The 2009 Vero Beach Adoration and INFO thread

[Anal Annie]

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

Sounds like a plan...

 

[DisneyQueen1320]

Hello,
My dh, ds (3) (7) are staying at VB for the first time from 12/13 to 12/18. I have some questions, how the weather, what activites do they have during this time of year, and are the pools heated?

 

[Mahusky]

Hey Starbox! Great report and I am very jealous..... while my DW and I have discussed moving to VB (at least as a snowbird ) we are no where near it as you are! We just LOVE VB area because it is QUIET!

In all our visits there have bever been to Nino's so that is worth exploring this trip. What about the Oriente... kid friendly? How about large crowd friendly? there will be 11 of us! Cant wait.... 22 days until VB.

Thanks
Dave .... aka Mahusky ...

 

[starbox]

Hey Starbox! Great report and I am very jealous..... while my DW and I have discussed moving to VB (at least as a snowbird ) we are no where near it as you are! We just LOVE VB area because it is QUIET!

In all our visits there have bever been to Nino's so that is worth exploring this trip. What about the Oriente... kid friendly? How about large crowd friendly? there will be 11 of us! Cant wait.... 22 days until VB.

Thanks
Dave .... aka Mahusky ...

Yeah - DH and I started off with a 10 year plan, but we've moved it up to 5 years. Neither of us will be anywhere near retirement, but we hope to to start second careers (well, DH will - I'll keep teaching) - hoping the economic forecast is a bit brighter by then.

Nino's is quite good - very fresh and not expensive at all. It never strikes me as being as "heavy" as Italian food at restaurants often is.

As for Oriente - they could accomodate a group but I'd make advance reservations. I'd hesitate to say 100% "kid-friendly" because it's signature dining-type food and there's a really good cocktail menu and the drink portions are quite generous. The atmosphere is not stuffy or overly "fancy" though - and there is instumental Cuban music playing - I'd say it's about as kid-friendly as a Disney signature restaurant.

I'm still talking about that meal. Honestly - DH and I had a date night tonight and I was like "You know what I liked??? That Gloria Estefan restaurant....."

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

ok forgive me if this isn't the place to post this but since everyone on here knows so much about VB I thought I would ask. We purchased a beach umbrella on clearance the other day and I thought what a great thing to bring with us to VB next month. It is a 6 ft umbrella but comes apart and stores in a carry bag so we could check it in with our luggage. However, I am wondering how is everyone able to stake those types of umbrellas in the sand over there as I have read its pretty hard sand in that area. We figured we could buy some cheap chairs when we got there and not have to pay the $30 a day or whatever except now I am wondering if we can even get that thing in the ground? Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[Anal Annie]

ok forgive me if this isn't the place to post this but since everyone on here knows so much about VB I thought I would ask. We purchased a beach umbrella on clearance the other day and I thought what a great thing to bring with us to VB next month. It is a 6 ft umbrella but comes apart and stores in a carry bag so we could check it in with our luggage. However, I am wondering how is everyone able to stake those types of umbrellas in the sand over there as I have read its pretty hard sand in that area. We figured we could buy some cheap chairs when we got there and not have to pay the $30 a day or whatever except now I am wondering if we can even get that thing in the ground? Any help would be appreciated!!

You would use one of these little $15 "sand grabber" things (sometimes can find at like Wal-Mart & similar stores - probably not too hard to find in a beach community like VB). We have one that we use whenever go to our local beaches. It helps anchor the umbrellas so they don't fly away in the ocean breezes too!

http://www.shadeusa.com/beach_umbrella_holders.htm

 

[photobob]

You would use one of these little $15 "sand grabber" things (sometimes can find at like Wal-Mart & similar stores - probably not too hard to find in a beach community like VB). We have one that we use whenever go to our local beaches. It helps anchor the umbrellas so they don't fly away in the ocean breezes too!

http://www.shadeusa.com/beach_umbrella_holders.htm

We had a "sandscrew" with the umbrella swap and it was very easy to use. The sand is a firm sand that will really hold the umbrella in place. I'd recommend the sandscrew or sandgrabber. The guys who set up the rental umbrellas use a shovel.

 

[Mahusky]

Gloria Estefan restaurant....."

THanks for the info Starbox!! We might even try the Gloria Estefan restaurant. When we were i VB last August I dont think they had the restaurant up an running just yet!

Ocean Grille, Oriente or GE Rest.... hmmmmm Maybe all three in one visit!

 

[momx2]

We are so excited! We had SW credits that had to be used. We just called today and got 2 nights in a GVR for this Friday and Saturday night. We are then staying at VWL on Sunday night, VBR wasn't open on Sunday. I can't beleive we called this late and got a room! My girls are so excited.

My oldest DD 11 wants to try the Kayak Adventure. My youngest DD 8 wants to snorkel. Does anyone have any info on either of these two activities?

 

[starbox]

THanks for the info Starbox!! We might even try the Gloria Estefan restaurant. When we were i VB last August I dont think they had the restaurant up an running just yet!

Ocean Grille, Oriente or GE Rest.... hmmmmm Maybe all three in one visit!

I can make it easier - Oriente is Gloria Estefan's restaurant! So that's just two places to eat.

 

[starbox]

My oldest DD 11 wants to try the Kayak Adventure. My youngest DD 8 wants to snorkel. Does anyone have any info on either of these two activities?

Kayak and Snorklears are only offered one day a week, and I think it's during the week. There is DJ by the pool w/pool games on Saturday, as well as the Turtle Troop (Saturday), Unbirthday Party, a mini golf tournament, and Fishing (early Friday). Plenty to keep the kids happy!

 

[floridafam]

starbox,

I love your photos. McKee is great, especially at Christmas time. My kids love to go there.

I love your picture at The Fountains. My kids have taken a couple of field trips there for an afternoon of playing in the water.



FYI-I don't know if it has been mentioned in this thread but Publix is opening their Fresh Market next month, I believe. It's going to be in the Miracle Mile shopping plaza. I heard it's supposed to be a lot like Whole Foods. We'll see.

 

[floridafam]

The county also recently refurbished Golden Sands beach (just North of the resort) and they have better facilities and a nice playground now. DH said everything they did immediately North of the resort looks great.

 

[GADisneyDVC]

We checked in earlier today. Have been to the beach, the pool, done a craft time and eaten at Shutters so far. Storm came in and it has been raining most of the evening. So we got a movie from the store and are watching it now. Two complaints, our sleeper sofa was broken so they came out and fixed it so we could open it and are taking a piece and fixing that and bringing it back tomorrow. Then we only had one sheet to make up that bed. Other than that things have been great and we are looking forward to the rest of the week. If anyone has any questions, I will try to answer them. I did see some one ask about SnorkleEars and that is on Tuesday this week. My DD is already signed up for it!! Looking forward to that!

 

[podsnel]

Starbox- what a great TR! Thank-you! But why are there never any pics of the photographer, hmmmm???? By the way, those cottages looked adorable! If i lived down there, I would absolutely get one for a month!

I have a quick question about Oriente- how long of a drive is it from the resort (the Disney one)? Thanks!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Starbox- what a great TR! Thank-you! But why are there never any pics of the photographer, hmmmm???? By the way, those cottages looked adorable! If i lived down there, I would absolutely get one for a month!

I have a quick question about Oriente- how long of a drive is it from the resort (the Disney one)? Thanks!

It is real close, like maybe 10-15 minutes. As you turn left coming out of the resort, it is along this road (A1A) and it will be on the left. You'll recognize it by the fountains out front!!

 

[floridafam]

When you come down A1A you will have to turn left at Beachland Blvd. Gloria's hotel is actually on Ocean Drive, I believe.

You will only be on Beachland Blvd for about a block or two. Turn right and her hotel is on the left a little ways down.

 

[Mahusky]

I can make it easier - Oriente is Gloria Estefan's restaurant! So that's just two places to eat.

Well that is embarassing .... Although you just did help! Now one night Ocean Grille and 1 night Oriente!!!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Well that is embarassing .... Although you just did help! Now one night Ocean Grille and 1 night Oriente!!!

That's us too Mahusky!!! Ain't Vero Beach the best!!!!

 

[floridafam]

I used to get the two roads confused when we first moved here because they are both by the ocean.

For anyone looking for a cute place to have a casual lunch there is always Casey's Place right off Ocean Drive. They have great BLT's, hamburgers, sandwiches, etc. with picnic table to eat them at. It's a big with the "locals." We saw Gloria and her family eating there a couple of times when the hotel was being built.