All the Details... Disney's Vero Beach Review

What is better than sitting in a plush cushioned lounge chair on a large covered porch with the glistening ocean in front of you… a gentle cool breeze blowing in from the sea… the sound of crashing waves and soft ‘20s jazz music playing in the distance? To me the answer is simple… nothing :)

Did you know that Disney owns a beachside resort on the Atlantic Coast? I didn’t… and I grew up in Florida! This little-known gem was built in 1995 and has provided many people with relaxing beach getaways for nearly 25 years. My family recently returned from a stay at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, and below I have details on our stay.

​Disney’s Vero Beach Resort was built as a Disney Vacation Club property, but others who are not DVC members can book a stay at this family friendly resort.

The Feel...

This resort has a classy Florida ambiance of a by-gone era. With a large Main Hall, beautiful porches for lounging and classic 1920s music playing throughout the common areas, you will be swept away to a splendid, old fashioned hideaway on Florida’s Atlantic Treasure Coast.

​On the grounds are a series of buildings, bungalows and walkways lined with unique Florida coastal foliage creating a serene, peaceful vibe. Along the property you will find hammocks tucked in among tropical plants and fun yard games sprinkled here and there for family entertainment.

This resort is great for couples and families, young and old alike. If you like a resort with peaceful, good wholesome fun, where cast members become friends, and families enjoy creating memories together, then the feel of this resort would be a perfect fit.

​The Beach...

You won’t find any high rise hotels or crowded beaches around here! If you are looking for a hoppin’ Daytona Beach vibe, you need to look elsewhere. Surrounding Disney’s Vero Beach Resort are secluded beach clubs and gated resorts. This resort can provide you with quiet, non-drivable beaches for the family to enjoy. While staying at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort you can rent umbrellas and beach chairs, sea kayaks, jet skis and much more.

Our family enjoyed building sandcastles, searching for seashells (my mom even found two pieces of sea glass!), and jumping the waves with my four year old son.

​And, the beaches near Vero are highly important for the endangered species of sea turtles. This areas is their nesting grounds and at Disney’s Vero Beach Hotel, they take extra measures to help preserve the wildlife and habitats in and around the resort. You can even learn more about the sea turtles that come to Vero through interactive nature hikes and lessons. And, kids can even “adopt” a sea turtle and watch its journey via tracking on the internet.

The Room...

Are you traveling with just you and the hubs, or with the WHOLE family? Accommodating your sleeping needs at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will not be a problem for you. They have an assortment of different room options to meet everyone’s needs. You can stay in a Deluxe Studio (which is similar to a regular hotel room with a kitchenette… that is where we stayed), a one or two bedroom suite, or opt for the Big Kahuna of beach accommodations… the secluded Beach Cottages overlooking the ocean.

​Whether it is a Deluxe Studio or a Cottage experience, your accommodations will be very nice. Everything is very clean with a beautifully calming ocean color palette… and I really liked all of the classy sea turtle accents.

The Goods...

When it comes to entertainment and the need for “things-to-do,” Disney does not disappoint. This is not just a hotel… it is a resort, with amenities and activities for all. Young and old will enjoy the pool area and water slide, mini golf course and sweet treats at the Wind and Waves Market. Little ones will enjoy Tiger Lily’s Pirate themed splash pad area and supervised kid’s programming. The whole family will enjoy bikes for rent, basketball courts and tennis courts, shuffleboard, ping pong, board games, free movie rentals, nightly bonfires with s’mores and much more! And for the adults… an elegant spa for relaxation and rejuvenation.

There is a table service restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner, and a quick service convenience market that serves up sandwiches and other yummy treats. Plus, there are two bar areas on property too (we loved The Green Room deck!).

​So, if you need a break from the beach, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort has got you covered!

The Critiques...

In every review, one needs to have the critiques, right? Well, for me there are just a few.

While the beginning of May in my head was a great time to visit Florida’s Atlantic Coast… kids are not out of school, crowds are low, no hurricanes… We encountered the enemy that every Floridian and Floridian’s vehicle shudders at… the LOVEBUG! I know you are thinking this sounds like a cutesy car from the 1960s, but rest assured that is NOT what we are talking about. These are invasive bugs… no swarms that take over Florida en mass for several weeks of the year. I did grow up in Florida, but I must have blocked this occurrence from memory, because when planning this trip it did not even cross my mind.

Now… they will not hurt you, but with a four year old and a mama that are very particular when it comes to bugs in their space, this did put a damper on one day of our vacation. Just to note… they did subside as our vacation progressed, which made for a much more enjoyable time. Unfortunately, this was one of the worse years they have seen as far as love bugs go in a while, and there is really nothing the resort can do to prevent them from coming. The cast members did all they could to keep things clean and presentable in spite of these annoying creatures.

My advice… if possible select a different season besides the end of April and beginning of May for your vacation to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Or come prepared with a mosquito net ;)

​Also, while I loved the seclusion of the resort, it did make for a little bit of a hike to get to restaurants and shops. Both downtown Vero Beach and the town of Sebastian are about a 12+ minute drive from the resort. Not a huge deal, but worth mentioning. Both towns had great casual, family friendly seafood restaurants right on the Indian River Lagoon… great views!

Overall...

Overall, this was a fabulous resort and one that I would highly recommend. Our family loved the quiet, family friendly atmosphere and the Disney quality of service. We will definitely be back!

​As a DVC property, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort prides themselves on their homey feeling and atmosphere. And when they greet you with “Welcome Home”… you feel it!