Vero Beach planning...

[cinderminnie]

Good Day to all!
I am just starting to plan our April trip and I have some questions for those that have been to Vero Beach Resort. Your information would be greatly appreciated!

1. We are looking to rent bikes. Do you know the cost and do they have kids seat on the adult bikes for small children? Should we bring our 8 year old bike instead? Do they have trails to follow? Can you ride your bike on the beach?

2. Massage - Where do they do the massages? In your room? Area near pool?

3. Is there a cost for the smores at the campfires?

4. What craft like activites have you done and liked?

5. What about the Kayak Adventure? Have you done this and can a 3 year old and 8 year old go on this?

6. I see so many activities on the list. Can you book them ahead of time thru MS or when you first get there?

7. I see I can book ADR at Sonya's but can you do ADR's at Shutters?

Thanks so much for helping me out and hopefully others can use this info as well.

 

[lovinthemouse]

We are going in April too. These are great questions. I would love to know the answers too. Thanks for this post!!!

 

[slindamood]

We have been to Vero Beach three times, most recent this past December, and have rented bikes each time. The bicycles are good quality "mongoose" bikes very good for the local trails and sidewalks. They have child seats available. Helmets are also available. The rental is $5 an hour, $14 a day.

There are trails - at the VB rental place - Ebb and Flo's over by the pool, they will give you a map of the "jungle trail" which you should be sure to take. The map shows only about 7 miles - but you can ride it much further, in fact, to the Pelican Island National Wildlife refuge. There is a boardwalk over the wetlands, and a chance to observe wildlife. It is one of our favorite rides. To get to the Pelican preserve, Just continue straight (across the highway} when the directions VB gives you say to turn right to return to the resort. It is about the only road you have to cross the entire ride.

The trail is hardpacked sand for the most part and goes along the Indian river lagoon. very rustic for parts- old orange groves, manatees in the water, some new fancy developments, some golf courses, some horse farms, but almost no traffic. A beautiful way to spend the day.

We did not try riding on the beach. We have done so at Cocoa beach. As you probably know, beach riding is best as the tide is going out or just starting to come in. I don't know if the sand base gets compact enough at VB.

Have fun!! We love this ride!

Suzanne

 

[PBader]

There is no cost for the s'mores at the campfire. But I would spray some Off before you go, the no see um's were bad over there this past summer.
Paula

 

[cinderminnie]

Thanks Suzanne and Paula!
Great info! We love to ride our bikes at HH on the beach so we will be sure to rent bikes for a day at VB.

Anyone else have some more answers?
Thanks!

 

[bobbiwoz]

My DSis had a massage and it was done in the area by the pool, inside. She thought it was worthwhile.

Bobbi

 

[WDWNewbie]

We're making our first trip to Vero in March--my DD was looking at the activities sheet and expressed interest in Kayak Adventure, SnorkelEars and Intro to Harmonica!!

If anyone has comments on any of these (including the cost) that would be appreciated!

 

[WDWNewbie]

Givin' this one a little bump!

 

[jakenjess]

We're going to VB next week. Is there any way to get the list of activities ahead of time, or do we just have to wait for check-in? Thanks!

 

[mbhoxsie]

Let me see if I can help a bit...

1. We are looking to rent bikes. Do you know the cost and do they have kids seat on the adult bikes for small children? Should we bring our 8 year old bike instead? Do they have trails to follow? Can you ride your bike on the beach?

Go with the rental bikes... Much easier... Once I rented a bike to do the Jungle Trail, and paid the hourly rate.. The CM said that they were so slow that I could keep the bike for the day... I have never ridden on the beach, and am not sure if they would allow that because of the fact that its a natural habitat for Sea Turtle nesting.

2. Massage - Where do they do the massages? In your room? Area near pool?

Most of the time they either do massages poolside, or near the sauna area by the pool... See Eb&Flo's for the costs, but each time we've gotten one they have been more than worth it..


3. Is there a cost for the smores at the campfires?

No cost, but the advice about using bug spray is good...

4. What craft like activites have you done and liked?

Most of the times we do the toddler crafts with our kids.. The CM's there are great... One thing you will notice is that since the resort is smaller and somewhat secluded, that if you stay there for any period of time, you will get to know the CM's pretty well... 2DC is always great though.. Gives mom and dad some time alone

5. What about the Kayak Adventure? Have you done this and can a 3 year old and 8 year old go on this?

I'm not sure about this... I've always wanted to do this or the jet skis....

6. I see so many activities on the list. Can you book them ahead of time thru MS or when you first get there?

You can't book any of these through MS... If there is any thing that you think you may get filled up or "must" sign up for, you can call the resort and have them transfer you over to Eb&Flo's. The CM's at Eb&Flo's should be able to give you some idea of availabity... Most of the time, overbooking isn't an issue.

7. I see I can book ADR at Sonya's but can you do ADR's at Shutters?

ADR and Sonya's are for most intents and purposes, the same restaurents... They are connected, and I believe share the same kitchen and management staff.

Hope this helps...

 

[babylisa4]

When we we there last summer my nieces did decorate your own umbrella, beads, make a sand art card, cooking(dirt pudding) and the unbirthday party. They were 5 and 8 and had a blast.

 

[kweaver]

We were there last April (first week) for the first time...weather was FANTASTIC...our best vacation ever. The kids were 4, 7 and 10 at the time. They love the activities...ask them to fax you a copy of the schedule the week before. Even if you wait til you get there, there should be plenty of space. They usually have multiple un-birthday parties allowing each child to attend once. There was a DJ who played all sorts of great games with the kids around the pool.

We did not ride bikes...but there are lots of places to ride on the property. Mini golf is right there next to the pool, kiddie "ship" (I forget what it's called) and pool.

I love this resort...so compact...and the staff is wonderful! Enjoy the remodeled/rebuilt amenities...they were working on the walkway to the beach when we were there.

The massage is the bargain of the century. I would recommend making advance reservations so that you can get the day/time that you want.

Have a great trip!!

Ummm just noticed you are from Atlanta...hi neighbor! FWIW...the drive down over Spring Break was HORRIBLE last year. If you can leave early or at an off time...do it. We left Saturday around 1pm with plans to stay in Jax overnight. With the volume and accidents on I-75...it took us ELEVEN hours to get there (typically a 6 hour trip).

 

[diznygirl]

Yes, you can make Advanced Dining Reservations at Shutters. Yes, Sonya's and Shutters share a kitchen, but they are treated as two separate restaurants.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Just thought I'd subscribe as we are thinking of VB for our next vaca...I'd also like to hear about the kayaking and appropriate ages for kids...

 

[MrsNick]

Hi, subscribing...Just made ressies today for VB in July!

 

[Disneylovers]

Hi, I'm subscribing too! We're going down in March. Does anyone know anything about the surfing? DD (18) wants to try it. I told her I thought the water will be too cold, but she's determined to learn to surf!

We received a letter from DVC today, advising us that there will be refurbishing work being done while we'll be there (unfortunately, the slide may still be down - but it does say "late March" so we have a shot). Any other activities that maybe a disabled 12 year old girl would enjoy? Thanks!

 

[berly1657]

Oh, NOOOOO we arrive on 4/3. I hope it is just the slide and not the whole pool? We are looking forward to a couple of days of relaxing after WDW before we head back home.

I don't want to get my mail tomorrow!

 

[Luvmyfam3]

It's been a few years since we've been to Vero (but we're going in June!!!!), and my girls did some of the activities and really enjoyed them. But, the one that they all still have in their rooms today is the plaster sandcastle that they make with their hand. It's really cool! I was just looking at them the other day thinking how their hands have grown...

Gosh, I would love to do the bike thing but for four of us, that may get a little expensive.... I wonder if there's any activities for kids that are a little older, like 11 - 14....

 

[Disneylovers]

No, it's not the whole pool, they even stress that the pool will be open, just not the slide. But like I said, the letter does state that the work will go until "late March" We'll be there the 25th to 29th, so, that sounds like "late March" to me!

 

[micks]

We'll just miss you! We'll be there from March 29th to April 1st. I'm really hoping the slide's all done by then. But, I'm looking forward to our first Vero visit no matter what! There's always the beach!