Vero Beach

[SimbaSue]

We are taking our first point vacation, spending the first 3 nights at Vero, May 5-7. What's it like? What is there to do there, and do they have many restaurants, on property or off? Thanks for any input/advice.Sus

 

[eva]

We were at Vero a couple years ago the first part of June. We just loved it! There is only one restaurant in the resort but there are quite a few nearby. You will need a car to get to them though. If you ask at the front desk they have a list of restaurants with directions. If you have young children they have wonderful activities planned during the day. You will get a list at check-in that explains what is going on during your stay. Be sure not to miss the evening campfires. The entertainment is great and you get to make Smores. If you are staying over the weekend they have a DJ that entertains at the pool. They have libo contests and all kinds of crazy dances for the kids to do. One thing we noticed were the CMs. We thought they were the best we've ever encountered. Be sure to pack some bug spray or Skin So Soft for the No See Ums. They come out near dusk and will give you quite a bite before you know it. Have a great time!

 

[Daydreamin]

We spent 5 nights there the week before Easter. My recommendation to you is to do a search on the DVC board for "Vero Beach". It will net you a number of posts that will provide you lots of the info you are seeking.

The resort is beautiful! Disney decorated and relaxing. When you check in, you will get an activity list that will provide you with the activities sponsored by the resort. The Character Meal is only on Saturday am. There are a number of other things that looked like fun on the weekend that we missed out on because we weren't there. We enjoyed the Campfire (the smores and songs were fun), but our kids did not enjoy the unbirthday party. They were definitely too old (kids need to be under 7 to enjoy). There are lots of kid activities that are sponsored by the resort. Some cost a small fee, while a large number of the fun is free.

The resort itself has 2 sit down restaurants (Shutters & Sonya's), a bar (Green Cabin Room) and a fast food/bar at the pool (Bleachers). Make sure to get a PS for meals (particularily dinners) at either Shutters or Sonya's. We did eat 1 dinner and 1 breakfast at Shutters. The service was great both times, but the food was only okay at dinner. We didn't eat at Sonya's.
We typically ate breakfast in the room, lunch at Bleachers (AWESOME FOOD AND DRINK...a family favorite. Be sure to use the waitress service during the busy lunch time...it really beats waiting in line), appetizers/dessert/drinks at the Green Cabin Room on the porch overlooking the ocean. Like Bleacher's, the Green Cabin Room was another family favorite.

The pool was awesome...our kids enjoyed the slide tremendously and the miniature golf. A recommendation I have though is that you make sure to get down to the pool area early (NLT 8 am) to mark your territory with towels, books, shirts. We showed up at the pool at about 9 am and had a very difficult time finding a spot near the pool. This could have been due to the crowd at the pool the week before Easter, but I'm not sure. My husband has light complexion, so we had to make sure to get a table so that he could have some shade during the day.

We also enjoyed the beach, but found that the kids liked the pool better. I know that you can rent chairs & umbrellas, but also have read that you need to do so early in the day.

Our kids brought their razor scooters and were allowed to ride them at the resort (not in building or pool area). They loved going to the other side of A1A and riding them over there. We took a couple of hikes on the paths over there...but for some reason we didn't ride bikes (though we should have).

We did take a trip up to Kennedy Space Center 1 day with the Endeavor getting ready to launch. Its about a 1-1/2 hour drive up US1. We were there right at 9 am and spent almost the entire day (left a 5 pm). We spent the extra money for the Nasa Up Close tour. Though we adults liked it, it was too much talking for our kids. The regular tour would have been enough. It was a day well spent.

Harbor Branch Oceanographics has a Lagoon Boat tour that our family enjoyed...great commentary & education. We got to saw an alligator, a couple of dolphins, lots of birds and a manatee all on a short boat ride. Its located south of Vero Beach so it was a bit of a drive. We had guest services set it up for us.

Vero Beach is to the south about 20 minutes and Sebastian is to the north 5 to 10 minutes. Both are on US1. For restaurants in either, refer to the book at guest services. Captain Hirams in Sebastian and the Ocean Grill in Vero Beach are restaurants I've read a lot about on these boards.

Sebastian Inlet is a recreation area north of the resort on AIA. They have a website that you can find, though I don't remember the exact URL.

Go and enjoy your stay. 3 days will be perfect.

Dream it and you're there!

Off Site - '80,'82,'84,'87
Caribbean Beach - '92,'95,'00
DVC Purchase - 6/00
Vero Beach - '01

 

[MDarcy]

We are going to Vero June 13-June18. Are there any golf courses in the area?

 

[eva]

I know when we were there they did have 2 separate restaurants, Sonya's and Shutters. But I thought that I had read that they combined the two into one. Am I misinformed? It sounds like they are still 2 different restaurants.

 

[PamOKW]

Eva, there are technically two different restaurants but they both share the same kitchen and it's possible to order off either menu.

MDarcy there are lots of golf courses in Vero. The resort has arrangements with several of them and can probably help you arrange tee times. If you are a DVC member you also receive a discount. I would contact the resort ahead of time although June is off-season for the Vero Beach area (snowbird territory).

 

[nickglover]

Great report Daydreamin! Do you think we need PS for Shutters before we get there, or just same day PS?

I did hear they were combining the two restaurants into one, but it doesn't sound like they have. We have always liked Shutters, but were concerned the last time that the crowds would lead to less attention to the overall food quality. Very fresh fish and good pork chops and steaks. Try splitting a Caesar salad to start.

 

[Daydreamin]

Shutters and Sonya's were definitely 2 different restaurants when we were there in early April. As for the food at Shutters...DH's shrimp was excellent but my Mahi Mahi was only fair.

I think that it would depend on when you were going to be there whether or not you needed to make a PS before you arrive. If you're there during a holiday week, you may want to check with MS prior to your stay to see if a PS would be advised. If not a holiday week, I think you could wait until you check in or the morning of the day you wanted to eat dinner. I would however definitely make a PS for the Character breakfast early since its only once a week. As for breakfast during the week, we had no problems getting a table without PS.

Dream it and you're there!

Off Site - '80,'82,'84,'87
Caribbean Beach - '92,'95,'00
DVC Purchase - 6/00
Vero Beach - '01

 

[ralph]

Shutters and Sonya's are different restaurants, but they share the same kitchen. In fact, you walk by the kitchen on your way to Sonya's. It is an open-view display kitchen. (I actually enjoyed watching the kitchen manager, or whatever he would be called, checking plates of food as they came off the food line and were sent to tables when my DW and I attended a character breakfast in January when we were there; lot's of attention to presentation detail which was nice to see. They also did a good job of getting the food to the tables while it was still hot, something that doesn't always happen at the pre-plated character breakfasts.) Sonya's is a "classier" dining experience: cloth table cloths rather than bare wood tables, lower lighting with candle-holder lamps on the tables, wine glasses at each place setting, etc. Although there are separate menus for Shutters and Sonya's, I understand that it is possible to order from either menu. I didn't try this since I wouldn't want to pay the Sonya's prices in Shutters. I consider part of the higher prices in Sonya's paying for the higher level of ambience. Service by the waitstaff was high level at both restaurants (we had one dinner in each during our four-day stay; breakfast in Shutters 4 times, including the character breakfast) and we thought the food was quite good and fairly priced.

Ralph

 

[tarzanman]

My DW and I will be at VB the same time that you will be there. We arrive on the 2nd and depart on the 7th. We will have our green ribbons on and we will probably be living at the pool. WE have been to VB a couple of times and have really enjoyed ourselves. The local restaurants are great and the atmosphere is wonderful. I am hoping to fit in a message there this time.

Has anyone had a message at VB before? How was it?

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VB,VWL (add ons)
BWV 9/00, 12/01
VB 9/00, 5/01
OKW 1/01
DCL 1/01, 12/01-1/02 New Years Cruise


http://gennaroworld.topcities.com

 

[Paul in CT]

MDarcy,

Yes, there are golf courses in the area. There are two that I know of. My son and I arranged for lessons one day and played a round on the next at the one closest to VB. If I recall correctly, it was less than a 15 minute drive from VB. The course was Sandwich Golf Course. I have the phone number if you want it.

At that time (Aug.,1998)they it was $25/person you got 18 holes, club and car rental. Lessons were $50/hour.

We were there in August and started at 7:30 AM, by 10:00 AM we were drenched and I was out of golf balls. I'm a duffer. In fact, it was my first time attempting 18 holes. Near the end I had to skip the water hazard holes since I had a knack for finding the water!

Paul in CT