Vero Beach? Any thoughts?

[klj27]

We have added four nights at Vero Beach onto the end of our vacation. does anyone have any thoughts on the resort or the area? Are there nonDisney food choices, mini golf, etc. I have seen references to driving to town. How far is that?

Thanks for any help!!!

 

[LoveStitch]

We own DVC at Vero Beach, and it's one of our favorite, restful places!

One of our very favorite activities is simply walking on the beach and collecting shells. We usually do that at least twice a day. We also like to rent bicycles and bicycle the trail along the waterway. Usually one day I'll drive into town (it's several miles...maybe 4-5?) and spend an afternoon visiting the various shops and boutiques.

There are some good restaurants in town, too...the front desk will have menus available for you to look at. I'd definitely recommend the Ocean Grill. It's very casual, a little pricey but worth it - the food is wonderful! Mostly tons of different kinds of fresh seafood. We always go at least once.

What kind of a room are you staying in? The Inn ocean view rooms are to die for! The larger 1- and 2-bedroom vacation villas for the most part don't face the ocean, but they're really nice and comfortable (actually, the Inn rooms are, too...they're just more like hotel rooms). We love to keep the door open at night, no matter where our room is located, because you can hear the waves on the beach. We also spend a lot of time just relaxing on the balcony outside our room. We usually stock up on wine and cheese at the Publix before we get there, and have wine and cheese on the balcony each evening, and hot tea there every morning.

There are programs offered, too. Lots of things for the children, and some family tours. We took one tour to see the manatees one time...that was really fun. There's a small miniature golf area right at the resort near the pool. The pool is really nice, too, with a fun slide (for kids or adults!)

 

[LoveStitch]

You asked how far it is to town, and I gave you my estimate of 4-5 miles for Vero Beach proper. However, I also mentioned the Publix. That's the opposite direction, and I would guess is about 2-3 miles away. It's in a less quaint area (business road), but is convenient. Also somewhere near the Publix area is a Hale's Citrus Stand, which is fun to visit, and we usually pick up fresh orange and grapefruit juice there to keep at the resort. (Even the Inn rooms have refrigerators.)

 

[kitkatsnindylou]

Other good places to eat include Sqid lips and captins Harims when are you going, there is also a baseball team that plays there. Their is a small mini golf course at the hotel. I don't remember seeing any others. There are tours you can take as well from the resort.

 

[TraceyL]

How is the food 'onsite' so to speak ??

We're off there just for the one night to recharge our batteries - have booked Inn Ocean View rooms - they sound great

 

[LoveStitch]

Yes, the ocean view Inn views are fabulous! Request an upper floor when you check in for the best view, but don't worry if you can't get one - they're all good.

The onsite food isn't bad...Shutters has a nice menu. It's a tad pricey, but no more so than any Disney property. We enjoy going up to the Green Cabin Room and getting drinks and appetizers and sitting out on their deck, which faces the ocean. We're more likely to do that than to eat at Shutters many nights. We saw a launch from Cape Canaveral from there one night...not a shuttle, but a rocket of some kind...it was cool, it went along the ocean for a while.

The only one we haven't been overwhelmed with was Sonya's - the higher-priced restaurant on property. To be fair, though, we've only gone there for Sunday brunch, twice, and thought it was adequate but nothing to write home about. That's kept us from trying it for dinner, though...we've always figured if we're going to spend that kind of money we'd rather go to the Ocean Grill!

I know they also have a character breakfast, but it seems to always be on a day we're not there.

 

[holden]

My in-laws have a vacation home in Vero Beach, which is why we are doing to WDW again in Oct. You can't be within 2 hrs. of WDW and not visit it, right? It's a very quiet, relaxing town. Not a whole lot going on. I've never been on the Disney property, but it must be nice. As the other poster said, the "town" is a bit of a drive (shops, etc.). It's more of a "chill out" town than an "active vacation" town.

 

[mm6mm6]

We have stayed at Disney's Vero Beach Resort (VBR) the last three years and we have it booked again this coming July!

We just love it there. Anyone who has stayed at VBR can't help but find it lovely and serene with the fun touch of Disney.

We have always stayed in the Ocean View Inn rooms and they are spectacular with their balconies overlooking the ocean.

The rooms are big with toasters, fridge, and kitchen items like plates, forks/spoons, cups, etc. What you use, your mousekeeper will replace.
There is also Mickey shampoo and soaps so it really has that Disney World feel to it. It's like you never left (we go after our trip to WDW to relax and rewind a bit), they even make you towel animals.

The pool is huge and has a terrifically fun lighthouse slide. On weekends they usually have quite a bit of poolside entertainment with limbo, tug of war, and "find the stuff in the pool they throw in"...our daughter loves it! There are a ton of lounges too along with a kiddie play pool area and mini golf. The resort has all kinds of tours from turtle watches to archery to hiking and biking.

The beach is awesome. We've been there with no surf and with wild surf. It's really great for swimming, body surfing or renting a jet ski or sunfish or catamaran. They have it all for you.

VBR offers a kids program from 5pm-8pm which our daughter also enjoyed where they play games, learn about the ocean/beach and have dinner while the parents can have some time alone.

We have had the character breakfast with Goofy and Max twice and it's just like at WDW. Very fun.

We usually stay three nights. One night we eat at Shutters which is very good food, a wide menu, typical Disney. I didn't find the prices as bad as at WDW. We've never eaten at Sonyas.

Another night we make sure we drive north to Sebastian (10 minutes) and have dinner at Captain Hiram's. It's a really fun, busy, loud, Floridian themed (with fish on the walls and photos of those who caught them) restaurant/resort right on the water. There are piers right there with many boats available for fishing tours. They have a "Sand Bar" area which has live music and you take your shoes and socks off because it really is sand. Oh, and the food is outstanding and not crazy in price either. A map of the area showing all these places comes in your room.

We then order pizza from the place right next door to VBR. My DW gets a big salad to go and our DD shares a pizza with me. We really like it because the guys who own the business are formerly from Chicago so they make a great za!

In your room will be a "Treasure Coast Almanac" with various points of interest and a half off coupon for Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum. I think think this is a must see when you're there. It's a fascinating history of the 1715 Fleet that sunk right there off the coast in a hurricane. Fisher found the first ship and it's treasure back in the 1960's. They're still bringing up treasure today. You can actually hold a genuine 300+ year old gold bar in your hands! Kids and adults will be amazed!

I would say the other posters are correct, just 10 minutes away are stores (we get our WDW photos developed at the local Walgreens there) like Wal-Mart, Publix, etc. We like to buy fresh bread, cheese and meats and chips for sandwiches by the pool and beach.

We have bought small shadow boxes and picture frames at our local hobby shops along with glue and brought them to Vero with us. Then we collect shells and glue them on the frames to give pictures to grandparents back home. I cut out the Disney Vero Beach Resort logo from a brochure and glued it in a corner of the shadow box. Then I surrounded it with sand and shells from the beach. I even bought a 300 year old musket ball at Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum and glued it in the shadow box too. It makes a neat item to display in our "ocean/fish" themed bathroom back home as a memento.

Last time we rented a Jet Ski and went out about 40 yards and watched the huge sea turtles. Then were everywhere waiting for dark to come in to lay eggs. That was very cool. They're the size of the hood of my car!

You'll receive the same fantastic treatment from the Cast Members as you did at WDW. There is a great little shop of VBR collectibles and other toys/foods for sale.

One more note, check to see if there is a "Birnbaum 2006 Book" discount. In the back of the 2006 Birnbaum Guide to WDW, there is a 20% coupon for VBR!!!!! We used it to save $50 per night on our three night upcoming stay. That's $150 savings right there!

Enjoy!
-Steve

(for some pics, check out our site at:
http://community.webtv.net/sktracy

 

[klj27]

Thanks so much for all the fabulous replies!!!! You have all convinced me that VBR is exactly what I am looking for. I am even more excited now!

How far away is Cape Canaveral? My husband mentioned wanting to go there.

Thanks again!

 

[mbhoxsie]

We drove from VB to the Kennedy Space Center last year.. It's about a two hour drive up I-95..

Not too bad going there, but long drive home.. (Especially if you got up really early to see a launch..)

Check out http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches/index.asp for more info...

 

[PamOKW]

While Sonya's is the "fancy" restaurant on-site, all the food comes from the same kitchen. You can order off either menu. I'd rather eat the chicken fingers from the pool than either restaurant but they are okay in a pinch. Ocean Grill is a longtime favorite. This last trip we also tried the Italian Grill (has another name first -- I think Memos?) It's in a strip mall out on State Road 60 (where the mall and outlets are located). I don't think I'd go there specifically but if you're in that neighborhood it was a very good Italian restaurant -- just like you get in the NYC area. It's not far from Dodgertown and I imagine Tommy Lasorda has had a meal or two there. ;-)

 

[diznyfanatic]

We just returned from Vero Beach after staying one night at the end of our WDW vacation. We can't wait to return as we fell in love with this property.

The ocean view Inn rooms are fabulous with two queen beds, a kitchenette, and balcony.

We ate dinner at Shutters and thought it was wonderful.

Be sure and read the daily list of activities that you are given at check-in which are also posted near the front desk I believe. They offer all sorts of really unique activities ranging from campfires to star gazing to pool contests. They also offer bike and jetski rentals.

Also be sure and read up on the turtle nesting season as flashlights are not permitted on the beach during this time.

Have a wonderful time, you will LOVE Vero Beach!

 

[LoveStitch]

They offer all sorts of really unique activities ranging from campfires...

Oh yeah, I forgot about the campfires! Our favorite!! (And we're 2 adults, no kids!!)

 

[SueBill]

We are going for 2 nights in July also !! Can you make ADR's for Shutters or is it okay to wait until we arrive ?

 

[mm6mm6]

I forgot to mention singing Disney songs and making s'mores by campfire! Be sure to do this too, it's a blast!

I read once that "X-amount" of beachfront property was purchased for this resort (might not have been Disney at the time either). Construction started in the middle and they opened with the idea that more buildings would be added later. But that never happened. So what you have is a very wide stretch of privately owned beach and very few guests to use it. And it's such a far walk from the north or south that no one uses it except Disney Vero Beach Guests. It seems very private.

 

[ACDSNY]

Great replies! I can't wait until we go for our first trip in Nov!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

As the other poster said, the "town" is a bit of a drive (shops, etc.). It's more of a "chill out" town than an "active vacation" town.

That is what is so enticing about VB to us! We will be visiting VB for the first time this september for 3 nights in a 1BR. The relaxed and quiet beach atmosphere is something we are really looking forward to.

I really appreciate everyone's advice....as I'm trying to learn more about this resort and the area.

THANKS!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Ok...I just thought of another question....Would you recommend doing VB before or after WDW? Right now we have the first 3 nights at VB and then 4 nights at BWV.

What would you do?

 

[berly1657]

We just returned from an 8 night stay at WDW and a 4 night stay at VB. We LOVED VB. The ocean was warmer then the gulf! the kids had a great time going from the pool to the ocean. The resort is not too big.

I would definitely recommend going after your WDW trip. IT is very relaxing and the area is mostly private beach homes - not a tourist trap. Great restauarants to drive to. We did not eat on-site. We can't wait to go back!

 

[mm6mm6]

Definitely after!

You can psyche yourself up for nonstop action at WDW by saying, "I'll get up for early entry and I'll stay until 10pm every day at WDW because I'm going to just kick back and relax and enjoy at VBR in just a few days!"