) The lifeguards were friendly and fun. They had poolside activities every day. Plenty of arts and crafts for both older and younger kids. The mini-golf is a nice touch and is literally poolside so people played in their swimsuits.
I don't think I would pay the extra for a 2 bedroom. Our issue with bedtime is that my youngest tends to talk himself to sleep which drives his siblings crazy. Tom would take the older 2 into our bedroom to watch tv while I got Zachary to sleep and then they'd go to sleep afterwards. Worked like a charm!
Let me know if you have more questions. I really, really enjoyed this trip (minus the vomit but at least the sick one was old enough to use the toilet and barf bags so my clothes stayed clean! ).

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

Hello,
We will be there in June...

Does the buffet dinner at Shutters still exist? Just curious

Second, Does anyone have a picture of the Cabana? Or do you know what it consist of? I am trying to decide on the Cabana or the two chair and umbrella set. Which one is better?

Third, has anyone ever done the bike ride? I want to do this. Oh and does it have a seat for our three year old? I know they have those seats on Castaway Cay.

Any assistance would be great

I didn't pay any attention to the cabanas but I can comment on the bikes. There were tons of bikes with baby seats so that won't be an issue. I'm not 100% sure my almost 4 year old could have fit (he's very tall for his age but has some mild physical disabilities so he can't pedal yet) but there were always bikes with baby seats available!

Amanda

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

DrMomof3 Thanks you so much for the info. We are trying to decide(who am I kidding--I do ALL the planning)....I am trying to decide between a 1 bdrm cash ressie at VB or renting a house on or accross from the beach at Melbourne or Cocoa. I want the flexibility of a cash ressie in case we need to cancel and I like that I can cook or eat out at the resort or nearby. The pool looks fun and we all love a great waterslide. I also know that Disney is great for keeping things clean and well maintained. When at Disney, they are so great to include everybody. No feeling "watched" or "judged" like at swankier places. We have a DD11 in the autism spectrum and it can sometimes make the family feel on edge when others around us don't know the situation and feel the need to be judgy. Is VB inclusive and laid back like this or not-so-much since it is far-removed from WDW?

We like a really laid back beach vacay. No timetables. No reservations needed. We like to play in the ocean, play in the pool. Read. Watch a little TV. Play some family board games. Walk on the beach and collect shells. Just relax. The privacy of a beach house would be great but the lack of a "fun" pool or the ability to just catch a quick bite to eat without me having to make it is the issue. We stayed at Navarre Beach last summer and it was very laid back and beautiful....BUT the condoplex had no eatery, the pool had no slide, the beach was VERY sloped and basically unwalkable, and the ocean was flat(no waves) and either full of seaweed or jellies so....looking for a change there for sure. Was the beach a nice walking beach or is it too sloped? I have read it is too sloped and I have read that they fixed that so.....what was your experience?

Thanks again. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer.

 

[DrMomof3]

DrMomof3 Thanks you so much for the info. We are trying to decide(who am I kidding--I do ALL the planning)....I am trying to decide between a 1 bdrm cash ressie at VB or renting a house on or accross from the beach at Melbourne or Cocoa. I want the flexibility of a cash ressie in case we need to cancel and I like that I can cook or eat out at the resort or nearby. The pool looks fun and we all love a great waterslide. I also know that Disney is great for keeping things clean and well maintained. When at Disney, they are so great to include everybody. No feeling "watched" or "judged" like at swankier places. We have a DD11 in the autism spectrum and it can sometimes make the family feel on edge when others around us don't know the situation and feel the need to be judgy. Is VB inclusive and laid back like this or not-so-much since it is far-removed from WDW?

We like a really laid back beach vacay. No timetables. No reservations needed. We like to play in the ocean, play in the pool. Read. Watch a little TV. Play some family board games. Walk on the beach and collect shells. Just relax. The privacy of a beach house would be great but the lack of a "fun" pool or the ability to just catch a quick bite to eat without me having to make it is the issue. We stayed at Navarre Beach last summer and it was very laid back and beautiful....BUT the condoplex had no eatery, the pool had no slide, the beach was VERY sloped and basically unwalkable, and the ocean was flat(no waves) and either full of seaweed or jellies so....looking for a change there for sure. Was the beach a nice walking beach or is it too sloped? I have read it is too sloped and I have read that they fixed that so.....what was your experience?

Thanks again. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer.

Definitely had that nice Disney feel! We saw several obviously special needs children and both of my boys have their own special needs (my youngest has mild Cerebral Palsy with subtle but significant motor delays and my oldest has severe anxiety - in some ways more similar to an Asperger's but different).
I thought the beach was fine for walking as long as you stayed a bit closer to the water. The upper most part of the beach was sloped but then it was flat.
I think it would meet all of your criteria!

Amanda

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We will be at VB July 7th thru the 15th. 4th time at VB and we have been Vacation Clubers since 2001.

Got it! and...

Welcome To The DISboards!!!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Nope... not page 2... bump

 

[CFedor1]

I just made reservations for 2 OVIR rooms and a 2 Bedroom for 11/17-11/24. We may need to adjust the days since this will be over Thanksgiving and Southwest has not opened air fare for that time yet. It will be me, DH, DS 15, DD 12. This will be our 3rd trip with the kids, and the 4th for DH and me. My MIL, and 2 SIL will be joining us along with my DN 5. To add to the fun, our good friends will be joining us with kids age 16 and 14. We are so excited to be there for Thanksgiving. I hear there is a great Thanksgiving dinner onsite. I will be visiting this thread often for updates. Thanks for keeping it going!
Cathy

 

[papertraveller]

We're there this summer -- August 22 for four nights. And I've got to say, I'm looking forward to this visit (our second) more than the subsequent days at the parks!

We so love Vero Beach!

 

[anonymousegirl]

My sister's family and I will be at VB for the first time this June (already on the roll call) and I have a couple of questions.

1) I saw the prices on page 1 for the various rentals. Are those prices for weekly or daily rentals, or even hourly? I am assuming the cabana rental is per day but I was wondering about the beach chairs, loungers, and umbrellas, etc.

2) I haven't made a building request yet. We are booked into a 2 bedroom, but I cannot see on my ressie whether it is a dedicated or a lockoff. A view of the ocean would be nice but not absolutley necessary. I think being close to the pool and main building would be more important. What should I request?

3) I don't have any dining ressies yet. I have a TiW card and we are doing two character meals at WDW the previous week so I think we will skip the character brekkie at Sonya's. Are dining ressie super necessary second week June?

Many thanks!
Lori

 

[berlykim22]

Going to Vero Beach for the 1st time with my Best Friends for a Moms Vacation, leaving the hubbies and kiddies at home!!
We are going May 5 to May 8, then heading to Unviersal for a day and then home!!!
I would love any suggestions or tips on anything and everything!
do we need to make reservations for restaurents like WDW? Where do we make them, online or by phone?
any suggestions for nightlife/dancing outside of resort, since its Cinco de Mayo thought we may go out and enjoy!!!
also spa at resort is very pricey, anyone know of any off site?
thanks in advance!!
Kim

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

We just made reservations for May 8-11, our first VB stay! Off to read the rest of this wonderful thread...

 

[JMTStone]

We just made reservations for May 8-11, our first VB stay! Off to read the rest of this wonderful thread...

We'll be there around the same time. We arrive on the 10th. Less than a month away!

 

[asianway]

Hello!

I think I have the right group of people to ask! Was anyone there Easter to see if they had characters out aside from the character meals? I've heard they may do this on major holidays, so if anyone has photos they would like to share, we would love to see them!

Thanks

 

[S'sMom]

I didn't pay any attention to the cabanas but I can comment on the bikes. There were tons of bikes with baby seats so that won't be an issue. I'm not 100% sure my almost 4 year old could have fit (he's very tall for his age but has some mild physical disabilities so he can't pedal yet) but there were always bikes with baby seats available!

Amanda

Thanks a bunch! That helps alot

 

[D Morggggg]

Going for our 6th time 6/18 to 6/20!

 

[starbox]

any suggestions for nightlife/dancing outside of resort, since its Cinco de Mayo thought we may go out and enjoy!!!
also spa at resort is very pricey, anyone know of any off site?
thanks in advance!!
Kim

I'd go to Gloria Estefan's restaurant/bar for Cinco (Costa de Este) - they have a pool/beachside bar with live music and dancing and (by a long shot) the best specialty drinks in Vero. Drinks run about 10$ but unlike Disney drinks, they are VERY big and VERY strong.

Waldos at the Driftwood will have a Cinco party too - but for all girls, I'd do Costa De Este.

 

[BLTLDZ]

May 4th cannot come fast enough!

 

[Lauralooneyfordisney]

My sister's family and I will be at VB for the first time this June (already on the roll call) and I have a couple of questions.

1) I saw the prices on page 1 for the various rentals. Are those prices for weekly or daily rentals, or even hourly? I am assuming the cabana rental is per day but I was wondering about the beach chairs, loungers, and umbrellas, etc.

I am interested in the answer to this also.
I did make ressies for the sunday brunch just because I wanted to make sure we get one since it is Memorial Day weekend.