Vero Beach Lovers' help me!

[DisneyMomOfThree]

We booked for VB this summer. I have a DS8, DS5, and DD4. What is there to do? We did HHI last summer and had a blast. Also is there a strong rip tide? HELP!!!!! I would like to have a relaxing but fun time.

 

[gracelrm]

We've been to VB three times (all 3 times in Oct.) and have had wonderful times at VB. Like HH, there are many activities offered through the resort. My DS10 participated in quite a few activities on our Oct. 06 trip. He especially loved the archery sessions and a tour he took with the naturalist. Two of the CM's were absolutely terrific with my son who tends to be a little bit of a know-it-all. My DS6 loved the evening he spent with the CM's - can't remember what they call that program either. They all loved the campfire and the slide at the pool maybe ranks as our all time favorite! Sorry that I can't be more specific about the names of the activities - but honestly, they enjoyed all the activities that they participated in. As far as the ocean - I've read on here about the rip currents being strong. We tend to stay pretty close to the shore because I'm a big chicken when it comes to the kids in the ocean.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Hello Mom,

First, rip tides... Any beach that has waves has rip currents and undertow. The water that comes in has to go back out and it either rips a hole through the waves and creates a drain funnel or it goes back under the waves in a sheet.

VB can have some very formiddable waves on any given day (just like HH). It is one of the main reasons I go there. Not intending to be scary, but I experienced a very scary situation with my DD (then 8) at Rehoboth Beach, DE. The lifeguard didn't notice her situation, but I did because I WATCHED her CONSTANTLY.

That is the key. Somebody, (you, DH, relative) needs to be committed to watching ocean play. Get your DS8 a boogie board with a strap that secures to his wrist and let him have fun with the waves in shallow water. DS5 and DD4 need to have an adult holding their wrist to go into the ocean, IMHO.

Again, not trying to be scary, just realistic. I spend a lot of time at the ocean, and it amazes me how many people just lay down and close their eyes while their little ones do whatever.

Ok, enough of Ocean 101. I think VB, short of not having WDW next door is the best resort for onsite fun for kids. Gracelrm mentioned archery, which I didn't know about. Someone the other day also mentioned they bought a metal detector at Target and had a blast finding treasures on the beach.

The resort provides daily activities for kids & adults with the best CMs of all the resorts.

They have a nice pool & Lighthouse w/spiral waterslide, a REALLY cool water play area for the real young kids (like 3-6 yr olds), 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, nature trail, 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

Five minutes away is Pelican Island and a wildlife education center. Also minutes away is Sebastian Inlet 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 away is Cape Canaveral, (where the Magic and Wonder dock), the Kennedy Space Center (with museums,tours, and shows), and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge with walking and driving tours.

You all will have a wonderful time for sure

 

[Mahusky]

DisneyMomofThree you will just love VB. I think you will find daily activities similar to that of HHI. I have a DD10 DS8 and DD4 and we have been going 2 times a year since 2002.

I was afraid that my kids would be bored! Bored? Huh, this is parents paradise!!! The CM's keep the kids moving with with activities, the pool and slide are awesome (GREAT Lifeguards), minigolf, fishing in a Disney pond, Unbirthday parties, Turtle Troop, Campfires, Shuffleboard, Bikes.... whew I could go on and on but I think you get the point!

By the way the IMHO I think the CM's at VB are the BEST of all Disney resorts!!!! Please say hello to my personal Fav's Linda and Amanda.

As DidDaydreamer said get some things at Walmart... beach chairs etc... they are cheaper in the longrun OR BETTER YET start a Chair Swap thread ( I did last summer) and get the chairs and pass them along or better yet have someone pass them along to you!!!!!

Enjoy!

 

[mbhoxsie]

VB and HHI are both awesome!! But there are a few differences..

A few things off of the top of my head...
1) The resort is on the ocean...
2) VB has three onsite restaurants on top of the pool counter service..
3) Very few offsite restaurants within walking distance (unlike HHI). You can find them, but you just have to drive a little bit..
4) VB community is MUCH more laid back than HHI..
5) VB has a minigolf course next to the pool..

There is a campfire at VB (like HHI) and a whole list of activities... You could probabily call the resort and have them fax you a list so that you can have a good idea... A few I can remember: Astronomy, Banjo on the back poarch, SnorkelEARs in the pool, Oceangraphic tour, Wine tasting, Resort gardening tour, Bubbles on the Boardwalk, and etc..

Speaking from personal experience.. VB is a great place for the adults to relax.. Our kids love it and have just as much of a good time there as they do at WDW.. (Actually, I think they have a better time because they don't get as tired and wore out..)

 

[Halle]

We prefer VB to HH because the resort is on the ocean and the waves are waves. One thing I don't like is that there isn't a lifeguard on the beach, to me that means if there is a problem there aren't the same rescue resources.

 

[tor]

We prefer VB to HH because the resort is on the ocean and the waves are waves. One thing I don't like is that there isn't a lifeguard on the beach, to me that means if there is a problem there aren't the same rescue resources.

We are the other way around because we like the bike riding to the beach house at HHI and the lifeguards are an extra set of eyes on the kids. A big factor in the decision is the drive because it is 6 hours less drive to HHI

 

[bobbiwoz]

Sebastian Inlet State Park, which is north of the resort says this about lifeguards, if that's a concern:

Swimming
Swimming opportunities abound along the three miles of Sebastian Inlet State Park’s Atlantic Ocean beaches. There is a section of beach that has lifeguard protection from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Beach wheelchair is available upon request. For those who prefer to play in the water but do not like waves, "The Cove" on the north side of Sebastian Inlet is ideal. The Cove is a protected area with a hard bottom and a gentle slope, making it a favorite locale for parents with kids wanting to splash and swim.


Also, before the hurricanes hit there was a lifeguard present at the street intersection just north of VB resort. I don't know if that very small state park is opened. If I wanted a lifeguard present, I would just walk there. I'll be there in March to see if that's available this year.

Bobbi

 

[DisneyMomOfThree]

Thank you all for your replies. I would like to put a peace to everyone's mind that DH or I or both of us are always in the water with the kids. However, my DS8 likes to think that he is old enough and a strong enough swimmer that he can go out as far as he can touch without us. The key word is THINK. Thanks DisDaydreamer for the tip on the boogie board with wrist strap. We tend to stay in the shallow water because I tend to freak out when we go out where I can't see my feet and something brushes up against me .
We were told that rip currents and undertow are not as bad at HHI due to the shape of the island. It put an added peace to my mind when DS8 would start walking away from us. I am still excited about going and now know there is plenty to do at VB.