VERO BEACH Information & Adoration Thread

[Becx N Gav]

Right now (depending when we fly to Orlando) I'm hoping to book 2-3 nights at VB next Easter time as we have a cruise booked on the Destiny. So plan is to fly to MCO (easiest from the UK and also will be best to fly home from), rent a car, drive to VB and stay a few days before continuing to Port Everglades.
What would the availability be like for 1 BR do you think? Also what are the average driving times from MCO to VB, then VB to Port Everglades? I own at SSR and Polynesian so would be booking at 7 months out

 

[airjay75]

Right now (depending when we fly to Orlando) I'm hoping to book 2-3 nights at VB next Easter time as we have a cruise booked on the Destiny. So plan is to fly to MCO (easiest from the UK and also will be best to fly home from), rent a car, drive to VB and stay a few days before continuing to Port Everglades.
What would the availability be like for 1 BR do you think? Also what are the average driving times from MCO to VB, then VB to Port Everglades? I own at SSR and Polynesian so would be booking at 7 months out

I’m checking in to a 1 BR at VB today for 4 nights. I booked at 7 months. Very easy - full availability for Easter week in 1 BRs.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Right now (depending when we fly to Orlando) I'm hoping to book 2-3 nights at VB next Easter time as we have a cruise booked on the Destiny. So plan is to fly to MCO (easiest from the UK and also will be best to fly home from), rent a car, drive to VB and stay a few days before continuing to Port Everglades.
What would the availability be like for 1 BR do you think? Also what are the average driving times from MCO to VB, then VB to Port Everglades? I own at SSR and Polynesian so would be booking at 7 months out

I looked at a similar plan for my Destiny cruise. I ended up doing 3 nights at WDW before the cruise and driving from Hollywood Studios to the port the night before the cruise. 100% would NOT do that again.

In my experience, one bedrooms were available at 7 months and I was told that March was a great time to stay at Vero Beach. I google mapped the drive and due to potential issues with traffic, spring break, etc, I felt more comfortable planning on driving down the night before and staying in a hotel. After doing that, I think driving down the morning of the cruise (be on the road bright and early) would have been a better choice. Google maps had it about 3 hours estimated drive. People who make the drive during spring break advised me to estimate double that and be happy if I got there early.

 

[Girlstar30]

I looked at a similar plan for my Destiny cruise. I ended up doing 3 nights at WDW before the cruise and driving from Hollywood Studios to the port the night before the cruise. 100% would NOT do that again.

In my experience, one bedrooms were available at 7 months and I was told that March was a great time to stay at Vero Beach. I google mapped the drive and due to potential issues with traffic, spring break, etc, I felt more comfortable planning on driving down the night before and staying in a hotel. After doing that, I think driving down the morning of the cruise (be on the road bright and early) would have been a better choice. Google maps had it about 3 hours estimated drive. People who make the drive during spring break advised me to estimate double that and be happy if I got there early.

Did u end up going to VB?

 

[cruisehopeful]

Did u end up going to VB?

No I switched it to CCV.

 

[Girlstar30]

No I switched it to CCV.

I was waiting for your opinion

 

[HowdyHowdyHowdy]

Does anyone know what is happening with the current refurbishment and the Green Room? We went last January and loved the mixology class and grabbing a drink at the end of the night there. I know they said it was closed during construction and they were opening a temporary space, but I'm wondering if it's an indoor bar and will have the mixology classes (which really was a highlight for us)

 

[gojoe]

Does anyone know what is happening with the current refurbishment and the Green Room? We went last January and loved the mixology class and grabbing a drink at the end of the night there. I know they said it was closed during construction and they were opening a temporary space, but I'm wondering if it's an indoor bar and will have the mixology classes (which really was a highlight for us)

We were there a few weeks ago and all was well.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Does anyone know what is happening with the current refurbishment and the Green Room? We went last January and loved the mixology class and grabbing a drink at the end of the night there. I know they said it was closed during construction and they were opening a temporary space, but I'm wondering if it's an indoor bar and will have the mixology classes (which really was a highlight for us)

There are some rooms located in the hallway that leads to Wind & Waves. I believe that's what they'll be using as a substitute Green Cabin room. If memory serves, it's just a big, open room. Nothing fancy. Sort of a meeting room with some tables and chairs.

Seems like the Green Cabin was just refurbished 2-3 years ago, so I was surprised they're doing it again. I will miss sitting outside on the patio!!

 

[airjay75]

I believe there is a new GM of VB. Heard a CM talking to someone in the gift shop about it and one of my welcome e-mails last week had a new name - Cosmo Kapoor.

 

[KristiMc]

For those who have been recently, what is the beach drop off like?

 

[airjay75]

For those who have been recently, what is the beach drop off like?

There's a good drop off. On the south side of the beach chair rental stand, they actually have two rows of chairs - one that is higher up and one that is lower up. Maybe 4 or 5 feet between the two levels?

But, during low tide, there was still plenty of of beach area. No, this wasn't 50-100 feet of soft, white sand. And, it seemed to me that they make a point not to do anything to make the beach less natural - no removing of sea weed, no sand manicuring in the morning - like you see at many beach resorts in places like the Caribbean. I assume that is largely to keep it natural for the sea turtle nesting.

We still really liked it. Plenty nice to rent some chairs, sit on the sand, watch the waves roll in, and feel the ocean breeze - at least for the 5-10 minutes that my kids would let me .

(And we there yesterday.)

 

[KristiMc]

There's a good drop off. On the south side of the beach chair rental stand, they actually have two rows of chairs - one that is higher up and one that is lower up. Maybe 4 or 5 feet between the two levels?

But, during low tide, there was still plenty of of beach area. No, this wasn't 50-100 feet of soft, white sand. And, it seemed to me that they make a point not to do anything to make the beach less natural - no removing of sea weed, no sand manicuring in the morning - like you see at many beach resorts in places like the Caribbean. I assume that is largely to keep it natural for the sea turtle nesting.

We still really liked it. Plenty nice to rent some chairs, sit on the sand, watch the waves roll in, and feel the ocean breeze - at least for the 5-10 minutes that my kids would let me .

(And we there yesterday.)

Thanks! We will be there for our 2nd trip in a few weeks and can't wait to just sit and watch the waves roll in.

 

[airjay75]

Thanks! We will be there for our 2nd trip in a few weeks and can't wait to just sit and watch the waves roll in.

We had a great time! TBH, I've been thinking all day about when and how we can get back!

 

[Wakey]

Quick review of our stay early March:
1. Stay was generally great, we are heading back next Feb pre a cruise.
2. No problem with construction. What we did have a problem with was the unannounced closing of the pool. Signs went up later. Website should have listed pool as closing as is normal. Think it was unexpected as my wife overheard a cast member talking to roofing contractor about pool closure and saying ‘Guests won’t be happy’. Fair enough, stuff happens, but at that point notices should have been printed and put highly visible and notices pushed under doors. Clear advanced notice- pool will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, Friday until 12pm etc would have been no issue. Planning to go to pool and find it unexpectedly closed was a problem. Notices went up after a few days.
3. Fish tacos as quick serve were not great, fish dry, won’t have again.
4. Beach was nice enough and not too eroded.
5. New NoSeeUm strategy worked, keep balcony door closed, high percentage deet now and again on an evening, don’t sit out dawn and dusk, long trousers on evening. But a lot of the foliage was killed by frost and I think took the noseeums with it.
6. Went on a fantastic bike ride, up to Floridana beach, where we had lunch at the Subway and came back. Stopped at State parks etc. It was a 31 mile bike ride and a bit harder coming back with no gears against the wind. Thankfully Florida is flat as a pancake.
7. Highly recommend the Cobb Salad at American Icon Brewery.



8. Kayaking was great, get it behind Riverside Cafe, not expensive, think it was $30 first hour, each additional hour $10 but he never even charged us the extra.

9. This is a nice cafe on Ocean drive, Vero, staff very nice.

 

[airjay75]

2. No problem with construction. What we did have a problem with was the unannounced closing of the pool. Signs went up later. Website should have listed pool as closing as is normal. Think it was unexpected as my wife overheard a cast member talking to roofing contractor about pool closure and saying ‘Guests won’t be happy’. Fair enough, stuff happens, but at that point notices should have been printed and put highly visible and notices pushed under doors. Clear advanced notice- pool will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, Friday until 12pm etc would have been no issue. Planning to go to pool and find it unexpectedly closed was a problem. Notices went up after a few days.

During our stay last week, I noticed that they left a voicemail each evening letting us know what the expected pool opening time was the next morning. I think a lot of people don't even think to check their hotel voicemail any more, but I saw the flashing light and was like, hmmm, let's see what's on there. They also left voicemails each evening reminding you it was sea turtle nesting season, so please be sure to close your curtains after sunset. Apparently, that is the way they send out resort wide messages - probably should tell people at check in to make sure they check that each evening.

I also noticed that the pool ended up opening earlier than what they had anticipated the night before, so I actually thought they did a relatively good job managing it. But, I also saw a couple people waiting for the gates to open, clearly not realizing there was a delayed pool opening on one of those days. Or, maybe they were anticipating they would open the pool earlier than announced.

 

[jphilhower]

Quick review of our stay early March:
1. Stay was generally great, we are heading back next Feb pre a cruise.
2. No problem with construction. What we did have a problem with was the unannounced closing of the pool. Signs went up later. Website should have listed pool as closing as is normal. Think it was unexpected as my wife overheard a cast member talking to roofing contractor about pool closure and saying ‘Guests won’t be happy’. Fair enough, stuff happens, but at that point notices should have been printed and put highly visible and notices pushed under doors. Clear advanced notice- pool will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, Friday until 12pm etc would have been no issue. Planning to go to pool and find it unexpectedly closed was a problem. Notices went up after a few days.
3. Fish tacos as quick serve were not great, fish dry, won’t have again.
4. Beach was nice enough and not too eroded.
5. New NoSeeUm strategy worked, keep balcony door closed, high percentage deet now and again on an evening, don’t sit out dawn and dusk, long trousers on evening. But a lot of the foliage was killed by frost and I think took the noseeums with it.
6. Went on a fantastic bike ride, up to Floridana beach, where we had lunch at the Subway and came back. Stopped at State parks etc. It was a 31 mile bike ride and a bit harder coming back with no gears against the wind. Thankfully Florida is flat as a pancake.
7. Highly recommend the Cobb Salad at American Icon Brewery.View attachment 1063108
View attachment 1063109View attachment 1063110


8. Kayaking was great, get it behind Riverside Cafe, not expensive, think it was $30 first hour, each additional hour $10 but he never even charged us the extra.
View attachment 1063111View attachment 1063112View attachment 1063113
9. This is a nice cafe on Ocean drive, Vero, staff very nice.
View attachment 1063114View attachment 1063115View attachment 1063116

What is the name of the cafe on Ocean drive?

 

[Cfabar1]

What is the name of the cafe on Ocean drive?

There are many, but the restaurant everyone goes to is the Ocean Grill...

The other iconic VB restaurants beachside are Chelsea's and The Tides (which is temporarily relocating a bit south for a little while further south)...

CItron Bistro and Polo Grill are also popular ones... The Wave restaurant in Costa D'Este is pretty good...

And, if you know people in the know...see if you can score a meal at Quail Valley, John's Island, or Windsor...

 

[gojoe]

There are many, but the restaurant everyone goes to is the Ocean Grill...

The other iconic VB restaurants beachside are Chelsea's and The Tides (which is temporarily relocating a bit south for a little while further south)...

CItron Bistro and Polo Grill are also popular ones... The Wave restaurant in Costa D'Este is pretty good...

And, if you know people in the know...see if you can score a meal at Quail Valley, John's Island, or Windsor...

Waldo's is good too. Great beach views (outdoors) just steps from Ocean Grill.

 

[jphilhower]

Waldo's is good too. Great beach views (outdoors) just steps from Ocean Grill.

I was asking about the cafe in your last photos #9.