Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is not your typical Disney destination, with its pristine Atlantic beach littered with shark teeth and seashells. Removed from the theme park resorts’ hustle by a two-hour drive, Vero Beach offers a relaxing experience while keeping the charm of a uniquely Disney property.
Many travelers who head to the Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida spend their vacation running from the moment they wake up until they pass out at the end of a long day. The phrase, “you need a vacation from your vacation” was coined by those trying to maximize the amount of Disney they can get in their week in the Disney Bubble.
Adding a short Disney cruise after a stay at Walt Disney World is a popular way to get time to relax while not entirely leaving the Disney experience behind. But with sails still suspended for at least the next few months, would-be travelers are looking for other ways to get a dose of Disney while relaxing at least a few days. Disney’s Vero Beach is the perfect place to disconnect and recharge, so you return to work refreshed and ready to tackle the next big project.
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort opened in October 1995 and was the second property in the Disney Vacation Club (DVC), Disney’s version of a timeshare. The property offers inn-style rooms in the main building, the DVC style studios, and one and two-bedroom villas. The resort also has freestanding cottages that overlook the Atlantic Ocean, which are reserved for DVC members. One important thing to point out about the resort is that room availability goes first to DVC members, with cash guests getting a smaller selection of availability. If you’re interested in staying at Disney’s Vero Beach, you’ll want to schedule a consultation as early as possible to maximize the options available to you.
Keep reading to hear about my recent experience at Disney's Vero Beach!!
Walking into the resort lobby, I was warmly greeted by name and provided my room keys, a resort map, and the weekly activity schedule. I was given a quick overview of the property and directions to the building I would be staying in. The lobby is a perfect mix of grand and retains the atmosphere of being a beach resort. And being a Disney resort, it is extremely rainbow friendly. You’ll likely see other LGBTQ couples and families enjoying their own vacations.
I could only getaway for two nights, so I booked a studio villa and requested building 14 to be near the pool and other amenities located in the main building. Once parked, it was a quick ride up the elevator to my home for the next two nights. The pictures don’t really do the room justice. The bed was comfortable, the couch was easy to sit on, and there was enough room to relax at the end of the day.
The resort is entirely walkable, with even the most distant rooms only taking a couple of minutes to get to where you want to go. Beach access is via a boardwalk, which provides a great view of the ocean and a ramp down to the sand. Sunrises can get busy in this area as vacationers line up to get pictures of the mornings’ rays peeking above the horizon. The resort offers beach chairs, umbrellas, and other items to rent for the day, so you don’t need to worry about figuring out how to bring your own.
The days leading up to my beach trip were cold by Florida’s standards, and I was slightly feeling disappointed while driving down to the resort that I wouldn’t be able to spend as much time as I’d like in the sun or water. Disney keeps their pools heated to a comfortable temperature, and the steam was rising off the water in the chill of the morning.
Luckily, the one full day that I had at the resort ended up being a fantastic day to relax in the sun. The ocean was a bit chilly, so I stuck to the pool deck, bouncing between sitting out, the hot tub, and the pool to cool off again. I managed to get a decent amount of sun without getting too hot, which is an excellent change of pace for Florida sunbathing.
The resort has two restaurants to feed vacationers, the Wind and Waves quick-service style market and the Wind and Waves table-service restaurant. This is in addition to the full kitchens located in all of the one and two-bedroom villas. I would personally limit the dinner at the table-service option to once during a stay because of the cost, but it should not be skipped.
The resort offers plenty of activities throughout the day and evenings to keep families occupied. From mini-golf to bike rentals and surf lessons, there is something for everyone. Each day there is a craft in the community room that is an affordable way to take home a unique souvenir from the trip. If you travel between June and November, you’ll likely even spot sea turtle nests and can participate in a Sea Turtle Night Walk Experience hosted by the resort.
Disney's Vero Beach is an excellent option for those looking to relax after running around at Walt Disney World. Even after cruising has resumed, I would recommend Disney’s Vero Beach to travelers looking to spend a few days recharging after Walt Disney World without leaving the country.
Rainbow Getaways is a full-service travel concierge specializing in travel for the LGBTQ community and our allies. Each vacation is planned to meet your specific needs, so you have a fabulous getaway. Schedule a free consultation with me to tell me about your dream vacation!