Vero Beach

[LisaS]

I'd like to pick the brains of anyone who is familiar with the Vero Beach resort. Right now, we are scheduled to be in WDW at the CSR from July 29 - August 6. However, we will arriving in Florida on Sunday July 25. Our thought was, to do a 4 night beach vacation before hitting WDW. Right now, I have a reservation at a brand new Marriott suites in Clearwater Beach (hotel opens March 15; hotel is on the gulf beach),but my 13 y.o. DD thinks it might be fun instead, to try the Vero Beach Resort. Anyone have any opinions on the relative merits of each? Aside from cost (I can get a 1 BR at VB for the same price as the Marriott suites) I would be interested in any and all opinions - any why you would chose one over the other. Thanks is advance for any help!!

LisaS

[LimeGreenCheri]

I've never stayed at Vero Beach, but judging by Tagrel's slide show, it looks absolutely fabulous!

Find it here!

Vero Beach Slide Show (http://www.tagrel.com/Tours/DVC/Vero/VeroSlideShow.htm)

[MargaretJ]

Vero Beach is fabulous. They have tons of planned activities each day for various age groups. Beach feels like your own since there are not tons of properties right next to Disney. They also have bikes you can rent, a very mini golf course on site, wonderful pool, nightime campfires & turtle watches at various times of the year. I love the landscaping here also & the little extras like rocking chairs on the porch. As Cheri said take a look at Tagrel's pictures.

[Tagrel]

We did both Vero and Clearwater last summer. Vero won for us hands down - but that is just us!

It really depends on your personal preferences.

for ------W I D E ------ beaches head to Clearwater. It is also calmer there, and the sand is whiter. That being said, we prefered Vero since we didn't have to lug the 'stuff' across a mile of sand! There was way more than enough beach for us!

for lots of restaurant choices, and other businesses nearby, Clearwater most likely wins again. Its a bit of a drive 20 - 30 minutes to get pretty much anywhere in Vero. But that is what we also liked. We enjoyed the onsite restaurants, and the one time we did venture offsite we decided later that we would have rather eatten at Shutters! :)

the one bedrooms at Vero are wonderful, but very few have an ocean view (VERY few). And I'm sure a brand new Marriott is BEAUTIFUL!

the pool at Vero was great, and the kids (and I!) loved the slide. The balcony on the Green Cabin room is a wonderful place to enjoy a cold drink and look out toward the ocean. The campfire was a lot of fun - and remember to pack the bug spray! :bee:

driving to/from WDW - once again Vero won hands down. It was a nice, uneventful drive with a grocery store stop on the way. Clearwater on the other hand took forever and we ran into TERRIBLE traffic backups. Again - that could have just been the way we chose to go (can't even remember now, just followed the signs)

Let us know what you decide!

[LisaS]

Thanks - it was Tagrel's slide show that got me thinking in the first place!! I would have been blissfully ignorant without it!! My kids are pushing Vero; I just keep thinking how much I love the Gulf! - A couple of days to mull it over - I'll let you know - thanks again!