Vero Beach - ideal beach vacation with toddlers?

[hmccarter]

I am trying to decide if we should stick to a beach in SC or explore Vero Beach.
My little ones are ages 2 and 4.

How far is it from the rooms at Vero Beach to the actual beach?
How far is it to a bathroom from the beach?
Does it feel busy and chaotic at max capacity?
Is the restaurant onsite able to accomodate gluten allergy like WDW?

Thank you for any input!

 

[PalmettoPath]

The beach is very close to all rooms. The hotel property is right on the beach. There is a restroom very close to the beach entry, near Wind & Waves (restaurant) and another by the pool. In fact, depending on where your room is, that could even be just as close. It never feels chaotic and busy to us -- even when full capacity. That's why we go every year. On our trip this summer they asked us at breakfast if anyone had any allergies etc., so I would say yes they will accommodate.

We took a friend of our daughter's with us this year. She usually goes to Myrtle Beach with her family every summer. She said she loved DVB so much more because it's way more relaxing, fun and not a chaotic and busy strip. Just thought I'd share a younger person's thoughts.

 

[hmccarter]

The beach is very close to all rooms. The hotel property is right on the beach. There is a restroom very close to the beach entry, near Wind & Waves (restaurant) and another by the pool. In fact, depending on where your room is, that could even be just as close. It never feels chaotic and busy to us -- even when full capacity. That's why we go every year. On our trip this summer they asked us at breakfast if anyone had any allergies etc., so I would say yes they will accommodate.

We took a friend of our daughter's with us this year. She usually goes to Myrtle Beach with her family every summer. She said she loved DVB so much more because it's way more relaxing, fun and not a chaotic and busy strip. Just thought I'd share a younger person's thoughts.

Sounds ahhhhmazing. Thank you so much for all of the information

 

[PalmettoPath]

Sounds ahhhhmazing. Thank you so much for all of the information

Any time. We love it there. We've been approximately 10 times now.

 

[BillPA]

Vero's beach is very short, it also gets deep quickly. Then you have lots of sharks. I would stick with SC beaches. Don't get me wrong, we really like Vero, I just don't think its good for small kids.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Vero is a gorgeous resort, but I agree with OP's that it isn't ideal for little kids. There is a steep hill and steps to get to the beach and much of the beach gets rearranged with storms. We really do love the pool area, so if you have swimmers that might be nice.

 

[toesmom]

my kids loved it when they were young...great beach vacation and the kids water play area was great. We haven't been there for long time, but they did enjoy it

 

[hhisc16]

I am trying to decide if we should stick to a beach in SC or explore Vero Beach.
My little ones are ages 2 and 4.

How far is it from the rooms at Vero Beach to the actual beach?
How far is it to a bathroom from the beach?
Does it feel busy and chaotic at max capacity?
Is the restaurant onsite able to accomodate gluten allergy like WDW?

Thank you for any input!

My 2 year old toddler loves disney hilton head island resort. She would recommend haha.

 

[hmccarter]

I was wondering about Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. How far is the Hilton Head resort from the actual beach? Is it walking distance ? Do you know if they have gluten free food / allergy menus? Is the restaurant open breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

My 2 year old toddler loves disney hilton head island resort. She would recommend haha.

 

[AnnaS]

The beach at Hilton Head is a mile away. You can drive, rides bikes or take the shuttle. They have a very nice beach house, pool, QS counter. No restaurant on site. They also have a pool by the resort.

We love Vero Beach. Right on the ocean. A few steps away from the pool and your room. We have never been with little ones, but they have a nice splash area, movie night on the lawn, camp fire, various activities.

I have been trying to convince my kids to try it with their little ones. They are not beach people and need to move around. I think it's perfect a few nights here and a few nights at WDW or HH. I have no problem staying a week at Vero . But we are are all different

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I thought the beach itself left much to be desired. It was very steep and rather rough waves when we were there. For my money I would head to the Cape Hatteras Motel in the Outer Banks and get a water front condo. You literally walk down a flight of stairs onto the beach. The beach is basically private as there is nothing else there but the hotel and has long stretches of shallow areas that would be great for toddlers and young kids during low tide.

 

[Carol_]

I’ve been to both VB and Disney’s Hilton Head with a little one and though both were great, I STRONGLY recommend Hilton Head as far as beach goes. At VB, as others have said, you have to be a strong swimmer because the surf is both rough and deep. We spent most of our time in the pool and splash pad areas, and doing crafts.
At Hilton Head, the beach house is right on the beach with bathrooms and food. It’s a nice long beach with a much more gentle surf for little ones. Also, there’s a shuttle that brings you from the resort to the beach house and back. It’s very easy.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

Not the OP, but thinking of taking a 4 yr old to VB next yr. We'd be coming from a trip to Orlando and wondering if 2 nights at VB is enough or 3 nights?

 

[Pens Fan]

Is the restaurant open breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

There is only quick service available at both the resort and the Beach House. I believe both close around 5 PM. We haven't tried the offerings at Beach House but thought the food at the resort was surprisingly good. You are also just a very short walk to Shelter Cove Marina which has quite a few restaurants and shops. And honestly given the treasure trove of great restaurants on HHI, you would want to explore beyond Disney property!!

 

[AnnaS]

Not the OP, but thinking of taking a 4 yr old to VB next yr. We'd be coming from a trip to Orlando and wondering if 2 nights at VB is enough or 3 nights?

I personally would try for three nights. Checkin in day and check-out day for me are not full days. Enjoy whatever you decide.

 

[Beachyrock]

We started going to Vero with our son when he was about 3 years old and on a gluten free diet. We went almost every year until he entered high school. It is our family's all time favorite resort and vacation!! There is so much to do at the resort that you never feel bored, and it definitely doesn't feel chaotic. The two on-site restaurants Wind and Waves and the market are both fantastic at accommodating a gluten allergy!!

We have also been to HHI once when he was a toddler, and did not enjoy it as much as Vero, mainly because of the shuttle to the beach issue. It just felt like two separate resorts and with a toddler it was a lot of back and forth. If your kids enjoy the beach more than the pool, however, you might find HHI more your speed, as others have discussed.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[ngl]

This is the age old VB or HH question! We are owners at VB & have been to HH as well. (We live in FL). My kids are now 13 & 11 and the first time we went I was pregnant with my youngest and have been there at least one time per year since! They have always enjoyed the beach there. Having said that, they are strong swimmers and love boogie boarding and have done so since they were 4 or so. Depending on the weather the waves can be rough. However, last time we were at HH it was the same. VB is quieter and not much around besides the resort whereas HH has walkable/biking activities. VB is very contained and as others have said, HH is spread out with the beach house. Someone mentioned the steep hill down to beach at Vero. That is not always there. When we first went it was there for a few years and then the county did a beach erosion project and leveled it out. It was back last year just as the first few years we went. Not sure when next project is planned but typically they would do it in the winter (Jan) when less people are at the beach. We like both for different reasons so just need to figure out what is more important to you and your family. Also time of year, of course. (if in summer does not matter but HH will be cooler if May or earlier).

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I don't think anyone mentioned the tidal pools that happen at HHI that are perfect for toddlers. To me, HHI is a much safer beach for toddlers. I've only been to Vero once, but I was shocked at how rough the waves were and how steep the beach was. I would not want to take a toddler there at all. HHI has an amazing beach. Very wide and packed so it's easy to walk/bike on, and gentle waves. Perfect for a toddler.

 

[hmccarter]

We started going to Vero with our son when he was about 3 years old and on a gluten free diet. We went almost every year until he entered high school. It is our family's all time favorite resort and vacation!! There is so much to do at the resort that you never feel bored, and it definitely doesn't feel chaotic. The two on-site restaurants Wind and Waves and the market are both fantastic at accommodating a gluten allergy!!

We have also been to HHI once when he was a toddler, and did not enjoy it as much as Vero, mainly because of the shuttle to the beach issue. It just felt like two separate resorts and with a toddler it was a lot of back and forth. If your kids enjoy the beach more than the pool, however, you might find HHI more your speed, as others have discussed.

Enjoy your trip!

Thank you so much for all the info. It is so nice to hear they know how to accommodate a gluten allergy.

 

[tline35]

I am trying to decide if we should stick to a beach in SC or explore Vero Beach.
My little ones are ages 2 and 4.

How far is it from the rooms at Vero Beach to the actual beach?
How far is it to a bathroom from the beach?
Does it feel busy and chaotic at max capacity?
Is the restaurant onsite able to accomodate gluten allergy like WDW?

Thank you for any input!

I am an Orlando local and love the beach. I am not a DVC so lets take that off the table.
There are SO MANY, much better options up and down A1A hwy along the beach. Please do not feel like Disney Vero beach is your only option, or the best option. The actual beach is meh .... ok. The resort had a recent refurb, but still seems dated to me. Look at A1A hwy from St Agustine down to Daytona ... or even better, Hutchinson Island. You won't be sorry.