Wind & Waves Grill — Restaurant in Florida

We took our 7 year old and 8 month old to the character breakfast on 9/7. Before getting into the bad I will definitely mention the good things first. Goofy and Pluto were great! They made sure every table was greeted and had quality time with them and got as many pictures as possible. You could tell all the kids were having a blast with the two of them. The atmosphere is Disney-like meaning it was a very happy place for the kids. The entrance to the resort is welcoming and beautiful. We had never been before so I went to the front desk to find out where we needed to go. Those ladies greeted me and were very friendly and walked us over to the Grill. I had made a reservation but we still had to wait for a table, no big deal, it wasn't a long wait. The front staff and the staff who seated us were very nice and helpful but to say we were disappointed after being seated is an understatement. The service was horrible after being seated. We waited almost 20 minutes to meet our waitress and order our drinks and then another 10 minutes to get them. Another 10-15 minutes went by and the waitress dropped off our bread basket and took our order. The items in the bread basket were all dry like they have been sitting out to long. We smothered them with jelly and butter to make them a little moist. When she dropped off our bread basket she also took our order; I ordered the blueberry pancakes, my 7 year old ordered Mickey Mouse waffles, fruit and sausage and my husband ordered a meat omelet with potatoes. We had to ask a hostess that was walking by to get my daughter some syrup for the waffles. As much money as this cost, I would've thought the portions would've been a little larger. The waffles were the size of the mini waffles you can make in a hotel complimentary breakfast. The omelet was did not have much flavor. My pancakes were good, they gave me 3-it was probably the only good thing. For $105 (not including tip) the food choices and the food portion was disappointing as well as the service our waitress provided. She had 3 tables including us. She never once stopped by to check if everything was alright, if we needed refills or if anything was needed. We did not see her again until it was time to drop off our bill. I had to get up and get a to go box because she was off and running before I could ask for one; she did not offer one (even though I had a pancake left over) or if we'd like a drink to go. I have gotten better service at Applebee's. I don't plan on going back here. We can get better food and service at other...

This is straight up a higher end Disney restaurant with all the amenities and service you expect. We were here during Covid-19 and they are taking it seriously. All the staff wear masks and they are doing enhanced cleaning. We were here for my oldest child's birthday and I had to make the reservation through the Open Table app. I am happy to say that I have already been using it which made it easier. Because of the limited seating you definitely want to make a reservation in advance to insure a place. Things are a lot different than they used to be around here and it was our first visit since the remodel a few years ago. The restaurant has a more seafood orientated theme now but there are still a few things I can have off the menu. We were greeted by cheerful cast members a the front and seated immediately. Our server was very friendly and informed us that we did not have to wear our masks at the table. I told here we would wear them when any member of staff was around for everyone's safety. She thanked us for that courtesy. She was very friendly and appropriately attentive throughout our meal. A chef was brought to our table to address my allergies and other digestive issues. As usual they were very friendly and helpful. They helped put together a meal that I could safely eat and enjoy. My oldest whose birthday it was got the pan-roasted chicken with sweet potato risotto, haricot vert, balsamic-blueberry chicken jus and cornbread crumble. To my surprise they ate it all in one sitting. My youngest got the grilled salmon with cornbread panzanella, beets, grilled fennel, mushroom and thyme-cranberry vinaigrette. I am not much of a fish fan and I liked it. I ended up with a filet, butterflied with a house made steak sauce, green beans and mashed potatoes. Everything was perfectly prepared with wonderful flavors. After dinner they brought my oldest a birthday cupcake and my youngest got the Signature Turtle Sundae with dulce de leche ice cream, toasted pecan-chocolate bark, waffle cone bits and 2 solid chocolate turtles. i love vacationing at better resorts like Disney's as I always get great service and I can count on the food being top notch. You pay more for the better restaurants but in the end it is...

So ....you're the coach of the swim team and your kid is on the team: are you the kind of coach that is harder on your kid than any other swimmer, or do you cut her slack and think everything she does is perfect? I'm cut from the cloth of the former. No free rides in our family.

So how does this relate to my review? I was on the team that helped build the Disney Vero Beach resort years ago when I worked for Disney, therefore every time I come on property I'm extra critical of the property, staff, interior finishes, service, food, etc. Therefore my review is taken through that lens.

I could find no fault..and I dined here within a week of the hurricanes pummeling Florida... with Hurricane Maria still offshore ripping up the sea.

Dinner: I ordered the snapper: The size of the fillet was extra large, cooked perfectly ..crispy skin and juicy inside, lying on a bed of fresh corn kernels and potatoes which were perfectly cooked ...el denté. Also had clams and andouille sausage set around the dish and a lovely light broth.

Service was fantastic. Disney does such a beautiful job employing local people in the community, and their level of training is superb. I particularly respect the fact they employ generally an older workforce (we will all be there one day), and they have the patience and sophistication to deliver brillant service. The dining areas have recently been refurbished and are a perfect compliment to the setting on Vero Beach; spotless, clean and chic.

The only improvement I would recommend is more innovative bread (kind of bland), and to change the music playing during dinner to something perhaps more indicative of a relaxing beach venue. Rock or salsa music is not adding to the ambience ...it somewhat distracting. Everyone is tired at the end of the day, and ready to wind down; so the music should compliment that. I suggest using some of the beautiful songs Disney has license to!

Well done Vero Beach F&B team.. you are keeping the...