Official Vero Beach 2008 Swap Thread

[MrsNick]

Great job MrsNick. Thanks for looking out for the rest of us Group Three crowd! Two extra chairs will work great for us.

BTW, any comments about the resort for us newbies? I've looked at the map but not sure it will do any good to make any special room requests. We will be in a two-bedroom and I'm guessing that means we will be in one of the three villa buildings. Not sure there are any benefits to one over another unless you want to be very close to the pool area.

Where was your room and how did you like it for convenience, view, etc.?

You are correct, you'll be put in one of the three villa buildings. I don't think which building makes all that much difference since VB is a compact resort. We were in Villa 12 with a 1 BR on the 2nd floor (room 1231). No ocean view, but didn't matter. We had a mostly garden view and could just make out a corner of the parking lot from our balcony. I forgot to make a location request when I made the reservation, and the resort was completely full (not one vacant room), so since we checked in at 5 PM, I believe we may have gotten the last available 1 BR. If I had remembered, I'd probably ask for a room on the top floor, but again, being on the 2nd floor was just fine. I think the buildings have poured concrete between floors, so you don't really hear your neighbors above you (unlike what I've heard about HH). Enjoy your stay!

 

[MrsNick]

Excellent! Thanks Mrs. Nick. I can't believe we're next!!! Wow! So much to do and only 2 days! Originally we were thinking of grandparents coming along but it turned out to be just the 4 of us in that BC (makes me feel a little silly).

Thank-you again Starbox!

Hey, if points were no object, DH and I would stay in a BC, just the two of us

 

[lisareniff]

Group Three reporting!

We have successfully swapped chairs!

Just a warning, the box is a little big and heavy. DH was able to carry it but I wouldn't have. We attempted to have bell services pick it up on our departure day but they didn't come for 2 hrs so we walked it back.

Unfortunately we did not end up using the chairs. We had very strong winds and waves and cooler temperatures for 2 out of 4 days of our trip. We went kayaking on the best day.

I do hope the box will last the whole summer.

 

[starbox]

Thanks for checking in - glad to hear the swaps are underway!

 

[Pocahantas]

Glad to hear that Vero has been so accomodating for these swaps and things are going well. We are really looking forward to our first trip there later next month !

Has anyone ever done a fishing charter while there?? My husband and stepson are talking about trying to do some fishing one day while we are there. We did a search on the internet and found a couple of charters in the area but I was hoping someone could make a recommendation.

 

[garnet1240]

Hi Everyone!!

Just got back last night from a GREAT trip! Our first stay at VB! The swap went very easy, bell services brought the boxs right to our room. Our DD (16 & 20) loved the chairs, because it was so easy to pack up and move down the beach if they wanted. We did rent a cabana a couple of days as well. We had my DM (83) with us and the CMs at the beach were great about getting us set up close to the ramp or stairs for her to get on the beach.

We had nice connecting rooms at the Inn (2319 &2320) but they did have the solid wall on the balcony, but you can't have everything..no complaining here.

Great weather, slept with the doors open at night listening to the waves crashing on the beach...

We ate at Ocean Grill and Squid Lips, (liked them both) and Shutters. The food was good at Shutters, but OMG...the service was sooo slow. Going down for breakfast, you had to plan on almost two hours to be seated and eat. That's crazy. Lots of empty tables and you had to wait almost a half hour to be seated. We didn't want to waste our last morning waiting for breakfast, so we treated ourselves to room service...only took half hour...

We never made it to the pool, too crowded, so we hung out on the beach most days, soaking up the sun, hunting for shells and chasing an occasional crab that wandered in our path. ( great tip from here to bring a flashlight to walk the beach at night..full moon over the ocean, awsome) Yesterday morning we got to watch them release a young green sea turtle back on the beach. It seems he was found on the beach in December suffering the effects for red tide, spent the past few months at the Living Seas and we were luck enough to be there for his release. Guest were lined up the whole ramp down to the waters edge (like for a parade) , the CM held him up high as he walked down to the water so we could all see him. He brought him out past the breaking waves and off he went!! Everyone was clapping and cheering. Very cool.

We added a boogie board to the box with the chairs, (my DD bought it but never used it)

Thanks to Starbox for all your work in organizing this swap!!! And thanks to everyone for sharing your tips, made our stay just wonderful!!!


Gail

 

[Pocahantas]

Glad things went well Gail! We are swapping in group 1 and I can tell you my DD (10) is going to love playing in the surf with that boogie board!!

 

[lildeb724]

It seemed something is a little screwed up with either group 1 or three. I am in both 2 and three and while 2 seems to be in a box with labels (and two noodles) the other chairs and umbrella were not in a box and with no labels. Before I leave friday I will try and get it sorted out. I will post when I get back Sunday night.
It has been windy and a little on the cool side here.

 

[starbox]

It seemed something is a little screwed up with either group 1 or three. I am in both 2 and three and while 2 seems to be in a box with labels (and two noodles) the other chairs and umbrella were not in a box and with no labels. Before I leave friday I will try and get it sorted out. I will post when I get back Sunday night.
It has been windy and a little on the cool side here.

The labels and lists should be in a plastic folder/envelope for Group Three (same as Group Two). Please let me know if they've been lost.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Welcome back Gail. Glad you had a good trip, and thanks for the extra BB.

Hope you have a great stay Debbie.

 

[lisareniff]

Everything seemed as we expected with group three (including labels and boxes) when we left on the 18th. Although I was thinking a roll packing tape would be a good a addition.

 

[Mini Sorcerer's Mom]

We just returned from a MARVELOUS three days in Vero. What a perfect ending to a trip to WDW!! We had a beautiful ocean view room at the inn. Vero reminded me so much of the beach club... everything from the wallpaper and shell motif carpet in the hallway to the white wash wainscoting and the ceiling beams. The decor is identical to the Beach Club. However, I prefer the ocean to Stormalong bay!
When we checked in on the 18th I told the front desk we were participating in the DVC chair swap and the bellman brought out two chairs, an umbrella and two boogie boards. There was no box or anything. DH broke the boogie board playing in the waves all day with DS-we bought another, and of course, he broke that the next day!! I guess they need to have a weight limit (ooopppss). We replaced that one as well and on Sunday evening we gave everything back to the bellman.

 

[lisareniff]

Hummm.... Well, That's not what we left for you!!

Labeled the boxes with (I believe) your name contained the chairs plus the two extra ones Mrs. Nick included in one box and the Umbrella in the other.

 

[garnet1240]

Group one still had boxes when we left...they were beat up a bit when we got them. But I did happen to have packing tape ( shipped a box back home) and retaped everything up tight when we left...

 

[Mini Sorcerer's Mom]

We had no contact with unpacking/repacking. Upon check-in we told the CM we were paticipating in the chair swap and the bellman brought out two chairs, a blue & green stripped umbrella and a large & small boogie board. They were not in a box nor labeled with anyones name. We retuned them Sunday and the bellman seemed to know what to do.
Sorry if there was any confusion or if I did something wrong.

 

[lisareniff]

Mini S Mom - It doesn't sound like you did anything wrong, just received the wrong stuff. There might be 2 boxes sitting there with your name on them still.

Glad you had such a great trip!! It looked like better weather was on the way when we left.

 

[lildeb724]

everything and that labels were missing from group 3 I believe. Or at least they were not given to me. I gave the bellwoman a nice tip and she told me she would get it straightened out. I hope everthing is ok.

 

[starbox]

everything and that labels were missing from group 3 I believe. Or at least they were not given to me. I gave the bellwoman a nice tip and she told me she would get it straightened out. I hope everthing is ok.

lildeb - I think you have the group one labels and we've gotten a live report from a group two swapper and things seem good there. So group three seems like the weird one.

It could be that the box was damaged in storage?
If the labels can't be located before you leave - will you call me (my number is with the info for group one) and I'll mail a new set and let you know who to tag the chairs/umbrella for. If it has to be resent, the new label packet should arrive during the next stay.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

lildeb - I think you have the group one labels and we've gotten a live report from a group two swapper and things seem good there. So group three seems like the weird one.

It could be that the box was damaged in storage?
If the labels can't be located before you leave - will you call me (my number is with the info for group one) and I'll mail a new set and let you know who to tag the chairs/umbrella for. If it has to be resent, the new label packet should arrive during the next stay.

I don't think everyone knows how much effort you are putting in to this.. Thank you sooooo much....

It is a while before I get there, but anything i can do to help to keep/get things straight.... I'll work it out with you.

Love ya starbox... we joined DISboards at the same time... just realized that this week. You're my original and forever VB best friend. VB ROCKS......

 

[lisareniff]

So....
How's the swap working???