The 2009 Vero Beach Adoration and INFO thread

[magicalfoursome]

How is the ocean temp lately? Is it really hot on the beach? One more week until Vero Beach!!!

 

[davis1334]

We are so excited about our trip to VB July 12-17! It is our first time to go to VB and we cannot wait. A little disappointed though...we own at SSR and called right at the 7 month window for a 1BR and are on the waitlist. We do have a studio booked but were really wanting the 1BR. I am trying to stay positive and not let it ruin our vacation even if we don't get the 1BR.

 

[backyardponder]

We are considering staying at Disney's Vero Beach in January, our first visit. Does anyone happen to know if beach wheelchairs are available at the resort?

Also, can anyone provide any information on wheelchair-accessible rooms--either descriptions or pics?

Thanks very much! The resort looks so beautiful and peacefu...I'm really hoping we get to go.

I tried to find beach wheelchair rentals in the Vero Beach area on Google but couldn't find any. I suggest you give the resort a call and ask them.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I just found this thread - thanks to Maria for getting it going, and thanks photobob for the pics! I know there were some other pics, but I can't remember who posted them - thank you, also. I'm planning to book a stay at VB in the future, I plan way ahead The pics let me know VB is even nicer than I had hoped. I am really looking forward to staying there, and even booking the cabin for our whole family at some time.

 

[Juliah]

Thanks backyardponder. I will definitely do that.

When we were planning to stay there a number of years ago, I was told when I made the reservations that the resort had two beach wheelchairs. About a week before our stay I called to double check everything and was told that the person I talked to when I reserved was wrong, that they only had one (we have two children in wheelchairs so really needed two), so we cancelled our stay. I thought I would ask you guys if anyone had actually seen a beach wheelchair (or chairs) there because sometimes people who book rooms or work at hotels aren't clear on what accessibility features the hotel has. If I had a dime for every time I've booked an ADA room with two double beds, only to arrive and find that there is no such thing in the hotel, that every single ADA room has only a king bed (which obviously doesn't work for four people!)...

 

[madcoco]

How is the ocean temp lately? Is it really hot on the beach? One more week until Vero Beach!!!

Warming up nice. Last visit to the resort a few weeks back the water temp was a few degrees cooler than normal. Just got in the door from over beachside. Was out on the beach early in the morning just south of the resort and imho it was pretty &*^*% hot already. LOL We are setting records for temp and heat index in Central and South FL. Supposed to return back to the "normal" hot and humid by the end of the week.
Just in time for your visit. As a side note the rip currents have been pretty strong lately Have fun play safe and have a great time.
Area weather forecast:
http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/docs/ldm/products/text/KMLB/SRFMLB

Awhile ago I think I read something about bird watching tours at VERO or the surrounding areas?? Does anyone have any info on these?

Archie Carr and Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuges are located just north of the resort and great spots for wildlife watching. Some of the tours are only offered during the fall/winter.
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/indian-malabar/

http://www.fws.gov/archiecarr/

http://www.fws.gov/pelicanisland/

 

[backyardponder]

Thanks backyardponder. I will definitely do that.

When we were planning to stay there a number of years ago, I was told when I made the reservations that the resort had two beach wheelchairs. About a week before our stay I called to double check everything and was told that the person I talked to when I reserved was wrong, that they only had one (we have two children in wheelchairs so really needed two), so we cancelled our stay. I thought I would ask you guys if anyone had actually seen a beach wheelchair (or chairs) there because sometimes people who book rooms or work at hotels aren't clear on what accessibility features the hotel has. If I had a dime for every time I've booked an ADA room with two double beds, only to arrive and find that there is no such thing in the hotel, that every single ADA room has only a king bed (which obviously doesn't work for four people!)...

Juliha, when calling ask for the manager. Explain your situation exactly as you explained above. If the manager says they do have 2 of them, get the manager's name. Also give the manager your name and phone number in case he/she discovers something different.

Good Luck!

Let us know what you find out. I'm curious on this one!

John

 

[starbox]

Thanks backyardponder. I will definitely do that.

When we were planning to stay there a number of years ago, I was told when I made the reservations that the resort had two beach wheelchairs. About a week before our stay I called to double check everything and was told that the person I talked to when I reserved was wrong, that they only had one (we have two children in wheelchairs so really needed two), so we cancelled our stay. I thought I would ask you guys if anyone had actually seen a beach wheelchair (or chairs) there because sometimes people who book rooms or work at hotels aren't clear on what accessibility features the hotel has. .

I have seen one beach wheelchair in use at VB - it was out and being used when we were there 3 weeks ago.

 

[TinklednPants]

Anyone know if Orchid Island Pizza is still in business next door?

 

[Mahusky]

Anyone know if Orchid Island Pizza is still in business next door?

They were in Feb 09 when we were there. I had heard that the orginal owneres sold to a new group.... dont know if that is true or not.

 

[TinklednPants]

They were in Feb 09 when we were there. I had heard that the orginal owneres sold to a new group.... dont know if that is true or not.

That's good and (potentially) bad news. Thanks for the update.

 

[backyardponder]

Anyone know if Orchid Island Pizza is still in business next door?

It was in May. Being from the Chicago Area, I like quality pizza. Orchid Island Pizza is, by far, the best pizza I've ever had within 1 mile of VB. BTW, they are the only one within 1 mile! Needless to say, I wasn't impressed.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Warming up nice. Last visit to the resort a few weeks back the water temp was a few degrees cooler than normal. Just got in the door from over beachside. Was out on the beach early in the morning just south of the resort and imho it was pretty &*^*% hot already. LOL We are setting records for temp and heat index in Central and South FL. Supposed to return back to the "normal" hot and humid by the end of the week.
Just in time for your visit. As a side note the rip currents have been pretty strong lately Have fun play safe and have a great time.
Area weather forecast:
http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/docs/ldm/products/text/KMLB/SRFMLB


Archie Carr and Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuges are located just north of the resort and great spots for wildlife watching. Some of the tours are only offered during the fall/winter.
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/indian-malabar/

http://www.fws.gov/archiecarr/

http://www.fws.gov/pelicanisland/

Hey Mike... haven't seen you for a while. Hope all is well. Any more finds? Take care... Rob

 

[madcoco]

Sorry thought I answered you a couple of weeks ago. Went back and noticed the post didn't show up? Have been pretty rundown lately. My mom passed away last Tuesday at 66 Hasn't been easy. However she was suffering greatly from cancer. She was supposed to stay with us at VB this past stay over Memorial day but was too sick to travel. She loved the water so much.

Nothing much yet on our 1715 wrecks off the coast but having a great year again down on the Atocha and Margarita off Key West. Literally hundreds of artifacts being found. While beach hunting did find a small piece of Shuttle Challenger while staying at the resort. Sadly debris still washes up time to time. Great to hear from you hope all is well on your end.

 

[mikeandkarla]

Anyone know if Orchid Island Pizza is still in business next door?

Yes they are open. We were there first week of June and stopped in for a pizza.

 

[DVCconvert]

.....Have been pretty rundown lately. My mom passed away last Tuesday at 66 Hasn't been easy. However she was suffering greatly from cancer. She was supposed to stay with us at VB this past stay over Memorial day but was too sick to travel.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, it's hard enough at any age - but since she'd been so ill; I hope the thought of her being relived of her distress can comfort you in some small amount.

 

[missdani416]

Madcoco I am sorry for the loss of your Mother, and I am sorry she was unable to travel with you on your last trip. I am sure that was very hard on you and your family. I just wanted to pop in and say what wonderful service we received on our stay at VB the first week of June. First off on the second day I discovered my camera battery was cracked! I was in a panic. I called the front desk to find out if the was a camera store close by so I could get a replacement. They actually took down what kind of camera I had and called around until they found a store that carried it and printed out directions for me. They saved the day ( well at least the pictures we would take ) Then the day after we were able to go on the turtle walk they delivered a note to our room with two turtle magnets and it was signed by "Tory the turtle". The girls got to name the turtle we watched so they thought that was way cool! That is why we are spoiled by staying with Disney! VB was wonderful.

 

[Juliah]

Thanks so much for your responses on beach wheelchairs. I talked to Mary at the resort and was told that there is one beach wheelchair for the beach, but there is also one in the activities area. I'm not sure what that one is for, since I didn't think the pool had zero entry access--am I wrong? Anway, Mary was kind enough to call Ebb & Flow for me and was told that their chair could be used at the beach, but it can't be reserved in advance. I'm a little confused on where one designated for beach use would be kept, if not at Ebb & Flow. Hope she's not confused, thinking there are chairs in two places when there's really only the one (is there a place closer to the beach that rents things like umbrellas? Maybe there's another chair there?)...so I still wouldn't mind a confirmation from anyone who has seen two chairs in person or knows of a different location from Ebb & Flow where they have seen a beach wheelchair parked!

I also took the opportunity to ask about rooms and was told that there are four Inn rooms that each have a roll-in shower and two queen beds, as well as at least one with a king bed instead of the queens. There are also three one-bedroom/studio lock-offs with roll-in showers. The lock-offs are all on the second floor.

 

[backyardponder]

Thanks so much for your responses on beach wheelchairs. I talked to Mary at the resort and was told that there is one beach wheelchair for the beach, but there is also one in the activities area. I'm not sure what that one is for, since I didn't think the pool had zero entry access--am I wrong? Anway, Mary was kind enough to call Ebb & Flow for me and was told that their chair could be used at the beach, but it can't be reserved in advance. I'm a little confused on where one designated for beach use would be kept, if not at Ebb & Flow. Hope she's not confused, thinking there are chairs in two places when there's really only the one (is there a place closer to the beach that rents things like umbrellas? Maybe there's another chair there?)...so I still wouldn't mind a confirmation from anyone who has seen two chairs in person or knows of a different location from Ebb & Flow where they have seen a beach wheelchair parked!

I also took the opportunity to ask about rooms and was told that there are four Inn rooms that each have a roll-in shower and two queen beds, as well as at least one with a king bed instead of the queens. There are also three one-bedroom/studio lock-offs with roll-in showers. The lock-offs are all on the second floor.

Hey Folks, is there anybody down at VB (or heading down) who can scout this out for Juliah...maybe take some pictures of what's at the beach and at E&F?

Juliah: There is a separate place at the access to the beach which rents umbrellas, chairs, etc.

John

 

[Juliah]

Thanks, John! Knowing there's a place close to the beach with rentals makes it seem more likely that I got accurate information. Hope so! The more I read about the resort and look at the great pictures in this thread, the more excited I get about going there. It sounds like a wonderful place to get away and relax.