Is anyone having any luck with short notice ressies these days?

[starbox]

Hey Photobob:

I know you've been to Gulf Shores/Orange Beach.

How would you compare a trip to Vero to a trip to the Alabama coast?

Is it worth the long drive to Vero?

I'm not Photobob - but FWIW,

My brother is a doctor in Alabama and owns a river house 15 miles from Gulf Shores that we frequently use. Being a beach fan, , I was SO excited when he bought the house because I though we'd use it to go to the beach.
Surprisingly, on our last trip we went to beach once. (Although we did go into Gulf Shores for goofy golf at night once). There's tons of the beach-tourist stuff - like airbrushing, mini-golf, go-carts, Alvin's Magic Mall.

But I'm not a big fan of the actual beach there. There's not very good public access and it's very crowded and, when we were there, it was dirty (lots of cigarette butts and trash) and no waves. No shells.

We ended up preferring being in the river/springs. There's a lot to do in the surrounding areas, and Point Clear is a really cool little resort town - so we like going to Alabama as much as possible - just not big fans of the beach itself.

(However - if you are up for it - there's a state park with beach houses you can rent very reasonably).

 

[iteachlit]

I called July 18 for two nights (Aug. 23--24) in a studio. They had OKW and SSR available. We went with SSR because of the couch, as it's just the two of us this trip.

We leave tomorrow morning.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm doing the same deal the second week of Nov. !

Yes, it was your post that gave me the idea!! Thank you, thank you!!!

Bobbi

 

[katep]

In July we were able to book a 2 bedroom at BLT for 4 nights in October.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'm not Photobob - but FWIW,

My brother is a doctor in Alabama and owns a river house 15 miles from Gulf Shores that we frequently use. Being a beach fan, , I was SO excited when he bought the house because I though we'd use it to go to the beach.
Surprisingly, on our last trip we went to beach once. (Although we did go into Gulf Shores for goofy golf at night once). There's tons of the beach-tourist stuff - like airbrushing, mini-golf, go-carts, Alvin's Magic Mall.

But I'm not a big fan of the actual beach there. There's not very good public access and it's very crowded and, when we were there, it was dirty (lots of cigarette butts and trash) and no waves. No shells.

We ended up preferring being in the river/springs. There's a lot to do in the surrounding areas, and Point Clear is a really cool little resort town - so we like going to Alabama as much as possible - just not big fans of the beach itself.

(However - if you are up for it - there's a state park with beach houses you can rent very reasonably).

Not to go too much OT, but...my sister and bil REALLY LOVE Gulf Shores. We went with them this past July. BIL has toyed with buying a vero contract because of the low contract price. (I disagree) Anyway, I've told him that he should really be willing to stay at Vero if they buy there. So my question was...would you drive another 8 or 10 hours to get to Vero over going to Gulf Shores.

Sis & Bil rented a 2 bdrm condo on the beach at G.S. for $1800. I just don't get it.

 

[quirty30]

I was thrilled when I called in early July and was able to book a BWV studio for 2 nights the last weekend of October, especially with F & W Festival going on at Epcot (which was my only intended park to visit.) Just a few days ago my waitlist came thru for the last night of my stay.

When I called, there were also studios available at AKV Kidani, SSR & OKW, but I couldn't resist BWV!!!!

 

[photobob]

Not to go too much OT, but...my sister and bil REALLY LOVE Gulf Shores. We went with them this past July. BIL has toyed with buying a vero contract because of the low contract price. (I disagree) Anyway, I've told him that he should really be willing to stay at Vero if they buy there. So my question was...would you drive another 8 or 10 hours to get to Vero over going to Gulf Shores.

Sis & Bil rented a 2 bdrm condo on the beach at G.S. for $1800. I just don't get it.

I am Photobob!! I really enjoyed the stay at Vero and do prefer it Gulf Shores.

Why? It is not nearly as much of a tourist trap. We can walk out on the beach and go 75 yards in either direction and basically have the beach to ourselves. I haven't had to wait for a table at a restaurant yet. The waves are generally better and every morning I see a beautiful sunrise coming over the water. Probably one of the biggest things is that we LOVE the resort. I do wish it were closer though. We did have a nice night in Orlando on the way which we will probably do again.

If you haven't already seen them here are some photos from the trip:

http://www.bobcrispphotography.com/Travel/Crisp-Prestrdige-Vero-trip/8550477_xo8MD#563164360_FEWbt

 

[JaxDisneyFans]

If you haven't already seen them here are some photos from the trip:

http://www.bobcrispphotography.com/Travel/Crisp-Prestrdige-Vero-trip/8550477_xo8MD#563164360_FEWbt

Great photos - thanks for posting.