Have You Ever Heard of Disney’s Vero Beach Resort?

For many folks, the idea of staying within a Disney Resort accommodation is synonymous with a convenient lodging option for those visiting Disney Parks. But in reality, there are quite a few Disney-owned Resort locations that extend well beyond the adjoining grounds of Disney’s various theme parks. While the Hawaiian-based Aulani Resort is perhaps one of the most well-known examples of such accommodations that stand independently of any affiliated Disney theme park, there are others you may want to familiarize yourself with too. One Resort in particular can even be found within a fairly navigational range to Walt Disney World Resort—Disney’s Vero Beach Resort!

Located just 100 miles southeast of Walt Disney World, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort offers up the perfect solution for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the Parks in favor of Florida’s easy-going beach scene, all while retaining that classic charm and magic that you love best about Disney Resort accommodations. As many long-time visiting Guests know firsthand, staying at a Disney Resort can be a vacation in and of itself, completely independent of the Parks. And that fact couldn’t be better presented than with all the wonderful experiences that come with staying at Disney’s Vero Beach. To better familiarize you with this more esoteric Disney designation, we’re offering up an overview of informative facts you will want to know about it.

Related: Tips for Having a Beachy Keen Time at Disney World

Facts About Disney’s Vero Beach

A little under two hours away from Walt Disney World Resort by car, Disney’s Vero Beach is situated along Florida’s famed Atlantic Treasure Coast and carries a theme celebrating the idea of easy-going beach living in an unbridled natural setting. The Resort’s motif focuses largely on sea turtles in particular, as evidenced through the multitude of décor, artwork, and even such subtleties as the incorporation of sea turtle crawl markings etched into the lobby floor. This is a most befitting tribute as the grounds comprising of Disney’s Vero Beach also adjoin known nesting grounds for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. And because this is a Disney Resort after all, do be on the lookout for Hidden Mickeys as well!

Related: Loggerhead Sea Turtle Raya Travels 1,000 Miles During This Year’s Disney Conservation Tour de Turtles

While Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is a Disney Vacation Club Resort accommodation, any paying Guests are welcome to book a stay here, regardless of membership status. Room options vary from deluxe studio offerings, standard and ocean view inn layouts, and more spacious villas that come as either one or two-bedroom lodgings. There are also a series of unattached three-bedroom beach cottages, fully furnished with all the comforts of home.

Staying at Disney’s Vero Beach also comes with a wide range of available amenities onsite as well. These include access to free Wi-Fi, complimentary parking, laundry and dry-cleaning services, on-premises charcoal barbecue grills for Guests to use, and a host of other perks and benefits in addition.

Related: New Disney Vacation Club Villas Just Announced for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Onsite Shopping and Dining

 Following suit in traditional Disney Resort fashion, here you have access to everything you could possibility need, and then some. Did you forget something or are you looking for anything in particular? You’re sure to find it here, at Island Grove Packing Company General Store — their onsite Resort shop. From sundries to grocery selections, toiletries to toys, Resort-themed merchandise to Disney memorabilia and more, whatever you seek is probably right here.

While dining out and about always makes for an exciting endeavor to take to while exploring the greater Vero Beach area, folks looking for on-premises convenience can take delight in two excellent onsite dining options. First there is the very versatile Wind & Waves Market, offering up a variety of quick-service classics along with numerous grab-and-go items, baked goods, snacks, and more from early morning until late at night. It’s here that you can even treat yourself to such beloved Disney staples as the famed Dole Whip or contested Mickey Mouse Premium Ice Cream Bar.

Related: Swirls on the Water is the Newest DOLE Whip Destination at Walt Disney World

Or perhaps you would prefer to take to a full table-service dining experience at their resident Wind & Waves Grill. Following an elegant yet casual coastal theme, the restaurant serves up delicious traditional breakfast fare daily along with seafood specialties and land-lover’s delights every evening around dinnertime.

For those looking to enjoy a couple of quick sips from host of well-loved libations, take note of the Resort’s two awesome lounges: Wind & Waves Bar and The Green Cabin Room.

Relaxation and Rejuvenation

Because taking a laid-back vacation really should be all about achieving optimal relaxation and rejuvenation, Disney’s Vero Beach even offers up a stellar array of spa services, right on location. Their varying packages range from full facials to numerous massage therapies, mani-pedis, Vichy showers, and body wrap treatments. They even have luxury add-ons like lip exfoliating and volumizing as well as scalp massages and hair treatments. What’s more, their collective range can extend to all members of the family, with services even available for children as young as six years old.

Related: The Grand Floridian Spa is Reopening This Month at Walt Disney World

Resort-Wide Recreation

Another way this Resort excels at meeting Disney’s highest quality standards is through their awesome abundance of recreational activities to pursue right on the grounds. Need to work off some energy? No matter the time, just head to their optimal, state-of-the-art Anchors A-weigh Fitness Room which is open 24-hours a day. Or perhaps you’d prefer the outdoor endeavor: biking. They also offer up various sports courts, perfect for basketball, tennis, volleyball, and more.

Disney’s Vero Beach also features its very own 9-hole miniature golf course— Port Holes. Following a fanciful Peter Pan theme, it makes a perfect pursuit for children who never want to grow up as well as for adults who come to find that they never did.

Related: The Golf Lover’s Guide to Doing Disney

Like all Disney Resorts, the pool scene at Vero Beach dominates as the favored on-premises pastime. Their wavy-like Mickey Mouse-shaped Feature Pool, set at a constant 82 degrees, is a wonderful watery delight to enjoy on its own, but when accompanied by the thrilling 163-foot, two-story Pirate’s Plunge Pool Side, the experience gets amplified to a whole other level. There’s also the nearby Tiger Lily Wet Play Area—a refreshing favorite for the Resort’s littlest Guests, as well as a whirlpool spa on the grounds.

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort offers up various activities to Guests regularly. They even host Movies Under the Stars events nightly along with numerous poolside activities in addition, like campfires, smores, and more. And for even more diversions, plenty of additional ongoing activities are awaiting you within the resident Community Hall.

Related: Making the Most of Walt Disney World Resort Recreations

The Most of the Coast and Beyond

While the pool may dominate the Resort scene, having fun on the coast “shorely” takes the cake. That’s what coming here is all about, after all, which is why there is even a direct entry way from hotel to beach reserved exclusively for Guests. Set up a blanket, splash around in the waves, or even rent a boogie board or one of many other water crafts while you’re at it. Or perhaps you just want to stroll along the bucolic beaches, still largely undeveloped and adorned with the novelties of nature at its finest.

Beyond the beaches, the greater Vero Beach area offers up plenty in the way of extended explorations. Take in all the quaint sites around the community, including small local boutiques and charming small-town novelties galore. Additionally, you will find well-known outlet stores within close range as well. Other highlights include a host of dining and entertainment venues to take in. But in keeping things more pristine and centered on nature, consider all other existing areas of this liking to explore, including many parks and havens for wildlife. Indian River Lagoon is even right in the vicinity, playing host to more than 30 different exotic species to Florida, some of which are endangered. It is also home to one-third of the nation’s manatee population.

Related: How to Add Magical Florida Manatee Encounters to Your Disney World Vacation

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort truly offers up a marvel of possibilities for those who enjoy the impeccable quality service that comes templated with any Disney Resort minus that nagging, underlying feeling of needing to commit to juggling Park and Resort time accordingly. But because of its convenient range to Walt Disney World Resort (while not being too close), staying here does still open the possibility for making the trek as a noncommittal day trip outing to the Parks, if you so choose. That’s an attribute that other Disney Resorts just can’t compete with, and just one of the many reasons for why Disney’s Vero Beach Resort remains an uncontested hidden gem along the Atlantic Treasure Coast.