Vero Beach or Hilton Head DVC

[itsmyhappyplace]

We were thinking of taking a trip to either Vero Beach or Hilton Head, but I am not sure what either is like. I know that Hilton Head is not on the beach, but I think there may be more to do in the area. I am afraid the Vero Beach does not have much going on around it and may lack activities. Can anyone comment on either location?

 

[Halle]

We've been to both resorts and you are correct, more to do around HH. VB is a gorgeous resort but there really isn't much to do there. Having said that we've been to VB 3 times and HH once. Our family prefers to be on the ocean and didn't like driving to the ocean. Our kids are in their twenties so you may want to hear from those with younger kids.

 

[chiclet]

Vero Beach actually has quite a lot of activities for kids.

What types of things do you and your family like to do?

 

[Terrif]

I am curious about this too for a girls getaway. I have one friend that can't just sit on a beach all day. What else is around HH or vero??

 

[MinnieGi]

HHI is filled with activities from golfing, tennis, boating, kayaking, nature tours, biking, shopping, swimming, and loads of restaurants. The resort itself puts on activities for children and adults. HHI is a very fun time. I can't comment on VB as we have not been.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Vero Beach actually has quite a lot of activities for kids.

Yep... from the DVC member site...

Fun & Games
Swimming Pool
Dive into fun at the Mickey-shaped pool and take a ride on the Pirate's Plunge pool slide.

Anchors A-Weigh
Work out on state-of-the-art exercise equipment.

Community Hall
Enjoy board games, arts and crafts, card games and table tennis at this low-key meeting place.

Blinker's Arcade
Play a variety of video and pinball games at this high-tech game room.

Eb & Flo's Rentals
Rent a bicycle, sporting equipment and more for your recreational needs, and sign up for activities.

Rub Dubs
Book a rejuvenating full-body massage.

Tiger Lily
Report to the watery deck of this child-sized treasure ship for fun in the sun.

Naturally Good Times
Pelican Island Bike Tour
Ages 12 and up: Cycle with our naturalist on a tropical 10-mile bike adventure along the Indian River Lagoon to the nation's first wildlife refuge. (Offered seasonally) Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.


Nature Journal
Create your own nature journal.

Naturalist Beach Walk
Walk along the shore with our naturalist to learn about sea turtles, sea beans, seashells and more.

Turtle Walk Lottery
Experience a guided turtle watch - a 3-hour program that includes an informative slide presentation about the sea turtles' annual migration to the shores of Florida's east coast, immediately followed by a guided walk along the resort's beach to witness the miracle of these gentle creatures laboring to build their nests. Offered June through July and space is limited. (Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult)

Good Old-Fashioned Fun
Miniature Golf
Challenge your friends and family to a round on our 9-hole miniature-golf course. Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

Campfire
Gather 'round the campfire to roast marshmallows, make s'mores and join in sing-alongs.

Stargazing
Join our recreational astronomy guide for a telescopic tour of the stars. Offered seasonally.

Other Fun Activities
Take part in two-on-two basketball, tug-of-war, volleyball, horseshoes, scavenger hunts, bingo, balloon toss, archery and more.

Gyotaku
Learn the Japanese art of Gyotaku , then create your own keepsake T-shirt (included in the program). Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

Unbirthday Party
Celebrate the 364 days of the year that aren't your birthday!

Animation Cel Painting
Ages 10 and up: Create a masterpiece in this 2-hour class that walks through the basics of animation and gives you the opportunity to paint your very own animation cel. Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

Tot-Time Crafts
Enjoy crafts especially for children aged 3-5.

Craft Time at Disney's Vero Beach Resort
Enjoy various activities in a 1-hour class. Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

Sand Casting at Disney's Vero Beach Resort
Use a mixture of sand, shells and plaster to make a unique take-home souvenir of your beach vacation in this 1-hour class that takes place on the pool deck. Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

Fun in the Sun
Kayak Adventure
Ages 8 and up: Enjoy a peaceful four-hour cruise down the Indian River Lagoon. See a variety of wildlife, including dolphins, manatees and many types of birds during this 4-hour trip. (A parent or guardian must accompany anyone under 18.) Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

SeaBreeze Cabana Company
Enjoy the thrills of wave runners, boogie boards, kayaks, hobie cats and other water sports on the beach. (Inquire at the resort about specific rental rates.)

Tennis
Learn special techniques from the resort tennis pro. (Includes round robins, private and family lessons, and an opportunity to challenge the pro. By appointment only.) Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

Just for Kids
2Dc - Disney Discovery Club
Discover, create and explore in supervised "edu-tainment" programs just for kids ages 4-12. Enjoy a variety of activities - including volleyball, soccer, games and races - with dinner included. Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

Fishing FUNdamentals
Ages 7 and up: Learn the basics of "catch & release" fishing on land, then try your luck in the lake in this 90-minute class (and get to keep your rod and reel!). Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

SnorkelEars
Ages 7-15: Learn basic snorkel techniques in the pool in this 90-minute class, then get to keep your mask and snorkel. Swimming ability required. Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

Turtle Troop
Ages 7-15: Learn about sea turtles, walk on the beach, identify tracks, discuss nesting behaviors then adopt a sea turtle, whose development you can track on the Internet. Offered seasonally. Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

Just For Adults and Teens
Massage Therapy
After a day of activities, treat yourself to any one of a variety of massage treatments. Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

Card Night
Shuffle the deck and get ready for a lively time!

Scuba Experience
Ages 12 and up: Learn basic scuba diving skills in the resort pool at this 1-hour class (no certification is awarded). Strong swimming ability required. Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

Surf School
Learn to surf in half a day. Please contact Eb & Flo's rentals for more information and pricing.

Hatha Yoga
Enjoy a fun and relaxing yoga workout.

Teen Icebreakers, Campfire and Luau
Take part in entertaining programs that are offered seasonally.

All Around Town
Treasure Museums
See the many splendors that treasure hunters have retrieved from shipwrecks along the Florida coast at Mel Fisher's and McLarty Treasure Museums.

River Cruises
Enjoy the scenic Indian River on one of several area cruise boats. See manatees, white pelicans and dolphins in their natural habitat.

Riverside Theatre
Visit this 633-seat theatre that hosts Broadway plays, musical groups, nationally known artists and productions by The Acting Company of Riverside Theatre, the in-house theatrical group.

Dodgertown
Watch the Los Angeles Dodgers in action or enjoy top-notch play from the Vero Beach Dodgers from April through August at this 450-acre complex.

Golf
Enjoy one of many challenging courses in the area (six public and 14 private courses), including the Sandridge Golf Course (public), The Links at Pointe West (semi-private), Aquarina (semi-private) and the Indian River Club (private).

Fishing
Take advantage of some of the best fishing around - whether offshore sport fishing for sailfish, king mackerel or wahoo, or river fishing for tarpon, trout, snook and redfish.

Shopping
Experience a shopper's haven at Indian River Mall (featuring the Disney Store and a 24-screen AMC movie theatre), beachside specialty boutiques and the Tanger Outlet Center at Vero Beach, with more than 75 designer outlet stores.

Shopping
Island Grove Packing Company Stock up on groceries, sundries, resort apparel and Disney merchandise in this fun place to shop.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also... from our VB info thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1713110

What is there to do in the surrounding area?

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge http://www.fws.gov/pelicanisland/
Sebastion Inlet State Park http://www.floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet/
Port Canaveral (where the Magic & Wonder dock) http://www.portcanaveral.org/cruising/ships.php#disney
Kennedy Space Center http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (a part of KSC) http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/
The Manateer Observation Center http://www.manateecenter.com/
Mckee Bonatinical Gardens (really cool) http://www.mckeegarden.org/

Don't get me wrong... I love HHI too, but more for wildlife than as a beach resort.

 

[Starr W.]

I am curious about this too for a girls getaway. I have one friend that can't just sit on a beach all day. What else is around HH or vero??

Having been to both VB and HHI(though not at DVC), I would go for HHI for a girls getaway trip.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Having been to both VB and HHI(though not at DVC), I would go for HHI for a girls getaway trip.

You trader! What makes HHI better for "the girls"?

 

[Starr W.]

You trader! What makes HHI better for "the girls"?

Have you been to VB yet? It's pretty secluded not much around, Vero Beach proper is a drive away. If you have one or more in your party that doesn't want to sit by the pool/beach all day, there are more diversions closer by at HHI. Depending on where you stay you can even ride your bike to get to the stores.

For example, I wouldn't take my sister on a girls trip to VB. HHI yes. Last year we went to Williamsburg and spent a day smoking the CC's at the outlet mall. Added another Coach bag to my collection! . Got that out of her system and she was ready to do the historical sites. For her it's not a vacation unless she does some shopping.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Have you been to VB yet? It's pretty secluded not much around, Vero Beach proper is a drive away. If you have one or more in your party that doesn't want to sit by the pool/beach all day, there are more diversions closer by at HHI. Depending on where you stay you can even ride your bike to get to the stores.

For example, I wouldn't take my sister on a girls trip to VB. HHI yes. Last year we went to Williamsburg and spent a day smoking the CC's at the outlet mall. Added another Coach bag to my collection! . Got that out of her system and she was ready to do the historical sites. For her it's not a vacation unless she does some shopping.

My first trip is Aug. 3-8 at VB. I am looking forward to the "nothingness" that surrounds it. I guess if the girls trip requires extensive shopping then that would be limited at VB. The last serious "girls" trip I took was 27 yrs. ago when we were shopping for "Husbands"! Needless to say I found one at the right "price" and didn't have to "return" him!

 

[ucancallmeflower]

My first trip is Aug. 3-8 at VB. I am looking forward to the "nothingness" that surrounds it. I guess if the girls trip requires extensive shopping then that would be limited at VB. The last serious "girls" trip I took was 27 yrs. ago when we were shopping for "Husbands"! Needless to say I found one at the right "price" and didn't have to "return" him!