Live from Vero Beach!

[CarolAnnC]

Happy New Year's Cindy!

Glad you are enjoying Vero. We have points there, and will be in a two bedroom next July.

Has the temperature been high? I saw Orlando hit 84 the other day, but I imagine you have that nice ocean breeze.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

IMHO - NO!!!!!! OVIRs rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have to forgive starbox.... she is sometimes hyper-active...

The studios are pretty much the same only don't have an ocean view. As SB said, you can get the king/sofa-bed in the studio, whereas, almost all the OVIRs have two queens. That said... there are 3 OVIR rooms on the 4th floor that are king/sofa combinations. Chances are probably slim to get one though.

All things considered, VB JUST ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Happy New Year's Cindy!

Glad you are enjoying Vero. We have points there, and will be in a two bedroom next July.

Has the temperature been high? I saw Orlando hit 84 the other day, but I imagine you have that nice ocean breeze.

Hi Carol! Happy New Year to you and your family, too!

It was in the high-70s here today I think - that was what the weather forecast was for and we certainly didn't break a sweat today. It's humid, though - we have a dehumidifier in our room - I don't know if that is standard or not but it's been nice to have it. I think the temp is scheduled to drop by Wednesday and then start rising again later in the week. We plan to go to Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday. The water of the ocean was COLD today (I got it on my feet) but there were people swimming and boogie-boarding, etc. Too chilly for me!

 

[nzdisneymom]

The New Year's Eve party was a blast even if we didn't stay until the big Pool Drop.

Around 8 p.m. we went out to get ice and saw Goofy, Chip and Dale in the lobby dressed in their New Year's Eve finery. DS#2 got his picture made (I'll probably post it tomorrow). It was such a different experience interacting with the characters here than at WDW. There were just a few other folks in the lobby getting pics and autographs so there wasn't a rush and not even really a queue but there was a CM there to help guide who went next.

We went down to the pool for the party a few minutes early so we found a few chairs to hang out til they were ready. Just before 9 p.m. they started letting you get party hats, noise makers, and beads and leis. All the kids were blowing their noise makers until I'm sure I lost more hearing (ha ha).

The party started with the DJ introducing Chip, Dale, and Goofy. They did some free dancing with guests for a few minutes and then the crowd joined them for the Macarena, followed by the Cha Cha Slide and then, of course, YMCA. Goofy is quite the dancer! DS#2 and I had a blast; DH and DS#1 went on back to get ice cream and then back to the room for a low-key NYE.

There was more dancing and some trivia, and then they had 10 families come aside to participate in an event scheduled for 10 p.m. During the half-hour before then, they had another contest that we did participate in with the help of two boys that were hanging out - it was a wrap-the-mummy contest where you have four rolls of toilet paper to wrap mummy-style around one of your family members. DS#2 got to be the mummy. We only got three rolls mostly done when time was up but it was so fun. DS#2 said that DS#1 really missed out because DS#1 has always wanted the opportunity to do wrap him up like a mummy.

The contest for the 10 families was hilarious. Each family was given a small plastic pail with a t-shirt wadded up inside it and frozen. The first family to get the t-shirt on one of their family-members (both arms in and over the head) would win. But you had to stay right in the immediate area and could not go to the pool, jacuzzi, etc. nor pour anything on it. And the kicker was that not only was it frozen in a block of ice, the t-shirt was knotted in a really tight wet knot inside. They allowed an hour to do it, but it took about half-an-hour for a winner. The t-shirts were pretty much shredded by the time the dads had all banged them on the pool deck trying to crack the ice. Some had towels to help, and many used body-heat. They did finally let the families go to the pool to finish getting their knots loose. Anyway, it was hilarious and loads of fun to watch.

We left shortly after that as we were hot and damp and wanted to have a chance to get ready for bed but still be up at midnight. Although the boys are starting to talk about maybe going back down just before midnight to watch or participate in the pool-drop - where they have folks line up all around the pool and jump in at midnight.

Anyway, it was a fun family evening. Would've been nice if it had been like on a cruise where they had a buffet out, too (ha ha) but either way, they throw a good party!

Happy New Year everyone!

 

[lisareniff]

Lisa - see if these will work - if not, let me know and I'll try again

Thanks Cindy! I'm such a map person. Once I see a map of an area or building, that's it, I understand it.

I have been curious about those corner rooms. They are different shape with one side (north or south) having a balcony and the other side having a windows. Some have really liked them and others have not.

It also looks like there are 3, or 4? connecting OVIR pairs on the second, with three more in the GVIRs.

I believe the room numbers start on the room next to the elevator and go around the floor in a counter clock-wise fashion. That would put your room at around number 2223? Is that correct?

Below is a photoshopped version of the 4th floor pic for comparison. Notice there are 7 OVIR connecting pairs. The king rooms Rob was talking about are on the 4th. Two are OVIR's that are located on each side of the Green Cabin room, only up on the 4th. The third one I believe is a 4th floor GVIR in the other corner of the lobby with the laundry room making up the fourth corner. These rooms have an interesting shape to them as well.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

The New Year's Eve party was a blast even if we didn't stay until the big Pool Drop.

Around 8 p.m. we went out to get ice and saw Goofy, Chip and Dale in the lobby dressed in their New Year's Eve finery. DS#2 got his picture made (I'll probably post it tomorrow). It was such a different experience interacting with the characters here than at WDW. There were just a few other folks in the lobby getting pics and autographs so there wasn't a rush and not even really a queue but there was a CM there to help guide who went next.

We went down to the pool for the party a few minutes early so we found a few chairs to hang out til they were ready. Just before 9 p.m. they started letting you get party hats, noise makers, and beads and leis. All the kids were blowing their noise makers until I'm sure I lost more hearing (ha ha).

The party started with the DJ introducing Chip, Dale, and Goofy. They did some free dancing with guests for a few minutes and then the crowd joined them for the Macarena, followed by the Cha Cha Slide and then, of course, YMCA. Goofy is quite the dancer! DS#2 and I had a blast; DH and DS#1 went on back to get ice cream and then back to the room for a low-key NYE.

There was more dancing and some trivia, and then they had 10 families come aside to participate in an event scheduled for 10 p.m. During the half-hour before then, they had another contest that we did participate in with the help of two boys that were hanging out - it was a wrap-the-mummy contest where you have four rolls of toilet paper to wrap mummy-style around one of your family members. DS#2 got to be the mummy. We only got three rolls mostly done when time was up but it was so fun. DS#2 said that DS#1 really missed out because DS#1 has always wanted the opportunity to do wrap him up like a mummy.

The contest for the 10 families was hilarious. Each family was given a small plastic pail with a t-shirt wadded up inside it and frozen. The first family to get the t-shirt on one of their family-members (both arms in and over the head) would win. But you had to stay right in the immediate area and could not go to the pool, jacuzzi, etc. nor pour anything on it. And the kicker was that not only was it frozen in a block of ice, the t-shirt was knotted in a really tight wet knot inside. They allowed an hour to do it, but it took about half-an-hour for a winner. The t-shirts were pretty much shredded by the time the dads had all banged them on the pool deck trying to crack the ice. Some had towels to help, and many used body-heat. They did finally let the families go to the pool to finish getting their knots loose. Anyway, it was hilarious and loads of fun to watch.

We left shortly after that as we were hot and damp and wanted to have a chance to get ready for bed but still be up at midnight. Although the boys are starting to talk about maybe going back down just before midnight to watch or participate in the pool-drop - where they have folks line up all around the pool and jump in at midnight.

Anyway, it was a fun family evening. Would've been nice if it had been like on a cruise where they had a buffet out, too (ha ha) but either way, they throw a good party!

Happy New Year everyone!

Cool... Hope you all do the pool drop...

So glad you are having a great time... and really, really appreciate the ongoing updates.... this is really cool to read.

 

[lisareniff]

Thats sounds like a really fun NYE! I like that pool jump idea!

A lot better then ours right now. We are hanging out watching movies and Dick Clark.

 

[drakethib]

Thanks for the photos.

Have a good time

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Thanks Cindy! I'm such a map person. Once I see a map of an area or building, that's it, I understand it.

I have been curious about those corner rooms. They are different shape with one side (north or south) having a balcony and the other side having a windows. Some have really liked them and others have not.

It also looks like there are 3, or 4? connecting OVIR pairs on the second, with three more in the GVIRs.

I believe the room numbers start on the room next to the elevator and go around the floor in a counter clock-wise fashion. That would put your room at around number 2223? Is that correct?

Below is a photoshopped version of the 4th floor pic for comparison. Notice there are 7 OVIR connecting pairs. The king rooms Rob was talking about are on the 4th. Two are OVIR's that are located on each side of the Green Cabin room, only up on the 4th. The third one I believe is a 4th floor GVIR in the other corner of the lobby with the laundry room making up the fourth corner. These rooms have an interesting shape to them as well.

You.. maam... are a logistics analyst. You are amazing.... If I want to know about floor plans.... ask Lisa... If I want to know about parking, activity schedules... ask Lisa... I just Luv-ya....

 

[isyt]

I have done July 4th and Thanksgiving in Vero. After your report I may do NYE. I love Vero and that sounds like alot of fun!!!!!

Happy New Year!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Well, we did go to the pool drop! We went back to the pool around 20 minutes til midnight, got a couple of towels from the CM handing out towels, and watched the small crowd still dancin'. About 5 minutes til, they had everyone who was jumping in the pool to line up, Cast Members and all! The boys got ready and then as the crowd counted down the last 10 seconds, everyone was excited and then SPLASH! the pool was filled with New Years revelers!

Great job, Vero Beach staffers!!! Fabulous party!!!!!!

And thanks for those who are reading along with me Happy New Year.

 

[lisareniff]

Happy New Year to you and your family!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Not much to report today as most folks were sleeping in - my boys didn't get up til after 10 a.m. but hey, it was nearly 1 a.m. before we got to sleep last night. DH went for a long run this morning and said we do need to go over to the Lake side to play horseshoes or shoot basketball.

Today is a rainy day and the temp is going to drop tonight. We were heading out for mini-golf when it started raining, so we checked out a couple of games from Eb and Flo's (Trouble and Scrabble) to keep us occupied. Of course we also brought our own Monopoly game that the boys and I have been playing since mid-November. We're going to go down to the lobby later today and find a space to play. I love how they have seating areas where you can just hang-out for a bit, especially on a damp day like today. We saw one family sitting on the porch putting together a puzzle.

But even a rainy day at the beach is still relaxing.

 

[La2kw]

You have to forgive starbox.... she is sometimes hyper-active...

The studios are pretty much the same only don't have an ocean view. As SB said, you can get the king/sofa-bed in the studio, whereas, almost all the OVIRs have two queens. That said... there are 3 OVIR rooms on the 4th floor that are king/sofa combinations. Chances are probably slim to get one though.

All things considered, VB JUST ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You.

I've only stayed at 1br units at Vero, don't you mean queen/sofa bed combos in the studios? Aren't king beds are only in the 1br and larger units? That's how the other DVC resorts are.

 

[lisareniff]

I've only stayed at 1br units at Vero, don't you mean queen/sofa bed combos in the studios? Aren't king beds are only in the 1br and larger units? That's how the other DVC resorts are.

Rob intended to say Queen/sofa in the studios. He was just overly excited about possibly staying one of the two or three Inn rooms that have a King bed (and sofa???) on his next trip to VB.

 

[La2kw]

Rob intended to say Queen/sofa in the studios. He was just overly excited about possibly staying one of the two or three Inn rooms that have a King bed (and sofa???) on his next trip to VB.

That's why I was wondering. I'd love a king/sofa bed studio!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Rob intended to say Queen/sofa in the studios. He was just overly excited about possibly staying one of the two or three Inn rooms that have a King bed (and sofa???) on his next trip to VB.

Yep, I think that was likely what I was thinking. Thanks for saving me.

 

[nzdisneymom]

4:44 PM. DH and the boys are down at the pool. It's been raining off and on all afternoon but the temperature is mild enough to be enjoyable between drizzles.

DH and DS#2 got hot dogs from Bleachers for lunch today; they said they were really good and the fries were good, too. I think we're ordering from Orchid's pizza for dinner tonight - at least that is the current plan. We don't feel like heading out off property.

DS#1 definitely got his money's worth at the mini-golf course today - he played 20 rounds in a row (by himself). He's getting better and better as the week is going on. He said that he didn't even have to ask for a ball after the third or fourth time - the CM just had one ready for him

The boys and I finished our Monopoly game in the lobby today. Several parties were checking in - it was so cool to see how excited they all are in arriving - and it's hard to believe that was us just two days ago - we've been here barely 48 hours and it seems like we've been here way more than that! What a relaxing vacation!

DS#2 and I participated in "Decorate a Holiday Treat" which was CM Rita with a few bags of cookies and tubs of icing that you could spread on them. She said it was "Mickey's Treat" and then laughed that you don't hear that term too often We made one for each of us and then took an extra cookie for DS#1 and DH who were, no surprise, on the mini-golf course.

Our next activity was the Rainy Day Scavenger hunt which was pretty fun - mostly looking at details in and around the lobby or on the information sheets that you get when you check in. We knocked it out pretty quickly and turned it in for a prize. I got a new pencil while the boys got a slap bracelet and a yo-yo (holiday themed stuff from Oriental Trading).

No pictures today - it's been damp and dreary so I haven't taken my camera around. As always, if you have any questions or need information from here, I'll be glad to see what I can find out for you.

Thanks for joining us this week

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Hope the weather turns better tomorrow. Glad you all are having a great time. If it turns out rainy tomorrow you might want to put a bug in their ears to open up the movie theatre and show some Disney movies. I have only seen them do that once, and that was during a tropical storm, but they do have a theatre up the north corridor of the lobby. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I wondered what was behind those doors!!! It makes sense that there might be a movie theater there. We were actually talking about going to see National Treasure 2 if we end up staying here... looks like the mall is about 15 minute drive from here (assuming we go the direct route instead of the scenic route we took the other night).

ETA: We did go out to the mall tonight for dinner after all - at TGI Friday which is by the AMC Movie Theater at Indian River Mall on hwy 60. It's about a 25-30-minute drive from the Resort - about 16 miles.