Vero Beach 2012 thread closed... see 2013

[tikimimi]

I may have missed this somewhere, but does anyone have a link for the newsletter you get when you check in that has the activities and tours listed, etc. Also, do most people bring their own beach chairs or rent them there. Do you bring your own towels or use theirs?

Thanks!
1st visit

They have towels for you to use - 4 toa room usually - and you can trade them at Eb and Flo's whenever you need a dry one. We always budget in the padded loungers and umbrella but a lot of folks bring their own chairs. We were there in June, and there ewre very few rental chairs that went unrented each day. At the same time, there were folks who brought their own too. We like renting because they're so comfortable; when astorm blows up, we don't have to grab them and run; and because rentals get the nice spots - they won't let non-renters put their chairs where rentals go, but you can add your own to rentals if you're renting. I don't think I kept my Playful Pasttimes, but I'll look.

 

[kdzgon]

I may have missed this somewhere, but does anyone have a link for the newsletter you get when you check in that has the activities and tours listed, etc. Also, do most people bring their own beach chairs or rent them there. Do you bring your own towels or use theirs?

Thanks!
1st visit

We are here now, so I will bring mine home and scan it for you - just give me a couple of days to get it done.

BTW, I posted this elsewhere, but for those traveling to Vero Beach, please note Shutters is closing for lunch Sept 30 (Oct 1?). The Green Cabin Room will get an expanded menu, incl some current Shutters' lunch items. As of right now, this is not just a seasonal change.

 

[EWL]

I may have missed this somewhere, but does anyone have a link for the newsletter you get when you check in that has the activities and tours listed, etc. Also, do most people bring their own beach chairs or rent them there. Do you bring your own towels or use theirs?

Thanks!
1st visit

Here's ours from when we were there in early August...

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VBeach 2 3 by ewl930, on Flickr[/IMG]

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VBeach 2 2 by ewl930, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[karebear06]

Thanks for the replies on the towels and Playful Pastimes. I notice everything is pretty much geared for kids. Can anyone recommend anything for adults? Do they have any special tours? Anything with sea turtles the end of October? We will just be there on Saturday and Sunday

Thanks

 

[PammyK]

Thanks for the replies on the towels and Playful Pastimes. I notice everything is pretty much geared for kids. Can anyone recommend anything for adults? Do they have any special tours? Anything with sea turtles the end of October? We will just be there on Saturday and Sunday

Thanks

There aren't a whole lot of adult-exclusive or adult-oriented activities, however, adults are welcome to participate in most of the crafting activities even if there is a minimum age listed. We almost did Mickey plates yesterday but got distracted and forgot to sign up. Also, I think they figure that we adults are probably better at entertaining ourselves than the kids are.

If you'll only be there for 2 nights, I'd just relax and enjoy time on the beach and by the pool. The Lobby Concierge can give you some information on outside entertainment and activities such as taking a boat tour of the Indian River Lagoon, visiting the McKee Botanical Gardens or checking out one of the two local treasure museums. In the evening, if you choose not to dine on property, check with concierge Marilyn for some great dining recommendations.

Sea turtle season will be mostly over by the end of October, though there might be a few late nests still waiting to hatch. We did see a couple large turtles out in the water off the resort's beach earlier this week so they might produce a few new nests too. We actually go to see a newly hatched Loggerhead nest get inventoried early this morning. Later, our Animal Programs Cast Member stopped on her way back and had 2 Green Turtle hatchlings that she found when inventorying another nest. They had apparently gotten stuck in an air pocket when the other hatchlings boiled out and she found them as she was digging out the nest. She was going to keep them safe during the day and release them tonight at about 9pm to give them the best chances for survival. If you're lucky, you might get to experience something like that.

 

[dreamlinda]

Thanks for the replies on the towels and Playful Pastimes. I notice everything is pretty much geared for kids. Can anyone recommend anything for adults? Do they have any special tours? Anything with sea turtles the end of October? We will just be there on Saturday and Sunday

Thanks

My husband and I have enjoyed several visits and found the area very interesting for "adult only" couples. One thing we did that we both really enjoyed was biking on the Jungle Trail up to Pelican Island. They can give you directions when you rent the bikes. There is also a tour that goes up on some days, but you really can do it on your own. And, the SPA is always nice... If your DVC ask about a discount

 

[Homemom]

Thanks to the Southwest airfare special yesterday we were able to move our trip up! We're now going in less than 2 weeks! (and we saved $500!!!). We'll be there Sept 19-26. My DD3 remembers going last year and how the beach was almost unwalkable due to all the seaweed. Can anyone who's been lately tell me if there's a lot of seaweed right now or not. TIA!

 

[Tink316]

Just a few questions about VB before our first trip...27 days and counting!

1) Can you rent beach chairs/unbrellas by the week or is it daily only?
2) Is there a grocery store close by so we can do some shopping?
3) Is there a beach store nearby? Thinking we might buy inexpensive boogie board for our DS as well as chairs if we can find them cheap...and pass on when we leave.

Thanks to all who have posted before. Although I haven't read all 57 pages of this board, I've read through quite a bit and gotten a lot of great info!!

 

[monarchsfan16]

Just a few questions about VB before our first trip...27 days and counting!

1) Can you rent beach chairs/unbrellas by the week or is it daily only?
2) Is there a grocery store close by so we can do some shopping?
3) Is there a beach store nearby? Thinking we might buy inexpensive boogie board for our DS as well as chairs if we can find them cheap...and pass on when we leave.

Thanks to all who have posted before. Although I haven't read all 57 pages of this board, I've read through quite a bit and gotten a lot of great info!!

I think it was about 8 miles to Publix from the resort. 12 to Super Walmart. They're both on route 1 (Super Walmart is a bit further down, but on the same side of the road as Publix). I would think you could get some chairs and boogie boards at Walmart. Both stores are VERY easy to find.

 

[mini one]

Thanks to the Southwest airfare special yesterday we were able to move our trip up! We're now going in less than 2 weeks! (and we saved $500!!!). We'll be there Sept 19-26. My DD3 remembers going last year and how the beach was almost unwalkable due to all the seaweed. Can anyone who's been lately tell me if there's a lot of seaweed right now or not. TIA!

We are here now and while there is a little seaweed in the water the beach is clear and we have had a fantastic time in the waves

We are in villa 12 on the top floor with a great sea view, there is a great pile of beach chairs and boogie boards downstairs that previous guests have left and we have been using while we are here so check the villas when you arrive before going and buying more

Yesterday we went on an amazing boat tour with Capt Christy Cruising. $40 per person for 21/2hrs around the Indian river. Capt Christy was fantastic with her local knowledge and we saw dolphins with their babies, stingrays and a manatee along with loads of different birds. She took loads of photos while we were out and has just delivered us a cd to the hotel with all the pictures. Would definitely recommend this trip

 

[Homemom]

We are here now and while there is a little seaweed in the water the beach is clear and we have had a fantastic time in the waves

We are in villa 12 on the top floor with a great sea view, there is a great pile of beach chairs and boogie boards downstairs that previous guests have left and we have been using while we are here so check the villas when you arrive before going and buying more

Yesterday we went on an amazing boat tour with Capt Christy Cruising. $40 per person for 21/2hrs around the Indian river. Capt Christy was fantastic with her local knowledge and we saw dolphins with their babies, stingrays and a manatee along with loads of different birds. She took loads of photos while we were out and has just delivered us a cd to the hotel with all the pictures. Would definitely recommend this trip

Thank you, we will look into the boat tour for sure!

 

[PammyK]

Just a few questions about VB before our first trip...27 days and counting!

1) Can you rent beach chairs/unbrellas by the week or is it daily only?
2) Is there a grocery store close by so we can do some shopping?
3) Is there a beach store nearby? Thinking we might buy inexpensive boogie board for our DS as well as chairs if we can find them cheap...and pass on when we leave.

Thanks to all who have posted before. Although I haven't read all 57 pages of this board, I've read through quite a bit and gotten a lot of great info!!

1. There are no weekly rates for the beach chair/umbrella rentals. However, if you let the guys at the rental company know you'll want the same set up all week, they'll usually have your spot ready to go every morning when you get to the beach.
2. Nearest real grocery store is Publix on US1. From the resort, go over the causeway and turn right to head north on US1. Publix will be about a mile or so up on your left. It should be the first traffic light you hit after you get on US1. There is a small liquor store at the same location if you need to pick up any bottles for your visit but be prepared for a fairly limited selection. If you are coming from WDW/MCO, there is also a Publix at the intersection of 512 and 510 that you could visit. Then you'd just exit the parking lot by making a left onto 510 and taking that all the way over the causeway to A1A.
3. There is a beach store on US1 about a block north of the Wabasso Causeway. It is just past the Burger King. Haven't gone in there but they seem to have a lot of stuff just looking in their windows. However, the CVS store on the SW corner of the US1/CR-510 intersection has a large selection of boogie boards and other beach supplies. You could still go all the way up to Walmart in Sebastian but I really don't see the need

to go that far north when the CVS and the beach shop are both much closer to the resort.

 

[Tink316]

Thanks monarchsfan16 and PammyK!

Still deciding if we will fly in MCO or MLB... will all come down to the rates. We've been watching and haven't hit the "buy" button yet.

Cannot wait... 25 and counting!


T

 

[floridafam]

Obama is in town. There's about 200 sheriff deputies between 95 and the mall. Helicopters are flying everywhere. Maybe he's on his way to the resort.

 

[IggyLans]

Spring Break/Easter 2013! March26-April2! Cannot wait!

 

[scootert]

I just looked at the website for Hale's Grove and it looks like the retail stores in Wabasso and Vero are closed for remodeling... can anyone confirm? Thanks

 

[magicmommy]

I just called to confirm and was told they plan to open around October 15th. Whew! We arrive in Vero on the 14th so as long as they open before we head beck to WDW on the 19th I'll be all set.

 

[elleinad16]

Just wanted to share that I had a great 1st visit at Vero Beach last week!

Everything from the beach, pool, restaurants, villas, cast members, were all AMAZING!
My family and I had the time of our lives...and it is the only vacation location that my mother has asked to do a repeat trip for.

Thanks for sharing all the info and recommendations in this thread--It was all very useful.

And if anyone here would like to read more about our Vero Beach trip, here is the link: Let's Try Something New...Florida's Treasure Coast?: A Vero Beach TR!

 

[jjk3]

I just booked out family's first trip to Vero Beach!! We are all extremely excited.

We will be in an OVIR from September 29 to October 5 (staying the night of Oct. 5 in Orlando due to an early morning flight).

This thread has been a great source of information. Thanks everyone for their willingness to share!

As I mentioned, we have an early flight out on Saturday, October 6. However, I just realized that there is a MNSSHP on Friday, October 5! We may have to change plans - leave Vero Beach at lunchtime, stay at WDW on Friday night, and attend the party. We'll have to wait and see. My wife made me promise no WDW on this trip. We just got back a week ago from nine nights and are not supposed to go back until 2014. We are planning on HHI next summer instead. But we had such a blast at last year's MNSSHP (our first), I may be able to convince her. Wish me luck!

Regardless, can't wait for our trip to VB in October!

Not a big deal, but I noticed I was not on the roster so I thought I would update as we have a slight change of plans - we will be there for our first trip to VB from 9/29 through 10/4. We are heading up to WDW for two night to catch a MNSSHP.

Can't wait - less than two weeks!

 

[floridafam]

Can you buy park tickets at Vero?

Thanks