The 2009 Vero Beach Adoration and INFO thread

[starbox]

We spent Friday night at the resort (which gave us access to the resort activities through Saturday evening).

We had a GVIR since that was all that was open last minute - but we had a GREAT room. We were in 2212 which had a view of the pool and ocean in the distance. Here's the reflected view in the glass balcony door.

We ate at Shutters Friday night and the food was fine (I had the blackened local catch). We had breakfast there in the morning. I've had bad meals at Shutters and these were not bad meals at all - I just wish it was not as over-priced as it is.

My best meal was the 1 pound of peel and eat shrimp from Bleachers. The shrimp were HUGE and very yummy - plus, cold shrimp on a hot day is one of my favorite beachside lunches.

The CMs were just as great as ever. DS did the chalk drawing and got really, really into it (he spent two hours drawing) and a CM gave him a certificate for first place in chalk art that really meant so much to him. It was a really thoughtful thing for her to do, and is a great example of what makes Disney's resort so special.

If you've ever wondered what happens to the campfire when it rains - here's the answer:

It goes on but becomes an invisible fire on the back porch! S'mores are still provided, but they are made with marshmallow fluff.

It was a great week in Vero. I only wish it was close enough to visit during the school year.

 

[MiaSRN62]

starbox....
Love your TR and pics Your children are cute McKee Gardens looks beautiful and reminds me of my dd's campus at FL Tech. Glad u enjoyed your stay ! The cottages look great. Love that photo of your son sleeping on the inflatable turtle !


Maria

 

[SnowWitch]

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

Those cottages look cute. We were wanting to saty longer at VB next summer but it was really going to hit our points. How far in advance do you book these? Are they literally across rom the beach?

 

[Anal Annie]

August vaca in just under 5 weeks!
Flight times double checked. Reward vouchers redeemed.
Car rental rates double checked.
Bug spray with Picaridin - got it.
Sunscreens - in Owners Locker.
ADR's & Pirate dinner ressie made ('tho based on reviews not so sure about this Pirate dinner...)
In the process of printing directions from WDW to VB and then from VB to MCO...have a couple of questions!!


OK, so once upon a time I had printed out some directions to the VB resort (maybe from the VB page on the Disney website?) It listed various sets of directions from various places in FL. But I just wanted to see if Mapquest or GoogleMaps gave anything any different. We have never rented a car in FL so we don't have the foggiest idea where to go beyond the bus stop! What I am wondering about is I-4. The directions from the WDW website say to take I-4 (we don't even know how to FIND I-4) and then take 528 (Beachline toll road) to I-95 South. Mapquest tells me how to leave from the Car Care Center (where we are renting from) and then it says to take SR-417 (also a toll road) toward SR-528. It does not mention I-4 on Mapquest. Can anybody tell me the better way to start out?? Which way do most of you take when going to VB from WDW?? Is there a big difference or does it not really matter?! TIA for any advice!!

(PS) yes, I'm gettin' excited 'cuz I'm gettin' close to the 30 day mark on my ticker!!

 

[starbox]

Those cottages look cute. We were wanting to saty longer at VB next summer but it was really going to hit our points. How far in advance do you book these? Are they literally across rom the beach?

I booked in March for July - we're seriously talking about doing a month next year. I'd book as soon as you know you want to go, just to be safe. When we were there, three of the six units were being rented indefinitely and one was rented for the entire summer - so only two were being used weekly.

If you picture where the lake is on the other side of VBR - the cottages are in the same location as the little lake in terms of the beach, they are just 9 miles further south. There is beach access that is very easily in walking distance - but we drive to the South Beach public park so we'd have restrooms and a lifeguard - it was maybe a half of a mile. I've got a bunch of pictures of the inside of the cottages.

 

[starbox]

What I am wondering about is I-4. The directions from the WDW website say to take I-4 (we don't even know how to FIND I-4) and then take 528 (Beachline toll road) to I-95 South. Mapquest tells me how to leave from the Car Care Center (where we are renting from) and then it says to take SR-417 (also a toll road) toward SR-528. It does not mention I-4 on Mapquest. Can anybody tell me the better way to start out?? Which way do most of you take when going to VB from WDW?? Is there a big difference or does it not really matter?! TIA for any advice!!

We've gone via the turnpike and via. the Beachline and I really prefer the Beachline because there are no exits the other way and my kids always seem to need a potty when there is not one around!

1-4 is easy to find from Disney - it's the main road that Disney is "off of" for guests staying offsite. You've got lots of signs directing you and any resort concierge/valet can give you directions. The Beachline is very clearly marked as well.

You may want to request a GPS unit w/your rental - it makes finding your way around Vero and Orlando really simple!

 

[Anal Annie]

We've gone via the turnpike and via. the Beachline and I really prefer the Beachline because there are no exits the other way and my kids always seem to need a potty when there is not one around!

1-4 is easy to find from Disney - it's the main road that Disney is "off of" for guests staying offsite. You've got lots of signs directing you and any resort concierge/valet can give you directions. The Beachline is very clearly marked as well.

You may want to request a GPS unit w/your rental - it makes finding your way around Vero and Orlando really simple!

I guess I'm confused (surprise surprise) about the diff. between this 417 & I-4 'cuz they both take you to 528 which is the Beachline, right? It doesn't look like you are on either for very long. Which one is the turnpike? Is that 417?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

August vaca in just under 5 weeks!
Flight times double checked. Reward vouchers redeemed.
Car rental rates double checked.
Bug spray with Picaridin - got it.
Sunscreens - in Owners Locker.
ADR's & Pirate dinner ressie made ('tho based on reviews not so sure about this Pirate dinner...)
In the process of printing directions from WDW to VB and then from VB to MCO...have a couple of questions!!


OK, so once upon a time I had printed out some directions to the VB resort (maybe from the VB page on the Disney website?) It listed various sets of directions from various places in FL. But I just wanted to see if Mapquest or GoogleMaps gave anything any different. We have never rented a car in FL so we don't have the foggiest idea where to go beyond the bus stop! What I am wondering about is I-4. The directions from the WDW website say to take I-4 (we don't even know how to FIND I-4) and then take 528 (Beachline toll road) to I-95 South. Mapquest tells me how to leave from the Car Care Center (where we are renting from) and then it says to take SR-417 (also a toll road) toward SR-528. It does not mention I-4 on Mapquest. Can anybody tell me the better way to start out?? Which way do most of you take when going to VB from WDW?? Is there a big difference or does it not really matter?! TIA for any advice!!

(PS) yes, I'm gettin' excited 'cuz I'm gettin' close to the 30 day mark on my ticker!!

I would just stay on the main road out(beach/bee line) and exit onto I-95. That is quickest most direct way. If you are leaving mid morning, the traffic is fine.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Starbox, thanks so much for posting your guide to Vero Beach! It is nice to know there are so many great things to do in the area, and the restaurants look really great. Kind of seals the deal for me on getting a ressie there as soon as I can!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi all.......
Unfortunately, the VB chair swap thread was closed ( http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2000797&page=3) , so I don't know where else to post this. I wanted to update the DIS'ers who participated in the chair swap and sent money for the CM's tip/gifts what they've received so far.

I was at VB in May. I could not find a place that delivered the fruit flower baskets that we had discussed while I was down there. So, on May 7, I got them a box of cookies from a bakery in the Melbourne area (it was around $15 worth of cookies), plus I gave them $20 from the money collected (we tipped on our own as well).

Just today, I ordered a fruit arrangement from this company :
https://store.fruitflowers.com/cgi-bin/webstore.cgi?cat=Gift Giving

If you scroll down, you'll see I ordered the "deluxe tulips and daisies" basket for $70. With tax and an $18 delivery fee, it came to $94. This company has an office in Melbourne and they do deliver to Vero Beach.

So we're at about $130 in CM's tips/gifts delivered so far. We allotted/budgeted $175, so I'll space it out and send another fruit basket in the early fall from us all. I have about $45 left in the budget.

Just wanted to keep you all informed on what I've sent. Hope u all don't mind me communicating that here on this thread.

Maria

 

[debaudrn]

Thanks again Maria for all your hard work.

I will be at Vero again from 8/18-22. I would love to rescue a chair or two from being thrown in the trash if anyone is leaving on the 18th or 19th. Also, if anyone is arriving on the 22nd I would love to not add a chair or two to the local landfill and would be glad to donate one or two I have to you. Send me a PM and we can set it up.
Debbie

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Thanks again Maria for all your hard work.

I will be at Vero again from 8/18-22. I would love to rescue a chair or two from being thrown in the trash if anyone is leaving on the 18th or 19th. Also, if anyone is arriving on the 22nd I would love to not add a chair or two to the local landfill and would be glad to donate one or two I have to you. Send me a PM and we can set it up.
Debbie

I am arriving in October, so there better not be any chairs in the trash in August!!

 

[VBSunGoddess]

Maria, thank you so much for the chairs. It's been great having them this week. The weather has been really nice and we've spent the last 4 days on the beach. We just watched the space shuttle take off. Looking forward to 2 more days . Thanks again

 

[deej696]

Glad to hear you've had a great time VBSun. During our stay, the shuttle was supposed to launch 3 times and of course never did. Glad to hear you got to enjoy it. I've seen plenty of launches, so perhaps the reason all those days were scrubbed was so someone else like you could have that experience also

 

[debaudrn]

I am arriving in October, so there better not be any chairs in the trash in August!!

BWV DReamin no need to worry. I am not in the "chair swap" in August. I am looking for non-swap chairs that may be left behind when their owners have to return to the real world (aka home).
Debbie

 

[Anal Annie]

Thanks again Maria for all your hard work.

I will be at Vero again from 8/18-22. I would love to rescue a chair or two from being thrown in the trash if anyone is leaving on the 18th or 19th. Also, if anyone is arriving on the 22nd I would love to not add a chair or two to the local landfill and would be glad to donate one or two I have to you. Send me a PM and we can set it up.
Debbie

We are arriving on 8/23 for 3 nites & are participating in the chair swap but of course that's only 2 chairs... I can imagine my DS will do a little whining about not having a chair of his own as well. But so anyway, if you DO happen to find a chair or 2 to rescue maybe we could follow you up with it somehow?!

 

[debaudrn]

Anal Annie
I will contact you if we are lucky enough to "find" some chairs. If I end up purchasing some you are welcome to them. I will have the computer with us and contact you once the trip is closer or we are at Vero.
Deb

 

[lpandorf]

I had the chairs last week in June. I added 2 boogie boards to the swap.
Lisa

 

[dort]

Hi all.......
Unfortunately, the VB chair swap thread was closed ( http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2000797&page=3) , so I don't know where else to post this. I wanted to update the DIS'ers who participated in the chair swap and sent money for the CM's tip/gifts what they've received so far.

I was at VB in May. I could not find a place that delivered the fruit flower baskets that we had discussed while I was down there. So, on May 7, I got them a box of cookies from a bakery in the Melbourne area (it was around $15 worth of cookies), plus I gave them $20 from the money collected (we tipped on our own as well).

Just today, I ordered a fruit arrangement from this company :
https://store.fruitflowers.com/cgi-bin/webstore.cgi?cat=Gift Giving

If you scroll down, you'll see I ordered the "deluxe tulips and daisies" basket for $70. With tax and an $18 delivery fee, it came to $94. This company has an office in Melbourne and they do deliver to Vero Beach.

So we're at about $130 in CM's tips/gifts delivered so far. We allotted/budgeted $175, so I'll space it out and send another fruit basket in the early fall from us all. I have about $45 left in the budget.

Just wanted to keep you all informed on what I've sent. Hope u all don't mind me communicating that here on this thread.

Maria

Hi Maria!! OMG, it seems like forever since we were at VB.
Great ideas for the CM's.
Thanks again so much for all the work you put into arranging the chair swap.
I'm sitting here on my deck looking at my pool, just not quite the same as VB though.
Maybe we will meet again down there.
Annual reunion - have to get Rob too!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi all...thanks for the words of support. Glad u all are enjoying the swap.

And yes Deb ! You, Rob and I (and anyone else who wants to join), definitely need a VB reunion !!!!

Maria