Vero help please :)

[jiggerj]

Pondering the thought of taking a trip to visit Vero this coming summer for 5 nights.

Having never been there I am trying to find all the info I can and your experiences.

Where do you fly into?
Do you need a rental car?
What are the 2 bedrooms like?
What activities for 2 (possibly 4 teenage girls) and a 6 yr old boy?
And most important...hows the fishing? :)

Thanks so much in advance...as always! :)

[Deep-Thots]

Can't help with some of the specifics (airport, car rental, etc.), but for a resort overview (including what the 2BRs are like), take a look at the resort sticky (at the top of the Resorts Forum, in red) for VB, as posted by PoohsPal.

It leads back to (surprise!) Mouseowners.com, and can give you lots of info, inlcuding menus, etc. (P.S. -- I'm working on the recreation section now. Looks like there's a fair amount for kids to do, though.)

[Stimpy]

We stayed there a few years ago for our 5th anniversary and I loved it. We flew into Orlando and we did rent a car. I think it was a little more than an hour drive (?) If you are going to stay for several days, I would definately recommend a car. The resort is nice, the dining is good but we did go out to eat and sight see around Vero several times.

I remember they had a lot of activities but our son was only 1 at the time (he's now 6) so we didn't get to participate in much. We did do a treasure hunt, played mini golf, went to the beach and pool. We plan on going back in a few years when my daughter (20 months now) is a little older so they can both participate in more activities. Your 6 yr old will probably have a great time. I'm not sure about the teenagers since we really didn't look to see what activities they offered for that age group.

Can't help with the accomodations, we stayed in the main building, ocean view, in a studio....great room for us!

Also, I just wanted to add that the CM's there are even nicer than at WDW...if that's possible. We had our anniversary dinner at the fancy restuarant (forgot the name) and the CM's took our son from us and played with him and put him to work LOL so DH and I could have dessert alone...then they wouldn't give him back! (There was only one other group in the restaurant at the time)

[dvcconvert]

Laura-- I'll actually be there briefly over the next couple of weeks. PM me with your addy if you'd like me to try and drop a brochure/literature in the mail to you.

:sherlock: ;)

[jiggerj]

Laura-- I'll actually be there briefly over the next couple of weeks. PM me with your addy if you'd like me to try and drop a brochure/literature in the mail to you.

:sherlock: ;)


Thank you! :)

[TW1]

We did our second Vero trip this past August. Honestly, our opinions are mixed.

First trip was 7 years ago, before we were members, we drove over from WDW for a few days. Kids were then 4 and 1. This was our first off-site vacation resort visit and we were hooked on the Membership thing by the time we left. Though we didn't buy during this trip, it was the clincher that led us to buy during the next summer's trip to HHI.

This past August we went for 2 nights after 5 nights in WDW and before a 5 night trip to HHI. I don't think we'll be going back soon.

First, the resort is beautiful. The main building is very attractive, the restaurants are quite good and we enjoy the lounge (green cabin room?). The pool area is a tons of fun. The water slide is one of Disney's best with a great kid’s splash area.

When we were there we had a great afternoon DJ / Dance / Pool party with pool games, limbo, dance contests, etc, all run by the CM's and a guest DJ who was top-notch. Everyone got in on the fun.

VB also has a wonderful nature program. There is a staff marine biologist who led an hour slide program on the turtles and invites guests to join him for the 6 am turtle patrol. You want to do this! DW and the kids went while I packed. To this day they talk about it. They accompanied the naturalist as he counted turtle nests (about 8) and counted the eggs in the nests (hundreds). The kids got to study the turtle nests, feel the eggs, help count, etc. It was a great experience for them.

We also enjoyed a campfire with sing-along and smores, mini golf, and time on the beach. I just pulled out the activities list I saved and other activities included surf school, rock climbing, teen mini golf, crafts, intro to wine, scuba lessons, kayak adventure, pool basketball, scavenger hunt, teen dodge ball, clay jewelry class, etc. etc.

So yes there are tons of things for all ages of the family. Yes, you will pay for some with a discount for members. And yes, you probably want a car so you can explore the area a bit, though it is not an absolute must-have.

So, all this fun in a beautiful location and we don't want to return? What gives?

Well, we are members in HHI and we just love HHI. The resort is quieter, off the main road, back against the marsh area. And we like the rooms better, more spacious feeling, though I think they are identical in size. The resort just feels more laid back, more relaxing somehow; though this is probably do to our familiarity of it and that sense of 'home'.

Second. The beach in VB was quite dirty. Lots of tar stuck to our feet and suits and trash up and down the beach. DW and DD went on a trash picking exercise and each filled a kitchen size trash bag. (yes it was vacation and they were picking up trash, long story, but we tend to be earth-conscious from time to time). Don’t worry about the tar though, the CM’s carry around wads of these packets with special wipes that take the tar right off. Its easy to deal with.

Plus VB is a very slim beach compared to HHI- maybe 30 feet wide versus 100+ in HH. And the sign at the bottom of the ramp warns swimmers to the danger of sharks and man-o-war. But hey, it’s their ocean, they were here first, right?

Oh, and the day we checked in the Coast Guard was detonating a live mine that washed up on shore that morning. I asked a local guy who said, 'yup, that happens from time to time."

Anyway, I urge you to go; I can guarantee you will have a great time. It is a very beautiful place with great CMs, and lots to do.

Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

[JimC]

Pondering the thought of taking a trip to visit Vero this coming summer for 5 nights.

Having never been there I am trying to find all the info I can and your experiences.

Where do you fly into?
Do you need a rental car?
What are the 2 bedrooms like?
What activities for 2 (possibly 4 teenage girls) and a 6 yr old boy?
And most important...hows the fishing? :)

Thanks so much in advance...as always! :)

Depends on the airline. Orlando for us because we fly USAirways, Melbourne is closest, then West Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale is a hike but doable. It really depends on your airline preferences and available fares.

Rental car is a must.

2 bedrooms are just like Old Key West.

Tennis, miniature golf, great pool and slide, workout room, beach, the campfire, organized activities.

Only eat them, don't catch them

[jaysue]

Pondering the thought of taking a trip to visit Vero this coming summer for 5 nights.

Having never been there I am trying to find all the info I can and your experiences.

Where do you fly into?
Do you need a rental car?
What are the 2 bedrooms like?
What activities for 2 (possibly 4 teenage girls) and a 6 yr old boy?
And most important...hows the fishing? :)

Thanks so much in advance...as always! :)

We fly into Orlando and drive over (no flights from Toronto into Melbourne) - this works well for us since we combine with WDW vacation days

Once you are onsite unless you plan to do major grocery shopping or outlet mall shopping or restaurant visits (you could always use a cab) a car will not be necessary

2BR are similar to OKW in execution and layout - just smaller - larger than BCV/BWV/VWL/SSR 2BR but smaller than OKW 2BR especially in the living room area

Teenage girls - seeing and been seen at the pool and beach along with various activities - resort mini-golf, beach volleyball etc. - if you have teens, suggest getting a rental car


I am wrong person to ask about fishing - LOL

cheers
jaysue

:cheerlead