Vero Beach Trip Report November 14-16 2008

[spacerangerqueen]

Birthday weekend trip to Vero Beach
November 14-16

The Cast:

Me - 25 turning 26, happy for a change of scenery to take photos of, eager to dine with Donald Duck, and ready to relax with a book on the beach

DBF - 27 in need of a vacation, booked the trip for us. Lover of seafood and the ocean. Really wanted to build a sandcastle.


We had never been to Vero before and when DBF saw a deal on a room he booked it and told me to request Friday off from work. My birthday would be the day after we returned, Monday the 17th, so this would be our celebration!

Of course once he told me we were going I hit up the Dis. I knew NOTHING about Vero Beach. But boy did I learn a lot. By the time we headed out I had a list of restaurants, reservations for a character breakfast with my favorite duck, and an excitement to see what everyone loved so much over on the Vero Adoration thread.

 

[spacerangerqueen]

Day One: Friday, November 14, 2008

We hit the road relatively early piled high with snacks and soda for our grueling 2.5 hour drive. Ok so maybe we over packed. As we approached the first toll on the Beachline we wondered why there was so much traffic late on a Friday morning. Then we saw the signs. Shuttle Launch. We had only realized this was happening right before we headed out. We were excited that we would get to see it from the resort, but hoping it wouldn't create a longer drive.

Once we got past all the toll plazas (should have gotten a sunpass, oh well) it was a smooth drive. Soon we were looking out our windows at some gorgeous views and then there it was! Disney's Vero Beach Resort!

A very nice security guard greeted us at the gate and checked us off the list. He directed us where to park and we headed inside the beautiful lobby.

We waited while the woman in front of us straightened out the fact that her travel agent had booked her two studios for just her and her husband. Then Gail called us up to check us in. She was very nice and friendly. Gave us first visit buttons and gave me a birthday button. She also said to tune into channel 94 (I think maybe 97? I'm bad with numbers) later that evening after she talked to Tinker Bell!

We then headed back out to the car and drove over to building 14. We were in room 1417 which is a first floor studio by the pool. I loved it. Though maybe next time I would like a second floor room. We never even went out on the patio, I would have liked an actual balcony.

The room was very nice and we had a cute turtle towel animal! I love turtles.

We unpacked our bags and then headed out to explore. This was the beach conditions on that first day.

It was great weather but it had been cooler earlier in the week so the water wasn't extremely warm yet. Not many people were in the water. DBF had to go out and stick his feet in though.

Ahh vacation! What a great start.

Up next: Dinner, shuttle launch, and smores! Oh my!

 

[rigsby25]

Thank you for the pictures. Our first trip was just in October, and we fell in love.

 

[loribell]

Great pics, great start. Can't wait to read more.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Dh's birthday is Nov. 17th too, and he celebrated it at MK!

We saw a bit of the shuttle's light in the sky. The skies opened and it poured right at launch time, but we had been waiting by the Swan/BW bridge and got to see some of the arc! How were the conditions for your viewing along the shore?

Bobbi

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Thanks for sharing! I stayed at Vero Beach maybe 6 or 7 years ago and don't remember much about it. We're heading back for 4 nights this December and I was a little bummed that we couldn't get a room at WDW, but you're making Vero sound great! Looking forward to our trip now!

 

[spacerangerqueen]

Thank you for the pictures. Our first trip was just in October, and we fell in love.

You're Welcome! It is a great resort.

Great pics, great start. Can't wait to read more.

Thanks! I'll put together more soon!

Dh's birthday is Nov. 17th too, and he celebrated it at MK!

We saw a bit of the shuttle's light in the sky. The skies opened and it poured right at launch time, but we had been waiting by the Swan/BW bridge and got to see some of the arc! How were the conditions for your viewing along the shore?

Bobbi

Yey November 17th birthdays are awesome! Last year we were on the Wonder and shared a table at dinner with a family who's dad had the same birthday

I'm sorry it rained on you! It was gorgeous out at Vero! I have some blurry pictures of it (needed a tripod) I'll post them in my report.

Thanks for sharing! I stayed at Vero Beach maybe 6 or 7 years ago and don't remember much about it. We're heading back for 4 nights this December and I was a little bummed that we couldn't get a room at WDW, but you're making Vero sound great! Looking forward to our trip now!

Don't worry you'll be very happy relaxing in gorgeous Vero instead of dealing with the crowds at WDW!

 

[spacerangerqueen]

Once we were done exploring we headed back to the room and decided what to do next.
First up was a round of mini golf.

We skipped hole two this time around. There was a group of young boys who had to have a dad come sort out how to keep score so they could finish hole one lol. So we opted to go around them once we got the chance.

After mini golf we changed into our swim suits and found a chair by the pool. DBF went straight for the slide. That thing is fast! he had a ton of water swishing over the side around the last turn. I eventually went on the slide as well and it was fantastic.
After some pool time we hit up the hot tub. There was a mom with her two sons there. One was eating a lolipop and the other was in the hot tub. Eventually mom pried the kids away and we were able to push the button to get the jets going. Oh how I didn't want to leave.

However we were starting to get hungry so leave we did.
We showered and changed and headed off to Squid Lips!
I had read about Squid Lips here and thought DBF would like it, seafood fan that he is.
So we punched Squid Lips into the GPS and headed off.

We were seated at a table next to the "window" which was open. Great view. A bit windy, but we rather enjoyed the wind. Once the band started to set up in the corner behind us the lady across from us tried to get them to close the one window. The guy at the table in front of the window was having none of that though lol.

I ordered a lemonade mixed drink which was pretty looking and lemony.

For an appetizer we got portobello mushrooms stuffed with crab and other
yumminess covered in cheese.

DBF decided to take advantage of the happy hour specials and ordered peel and eat shrimp and buffalo chicken wings while I got a nice large crab cake and fries.

DBF said that the shrimp was some of the best he'd ever had.

The chicken however went mostly uneaten.

I really liked my crab cake

We decided to skip dessert and return to the resort.

Up next .. the shuttle launch and smores!

 

[loribell]

How was the pool water?

Can't wait for the shuttle launch!

 

[spacerangerqueen]

How was the pool water?

Can't wait for the shuttle launch!

Pool water was great! A little cool but the body adjusted to it easily.

Day One conclusion....

We stopped at Publix on the way back to the resort to pick up some milk.
I wanted a Mickey ice cream sandwich so we headed to the main building to look around and score us some ice cream.
We wandered around the lobby area and then took the ice cream out to the beach. There was still about half an hour unitl the shuttle launch and there was no one else on the beach. It was gorgeous weather and the moon was large and full.

Soon enough others descended on the beach as well and we wandered almost beyond the resort. All of a sudden the sky lit up as if the sun was rising. I've seen shuttle launches before, but it was so beautiful to see it over the water.

Once the shuttle had faded off into space we decided to head over and check out the campfire. We were some of the first ones there and got to watch the cast members prepare and light the fire.

They were an energetic pair and it was fun to see them interact with kids and parents they had met earlier in the day. In the end I got pulled into the center because I was wearing a birthday button and had to participate in a dance song. Luckily I didn't have to go first and they saved the last spot for a teenage girl who was being a typical teenager in her lack of enthusiasm for being at a campfire with her family on vacation lol. The reward for all who embarrassed themselves was to be first up at the table to get the materials for smores.
Yumm toasted marshmallows and chocolate. DBF had fun roasting up the marshmallows and I had fun eating them.
It was a very fun evening and perfect weather for it.

We called it a night after the campfire. Retiring to our room to watch some DVDs we brought with us.

Up next: Character breakfast and more

 

[spacerangerqueen]

Saturday, November 15th:

We had reservations for the Character Breakfast with Goofy and Donald at Shutters at 9:10am.
We got up and got dressed and headed over. They did not have our name on the list but they had something that rhymed with it. We were both surprised that there weren't very many people there, as we are so used to people fighting tooth and nail for tables at WDW.
As soon as we got to our table Goofy was running over to sit down with us.

We were given a sheet of paper to get autographs on and we each had a coloring page to enter into the coloring contest.

The food was family style. They brought us out a basket of pastries first. yummy cinnamon buns and some scones. We both had big white Mickey head plate to eat off of.

The main meal was a big platter with Mickey waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage ans potatoes. We also had a try of fruit.

We got to spend some quality time with both Donald and Goofy. I love Donald so I was in heaven.

It was a great time. Just as we were getting ready to leave the servers came out and started singing happy birthday holding a big plate with a piece of cake on it. DBF looks at me and says "I didn't tell them it was your birthday." Well here they come and put the cake down in front of me! I was exstatic, our server must have seen my button! It may have been breakfast, but I didn't mind, the cake was yummy.

Quite an enjoyable meal and a great birthday experience

 

[loribell]

I love the pic of the moon over the water. I bet that shuttle launch was just breathtaking.

Breakfast looked very yummy!

Thanks for the update.

 

[podsnel]

This sounds like such a great birthday trip- very relaxing but fun! Thanks for all the pics and details- I'm looking forward to hearing more...

 

[nzdisneymom]

Great report! We had our first (and only so far) stay at Vero Beach over New Year's and we loved it there. Seeing your pics reminds me of how much we enjoyed our stay.

I'm in agreement about preferring a balcony over a patio.

Loved the pics.

 

[mcrabeck]

Great report and pictures! We are thinking of going to VB in the future. It looks like a great place- can't wait to read more. Thanks for sharing

 

[ILuvCrush]

Hi I just read your report so far...it has me so excited to go to Vero this coming year!!
You're doing a great job...love all the pics!

Paula

 

[Mahusky]

Great trip report!

 

[Lexxiefern]

Great report and pictures! I miss vero, need to book another trip there soon.

 

[princessesrule4]

oops double post

 

[princessesrule4]

Sounds like a great trip! We love Vero and can't wait to be back there in April!