Vero Beach 2014 Information & Adoration Thread

[PammyK]

Booked 2 nights June 30-July 2nd. Never stayed at VBR so I'm really looking forward to it. I do have a couple of questions. Whenever we stay at a Disney Resort my daughter loves the games that are played with CM during the day by the pool. Do they have this at VBR? Also I'm an avid surfer. Is anyone ever surfing in the water out front? Is there a close place to rent board?
Thanks

IMO, the recreation CMs at Vero are the best that Disney has to offer so I think your daughter will be in very good hands with folks like Amanda, Matt, Sebastian, Josh, Brandon 1, Brandon 2, Chance, Emily, Mel, Anthony, Edwin, Tiffany, Kasey and the whole gang. Last week, the pool party was offered daily at 11:30am and lasted a little over an hour. They had different games like team noodle races, hula hoop contests, musical hoops, and the water brigade. Many days they would start about 15 minutes early with some trivia questions or Name That Tune. There are also slide races a few days each week with categories for different kids' age groups as well as adults. You'll receive an activities guide for the week when you check in so you can see what is on the agenda for each day that you'll be there. You can also check out the chalkboard outside of Ebb & Flo's for the day's activity schedule.

I've never seen anyone surfing directly in front of the resort; however, there is a guarded county beach just a few hundred yards north of the resort (I always look at the guard tower to see what flags are out - green, yellow, red, purple, etc. to find out the water conditions) and that is usually where you'll see some surfers. I have no idea about board rentals, but I'm sure someone at the front desk could direct you.

 

[Disney On The Bayou]

Going to be in Vero Beach in a few days for a 4 night stay. If possible, can someone post a current activities sheet? Thanks

 

[Pier60]

IMO, the recreation CMs at Vero are the best that Disney has to offer so I think your daughter will be in very good hands with folks like Amanda, Matt, Sebastian, Josh, Brandon 1, Brandon 2, Chance, Emily, Mel, Anthony, Edwin, Tiffany, Kasey and the whole gang. Last week, the pool party was offered daily at 11:30am and lasted a little over an hour. They had different games like team noodle races, hula hoop contests, musical hoops, and the water brigade. Many days they would start about 15 minutes early with some trivia questions or Name That Tune. There are also slide races a few days each week with categories for different kids' age groups as well as adults. You'll receive an activities guide for the week when you check in so you can see what is on the agenda for each day that you'll be there. You can also check out the chalkboard outside of Ebb & Flo's for the day's activity schedule.

I've never seen anyone surfing directly in front of the resort; however, there is a guarded county beach just a few hundred yards north of the resort (I always look at the guard tower to see what flags are out - green, yellow, red, purple, etc. to find out the water conditions) and that is usually where you'll see some surfers. I have no idea about board rentals, but I'm sure someone at the front desk could direct you.

Lots of good information.

Thank you

 

[robhawk]

IMO, the recreation CMs at Vero are the best that Disney has to offer so I think your daughter will be in very good hands with folks like Amanda, Matt, Sebastian, Josh, Brandon 1, Brandon 2, Chance, Emily, Mel, Anthony, Edwin, Tiffany, Kasey and the whole gang. Last week, the pool party was offered daily at 11:30am and lasted a little over an hour. They had different games like team noodle races, hula hoop contests, musical hoops, and the water brigade. Many days they would start about 15 minutes early with some trivia questions or Name That Tune. There are also slide races a few days each week with categories for different kids' age groups as well as adults. You'll receive an activities guide for the week when you check in so you can see what is on the agenda for each day that you'll be there. You can also check out the chalkboard outside of Ebb & Flo's for the day's activity schedule.

I've never seen anyone surfing directly in front of the resort; however, there is a guarded county beach just a few hundred yards north of the resort (I always look at the guard tower to see what flags are out - green, yellow, red, purple, etc. to find out the water conditions) and that is usually where you'll see some surfers. I have no idea about board rentals, but I'm sure someone at the front desk could direct you.

Don't forget DJ Joe Dillon on the weekends. Lots of fun!

 

[floridafam]

The stench along the lagoon is from a certain type of seaweed. There was an article in the local paper recently about it but I can't find it. It's not a permanent thing.

 

[RSHEALAND]

 

[RSHEALAND]

Booked 2 nights June 30-July 2nd. Never stayed at VBR so I'm really looking forward to it. I do have a couple of questions. Whenever we stay at a Disney Resort my daughter loves the games that are played with CM during the day by the pool. Do they have this at VBR? Also I'm an avid surfer. Is anyone ever surfing in the water out front? Is there a close place to rent board?
Thanks

You have been added to roll call, enjoy your stay
Wabasso Beach Surf Shop at corner of Rt 1 and 87th st rents surfboards and paddle boards as well as boggie boards and skim boards

 

[RSHEALAND]

We will be there from June 10-13
First stay for me but my DD's have been there before

you have been added to roll call, enjoy your stay

 

[RSHEALAND]

The DW and I are looking forward to our first stay at VB 7/3 - 7/6 since buying DVC stock in it, and can't wait!

Looking through this thread, can someone provide more details about the chair swap? Is that for beach chairs, or what?

Hope to see some of you guys there!

you have been added to roll call, enjoy your stay

 

[Ulysses]

I thought of one more question about Vero: Do they have pin trading at the resort?

My wife and I love to pin trade, and are trying to figure out if we should plan to bring our 'trade-able' pins.

 

[tb1972]

I thought of one more question about Vero: Do they have pin trading at the resort? My wife and I love to pin trade, and are trying to figure out if we should plan to bring our 'trade-able' pins.

Yes, they do have a pin trading time in the gift store. I believe it was from 2:00-4:00 on Thurs. when my family traded last week. Also there was a pin trade in the lobby one afternoon. The pin trading events should be listed on the weekly calendar which you'll receive at check in.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[PammyK]

Don't forget DJ Joe Dillon on the weekends. Lots of fun!

How could I forget DJ Joe? He's a weekend fixture at the resort.

 

[PammyK]

The stench along the lagoon is from a certain type of seaweed. There was an article in the local paper recently about it but I can't find it. It's not a permanent thing.

Good to know. I know I've never encountered it before so I figured it was some sort of temporary condition. We could see a bunch of something at the shoreline of the lagoon, but it was just dark enough that we couldn't make out exactly what it was. Hopefully it will be gone soon.

 

[TOMKO FAMILY]

I can't believe how fast 6 nights flew by at Vero. I'm back home and already counting down the days until my next visit (92).

Weather was great this past week - 2 short pool closings due to nearby lightning strikes but otherwise lovely.

Turtle season is off to a slow start but we had a few new nests near the resort this week. Shout out to the awesome Disney Animal Programs turtle team, especially Kari, who were awesome ambassadors for both Disney and the magnificent, but endangered turtles.

The new pool hours took some getting used to. It was odd to see the lifeguard stand manned from 8am until 10pm each day. Of course, that required some additions to the lifeguard/recreation team and the new and new-to-me CMs are ridiculously awesome.

It seemed as if there were more annoyingly aggressive black birds in the pool area this visit. They seemed to be unavoidable and were pooping all over the place.

Not sure why, but there was a terrible stench along edge of the Indian River Lagoon near Captain Hiram's and Squid Lips. Dining at Squid Lips wasn't impacted (just the walk down the pier to the restaurant) but the Sand Bar at Hiram's was just unbearable (and closed when we tried to go there).

Vittorio's Pizzaria (Publix Plaza on US1 at Barber Rd) is my new favorite place for an excellent, inexpensive meal - Monday & Tuesday they have a take-out or dine-in special of $9.49 for a 16" cheese pie. Sooooo delicious.

And finally, a tip for those who use the showers in the restrooms by the pool before departing the resort. There are no hooks outside the shower stalls to hang your towel and the towel always seems to get wet or fall to the floor if you try to hang it over the curtain rod. If you bring a carabiner, there is a loop on the resort pool towels that you can use to hook the towel to the outside of the shower curtain so you'll have a dry towel to use when your shower is complete.

Will try to post some photos once I get them uploaded to flickr.

Does the pool close at 10PM also? In the past, we were able to swim after the life guard hours are over but when we were at Bay Lake Tower in January we had to clear the pool area when the life guards left at 9PM.

Thanks!

 

[lfishe3]

Has anyone ever rented a boat for the day? I know there isn't anything offered by Vero but maybe an outside local source?

We are thinking about getting a boat for one day.

 

[sunryzez]

I have been lurking on and off since 2013. I have been trying to book a reservation for Vero Beach Resort but timing never seemed to work out. This past March I was planning on going to Vero Beach after our Dream cruise but dh thought that would be too much traveling. So after alot of debating between November break and next spring break we have decided and actually just booked Vero beach today for November 22nd-25th. This way we get a nice relaxing 4 day vacation and am still home to host Thanksgiving and do some Black Friday shopping. ( A dream week in my opinion, lol) I am SO excited!

I cannot wait to read all of the threads but I have a few questions that I hope some of you can answer...

1) Has anyone ever gone in November before? How is it that time of year? Do they do the campfires? WE really want to be there for that.
2) When do they start decorating for holidays? I know Disney will already be all decked out by then and I would love to visit with decorations out.
3) My kids are 6,8,12...what are best activities? Do I need to sign them up for anything before our stay?
4) What are the must do's and places to eat? Also when can I start booking Character dining? WE don't want to miss that either.

I have always found the dis boards so helpful and friendly for my cruises so Im hoping to find some good information on here. Thanks ahead of time!

 

[KerriL]

oops

 

[KerriL]

Has anyone ever rented a boat for the day? I know there isn't anything offered by Vero but maybe an outside local source?

We are thinking about getting a boat for one day.

No, but we booked a tour with Captain Christy.
http://www.captchristylenz.com/

 

[PammyK]

Does the pool close at 10PM also? In the past, we were able to swim after the life guard hours are over but when we were at Bay Lake Tower in January we had to clear the pool area when the life guards left at 9PM.

Thanks!

Well, to be honest, I was usually in bed by 10pm most nights - the sun and surf wore me out! But, yes, they did a hard close of the pool at 10pm.

 

[PammyK]

I have been lurking on and off since 2013. I have been trying to book a reservation for Vero Beach Resort but timing never seemed to work out. This past March I was planning on going to Vero Beach after our Dream cruise but dh thought that would be too much traveling. So after alot of debating between November break and next spring break we have decided and actually just booked Vero beach today for November 22nd-25th. This way we get a nice relaxing 4 day vacation and am still home to host Thanksgiving and do some Black Friday shopping. ( A dream week in my opinion, lol) I am SO excited!

I cannot wait to read all of the threads but I have a few questions that I hope some of you can answer...

1) Has anyone ever gone in November before? How is it that time of year? Do they do the campfires? WE really want to be there for that.
2) When do they start decorating for holidays? I know Disney will already be all decked out by then and I would love to visit with decorations out.
3) My kids are 6,8,12...what are best activities? Do I need to sign them up for anything before our stay?
4) What are the must do's and places to eat? Also when can I start booking Character dining? WE don't want to miss that either.

I have always found the dis boards so helpful and friendly for my cruises so Im hoping to find some good information on here. Thanks ahead of time!

I've never been in November but I'm sure someone will be able to give you specifics. In general, however, November weather is still fairly mild, though there can be pretty significant cold snaps that may or may not reach as far down as Vero Beach. They do the campfire sing-a-long year round, weather permitting, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Can't give a definitive answer about the holiday decorations, but I'd think there might be some decorating started when you visit.

Best activities depend on the kids. The 6 & 8 year old might like the Unbirthday Party if it is happening on one of the days you'll be there. As far as signing up in advance, you don't need to do anything before arrival, just check with the CM at Eb & Flo's once you've checked in.

Best dining is so subjective - it all depends on what you're looking for. For example, lots of people love Orchid Island Pizza but you couldn't pay me to eat from there. However, I LOVE to get a pizza or dinner from Vittorio's in Sebastian. I also enjoy Squid Lips and enjoying burgers and beverages while listening to a good band at the Sand Bar at Captain Hiram's. For breakfast, we always make a trip to Country Ham 'N Egg on US1. There are other places that people enjoy but I'm usually on a budget so many of them just don't fit my plans. However, Ocean Grill and Riverside Cafe seem to get high marks from most people.