Vero Experts - Help!

[MJS]

We are booked for a trip to Vero in the Spring at Easter (yes, I am obsessive about Disney trip planning ). I want to find out everything I can about the resort, the area, activities (in and outside of the resort), booking requirements (we have a room, but what about PS's in the restaurants? booking kids club, activities, etc). We are traveling with a 5 year old. I do have the DVC member guide and access to the website as a member


Any and all information is greatly appreciated!

 

[bray]

My DH, DD (8 yrs old) and I have visited VB twice. Each time we went to VB after spending approx. 1 week at WDW in early June.

We love VB. It is a great way to relax after the hustle and bustle of the parks. Both times we stayed at a garden view inn studio room. These are convenient to the laundry room which is a plus because of all the "beach laundry".

Dining--We only ordered pizza from Bleachers for a "Pizza and a Disney TV Movie Night" at the request of my daughter. It was farily reasonably priced and fit the bil for the evening.

We did go to the Ocean Grille in VB for a nice dinner. We were lucky enough to get an ocean view table and the food/service was very good. You could tell this was a place visited by locals who wanted a nice evening out.

Be sure to check out Dodgertown. I am not sure if spring training will be in progress while you are there but that would be a lot of fun. We took in a game between the VB Dodgers and the Brevard County Manatees. The park is a nice one but small so you really get the feel of the baseball game. If you have every been to minor league games, you know what I mean (little contests between innings, local color, etc). Admission is $5 adult and $4 children. Food is VERY affordable unlike at most ballparks. pretzels, frozen yogurt $3. We were there on dollar night--foot long hot dogs, small beers, small sodas all $1 each.

 

[wannabee princess]

I won't be so bold as to term myself an expert after one visit, but thought I could answer some questions, so I'm going to reply to your post.

The resort is wonderful! We were not even looking at DVC (although we are frequent visitors to the World) until we stayed at Vero! I am now trying to decide if we should do 100 points or more there!! The grounds are gorgeous, the setting is private, yet not so remote that you feel stranded. You are a short drive to restaurants and stores like Publix or SuperWalmart, but you see no commercial buildings right by the resort.

As for activites at the resort, there are plenty, and a great variety! There is the miniature golf course (we paid $5 for length of stay) that is not too challenging, but still fun. There are always activities planned for the kids - everything from a scavenger hunt to snorkeling class to the Unbirthday party. The pool has a GREAT slide and is a good size with a very good pool bar/fast food type of place. Then of course there is the OCEAN! It is great for boogie boards, you can rent waverunners or kayaks or sailboat.

As for booking PS - we ate at all three on site spots (in addition to the pool bar) and we did fine on walking up and getting seated immediately for the Green Cabin Room (great view on the porch) and Shutters. For Sonya's, I called down from the room when we came in from the pool and was able to get a PS for that night - about an hour from that time (which was perfect since we all were going to shower and dress). We also did pizza one night from Bleachers.

Booking the activities for kids is various - go to Eb & Flo's at the soonest you can. We wanted to book ds for snorkeling on Tues (inquired Monday afternoon since we didn't arrive until then) and it was full. We did get him in for Thursday with no problem. There are some that will go faster than others I'm sure.

Also, the pool situation is one where you are not allowed to enter until 8AM - it was similiar to the rope drop at the parks - chairs and tables are taken pretty quickly (I would say by 9am). The beach rentals don't open until 9AM - the guys there were great!!

We thought the CMs were good - my ds's loved the scuba in the pool and snorkeling lessons. The pool race was fun as was the scavenger hunt.

The gift shop is small, but I was able to spend a lot there!

We didn't do the kid's club, but saw the kids returning one night - they seemed to all be happy and having a good time.

We ate off property at Captain Hiriam's, and thought it was good. Next time we will be trying Ocean Grille since I have read so many raves here on the DIS.

Oh, and lunch for the kids comes in a sand bucket at Bleachers.

 

[MJS]

Thanks for the responses. This site has some great threads on Vero.

Does anyone know if there are sites about the area that detail activities in and around Vero, outside of the resort? Thanks!

 

[nicurn]

hi, you will love vero! We were just there 3 weeks ago and had a great time. my dd who is 9 loved the mini golf and we did pay the 5$ per person length of stay golf fee (well worth it). Most of the kids activities you can sign up for when you arrive, the exception is the un birthday, you have to sign up for that the day of and it fills fast so you might want to be at eb and flo's right at 9 (or if the resort is full, a little before 9) Here is the thread that was started about hidden treasures of vero beach, you may have to scan through it (it's like 6 pages or something now) but it does have links to area attractions I think. enjoy your trip! maggie

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=320208