Why Stay at Vero Beach?

[SalandJeff]

We are DVC members at BWV. We love it there...the location is perfect (IMHO). Love hanging out at the Boardwalk in the evening, so many restaurants in walking distance, great pool. We go every year, so we do the parks hit or miss for shorter time periods (except MK - I could just live there!). Do some shopping at DD, go to the other resort restaurants. But rarely leave Disney property

This year my DH is thinking he wants to go somewhere else. So I would love to hear from some VB owners. What do you do while you are there, what makes it a great place to go, is there a variety of places to eat, what if you're not a "beach person", do you need a rental car, what months are your favorite to visit and why (I think summer would be too hot for me ), are there other things to do nearby....

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[dyingtodisney]

We do not own at VB but did stay there in June after 12 days at the parks and for us it was the perfect relaxing, do nothing, read by the pool days for the adults and the kids had a blast with all the activities for them at the resorts. We did not venture off site.

 

[magicmouse2]

I have also wondered bout Vero Beach. Is it safe to swim in the Sea and warm enough in July/August ? What recreational activities are there for adults ?

 

[Desnik]

This link should help answer most of your questions:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=320208

Here's a great site with pictures and DVC info:
http://tagrel.com/

Also, do a search on this board. This topic has come up alot.

We have only been to VERO once for 2 days in Nov. We fell in love with the place! We are going for the last week of June this year and can't wait. We will be driving down so we will have our own car. We really don't plan on leaving the resort. Maybe to do dinner once. There are 2 restaurants on site, a pool bar with food/snacks and a lounge that serves appetizers. Also the store on site sells some food items and micro meals. If you have a unit with a kitchen you could bring your own food. They also have mini golf, a great pool with slide, and the kiddie water area. The resort offers all kinds of activities. Here's a list:



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) $8 for Members


Beginning Birding
Visit Pelican Island and observe birds with our naturalist. Binoculars are provided. (Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). $8 for Members


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. $1 for Members or $5 for length of stay pass


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 (painting with fish), then create your own keepsake T-shirt (included in the program). $10.00 for Members


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. $10 for Members


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. $5.00 for Members


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. $5.00 for Members


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.) $40 for Members


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.) $27 for Members for 30-minute lesson;$50 for Members for 1-hour lesson.


Jungle Trail Bike Adventure
Take a 7-mile bike ride across paved and dirt paths (ride takes approximately one hour). A parent or guardian must accompany anyone under 18, and baby seats are available. Ask for current schedule at check-in. $8.00 for Members


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. $30 for Members


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!). $30 for Members


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. $30 for Members


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. $20 for Members

Just For Adults and Teens

Massage Therapy
After a day of activities, treat yourself to any one of a variety of massage treatments. $20 for 15-minute chair massage; $35 for 30-minute relaxation massage; $55 for 60-minute relaxation massage


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. $30 for Members


Surf School
Learn to surf in half a day. $90 for Members


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

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Boat Cruise
Enjoy a 6½-hour excursion that begins with an overview video of Harbor Branch in Community Hall followed by a 30-minute ride to the facility. Then, tour this high-tech aqua-culture center and see everything from manatees and alligators to tropical fish to clam "seedlings" to research submersibles not available to the general public. Following lunch (included at the facility's cafeteria), take a 90-minute boat cruise on the Indian River Lagoon. (All ages are welcome, but a parent or guardian must accompany anyone under 18.) $45 for Members


Garden and Museum Tour
Tour historic McKee Botanical Garden and visit the Vero Beach Museum of Art, the largest cultural arts facility of its kind on Florida's Treasure Coast. A light snack (such as a granola bar, chips, or pretzels and beverage) is included. (All ages welcome, but a parent or guardian must accompany anyone under 18.) $15 for Members


Manatee Watch
See one of Florida's most loved endangered species firsthand at the Manatee Observation Center. Offered seasonally. $10 for Members


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.

 

[doc428]

Go for pure relaxation. We love having that Disney feeling at vacation, but not to worry which park to do today or what time is our priority seating. Also, Sonya's Sunday Brunch is fabulous.

 

[PamOKW]

I have also wondered bout Vero Beach. Is it safe to swim in the Sea and warm enough in July/August ? What recreational activities are there for adults ?

I'm not sure what you regard as "safe to swim in the sea". The water is not polluted but it is the ocean with the natural dangers -- rip tides, jellyfish, occasional shark sightings, etc. There is a lifeguarded beach next to the resort. However, I'm not sure the status of the guards right now because the beach facilities were destroyed in the hurricanes.

As to warm enough in July/August -- too warm would be the greater problem. The ocean temps can get to bathwater temps in the late summer/early fall. The gulf stream runs right off the coast and keeps the temperature of the water and the air pretty mild. Vero Beach starts the tropical area of Florida.

As long as you start with the premise that you would enjoy spending time along the ocean's edge, it's possible to do just about anything in the Vero area. A rental car will give you more options to explore the area. The area right around the resort is fairly residential so you need to "get out" for other activities. In general, February-April is the high tourist season for the area and that's when there's the most activity at the theaters, etc. However, spring and fall (when there are no hurricanes) are very beautiful. Judging by the popularity of Vero in the summer, it seems like many people aren't bothered by the heat and humidity. Right at the resort you probably are fairly comfortable because you are by the water's edge. However, outdoor shopping, golf, tennis, etc. can be more difficult in the summer months.

 

[tss2]

My family is planning on staying at VB for 5 nights this July in a 1BR. It is our first time there and we are really looking forward to the trip. We knew we could fill up the time but DESNIK's list of things to do will really help! Thanks Desnik!

 

[SalandJeff]

Thanks Desnik for all the great info! This definitely sounds like a relaxing trip. I think DH may go for it.

Thanks again!

 

[Desnik]

You're very welcome!!!
However, I do believe that is the longest post ever!!!LOL