The 2009 Vero Beach Adoration and INFO thread

[deej696]

Yeah its been awesome. The ocean has been very calm the last 2 days, and its allowed us to see all the activity of the turtles off shore. There are probably 6-10 of them that keep popping their heads up. Its also pretty clear that they are, well, you know.....

Hopefully this overcast sky will clear off and we'll have a great pool and beach day

 

[marykat]

I love this thread. We just booked our very first Disney trip. Vero Beach 1/24/10 - 1/29/10 I have so many questions and this thread has been very helpful! Thanks!!


Mary & Rudy

 

[rigsby25]

Checked in a few hours ago to our OVIR and its awesome as always. We are in 2221 which seems to have an oversided balcony compared to the others. Its right next to the Green Cabin room, so we have a bit of noise from there even though there is a room in between, but its no big deal, as we love the balcony. The weather wasnt great today, lots of spotty storms, but given I love sitting outside in the rain and reading a book, it couldnt get much better. Will get some pics over the next day or two, but for now, I'm in heaven

Not sure, but I think we had that room once. I think that was the room that we could get the internet in.

 

[deej696]

Not sure, but I think we had that room once. I think that was the room that we could get the internet in.

Yeah I am able to get wifi in this room, but I guess thats a given since I'm posting Oddly though my computer does not pick up this floor's connection, but it will connect to the fourth floor.

Been a great couple days, the weather has been awesome with the exception of the afternoon storms but thats to be expected. I'd post some pics, but I left my cord for uploading at home. Off to Shutters for dinner in a few hours. Any suggestions on what I should have??

 

[rockydek]

BWV Dreamin
Gnome1b
Thank you for the info!:
It looks like we will be going by Amtrak.
I can't wait!

 

[VBSunGoddess]

Just checked into a beach cottage yesterday. Sitting on the balcony looking at the ocean . It is really beautiful.Looks like it is going to be a nice day

 

[deej696]

Just checked into a beach cottage yesterday. Sitting on the balcony looking at the ocean . It is really beautiful.Looks like it is going to be a nice day

I'm jealous VBSun, because as you are sitting on your balcony starting your trip, I am packing up our room ending ours Oh well, just means I get to look forward to our next trip. Been a great 5 days and I cant wait to return.

As a former hotel guy, I can be pretty nit-pickey on things that need improving, but this being our 3rd stay, I honestly believe this resort is kept in the best condition of any Disney resort.

 

[starbox]

Okay - we just got back from a week in Vero (rented a house in the South Beach area but stayed in a GVIR Friday night). We ventured around the area and I'll post photos, info and reviews soon - but I have to add to all those staying at Vero now or in the near future - OH MY GOSH, GLORIA ESTEFAN'S RESTAURANT, ORIENTE, IS AMAZING!!!!!!!

Dh and I ate there last night - I was not sure what to expect but here's the info. There's plenty of parking at the resort and along the street (it's located next to Driftwood in that commercial area) - no parking charge. We dressed resort casual but there were people dressed in t-shirts and in nicer business-type clothes. Our meal was 86$ before tip - but we did not try to economize as this was our big night out - so that's including drinks and dessert.

I got plantain-crusted pan-fried trout with rock shrimp stuffing on a bed of bacon-infused swiss chard with a coconut saffron sauce. DH got the seafood paella. Our entrees were in the 24-26$ range. Prices are solidly in the range of Shutters and are cheaper than Sonia's by a good margin. Cocktails are 10$ and there's a nice menu. I had their house made sangria and it was amazing (and a very generous serving). There's an extensive menu of tapas and small plates in the 6-12$ range. The service was amazing - and there's a view of the beautiful pool (lit by lanterns at night) with the ocean right behind it. After dinner, we walked to the beach where there are double-size wicker chaise lounges set up along the dunes.

It was one of the best dinners I've ever eaten in my life and the atmosphere was very elegant (but relaxed) and very romantic. It's not a place for kids - but if you are a couple or are looking for a really special evening with a partner while the kids do the discovery club - you've got to try this place.

There's a fixed price 3-course meal with wine pairings Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and I believe it was 70$ per couple.



http://www.costadeste.com/dining/dining.asp

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Great! We'll be at VB Oct. 11-16th. I know right where it is on A1A on the left with the fountains! Just the DH and me, this will be perfect!

Okay - we just got back from a week in Vero (rented a house in the South Beach area but stayed in a GVIR Friday night). We ventured around the area and I'll post photos, info and reviews soon - but I have to add to all those staying at Vero now or in the near future - OH MY GOSH, GLORIA ESTEFAN'S RESTAURANT, ORIENTE, IS AMAZING!!!!!!!

Dh and I ate there last night - I was not sure what to expect but here's the info. There's plenty of parking at the resort and along the street (it's located next to Driftwood in that commercial area) - no parking charge. We dressed resort casual but there were people dressed in t-shirts and in nicer business-type clothes. Our meal was 86$ before tip - but we did not try to economize as this was our big night out - so that's including drinks and dessert.

I got plantain-crusted pan-fried trout with rock shrimp stuffing on a bed of bacon-infused swiss chard with a coconut saffron sauce. DH got the seafood paella. Our entrees were in the 24-26$ range. Prices are solidly in the range of Shutters and are cheaper than Sonia's by a good margin. Cocktails are 10$ and there's a nice menu. I had their house made sangria and it was amazing (and a very generous serving). There's an extensive menu of tapas and small plates in the 6-12$ range. The service was amazing - and there's a view of the beautiful pool (lit by lanterns at night) with the ocean right behind it. After dinner, we walked to the beach where there are double-size wicker chaise lounges set up along the dunes.

It was one of the best dinners I've ever eaten in my life and the atmosphere was very elegant (but relaxed) and very romantic. It's not a place for kids - but if you are a couple or are looking for a really special evening with a partner while the kids do the discovery club - you've got to try this place.

There's a fixed price 3-course meal with wine pairings Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and I believe it was 70$ per couple.



http://www.costadeste.com/dining/dining.asp

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Great! We'll be at VB Oct. 11-16th. I know right where it is on A1A on the left with the fountains! Just the DH and me, this will be perfect!

Have a real good time... Anticipation is great, especially when it is a you and me only trip.

 

[SnowWitch]

We leave Sat for VB can't wait. tick tock tick tock tick tock

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We leave Sat for VB can't wait. tick tock tick tock tick tock

Wishing I was with you.....

 

[disneymomjcs]

Anyone ever stayed in and Inn room with Garden View? Staying August 24th - 27th and concerned where our room will be. Then heading to VWL for a week.

I have been lurking on the boards getting info since we've never stayed here.

I will definitely get the the SSS with picardin. We stayed on Sanibel Island two years ago and the noseeums were awful and I still have scars from the bites. They loved us.

Any tips for first timers at VB.

 

[deej696]

Any tips for first timers at VB.

Try the Passion Fruit mojito I'm sure its on all the WDW menus too, considering its the same menu everywhere, but it was the first time I had it and WOW. Perfect "by the pool" drink.

Otherwise, stock the fridge, keep the sunscreen heavy, and enjoy

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We leave Sat for VB can't wait. tick tock tick tock tick tock

Yeah!!! Have a great time!!!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Anyone ever stayed in and Inn room with Garden View? Staying August 24th - 27th and concerned where our room will be. Then heading to VWL for a week.

I have been lurking on the boards getting info since we've never stayed here.

I will definitely get the the SSS with picardin. We stayed on Sanibel Island two years ago and the noseeums were awful and I still have scars from the bites. They loved us.

Any tips for first timers at VB.

You'll be looking over the parking lot, front of the building. Lots of trees around though. Its not all that bad! Next time, get OVIR!!

 

[starbox]

After four years of spending a week at Disney's Vero Beach resort, DH and I started talking seriously about making a 5-year plan to relocate to the Vero/Sebastian area. I was curious though about how well I would like the island if I was not staying on Disney property (which, of course, makes it wonderful). We ventured out quite a bit and I have glowing recommendations about some stuff outside the gates of Disney.

FWIW - we rented a cottage from Orchid Island Cottages - they have a total of 6 2 bedroom duplexes that share a salt-water pool. It was very nice and I heartily recommend it for those looking for a rental in the area (weekly rates around 700$ and monthly at $1400)
http://orchidislandcottages.com/
(view from my front porch)

Beaches!
First of all - the beaches! We've never visited a Vero beach other than the one right in front of Disney. Our rental was across the street from South Beach and we found that 1) Vero has a TON of really nice public access parks along the beach with GREAT facilities. 2) the beach is really different as you move down the coast - we had a much wider beach, NO shells, powder sand, and much calmer waves than at Disney. Plus - lifeguards!!!!
We saw a mother dolphin and baby just offshore one day.

If you're concerned about the beach being rough for small or timid kids (or if you have kids with sensory issues that are uncomfortable walking on all the shell debris) - my advice is to try South Beach. It was a great beach.

Places to Go

First of all, I can not give a glowing enough review/recommendation to the Vero Beach Book Center. I am an English department chair, but have worked at libraries, bookstores, and toy stores as a storytime lady and I can say that this is the BEST children's bookstore I have ever seen. The staff is friendly and knowledgable, the place is HUGE (with plenty of specialty toys/crafts/etc - a train table). There are adult used and bragain books upstairs and an adult bookstore next door. They have lots of neat free activities for kids.
http://theverobeachbookcenter.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

 

[starbox]

We finally made it to the McKee Botanical Gardens (this has been on my to-do list for years, as we are 10 year members of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and love gardens.

First of all - my special organic bug spray from the Atlanta Gardens did NOT work on the Florida bugs! They have free spray at the ticket booth and we should have used it!!!! We got free partners admission with our Atlanta membership - but the admission was reasonable.
http://www.mckeegarden.org/

Obviously, this is a very good place to take pictures. If you like gardens or gardening, it is a neat place to explore. It's very quiet and lush - like being on an island paradise. There's a cool movie about the history of the place - evidently it was quite the tourist attraction it its day before Florida became the theme park destination it is now.

 

[starbox]

McLarty Treasure Museum:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet/Info.cfm

Really close to the Disney Resort and cheap (2$ admission) this is a fine way to spend a rainy afternoon. There's not much there, but it is an interesting history of the area and does make you want to go beach combing!

We tried to visit Mel Fisher - got there at 4:30 (it closes at 5) but were told that they don't let visitors start to tour past 3:30.


Royal Palm Pointe Park
http://www.verobeach.com/royalpalmpointepark/
A free public park with plenty of parking - there is a cool interactive water play area that small kids especially would LOVE and beautiful views of the river. Very nice shaded picnic tables for parents, and a large dock where I think kids (or adults) could fish. (I looked for a no fishing sign and did not see one).

 

[starbox]

We ate at our old standbys - Ninos and Squid Lips and were just as happy with our meals as ever. This time, I got the Key West style fish at Squid Lips and it was my favorite so far. Very light and tasty!

The porch at Ninos:

We are also SO happy that a Carvel ice cream opened - as my son loves soft serve. We got ice cream every night! (They are open till 9pm)

(For those of you with restless kids - it's worth noting that the Children's Bookstore, Royal Palm Pointe Park and Carvel are all within 1 mile of each other!)

We tried Mr. Manatees and were very pleased. Great, reasonably priced food in a fun and casual atmosphere. (most meals were in the 8-12$ range - kids menu was under 5$) Similar to Squid Lips without the open air dining. We'll be back!
http://www.mrmanatees.com/review.asp

And I've already posted about our Amazing experience at Oriente http://www.costadeste.com/dining/dining.asp(in the Costa d Este resort). This is a world-class dining experience and should NOT be missed by couples looking for a really fabulous meal. This place is priced the same as Shutter's. Seriously.
Plantain-crusted pan-fried trout with rock shrimp stuffing on bacon-infused swiss chard with a coconut-saffron sauce. - the bottom half of a huge glass of freshly made Sangria behind it.

Seafood Paella (that's a giant scallop on top)