Live TR - the 35 night trip!

[dbs1228]

Just told my DH we are going to Vero Beach! Thanks for the TR!

 

[Mick@Tink]

Great TR! I am so envious of you 35 day vacation! Just 4-1/2 years left until one of these extended vacations myself.

 

[starbox]

I am going to vero in Sept for the first time and you trip report is making me very impatient....maybey you could be our guide

That would be so fun! Hope you can get a couple of ideas from the TR that make your trip even more magical!


You will love it!!!


Today turned out to be a perfect beach day. The ocean has been kinda seaweed-y, but today it was crystal clear and calm. We were out from 11-5.
It was lovely. Tomorrow we will head to AKV for a few days - we're hoping to use pool-hopping privileges the day we check out to visit the CMs at VB! dD really wants to say hi to MaryAnn. It does feel a little weird to not be at the DVC resort - especially since we are close enough to see it!

 

[ccigliano]

Wow - what a great summer vacation. Have a wonderful time and I'm planning to live vicariously through you so keep the pictures coming. Your children are adorable.

 

[Mahusky]

Hey Starbox make sure you enjoy Oriente or that Gloria Estaphan place or are they the same!

Im glad you straightened me out on that one!

Very envious .... enjoy!

 

[starbox]

Hey Starbox make sure you enjoy Oriente or that Gloria Estaphan place or are they the same!

Im glad you straightened me out on that one!

Very envious .... enjoy!

I am hoping to eat there this week!

So, we are back from 3 nights in Kidani! I've only stayed at Jambo, and I thought I reserved Jambo again - but - surprise! It was Kidani! I've got mixed feelings about Kidani because I love Jambo. The room was definitely larger and nicer, and I thought the savanna was very good - but - I missed the grandeur of Jambo and the ease of Mara/Zawadi. We were also in room 7776 and oh my goodness - those halls. They are sooooooo long.

Lots of updates coming - including Summer Nightastic and pool hopping to Vero!

 

[3amigos]

Enjoying your trip report. Looking forward to hearing more.

 

[starbox]

We checked into Kidani around 3 on Sunday and our room was ready. We had a savanna-view studio almost at the end of the hallway that we started calling the Kidani jungle trek.

The room was in great condition - quite different from our studio at BLT that was showing signs of heavy wear and tear. I loved the addition of the proverb and butterfly.

We did not have any set plans for the night, but the CM at checkin told us it was opening night of summer Nightastic, so off we went to the MK. it was really, really hot - but well worth it. We attended the P&P party, so we had seen the fireworks, but they are so amazing. I am glad more people will be able to experience them.

The next two days we were park commandos! We hit 4parks in 3 nights and did EMH every night. I can't remember the last time we spent so much time in the parks. It was fun, but I was worn out!

 

[starbox]

We left AKV early today because I was anxious to try pool hopping at Vero. We love the CMs at the resort and it just holds a special place in my heart.

Pool hopping was very easy, and unlike our experiences hopping elsewhere, the CMs at Vero totally knew what we were talking about when we asked to hop. We checked in at the gatehouse and were told where to park andvthat they'd explain hopping inside. The front desk CM was very nice and asked to see both my KTTW card and blue membership card. She then gave me a gate key "day pass" with our name, party size, and date on it. We were offered beach/pool towels. At Eb and Flo's, we just showed the day pass to sign up for recreation since we did not have a room number.

The resort was lovely and very busy. Lots of families! The beach is weird though with the giant ledge of sand. Don't really understand why they did that, as there is no ledge of sand just a tiny bit down. . The sea was very, very rough and much warmer this afternoon. It is so strange how it changes from day to day.
Ledge of sand

Rough Surf

Happy Vero kids

 

[starbox]

Lots of turtles offshore yesterday. One came within about 10 feet of the kids - very cool. They've attended so many turtle education programs that they immediately gave it plenty of space. We are thinking we may see evidence of nesting today. The ATVs were out yesterday morning marking nests, but so far there is only one marked where we tend to camp out.

The surf was very nice yesterday, clear and warmer with waves wild enough to be fun but not so wild that they were scary.

 

[magicmommy]

Really enjoying your TR. What a great experience for your family!

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, LOVING your updates!! I will definitely be visiting VERO one day. Joan

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Loving your trip report. Have been making notes on places to visit, things to do. We will be down for our second VB trip July 10. Can't wait.

 

[sherylcin]

Subbing! Your TR is a great advertisement for Vero. We haven't been there yet but it may be moving up on our list!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

WOW... You draw the crowds girl. Your view/reply counts are off the charts. Hope everything about your trip is magical. Your children are growing fast mama. So, I understand you have summer break, but how is your husband working out 5 weeks off? Subs & Lays?

 

[starbox]

Hi, LOVING your updates!! I will definitely be visiting VERO one day. Joan

Loving your trip report. Have been making notes on places to visit, things to do. We will be down for our second VB trip July 10. Can't wait.

Subbing! Your TR is a great advertisement for Vero. We haven't been there yet but it may be moving up on our list!

I am thrilled to be sharing the Vero love! DVCers should experience it at least once. It's such a unique beach experience because it so undeveloped and unspoiled, and the DVC resort is so friendly and fun.

WOW... You draw the crowds girl. Your view/reply counts are off the charts. Hope everything about your trip is magical. Your children are growing fast mama. So, I understand you have summer break, but how is your husband working out 5 weeks off? Subs & Lays?

. The kids are really big aren't they? Remember the old Vero photos - I think DD was 6 the first year we went. Time flies.

DH got approval to take a mini- sabbatical with the understanding that his 13year overdue dissertation/thesis for his Masters of Divinity will be completed.
He is actually working until 6 everyday - no beach or Disney for him, but we do get ice cream at night and he takes Saturdays off to play with us.

 

[starbox]

Today ended up being very eventful at the beach! We saw a large manatee that came very close - about 20feet away. He was close enough to see his face when he came up for air. It was very, very cool - I've never been that close before.

The weather has been beautiful for the past three days, and the ocean was warm and mostly calm today. We spent most of the day at the beach, then went back for an evening walk with DH.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Today ended up being very eventful at the beach! We saw a large manatee that came very close - about 20feet away. He was close enough to see his face when he came up for air. It was very, very cool - I've never been that close before.

Oh wow ! Amazing ! I am so jealous starbox. I cannot tell you how many days we have spent along the FL coast (from Sebastian, Melbourne to Vero........). We can never get a glimpse of anything. We look for sea turtles, gators, manatees, dolphins.......ONE time for about 20 seconds we spotted a dolphin fin at VB. I've actually sat on the beach with binoculars hoping to spot something....lol I am so glad you are having such a fantastic trip. Love reading of your adventures and seeing your photos. HAVE FUN !!!!

Maria

 

[starbox]

Oh wow ! Amazing ! I am so jealous starbox. I cannot tell you how many days we have spent along the FL coast (from Sebastian, Melbourne to Vero........). We can never get a glimpse of anything. We look for sea turtles, gators, manatees, dolphins.......ONE time for about 20 seconds we spotted a dolphin fin at VB. I've actually sat on the beach with binoculars hoping to spot something....lol I am so glad you are having such a fantastic trip. Love reading of your adventures and seeing your photos. HAVE FUN !!!!

Maria

Maria - try the sea turtle walk at Sebastian Inlet State Park - it was very cool.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Maria - try the sea turtle walk at Sebastian Inlet State Park - it was very cool.

Thanks Starbox.....we were actually at the Sebastian Inlet state park on May 4. But we hadn't made reservations for the official tour. But we walked all along there and visited a few conservation/museum places---we did see a black racer snake and some small crabs !

We will have to schedule the turtle walk for sure in the future

Maria