Mixing rain and in-laws at VB trip report with pics

[lenshanem]

VB Memorial Day getaway (5/29/05 - 6/2/05)
VacationEars - me, DH, DD7, DD4, FIL, MIL, BIL and SIL

We finally tried out VB and we loved it. Course the in-laws were with us and it rained most of the trip, but that is another story…

Sunday -
We drove to Cocoa Beach going the turnpike and were amazed at the amount of tolls! Holy cow! How many was that - like 6 or so?!? Got to Holiday Inn Express right off I-95 and spent the night. It was decent and a nice stop since we wanted to make the most of the next day after we checked into VB.

Monday (Memorial Day) -
It took about an hour to get to VB. We checked in (The CM was very nice!) and went to the pool since our rooms weren’t ready. It was hot so my in-laws decided to go see a movie instead, which was a shame since that turned out to really be our only sunny day. Girls loved the pool, slide and Tiger Lily ship. They had a DJ playing and life was good. They had a cute Patriotic Pinwheel Hunt that the girls enjoyed, too. DD7 made a friend immediately and they played together the entire trip. Her dad told DH a few years back they came to VB and have been back every Memorial Day since.

Ours rooms were ready around 3. GREAT ROOMS! We were in the Inn, rooms 2212, 2211 and 2210. They were all nonsmoking rooms with tubs, both requests met. BIL and SIL had 2210 with a view of the entrance, but both FIL and MIL and our room had a view of the pool and ocean. (I had booked garden view rooms.) FIL and MIL were in the corner room (2211) and it was HUGE! It wrapped around the side of the building. Unfortunately I booked 3 separate rooms instead of a 2 bedroom cause I wanted some privacy, so ironically FIL and MIL’s room connected to ours. Go figure. That was AWESOME of VB to put us all together, though. All 3 rooms had a dehumidifier (Is this still because of the hurricanes?), but were in nice condition. We loved being on the second floor, we could walk up the steps to our room and go to the Green Cabin Room for refills on our mugs. (Great deal!)

Side note - The beach access was finished, open and very nice. Roof work was still being done on the Inn building on the side opposite the pool and never once bothered us. They had it nicely covered up so you couldn’t see any work being done.

That night we went to the Green Cabin Room for drinks and pizza, but I had to leave early cause DD7 came down with an awful headache. She ended up getting sick on the bed shortly after! The CMs were great and brought us up fresh bedding and towels. Amazingly her headache then vanished (Was it from being out in the sun all day?!?) and she begged to go to the campfire. I was hesitant, but decided to walk down with her. After a couple songs, the lightening started. YIKES! They handed out smores to take back to our rooms to microwave and that is when the bad weather started…(The bugs are awful! Poor SIL got eaten alive despite the bug spray I brought along. Luckily, the spray did the trick for us and we only got a few bites. SIL was COVERED.)

Tuesday -
Guys left early to go on a fishing excursion. They had a great time and I’d be happy to share the fishing info if anyone wants to PM me. They ended up coming back early cause another storm had started. In-laws took the girls down to Shutters for lunch while I went back to the room to take a shower with privacy! (Man, I hated those connecting doors!) So anyway, here we are at VB and in a tornado watch. DANG! I always love being stuck inside with the in-laws! DD7 was disappointed cause they cancelled the SnorkelEars activity I had signed her up for. She was really looking forward to that.

I really liked our pool view cause we could always see what was going on down there. It was also nice being in the Inn cause they moved alot of activities inside there. (Only thing about VB I didn’t like was the lack of internal or covered walkways to the Community Hall and Eb & Flo’s.) Girls did several activities in the lobby and we rented a couple of movies. I thought the shop was pretty cute and it filled my Disney obsession enough. (Got the new pins!)

We ate at Shutters that night (I had made a PS.) and it was very good. They cooked DD7’s fries in separate oil due to her allergies and I was very impressed. They also brought her a safe dessert, although it was pretty tasteless! It was a nice meal and everyone was friendly there. I took the girls to the lobby to watch TV in the kid area while everyone finished their meals. My youngest can’t sit for very long - actually she can’t sit ever. Then we went to bed…

Wednesday -
Another rainy day… DH picked up a “Rainy Day Activities” list from the front desk and then signed the girls up for the Un-Birthday Party at Eb & Flo’s in the pouring rain. Then DH and I took turns getting massages. (I had made reservations for them before the trip.) It was great, but like always I heard all about how bad my back is. Yep, I hold ALL my stress right in the ole’ back. DH then played in Blinker’s Arcade and now has a bunch of tokens left over. (Can we use these at WDW?)

Girls did sand casting out on the porch and LOVED it, then everyone left the resort to go have lunch at the Lobster Shanty (Bleachers never seemed to be open cause of the weather and Sonya’s was closed the entire time!) while I took the girls to the Un-Birthday Party. Again, I was impressed they were prepared for DD7 and her food allergies. Afterward, DD7 went to Intro to Harmonica. That tuned out to be a HUGE hit! She is STILL playing that thing!

We were all gonna hook up for bingo, but the sun peeked out for a bit so we took the girls down to the beach and pool. It was a great kite flying afternoon! The beach also has great seashells! After cleaning up, we headed out to see a VB Dodgers game…

Wow, what a dump Dodgertown is! YUCK! DH is baseball obsessed, though and thought it was great. That is what makes this place special he said. UH?!?

Thursday -
After packing up we decided to go down to the beach and pool before heading for home while the in-laws went to breakfast at Shutters. It was cloudy, but we were determined to get in a little swim time before the storm hit again. DH and BIL got to play shuffleboard and I slipped into the spa for a bit. (We never got to play miniature golf cause it was either too hot or flooded from all the rain.)

We decided to drive back to Atlanta going straight up I-95 and skipping the turnpike. It took about the same amount of time and we didn’t hit all those tolls!

Conclusion? I can’t wait to go back with just MY family. I loved it. Even DH who is not a huge pool / beach type of person said he could easily stay a week. The girls had a great time even with all the rain. It really is a great family resort. I would also like to see more of Vero. I only left the resort once to go to Dodgertown at night. I would like to see that treasure museum and eat at Captain Hiram’s… Guess I’ll have to book another trip! Anyone got any extra points?!?

DD7

DD4

View from our room - tornado watch!

Sunset at Dodgertown - who would have guessed this place is a dump?!?

 

[lllovell]

Sounds like overall you had a wonderful time despite the rain and connecting rooms with the in-laws!

Thanks for sharing the details and your girls are BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

[megrod74]

Shannon -
As always I enjoyed reading your trip report. Thanks! I plan to never go anywhere on points with my in-laws, so good for you for giving it a try!

Pretty pics!

 

[tinkgrl]

Shan,

Great report!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

Ms. Sparrow aka Allison

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

Wish you had more sun on your trip I really enjoyed your VB report! I haven't been yet and look forward to a trip someday. Have you checked out every DVC yet?

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks everyone.

Lisa, I'm taking my girls and Mom to SSR in a couple weeks. That will leave only HH left to visit! Then I will have completed the DVC circuit.
Unfortunately, HH is not on my "master plans" in the next few years...

 

[ErinC]

Shan, sounds like you had a good time despite the weather. Hopefully you and your Mom will have better weather in a few weeks. Sorry that the inlaws were right next door! We've taken my parents to WDW twice now, and DH's sister twice, and had a great time with both. When DH's parents retire in 2 years we will "owe" them at least one trip. DH and his parents all work in a family business so there is no way that we can travel anywhere together, one or the other has to be here at all times. I don't think that I will enjoy the trip when it comes time to go. My MIL will be a park commando, and I'll probably need a vacation from the vacation when it is over. Otherwise they are great and we get along. How did you feel about Vero before you went? I just can't see being so close to Disney and not going! Of course we have the beach here, and I grew up in south Florida with the beach, so it doesn't WOW me like most people. But I would like to try all the DVC resorts at one time or another. Thanks again for the report.

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

Lisa, I'm taking my girls and Mom to SSR in a couple weeks. That will leave only HH left to visit! Then I will have completed the DVC circuit. Unfortunately, HH is not on my "master plans" in the next few years...

I'm surprised about HH, is it because it is right in your backyard and you've been to the area before? Hope y'all have a great time on the SSR trip

 

[lenshanem]

How did you feel about Vero before you went? I just can't see being so close to Disney and not going!

Funny, on the drive back home DH was stumped as to why I didn't pack our APs, given they expired a few days later.
I guess the thought crossed his mind to cruise on over...

I'm surprised about HH, is it because it is right in your backyard and you've been to the area before?

Actually I was born in Savannah and still have relatives there, but I've only been to HHI a few times. It would probably only take about 5 hours to get there I think from Atlanta? It just doesn't seem high on my list for some reason.

 

[lisareniff]

Thanks for the trip report!
How were the Inn rooms instead of the villas? We are planning on going to Vero next Feb and are trying to decide between 2 Inn Rooms (connecting ocean view) or a 2 bedroom. What accomadations would you do with your family next time?

 

[Beth]

Thanks for the trip report, Shan. Sounds like you guys had a great time!

Were you able to find a birthday cake?

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks for the trip report!
How were the Inn rooms instead of the villas? We are planning on going to Vero next Feb and are trying to decide between 2 Inn Rooms (connecting ocean view) or a 2 bedroom. What accomadations would you do with your family next time?

Lisa, that is a tough call... Given we had all that rain I must say I really liked being in the Inn. They moved the activities into this building and it really made things easy. Plus, the store was there to grab movies, the restaurants there to eat and get our mugs refilled...

Only thing that would have been nice was in a villa you would have the full kitchen if you plan on cooking alot, but we always get by fine with the kitchenette. There was a laundry up on the top floor of the Inn, so even then you wouldn't have to walk out into the rain.

With the villas you wouldn't be guaranteed an ocean view. Can you get the connecting Inn rooms guaranteed, though?

Good luck! It was a really nice place!

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks for the trip report, Shan. Sounds like you guys had a great time!

Were you able to find a birthday cake?

Hey Beth!

Nope, never got the cake. That is one thing I could never get an answer to or even a call back on. I just gave up. Given the cupcakes at the Un-Birthday Party and the rolls at Shutters couldn't be guaranteed as safe, I imagine the cakes wouldn't be safe either for nut allergies.

Nobody will really guarantee nut free cakes anymore. We used to get cakes at Publix, but even they stopped guaranteeing and I know someone who had a reaction a year or so ago from one of their cakes.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

WOW! Thanx for the great report, Shan.

I am very happy to to hear that you liked VB!

Just my opinion, but I like the Vero resort way better than the Hilton Head resort.

MG

 

[lisareniff]

Lisa, that is a tough call... Given we had all that rain I must say I really liked being in the Inn. They moved the activities into this building and it really made things easy. Plus, the store was there to grab movies, the restaurants there to eat and get our mugs refilled...

Only thing that would have been nice was in a villa you would have the full kitchen if you plan on cooking alot, but we always get by fine with the kitchenette. There was a laundry up on the top floor of the Inn, so even then you wouldn't have to walk out into the rain.

With the villas you wouldn't be guaranteed an ocean view. Can you get the connecting Inn rooms guaranteed, though?

I'm leaning toward the 2 OVIR's, but no they will not guarantee that they will be connected. That's the biggest down side. We may be taking DD's friend along with us, so that would make us a family of 5, which might help. When looking at the room map of the 4th floor, there were 7 OVIR connecting pairs out of 21 or 22 rooms, so there is a fairly good chance they COULD preassign us to a connecting room. Hey, they did for your group! I guess I would be willing to chance it and just split-up with DH if it didn't work. I don't think I will miss the kitchen!?! I haven't done a studio with kids but I think we could do fine. (PB&J and micro mac & cheese!)

Of course this is all assuming I can get ressies at 7 months!! I will be calling day-by-day and waitlisting day-by-day if needed!

 

[lenshanem]

Lisa, here's a suggestion...

I had called VB guest services directly to ask them for some info about fishing. The CM was very nice and asked what names our ressies were under. She was surprised the ressies weren't cross referenced from MS and said she would make note to have us close together. Sooo, my thoughts are you might want to call VB directly and speak to someone.

 

[Candace]

Shan - Great report and pictures of your precious girls! Not to alarm you, but nausea/vomiting following a bad headache sounds like Migraine. (had them since I was 8).

 

[lenshanem]

Shan - Great report and pictures of your precious girls! Not to alarm you, but nausea/vomiting following a bad headache sounds like Migraine. (had them since I was 8).

I hope not. DH has them often. They aren't fun. Unfortunately, she is the one who has the most medical issues. I wonder if migraines are hereditary???

 

[Candace]

Yes, they are hereditary. The good news is that there are now medicines to help, which there weren't in the past.

 

[lisareniff]

Lisa, here's a suggestion...

....Sooo, my thoughts are you might want to call VB directly and speak to someone.

Thanks Shan, It sounds like a good plan.

I hope your little one doesn't have migraines. BTW great pics of your girls. They are cuties!