We're back and I'm in Love

[DISNEYFOURME]

We're back from our first trip to Vero and I am so in Love with that resort!! We started our trip on 8/8 and stayed the first night at AllStar Music. Having only taken this trip and a trip in March as DVC members, it is already hard to stay at the value resorts! Our plan was to stay there so we wouldn't have to drive after an already exhausting travel day. Of course, as long as we were there I suggested we take the bus to see BLT. We snooped around there a bit. I wasn't overly impressed with the fact that you have to check into the Contemporary and not use the lobby that all the preview pics showed. Plus it appears if you want to eat you have to go next door as well. But of course, this is just my opinion.

Anyway, since we were sooooo close to the MK I suggested my family wait and watch the fireworks from outside the park while I used my AP and went in. (When we were there in March we only bought one AP to take advantage of the Tables in Wonderland). So they took a seat and I excitedly went in. Well the problem was the electrical parade was going on so trying to move anywhere was crazy. I veered right and went to Buzz Lightyear. The sign showed a 20 minute wait. While waiting I called and checked in with my family. I started to feel guilty that I was IN and they weren't...lol. After the ride I realized all the nearby rides were closed (Space Mountain, People Mover) so I headed back into the mess and picked up a snack and went out to watch the fireworks with my family. At least I felt I got to use the AP and get a taste of the park!

The next morning we had some Mickey waffles and headed out early as we were all excited to see Vero Beach. The ride wasn't bad and we got to the resort about noon. The lobby was awesome. Our room wasn't ready yet so we went to Walmart and stocked up. While shopping we received a text that the room was ready. When we got back we opened up our OVIR and WOW!!!! The drapes were open so when we walked in, there it was.. the coolest view! We had to have gotten the best room ever. It was directly above the Green Cabin. Talk about an unobstructed view!!

We were there through August 14th. We had awesome weather. Only one night did it rain and it was by the time we were done at the pool and beach anyway. We would start each day watching the sun rise and DH would go and put out our beach umbrella and blanket. We'd eat in the room, lather up in sunscreen and then bounce back between the pool and the beach. The activities for the kids were great. Everything from free pool slide races to $10Mickey plates. My kids are 7 and 12. They did activities every day. It was nice that they were old enough that they would go and participate and be occupied for half an hour to an hour at a time. Thursday was free mini golf so we played a half dozen games of that as well. We attended both campfires and enjoyed the songs and smores. The girls weren't too thrilled about swimming in the ocean but did go in about knee deep and liked to build sand castles. In fact, looking back, never once did we hear them complain they were bored!!

On Monday we did the Pirate dinner at Shutters. The food was good and no one left hungry. It is a bit pricey (typical Disney) but we aren't sorry we went. We got some good pics with Goofy and Donald. It looks like it was a nice restaurant. We never made it back during our trip but would try it again for a lunch/dinner. One afternoon we did try the pound of peel and eat shrimp. Be sure to warn your kids that they still have "legs"! Mine were pretty freaked out and I had to eat more than my share of shrimp!! We did travel once to Mr. Manatees. I have read a lot of good reviews. I didn't think it was anything special and wouldn't make another trip there. Price was decent.

The only snag was when my DH went to bbq the food we had bought from Walmart. Our plan was to buy burgers, hotdogs and some chicken and cook them all up for dinners/lunches for the week. He drove across the street to the grills (wouldn't suggest walking!) with the cooler. He walked in the heat carrying the cooler from the car. He found no grills. He walked back to the car and found a CM. That CM told him to follow him and proceeded to take him to the same location. Still no grills. Apparently the grills were either removed or stolen and neither that CM nor the Resort Manager were aware of this. They apologized and directed him to a long walk across the pond to another set of grills. It all worked out. DH wasn't thrilled as it was happening but he would do it again next trip. It was nice to have chicken salad and some quick reheated dogs/hamburgers at a fraction of the cost.

It was the most relaxing trip we have taken. We are the commando style Disney visitors and I was afraid we would be bored. The time we spent was just enough. We did over pack as we lived in our bathing suits! I packed the suggested bug spray for the noseeums. Of course I was the only one who used it and I still have the bug bite souveniers!! Our last day we found a few families to pass our sand and water toys on to.

Our next trip is set for our first visit "HOME" to AKV in March and then we need to decide for our 2nd shorter trip in August do we go back to this place we all fell in love with our do we try HHI? It makes me wonder how can anything top this trip? We have 5 months to decide and book. I will be stalking these boards for the advice I have come to count on! So now I sit and watch the slide show on my 'puter of the sunsets and memories and start the countdown all over again!

[mikeandkarla]

We have been to VB 2 years in a row and 2010 will be 3! Initially we also planned to go to HHI the second year, however, after our first stay at VB, we decided VB was just our style. Love that resort.

[bobbiwoz]

We love VB too, and have our second "all family" trip there coming up next year, but DH and I go more often. VWL was our first DVC stay, and VB was our second. DH always thinks we "need more VB points" every time he goes there.

Bobbi

[hygienejean]

We have stayed there twice and I agree, it is gorgeous! We ended up buying Vero points after the last trip! We usually stay 3 nights and I think 4 would be perfect. How long did you stay?

[nunzia]

I've never thought about VB much..sounds like a good trip to try one day!

[DISNEYFOURME]

Originally Posted by hygienejean

We have stayed there twice and I agree, it is gorgeous! We ended up buying Vero points after the last trip! We usually stay 3 nights and I think 4 would be perfect. How long did you stay?

We stayed 5 nights at Vero and thought that was perfect. We had an exhausting summer with our daughter's travel softball team so it felt wonderful to sit and rewind those days!! I miss it!!

[Goofy's apprentice]

We have stayed at Vero a number of times, always in the Cottages, thanks to a friends larger point balance ! We love it. It is so easy to move between the beach and the pool. Since we were there only for three - four days each time, we really didn't venture much off the resort. Took turns cooking in the cottage and just relaxed the rest of the time !

[mathgeek]

We went for the first time this summer. Initially I had to convice DH to go, but now he's asking to go back! Definitely loved that you can just walk out the door in your swimsuit to be outside at the pool or beach all day!

[Tara]

Glad to hear you enjoyed Vero so much!

Originally Posted by DISNEYFOURME

I suggested we take the bus to see BLT. We snooped around there a bit. I wasn't overly impressed with the fact that you have to check into the Contemporary and not use the lobby that all the preview pics showed. Plus it appears if you want to eat you have to go next door as well. But of course, this is just my opinion.

Funny, I see this mentioned a lot, but as far as I can tell, the ONLY DVC where dining options are under the same roof as the villas and you don't have to go outdoors is AKV. BWV has dining under the same roof technically, but you have to go outside, while VWL isn't under the same roof, but at least the walk is all covered. All other DVCs at WDW require you to leave the building where your villa is and go outside to get to dining options. BLT lacks dining under the same roof, but at least you don't have to go outside (and if you get on the monorail, you can get to many other dining options without going outside).

Of course, to each their own - it just strikes me as funny that this gets mentioned as a negative. If only this were enough to get people staying Nov 6-8 to cancel their stays so my waitlist would come through!

[Gowahoowa]

Originally Posted by mikeandkarla

We have been to VB 2 years in a row and 2010 will be 3! Initially we also planned to go to HHI the second year, however, after our first stay at VB, we decided VB was just our style. Love that resort.

We have been twice and love it. The first time for 2 nights and this year for 3 nights. Both times we went after a week plus at the VWL. Both times in ocean view rooms that were awesome. It was a great "vacation from our vacation".

[Tink-n-Belle]

We love VB too. We have stayed there 3 times and Feb will be our 4th trip!!

We only spend 2 nights there right after Disney and before going to my mothers in the FT Lauderdale area. Its nice because its only a 2 hour drive from Disney and only 2 hours from my mothers!!!

It is a really nice resort, in fact its Disney best kept secret-- so don't tell too many people, because I don't own points there!!

[rockydek]

We are going to Vero next May.... for our first trip.
My husband is concerned, that we will be bored...we go to WDW every year. I thought it would be different to do the beach.
We are inviting my brothers family 3 kids ages 17,13,11 I hope they have plenty to keep them busy.
My brother and his wife are looking forward to relaxing.
After reading this .....it sounds like we are going to love it.
I can't wait.

Does anyone know if the living room has a sleeper chair in the dedicated two bedrooms?
We are trying to figure out the sleeping arrangments for all 7 of us.

Thanks!