The 2009 Vero Beach Adoration and INFO thread

[my3princes]

I so glad to have found this thread. We are heading to FL on Saturday. We will be spending one night at OKW then heading to VB for one night before taking a NCL vacation to the Bahamas. I've always wanted to try VB and thought this would be a good chance.

Does VB have the refillable mugs like WDW resorts do? Is there a charge for the internet at VB?

Thanks. You guys are a wealth of info.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I so glad to have found this thread. We are heading to FL on Saturday. We will be spending one night at OKW then heading to VB for one night before taking a NCL vacation to the Bahamas. I've always wanted to try VB and thought this would be a good chance.

Does VB have the refillable mugs like WDW resorts do? Is there a charge for the internet at VB?

Thanks. You guys are a wealth of info.

They do have refillable mugs and a self serve refill station. The have Free wireless in the lobby areas, Green Cabin Room Deck and by the pool. No in-room connection. As last resort they have a public use pc in the lobby which costs $9.95/30 mins.

Have a great stay

 

[my3princes]

They do have refillable mugs and a self serve refill station. The have Free wireless in the lobby areas, Green Cabin Room Deck and by the pool. No in-room connection. As last resort they have a public use pc in the lobby which costs $9.95/30 mins.

Have a great stay

Wow, thank you for the quick response We are very excited.

 

[RCharnay]

If you have an Inn room near the Green Cabin Room, you can get wi-fi in your room. We did and so did our neighbors. Not sure how it works in some and not in others.

 

[Verandah Man]

Our DD just got a job at our local Disney Store, she starts this Tuesday and is considered Seasonal Help to start. We decided to put our Vero Beach vacation on hold since DD doesn't drive, mom, and or dad, will have to be here to play taxi service.

We were invited this week to attend a wedding on the Disney Wonder in May 2009, so we might be staying at WDW for a few days before, or after, that 3 day wedding cruise.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Our DD just got a job at our local Disney Store, she starts this Tuesday and is considered Seasonal Help to start. We decided to put our Vero Beach vacation on hold since DD doesn't drive, mom, and or dad, will have to be here to play taxi service.

We were invited this week to attend a wedding on the Disney Wonder in May 2009, so we might be staying at WDW for a few days before, or after, that 3 day wedding cruise.

What day is your cruise? I am on the May 28th Wonder cruise!

 

[Verandah Man]

What day is your cruise? I am on the May 28th Wonder cruise!

One week before yours, we sail May 21st.

 

[goldilocks_63]

HI, put me on the roll call for 2009 -

OVIR - March 29 - April 4, for Spring Break.

GOldi

We're bringing the boggie board and sand toys.....

 

[DisTeach1]

We got back a week ago from our first stay at Vero, after 9 nights at WDW. We loved our OVIR-it really made the stay for us. My son (15 years) didn't want to leave WDW, but he adjusted to the low-key style and golfed with his dad, but I think next time we will try and do Vero first.

We ate at Squid Lips (we loved it) and A.J. Gators (wouldn't go back). We look forward to finding more favorite places throughout the years.

One big, big disappointment...not just at Vero, but at WDW...the same bar menu in every lounge. I know I read about it, but we were really disappointed to find the mussels gone from the Beach Club bar. Why do the big guys at Disney go for uniformity? Don't they know we want uniqueness?

Anyways, I thought the appetizers at the Green Cabin room were a big disappointment. Also, the water was down the two nights we were there, which was a huge disappointment. Everything was served in paper cups, limited menu, etc.

Overall, we definitely plan on returning. I was surprised, coming from CA, at the lack of wildlife along the shore...very few birds, nothing out in the ocean. In CA, it's quite different.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Maria....any news on the Chair Swap?

 

[MiaSRN62]

One big, big disappointment...not just at Vero, but at WDW...the same bar menu in every lounge. I know I read about it, but we were really disappointed to find the mussels gone from the Beach Club bar. Why do the big guys at Disney go for uniformity? Don't they know we want uniqueness?

I agree...it is all getting pretty generic......and it's not just the food and drinks. Even the shops in WDW carry all the same stuff.

I was surprised, coming from CA, at the lack of wildlife along the shore...very few birds, nothing out in the ocean. In CA, it's quite different.

Not sure exactly how a beach at CA would differ as I have not been there. But in August, there were sea turtles on the beach, we spotted a dolphin swimming VERY close to shore, and lots of egrets and pelicans....oh and crab and sand pipers too on the beach.

Maria....any news on the Chair Swap?

I pinky-swear BWV Dreamin that I will call tommorrow. I've actually got some time to kill tommorrow. I'll post as soon as I know. Sorry I've been slacking on this.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi .....
In regards to the chair swap.
I just called Vero Beach and was told I need to speak with Nicole who does not come in until 3 pm. But they switched me over to her voice mail and I left a detailed message with my home phone. So I'll let u all know what she says when she calls back.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Hi .....
In regards to the chair swap.
I just called Vero Beach and was told I need to speak with Nicole who does not come in until 3 pm. But they switched me over to her voice mail and I left a detailed message with my home phone. So I'll let u all know what she says when she calls back.

Great job Maria!! Lets keep our fingers crossed....

 

[mickeymorse]

Thanks for all your hard work Maria. We do appreciate it.

 

[chickie]

Thanks for all the wonderful info about Vero Beach!

We will be there March 14-16, '09, before heading to WDW! We have 2 OVIR's. This will be our first time at VB and I need all the planning info I can get. This is a great place to get it!

Do you have any info on the Unbirthday party? My dd (9) seems very interested in this activity, but I'm not sure what it's all about. We are also bringing another family with us that has 2 dd's (9) and (6), so they would definitely be interested in this also.

Thanks for everything. I love all the great pictures, too!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi all !
Nicole just called me (8:45 pm). Ok...here goes.......

She said they were "very hesitant" to do this again and told last year's group organizer this. She also made a point that I had to fax the list with all the names---no more than 2-3 groups--and clear instructions on what to do with the chairs once the season was over. She even mentioned the chairs and umbrellas there now. She said she has no clear direction on what to do with them once the last families leave. And she didn't sound too happy about this ? She didn't even sound overly thrilled to be doing this again, but said they had all decided to agree to it for 2009 and they will "see how it goes". So we have to be good guys, or I don't think they'll let us do it again.

So, riatees December 11-14, if you use the chairs (or even if you do not), please let the Bell Service know they can throw them away after you are done with them. Either that, or you can keep them. I know when I used them in Aug, the chairs were in pretty good shape, but the umbrella was a bit tattered.

So now, I need to find a place to purchase beach chairs and umbrellas. Not going to find that here in PA, so I'll have to look online. If anyone knows of a good site, please let me know. Then I can have them shipped to Vero ? Or should I have them shipped here and then ship them to VB from my home with the lists and instructions. I know starbox said she had made some labels, but when we picked up our chairs and umbrella for use, there was just a list that the Bell staff referred to. Nothing else. We returned them to the Bell desk (they never even gave us the box ?) and asked them to please store it for the next person on the list.

So....I need to firm up this list in the next month or two ? Nicole actually seemed like she wanted it now and I had to tell her we are still compiling the list. She gave me the fax number and told me to fax as soon as I had it. She was nice, but businesslike. It sounded like the whole chair swap might be a bit of a headache for the staff. I think we all should maybe send "thank you" cards or tip when we drop off the chairs next year ? I dunno. What do u think ? It's probably more work for the CM's than we even think it is. I'm pretty certain we will have to stick to the list once it's finalized and not allow anyone else to participate once the final list is faxed.

So I welcome any and all thoughts/ideas on where to start. I work, on average, 4 (8 hr) days a week. So I will have to do this in my downtime---but that's also when I do all my other chores. So please be patient with me as I begin this project....

 

[loribell]

How do they do the fridge swaps & Christmas tree swaps? Does anyone know?

I always thought the swap went from one member directly to another without a CM involved. I would imagine that it is a headache for the resort to have to keep track of.

 

[goldilocks_63]

I vote we pick out items from Walmart, and ship to the first family of 2009.

Maybe we can vote on the items, but here is a few I saw:

Small Umbrella -
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4837465

Chairs - (not sure if we need these if the one's we already have are in good shape).
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8154062

and of course I think we should include boggie boards -
http://www.soulsurfonline.com/categ....bodyboards/?gclid=CPDhpfOft5YCFQJ-xgodqx9nLA

Also, maybe a nice tip to the staff from bell services when we pickup each time would make the chore of storage less of a bore for the staff.

My other thoughts are that perhaps the purple storage guys - owner's locker would store this stuff offseason, for a smallish fee? (or maybe they want to branch out to Vero?)

Let me know how I can help....

Going in March, Goldi

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Lori and Goldi......

Thanks for the ideas. Lori...I honestly have no idea how they do the other swaps ? Anyone ?

But there are lags in some DIS'ers vacation dates.
I liked the chairs and umbrella......my only concern with using the chairs that are there is that VB should not be expected to store them for 2 months. We go from the last DIS'er for 2008 leaving around Dec 14. And the next DIS'er (so far) for 2009 isn't arriving until Feb 14. So that's a big gap and I can't imagine VB would want to hold on to those chairs ?

Now the suggestion of the purple van people is good, but I thought they only serviced DVC Members in the WDW area ? So unless we get a few more people who plan to vacation at VB in Jan, I just don't think it's fair to ask VB to hold the chairs for 2 months.
Info I found on Owner's Locker (mentions Orlando area) :
http://www.ownerslocker.com/quiz/

As for the boogie boards.....love 'em, but maybe we can get them a bit cheaper ? I've seen some for like $15 each ? Now if we can just find some online.

Keep the ideas coming guys

 

[Joey7295]

Is there any way I can get in on this years swap. I will be there from Nov 4 - Nov 7