Vero Beach Brain Storming...advice?!

[Tom and Jen]

Good Morning all!

We are heading down for our first trip to Vero in May, wrapping up a 2 week DVC trip with 5 days at Vero.

Could I ask if you found enough on property to keep kids busy, I have a 6 and 3 yo. who are awesome......except when there not... you know what I mean. Are there activities that can be attended during the day on site, or is it really that everything is off site?

Are there any thoughts on room or building recommendations. I know some of this plays a role at other DVC properties.

Is there a site that has a good layout of the property or the room layouts? (I miss our old books that would have a resort, or at least a room layout... in next years member book I hope they include all that info again.)

Do you think a 5 day wrap up would be too long there?
Is having a car absolutely needed?

Good Food?
Kid friendly restaurants? do they have characters there?

Hope this isn't too much.......
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
T.

 

[jejojual]

We spent a couple of days there last November with our two boys - then 6 and 4 and they LOVED it! There is a mini-golf course around the pool, a great play area, not to mention the pool and the beach. They took the kids cooking class - they got to make an apron, decorate cookies and have a "graduation" parade around the pool - which was a highlight! There was also a great pirate treasure hunt, a story time and a bunch of other things!

The food was wonderful - the kids meals by the pool come in a bucket with a shovel - a great thing for the pool and the beach.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[CarolAnnC]

I would definitely recommend a car for your Vero stay. Not only will you need it to get back and forth from the airport, but there is not much within walking distance of the DVC Resort there. For 5 days, I think a car would be a must.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Characters are there only for the Saturday brunch. Haven't made it for a Saturday yet...so can't comment on it.

I think that May is a beautiful month to visit Vero, you should have a great time. We're grandparents and are bringing the whole family next June to VB. We rented a BC and some OVIR. This year, DH and I were there for 2 short visits, I just fantisized how much the kids, who will be 3, 4 and 5 will love the pool, play area, campfire, activities and the beach.

Bobbi

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I agree with bobbi that May is a great month for VB. Along with October, my favorites. And CarolAnnC is right about having a car because there are a lot of fun and interesting things within a short drive. 5 Days is not too much. Many parents say their kids actually prefer VB to WDW resorts. It is very kid friendly. The VB resort provides daily activities for kids & adults with the best CMs of all the resorts.

They have a Mickey shaped pool & lighthouse themed spiral waterslide, a REALLY cool water deck area for the real young kids, a hot Jacuzzi, miniature golf, exercise room, ping pong, bike rentals, The Green Cabin Room (bar/restaurant) has 2nd floor covered deck that has a fantastic view of the ocean and is a nice place to relax with your favorite beverage. It also has live entertainment in the evenings. At night they have a campfire / s’more roast (bring the Cutter Advanced to fend off the No-see-ums). You can rent a small catamaran or jet-ski for ocean fun. Across the street they have a lake, picnic tables, grills, the Jungle nature hike/bike trail that goes 8 miles to Pelican Island Reserve, tennis courts, and basketball courts. Disney built a private tunnel under the road to access this area. And of course they have the ocean and great waves for boogy boarding. Everything from the ocean to the pool to your room is no more than 2 minutes away walking. So it is real easy to break up your day

5 minutes away by car 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 huge Ficus trees. 30 minutes south in Fort Piece is the Manatee Observation and Education Center.

And while you're waiting for May to get here you can check out this beach cam at Vero Beach.

Have a great trip... WDW & VB in one trip

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

When we booked our VB trip I was expecting to spend lots of time relaxing at the pool and on the beach. I had no idea about the kids' activities. They start daily anywhere from 7-9 AM and are broken down by age group. My kids (5/7/8) had a blast. I don't think they'd miss WDW if we went to VB every summer.

A few of the activites in your kids' age ranges:

For the 3 y/o (most require parental supervision): finger painting, paper flowers, craft time, chalk art, creative coloring, treasure hunt, fish findbubbles, seaside chefs, tot basketball.

For the 6 y/o: sandcastle building, Unbirthday party, seaside chefs, paper airplanes (my DS7 loved this), kickball, sea shell bags, marbles, naturalist beach walk, bead jewelry, soccer.

For all: family bingo, dive in movie, sing along campfire, waterslide races

 

[DisDaydreamer]

When we booked our VB trip I was expecting to spend lots of time relaxing at the pool and on the beach. I had no idea about the kids' activities. They start daily anywhere from 7-9 AM and are broken down by age group. My kids (5/7/8) had a blast. I don't think they'd miss WDW if we went to VB every summer.

A few of the activites in your kids' age ranges:

For the 3 y/o (most require parental supervision): finger painting, paper flowers, craft time, chalk art, creative coloring, treasure hunt, fish findbubbles, seaside chefs, tot basketball.

For the 6 y/o: sandcastle building, Unbirthday party, seaside chefs, paper airplanes (my DS7 loved this), kickball, sea shell bags, marbles, naturalist beach walk, bead jewelry, soccer.

For all: family bingo, dive in movie, sing along campfire, waterslide races

You bring a tear to my eye... I can't explain the childrens' programs because my kids were just about grown up before we visited VB. But I watch what goes on, and I see exactly what you are talking about. It just doesnt make sense why these CMs are so different.... but they are.... they are Disney's perfect representatives.... All thing considered VB is just a resort that is on it's own and takes care of it's own.. completely. Perfectly.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I am so happy to be a part of the Vero Beach family!! I can't wait for my ressie in August.

 

["Ginger"]

I can't stand...we have to wait 28 more hours till we get there

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

You bring a tear to my eye... I can't explain the childrens' programs because my kids were just about grown up before we visited VB. But I watch what goes on, and I see exactly what you are talking about. It just doesnt make sense why these CMs are so different.... but they are.... they are Disney's perfect representatives.... All thing considered VB is just a resort that is on it's own and takes care of it's own.. completely. Perfectly.

You make an excellent point about the VB CM's. They are the best. Example--DS7 didn't bring his pins/lanyard. He loves Chip/Dale, so he spent a lot of time "just looking" at CMs' lanyards for Chip/Dale pins. After a few days, a few of the CM's knew him as "the boy who loves Chip & Dale" and had set aside Chip/Dale pins for him, three different CM's at three different times!!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

[/SIZE]


I can't stand...we have to wait 28 more hours till we get there

Don't know if this is you're first time or not... take a deep breath of air, and know that VB is an amazing resort... Great CMs, GREAT CMs!, (can't say that enough)... You will come away with just love for the VB resort... and how they make your family... and more.. your kids, soooooo...... welcomed...

As starbox says... VB Rocks!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

You make an excellent point about the VB CM's. They are the best. Example--DS7 didn't bring his pins/lanyard. He loves Chip/Dale, so he spent a lot of time "just looking" at CMs' lanyards for Chip/Dale pins. After a few days, a few of the CM's knew him as "the boy who loves Chip & Dale" and had set aside Chip/Dale pins for him, three different CM's at three different times!!

Thanks for sharing your experience... The CMs at VB are beyond what one might expect... These people know they are the best and work to stay on the top. They are truly professionals.

 

[Tom and Jen]

Wow,

All this info is awesome. Just these last few posts have gotten me excited for the kids activities.

Thank you all so much for your input. This will be our first time there and we are looking forward to everything we've heard about.

On another note, does anyone have any room recommendations?
what locations, buildings or floors?

Thanks again
Tom

 

[kritter]

Can I ask some of you if you stay at WDW and do not have a car while you are there and then decided to go to Vero for five days or so how would I get a rental car once I am already at SSR? I want to rent a car for the Vero part of my stay but do not need it while I am at SSR for ten days. Any thoughts???

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Can I ask some of you if you stay at WDW and do not have a car while you are there and then decided to go to Vero for five days or so how would I get a rental car once I am already at SSR? I want to rent a car for the Vero part of my stay but do not need it while I am at SSR for ten days. Any thoughts???

I know Enterprise will pick you up and I think some of the others have also come on board with that service.

 

[Eddie]

I am not certain but believe Alamo might pick you up at a WDW resort. They have a rental center at the Hess Gas station just after entering the Magic Kingdom. I remeber seeing a lot of Alamo Mini-vans driving on the entrance ways to the parks.

Worth seeing if they will pick you up as I know there is also some kind of Alamo discount I think it is with an AP.

Enjoy

 

[kritter]

I guess I would have to call Alamo direct to find out. I am an AP passholder as well..

Anyone else do this before??

 

[SweetSally]

Do you think a 5 day wrap up would be too long there?

Vero Beach sounds like the perfect family resort. From the info you've received - it doesn't sound like 5 days will be long enough!

I have a 6 and 3 yo. who are awesome......except when there not... you know what I mean.

I bet you have very sweet children who will have a blast at Vero

Hope you have a great time!