Disneyworld and Vero Beach

prrthd1987 · Post by **prrthd1987** » August 10, 2004 4:44 pm

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:a touch of history..... my family was there opening weekend back in the 70's. we stayed in the contemporary hotel and one night my brother and i got stuck on the monorail for about 5 hours. one of the other trains broke down and blocked the track.......

That was back in the days of the old Mark IV's I believe.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » August 10, 2004 4:44 pm

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:be sure that mom and dad get over the universal city to visit the m'ville cafe and and have a cold one under the hemi dancer.....

You betcha!! I almost halfway want to go to Universal instead of Disney anyway....but this trip is for HER and she wants Disney.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » August 10, 2004 4:48 pm

7lords wrote:
buffettbride wrote:
RIPH wrote:Does your daughter like wild animals? If so, Animal Kingdom Lodge is awesome...They have rooms looking out over the "Savannah" and you see all types of animals. AKL is also in the moderate price catagory for Disney.
She LOVES wild animals...

This is all so confusing!! There's so many places I want to stay!!
FYI AKL is likely to be more than twice as much as the all-star resorts or pop century. The value resorts and the moderate ones pretty much have the same room size.

Since we're still early in planning...we're still trying to decide where we want to sink the majority of our money. We haven't even figured out what our budget is yet.

I'm trying not to be too overly anal about planning everything and be laid back...but I want the trip to be perfect for her.

RIPH · Post by **RIPH** » August 10, 2004 5:15 pm

Yeah, but no wild animals to wake up to...

RIPH · Post by **RIPH** » August 10, 2004 5:18 pm

August is a non peak time too....You'll get better rates. I just checked for this weekend...AKL is $109 a night...the most we have spent is $149 a night...

Desdamona · Post by **Desdamona** » August 10, 2004 5:27 pm

buffettbride wrote:
Desdamona wrote:I am NOT a big Disney fan (sorry Poohbear ) but since we got a
seaside timeshare swap there, hubby and I spent a week in March at the
Vero Beach Disney Resort. It's a beautiful property actually south of Vero
proper, with a ton of fun for "kids of all ages"... but especially for kid kids.
Thanks Des!!! I appreciate the Vero Beach insight.

I'm not sure why you mentioned Vero in the first place, but they do
have character breakfasts and lots of kids activities at the Disney
resort there. I just can't imagine wanting to be inland in August if
you had the option of beachfront. A day or two at the park, then the
beach sounds nicer to me.

And this is the info on that city park:
*Royal Palm Pointe
2 Royal Palm Pointe
Phone: (772) 567-2144
Open green space is planted with palm trees, flowers and shrubs from
Indian River Blvd. to the river, with businesses on each side. ...
Walking towards the river, there is an "interactive" fountain for kids of all
ages! (See?

)
Lifeguard is on duty Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Scenic river views/Boat docking/Fishing dock/Picnic tables/Restrooms
It was just a very pretty, peaceful after-lunch place to play. I have pictures
of the place and the cool mosaics if you'd like to see them.

shakerofsalt · Post by **shakerofsalt** » August 10, 2004 5:30 pm

We took our boys (3 and 7 months) over Easter this year. We rented a house in a quiet subdivision about 10 minutes away. We had our own screened in pool and didn't have to fight the crowds. We also didn't have to pay an arm and a leg. The 4 bedroom house was much cheaper than staying at the resorts.

springparrot · Post by **springparrot** » August 10, 2004 5:54 pm

We always stay at the cheapest on-site properties...All-Stars and Pop Century last time.
You aren't in the rooms that much and the accomodations are about the same....pools for kids and adults, etc.
Check it out with a travel agent and see the difference in the $$$.

And yes, do use the Disney bus/monorail systems...they are great.
(hint) if you get to the monorail early, as one of the Disney employees if you can sit in the front with the driver.
The view is amazing and she will get a special card

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » August 10, 2004 6:01 pm

Desdamona wrote: I'm not sure why you mentioned Vero in the first place, but they do
have character breakfasts and lots of kids activities at the Disney
resort there. I just can't imagine wanting to be inland in August if
you had the option of beachfront. A day or two at the park, then the
beach sounds nicer to me.

We're trying to go all-out Disney on this for our daughter. If it was a vacation just for hubby and me you betcha we'd be at the beach. We also wouldn't try FL in the middle of August either. But, this is her birthday gift and we want it to be special for her. It will also be the first time she gets to see the ocean.

springparrot · Post by **springparrot** » August 10, 2004 6:04 pm

buffettbride wrote:
Desdamona wrote: I'm not sure why you mentioned Vero in the first place, but they do
have character breakfasts and lots of kids activities at the Disney
resort there. I just can't imagine wanting to be inland in August if
you had the option of beachfront. A day or two at the park, then the
beach sounds nicer to me.
We're trying to go all-out Disney on this for our daughter. If it was a vacation just for hubby and me you betcha we'd be at the beach. We also wouldn't try FL in the middle of August either. But, this is her birthday gift and we want it to be special for her. It will also be the first time she gets to see the ocean.

I hope you find a great beach to take her to.
My opinion, don't go to Daytona---it's not as pretty as you might think

The Lost Manatee · Post by **The Lost Manatee** » August 10, 2004 6:04 pm

Don't forget to visit CatWorld, right across the highway from DisneyWorld. It;s where parents can feed mice to a bunch of hungry cats after spending a cay at the Mouse's house.

Oh, nevermind, I forgot, it never got to open.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » August 10, 2004 6:08 pm

springparrot wrote:
buffettbride wrote:
Desdamona wrote: I'm not sure why you mentioned Vero in the first place, but they do
have character breakfasts and lots of kids activities at the Disney
resort there. I just can't imagine wanting to be inland in August if
you had the option of beachfront. A day or two at the park, then the
beach sounds nicer to me.
We're trying to go all-out Disney on this for our daughter. If it was a vacation just for hubby and me you betcha we'd be at the beach. We also wouldn't try FL in the middle of August either. But, this is her birthday gift and we want it to be special for her. It will also be the first time she gets to see the ocean.
I hope you find a great beach to take her to.
My opinion, don't go to Daytona---it's not as pretty as you might think

I think we've pretty much decided on Vero Beach in keeping with the Disney theme.

poohbear1324 · Post by **poohbear1324** » August 10, 2004 9:49 pm

Desdamona wrote:I am NOT a big Disney fan (sorry Poohbear ) but since we got a
seaside timeshare swap there, hubby and I spent a week in March at the
Vero Beach Disney Resort. It's a beautiful property actually south of Vero
proper, with a ton of fun for "kids of all ages"... but especially for kid kids.
http://www.verobeach.com/DisneysVeroBeachResort

That was pretty much our room view, except from a bit higher up. I'm sure
your daughter would have a ball there. It's right on the beach, and there are
"grown-up" things to do nearby as well. We visited Mel Fisher's treasure
museum in Sebastian and Captain Hiram's around the corner for drinks.
http://www.hirams.com/index.cfm?method=SandBar.show
We also drove south of Vero to McKee Gardens and even bought a
membership! It's a beautiful old property that deserves to be preserved for
public access. http://www.mckeegarden.org

Vero Beach itself is full of rich older people, so finding reasonable dining
wasn't that easy. We asked the waitstaff at an overpriced seafront restaurant
there and were directed to a chain Lobster Shanty that was right next door
to a public park with a "play fountain" that I'm sure your daughter would love.
http://www.jackbakerslobstershanty.com/fl/vero.htm

That's enough for now... If you'd like, PM me and I'll try to come up with
more info about our visit there. As far as Disney World, I just don't enjoy
standing in line for hours in the heat...

not a disney fan.i thought everyone loved disney.
well its ok.
i have enough fun for the both of us.

Floridaze · Post by **Floridaze** » August 11, 2004 8:43 am

We just got back from a week in Vero Beach. We live about an hour from Disney World on the east coast. We have been to the Disney Vero Beach resort several times. We stayed about 10 miles south this time at the Driftwood resort. If you stay at the VB Disney Resort, the town of Vero Beach is about 5 or 6 miles south. Great seaside shopping and restaurants. Recommend the Ocean Grill for a nice dinner. Bobby's has great steaks....Fun, laid back beach town. You are right in the middle of two great beachside State Parks, Sebastian Inlet and Ft Pierce Inlet. Always recommend a little bit of "real Florida" when staying down here. Have fun!!!

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » August 11, 2004 10:40 am

poohbear1324 wrote:not a disney fan.i thought everyone loved disney.
well its ok.
i have enough fun for the both of us.

Would you like to come with us poohbear? My parents tell me we went to Disneyland when I was 2. My older sisters were 7 and 8 at the time. I remember NOTHING. I am very excited.

...just trying to figure out how to meet some BNrs along the way. I warned hubby this may happen

tully mars · Post by **tully mars** » August 11, 2004 11:39 am

Do the magic kingdom,its great for kids and first timers,Im born and raised in Ft.Pierce,and my son was born in Vero so we have some history in the area...head south on a1a,theres some really good beaches in this are,I recomend round tree island,further south into St.lucie co. you have north St.Lucie inlet park,its really nice but it comes with a fee.Good food in Ft.Pierce,down by the river,Tiki hut,and Manatiki at the city marina...head over south bridge stay due east,you'll dead end into the south jetty park,check out Hurricanes,andTheo Thudpuckers rawbar...hope yall have a good time!

aquaholic · Post by **aquaholic** » August 11, 2004 11:44 am

Vero is FLA's semi hidden gem..IMHO

Floridaze · Post by **Floridaze** » August 11, 2004 12:49 pm

aquaholic wrote:Vero is FLA's semi hidden gem..IMHO

Have to agree. I live a little over an hour north of Vero Beach and my folks discovered this resort in the 60's and we have been going back ever since...the drive down A1A from Melbourne Beach to Jensen Beach is incredible. Vero Beach has kept the building heights and density to a minimum and there is plenty of beach access. The ocean water is blue and clear most of the time....kind of feel like you are in the islands....

aquaholic · Post by **aquaholic** » August 11, 2004 12:57 pm

Floridaze wrote:
aquaholic wrote:Vero is FLA's semi hidden gem..IMHO
Have to agree. I live a little over an hour north of Vero Beach and my folks discovered this resort in the 60's and we have been going back ever since...the drive down A1A from Melbourne Beach to Jensen Beach is incredible. Vero Beach has kept the building heights and density to a minimum and there is plenty of beach access. The ocean water is blue and clear most of the time....kind of feel like you are in the islands....

Firstmate's sister lives right off of A1A on south melbourne beach..........very nice too

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » August 11, 2004 12:58 pm

aquaholic wrote:
Floridaze wrote:
aquaholic wrote:Vero is FLA's semi hidden gem..IMHO
Have to agree. I live a little over an hour north of Vero Beach and my folks discovered this resort in the 60's and we have been going back ever since...the drive down A1A from Melbourne Beach to Jensen Beach is incredible. Vero Beach has kept the building heights and density to a minimum and there is plenty of beach access. The ocean water is blue and clear most of the time....kind of feel like you are in the islands....
Firstmate's sister lives right off of A1A on south melbourne beach..........very nice too

Wow! Thanks! Vero has come very highly reccommended so far. I appreciate your input!