By Lisa Gold
Are you a beach bum seeking a relaxing family vacation without the fast-paced hustle of the parks, but still need a dose of that Disney Magic? Your wish has been granted! Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is just the place for you!
My cousin, a DVC member, invited me to join her there for a few days and it was certainly magical! The resort sits right on the beach of Florida’s Atlantic coast… and it’s gorgeous!
Some of my favorite things?
Beach View Rooms!
We stayed in a garden view room on my first night; it looks down on the cluster of palm trees outside; totally fine with me! From the balcony, you can see the ocean if you look to the right. But the next day, an ocean view room became available, so we switched! The room itself was identical, but the view? Ocean, ocean, ocean! We could hear the waves! So relaxing!
The Pool and Slide!
We spent quite a bit of time in the pool in the late afternoon/early evening. The water was so warm; like a bath! There are several lifeguards on duty at all times, so safety precautions are certainly in place. The water slide is fantastic – so much fun! There’s also a smaller splash area for littler kids, as well as a hot tub for grown ups (and children at parents’ discretion).
Free Coffee and Wi-Fi!
I was in heaven! Coffee is free in the quick service restaurant, Winds and Waves Market! And free Wi-Fi is a must for sure! Who wants to use up their mobile data when uploading all those great vacation photos?
Sea Turtle Protection / Nature Conservation!
There are sea turtle nests all over the beach! They are cordoned off with “do not disturb” signs, also offering educational information. Guests with beach-facing rooms are asked to close their blinds or turn off their lights at night. High hedges block the low, yellow lighting around the resort property outside. This is to ensure that when hatched, the turtles follow the moon to the ocean. Bright lighting can confuse them and they will go the wrong way! In the Island Grove Packing Company gift shop, you can make any donation to Disney’s nature conservation efforts and the company will match your donation! Plus, you receive a cute pin for your donation!
The Resort Decor!
Because Disney. Details are everything! Sea turtles are the theme! (And Crush is featured in the quick service restaurant!)
Rainy Day Backups
It’s Florida; rain happens. It was pouring and thundering when I arrived. My first glimpse at the beautiful resort lobby consisted of Cast Members hosting indoor activities with children such as jump rope, hopscotch, and art projects. They are prepared for everything! It was so cute!
There are also books to borrow and video games or DVDs available for rental, as well as board games built into tables! So if a rainy day sneaks up on you, there are fun activities you can find to pass the time.
Things I Must Do Next Time!
The Spa!
I didn’t get a chance to get pampered, but the menu offers many lovely treatments! My cousin and her 13-year-old daughter arrived two days before me, so they had mother/daughter mani-pedis and loved it! Next time I go back, I’d love to treat myself to a massage!
Mini-Golf
Look no further than behind the pool to get your hole-in-one on! Port Holes Mini-Golf is right on property and looked like so much fun! I didn’t get a chance to tee off, but that’s on my to-do list for next time!
Activities
Disney is certainly ready to entertain your family in every way possible! They have calendars of events (for all ages) which change frequently. You are literally unable to be bored when you’re at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort!
And here are some FAQs!
What’s the dining situation?
The quick service restaurant, Winds and Waves Market, has something for everyone, including grab-n-go items (salads, fruit, etc.) or stuff like cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets. Kids’ meals come in pails with shovels, so no worries about forgetting to pack those; you can still build Cinderella’s Castle on the beach!
Winds and Waves Grill offers a sit-down dining atmosphere and the food is delicious! We ate there on my first night. This is also where the character breakfast with Goofy takes place every Saturday. (I stayed Tuesday through Friday, so sadly I missed Goofy!)
And if the grown-ups want to sneak out for a drink, there’s also The Green Cabin Room or the Winds and Waves outdoor bar.
Your room is also equipped with a kitchenette including a small sink, mini-fridge, and microwave. That way, you can make a grocery run and stock up on bottled waters or other snacks/meals you can eat right in the comfort of your room! This is definitely a convenience!
How Far Are The Disney Parks?
If you’re feeling adventurous and wish to drive to one of the Orlando parks for the day, the ride isn’t too bad; we made it to Disney Springs in approximately two hours. But heads up – there are tolls!
What’s Off-Property If I Want To Explore?
We drove to Melbourne one day to meet up with family. It’s about an hour away. We’re big shoppers, so we did a lot of that. There’s a small outlet mall right in Vero Beach, about a 10-15 minute drive. In Fort Pierce–which is very close to Vero–there’s the Manatee Observation and Education Center. It’s a small museum with small sea creatures that children can touch and other educational fun. It’s run by volunteers and only a $1.00 for adults to get in! There is also a very cute gift shop.
Which Airport Should I Use?
Actually, MCO/Orlando and PBI/Palm Beaches are about the same distance to/from Vero, roughly two hours. We flew in/out of PBI and found it to be a little easier (straight down I-95) and much less chaotic than MCO. Melbourne International is even closer (roughly an hour), but much smaller, thus offering less flight flexibility. So, essentially it comes down to your personal preferences and/or the best deal you can get.
Should I Rent a Car?
If you are flying, you may want to consider renting a car if you plan on leaving the resort’s property for day trips, grocery stops, or whatever you may wish to do. Vero Beach is a quaint Florida beach town. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing vacation.
My stay at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort was nothing short of magical and I highly recommend this beachy twist on a Disney experience! Huge thank you to my cousins, Jen and Stella, for the invitation and their company on a fun trip!
You can learn even more about Disney’s Vero Beach Resort here!
Join the fun in our Facebook group, follow us on Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel too!
Contact Dream Makers Travel Agency today to book your trip! FREE concierge level planning is included with every booking.
Lisa
I once heard a Disney mantra that spoke to me: "You're never too old to be young." Yes, I'm a big kid. I don't have children, but I'm an auntie to a spoiled little niece. I'm owned by two fat rescue cats named Maestro and Medley. I enjoy pop music, coffee, and fangirling over celebrities. Disney is one of my many happy places. :)
We have been members for 10 years. We have been to Vero 4 times and it is one of our favorite vacations. We love the disney world vacations and all the running through the parks but when we go to Vero it is the best R and R we have ever had. It is such a beautiful resort with a ton of activities. Our kids when they first went were 3 to 12 and the last time we went the range was 13 to 22 and all had a great time.