We Strapped Sea Turtles to Our Feet! A Summer of Sea & Shore - 11/13 x3 FINISHED!!!!!

[Charleston Princess]

Fun afternoon at Nasa! I must confess I have no idea what tribbles are...

Love that alligator welcoming you to Vero!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Look at you - cranking out the updates!!

Sounds like you had fun at KSC. We missed the Star Trek show, don't even remember seeing anything about it on the map/times guide. Maybe it wasn't playing while we were there

Looking forward to seeing & hearing all about Vero!!

 

[Happydog]

The layout of these villas reminded me somewhat of OKW... it had the same angled island in the center of the room, with the island doubling as the TV cabinet... OKW is the only resort I know of that has this layout, I might be mistaken, b/c the one bedrooms I have stayed at have been in different resorts, but the floorplan is pretty simple, and it was spacious enough. I didn't get a bathroom photo, I thought I did, but I think I have one with the boys in the tub later in the trip...

I think I took this one after we had been in the villa for a while, b/c it looks dark outside!! LOL!

The bedroom, complete with towel animal!!! A splendid Angel fish, or maybe a sting ray... LOL!

Just as we got out welcome packet, and the keys, the sky opened up and it started to pour rain.. WOW! we got all the luggage inside and started to unpack, the boys were excited to play with their new set from the Space Center, so that kept them occupied... that evening we were not very brave! We ordered pizza in, and got a side salad from the place up the street recommended at the front desk. It was GOOD pizza... I had avoided pizza on the ship, so at least I wasn't sick of it!! We enjoyed dinner, DH went to the lobby store, got a little milk, and checked out a few movies. This trip our kids definitely caught up on all the Disney movies they hadn't seen before!!! LOL! And yes, some of the "girly" ones!!! They were a perfect after dinner, or rainstorm activity! Though the arcade was also fun, and watching cartoon in the lobby was as well!!! We scoured the week of activities, decided what we would have the kids do, and drank the wine we had brought with us for this leg of our vacation. We had prepacked certain things and left them in the car during the cruise. Having our car allowed me to pack a few bags with snacks, and non-perishable items from home, so I could stock up the villa when we got there. We still went for groceries the next morning (and Margarita fixings!) but we had what we needed our first afternoon/evening, and morning!

So that evening, while the rain came down, I set down to sorting out the packing and the FE stuff from the cruise.... here is what we received, and what I purchased on the cruise...

OF Course we received our Castaway Club member goodie bag in the room, the red and black bag with the same cruise cups, key chain, and the rice crispie treats, guaranteed to turn your mouth blue or red...
I didn't take a photo of the bag, it was already packed up with beach stuff, but I think I have shown it on our earlier Dream cruise TR... We have three of these now, and when we get to November, we will have received four of these gift bags ... and frankly, I am running out of room for the metal water containers!!! I wish they didn't give you those... they are not that big, metal, and two at a time means I have six now, an will have eight!!! BUT in February we will be on our 6th cruise, and will be "gold" members So hopefully we'll get something different!!!

So here is the first purchase, it was the "buy $25.00 and get it for $10.00 or something like that....deal"... not the fluffiest towel I have gotten from WDW on one of these deals, but it was cute. Good for the kids!

The loot for the NEXT cruise... I bought DS8 this teeshirt. I LOVE it. I SHOULD have bought one for DS6, I tried to go back later but they were out... I will get one in November. It is really nicely made and not a typical Disney-tee.... The cookies are for NEXT cruise, I get them and always have goodie bags, as you know, so I bought the boxes, and the Christmas ornament was for me, as well... Having just been on the Dream in February I hadn't many other "souvenirs" I needed to have... I wanted to save a little money for our WDW part of the trip as well!! And I reminded the boys about DTD and the toy shop, so this was important for them!!!

Now, this gift was actually a Mother's day gift, but it made its debut on this cruise!!! LOL!! It is a necklace my DH bought me (well the boys bought me!!!)

Now here, is where it gets fun... the FE stuff. Can I say we received some of the most amazingly fun and unique and hand crafted stuff!!! It was sooo cool!!!! Just look at the pictures and I think you can point stuff out... we got several magnets, some hand made items, bookmarks, autograph and photo frames, etc.... personalized candy wrappers, CDs of Island music, Disney trading pins!, and just the coolest stuff!! I was really blown away by what people did... it was a fantastic group, and we were all on FB with eachother, and that was really special...

It being the CARS2 movie premier at sea, there was plenty of CARS thematic stuff to go around!!!

The Card/Invite for the Premier!

It was fun to see all the gifts, and in addition to all these hand crafted items, we had gobs of candy, silly bands, pirate rubber ducks, and glow items... it made the cruise extra special.

That evening, we finished dinner, the boys were tucked in bed, and we stayed up reading for a little while, and I did some laundry. We had great visions of the BEACH on our mind for the next day!!! We had arrived at Disney's Vero Beach resort!!!!!!

 

[Happydog]

Fun afternoon at Nasa! I must confess I have no idea what tribbles are...

Love that alligator welcoming you to Vero!

Tribbles are these little fuzzy space creatures that multiply like rabbits, and in an episode or two of the old Star Trek series, they are encountered on some planet... So now they are for sale at the Kennedy Space Center!!!!

Yes the alligator is cute! So too are the rest of the Peter Pan themes, they have these cool paintings, but I share them on another day!!!

Look at you - cranking out the updates!!

Sounds like you had fun at KSC. We missed the Star Trek show, don't even remember seeing anything about it on the map/times guide. Maybe it wasn't playing while we were there

Looking forward to seeing & hearing all about Vero!!

It was in the theater, I am sure it was there, I can't imagine that just "came out" we were only there a few weeks after you?? Well, you didn't miss much... We are glad we went twice, to be honest, that way we felt like we got our money's worth! Though the second day the weather was not very friendly!!!

YES, I was excited to get to Vero!! That is where the bulk of my photos were taken... I think because it was very new to me!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

That is so funny about the surprise photographer! You never know what you are going to find when you start looking at pictures.....

Oh Vero Beach, how I adore that place. Such a great place to relax after a cruise or Disney trip.

 

[gallmcduck]

Your final cruise day sounds lovely at cc it is sad to be leaving, you have two more to plan just one more bag

VB villa does look like the okw layout, look forward to seeing more of vb

 

[eandesmom]

The trouble with Tribbles!!!!!!!!



They didn't have the Star Trek stuff there back in '04 when we were there, Jeff would LOVE that! Fun seeing all your FE goodies and souvies. I almost bought an ornament and now am kicking myself that I didn't.

We loved doing the FE, go glad we did it! Very fun items and yes, some that just blow you away!

It sounds like you had a great day at Kennedy and perfect timing to get out!

 

[MeMom]

There's so much to comment on - the boys are adorable, the place is beautiful, the merchandise is fun....no wonder you are pouting! I have to have a trip every 4-5 months, or I pout, too. My ideal trip plan would be four times a year, once during every season.

Thanks for sharing the good times your crew had on the trip. I really enjoyed coming along through the 'puter. I really want to see those boys in person someday. They remind me of all the energy that used to be an everyday part of my life when my boys were growing up. I can relate so well to seeing them up, down, and all around, acting silly, and such.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yeay for Cruise souvenirs and FE stuff! So many cute things! I love the little sign/ornament with your name and Mickey relaxing on the beach! Very creative!

Sounds like a perfect rainy/beach evening with pizza and movies!

 

[MEK]

Curious? - How Long did it take to drive to KSC to Vero?

I love the KSC. I have only been there once but I want to go back next summer for the day. It's so fun. different from Disney, but entertaining in its own way.

I also love Vero. I think the 1 BR is huge. I also think they should put a sleeper chair in there so the 1BR sleeps 5.

Be back later to see your pics!

 

[Happydog]

That is so funny about the surprise photographer! You never know what you are going to find when you start looking at pictures.....

Oh Vero Beach, how I adore that place. Such a great place to relax after a cruise or Disney trip.

I know he took several while on the cruise, of the carpet, the inside of his brother's mouth, you know -- the important stuff!!! LOL!!

Oh I get why you liked Vero so much, we did too!!!!

Your final cruise day sounds lovely at cc it is sad to be leaving, you have two more to plan just one more bag

VB villa does look like the okw layout, look forward to seeing more of vb

It was nice to have a place to go after the cruise, made the Disney separation more manageable!!! LOL!!!!

The trouble with Tribbles!!!!!!!!



They didn't have the Star Trek stuff there back in '04 when we were there, Jeff would LOVE that! Fun seeing all your FE goodies and souvies. I almost bought an ornament and now am kicking myself that I didn't.

We loved doing the FE, go glad we did it! Very fun items and yes, some that just blow you away!

It sounds like you had a great day at Kennedy and perfect timing to get out!

Well it was funny, quite a hoot actually, b/c it wasn't as Disney-polished and professional!!! And yes, the kids really enjoyed it on both days!

There's so much to comment on - the boys are adorable, the place is beautiful, the merchandise is fun....no wonder you are pouting! I have to have a trip every 4-5 months, or I pout, too. My ideal trip plan would be four times a year, once during every season.

Thanks for sharing the good times your crew had on the trip. I really enjoyed coming along through the 'puter. I really want to see those boys in person someday. They remind me of all the energy that used to be an everyday part of my life when my boys were growing up. I can relate so well to seeing them up, down, and all around, acting silly, and such.

Thanks MeMom!!! We had a great time, and they really do make Disney vacations fun and special. I agree, once a season!!! LOL!! Looks like Anita has that same vision, because looking at her tickers that is what she has going on!!!!!

Well I am just thrilled I get to meet you in FOUR weeks, LESS than 4 weeks!!! And I am sure we'll be there around the same time again soon with my family, so you can meet the rascals!

Yeay for Cruise souvenirs and FE stuff! So many cute things! I love the little sign/ornament with your name and Mickey relaxing on the beach! Very creative!

Sounds like a perfect rainy/beach evening with pizza and movies!

That was neat, so too were the black felt mickey heads (which had magnets on the back) b/c they came "stuffed" with a tootsie pop, so they looked like mickey "balloons" on a stick!!! TOO cute!!!! And the trading pins, just such thoughtful people!! It was a great FE to be a part of.

Yep, getting unpacked, exploring a little and just enjoying ourselves together in the villa while the rain came down was fun. It wasn't a wash for the whole evening, thankfully, but it was cozy being inside together!

Curious? - How Long did it take to drive to KSC to Vero?

I love the KSC. I have only been there once but I want to go back next summer for the day. It's so fun. different from Disney, but entertaining in its own way.

I also love Vero. I think the 1 BR is huge. I also think they should put a sleeper chair in there so the 1BR sleeps 5.

Be back later to see your pics!

Good question! I have to ask DH, I think an hour and a half... I will ask. Yes, it was a neat experience! You know, I think there is a sleeper chair in the villa, so I think it DOES sleep 5... we can check with Jen and Anita.. b/c I think they had a 1 bedroom... or maybe I am mistaken and they got a 2 bedroom...

Lets see what they say!!

 

[IluvXU]

The one bedroom does have a sleeper chair and sleep five. I even experienced it one night, and it was not too bad.

 

[Happydog]

The one bedroom does have a sleeper chair and sleep five. I even experienced it one night, and it was not too bad.

Slumber party!! I think they look comfortable!!!

Good to know!

 

[MEK]

So maybe Vero was remodeled since I was there last. Because it definitely only slept 4 in 2008 and the decor looks different. Actually way more neutral than I remember.

Anyway - fun pics! finally got caught up on them. Drives me crazy that I can't see pics at work.

 

[Napoleon]

I love Captain Jack

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Last June we had a 1br, Baylor had the sleeper chair and had no complaints at all...

Next summer we will have a 2br, Baylor will probably still have the sleeper chair.

Just last night I was looking at a return trip to Vero for a couple of nights and a few at Disney just before school starts. We would love to see the sea turtles hatching, and as Marc said, we can't be that close to the parks without stopping in for a few days.
So it looks like another ticker for the end of Jully could be in the works.

 

[Happydog]

So maybe Vero was remodeled since I was there last. Because it definitely only slept 4 in 2008 and the decor looks different. Actually way more neutral than I remember.

Anyway - fun pics! finally got caught up on them. Drives me crazy that I can't see pics at work.

Ha! Well, that chair was definitely put to good use for a few DIS friends it seems!!!

Thanks! I have lots from this part of the trip!!

I love Captain Jack

What is not to love !!??!!

Last June we had a 1br, Baylor had the sleeper chair and had no complaints at all...

Next summer we will have a 2br, Baylor will probably still have the sleeper chair.

Just last night I was looking at a return trip to Vero for a couple of nights and a few at Disney just before school starts. We would love to see the sea turtles hatching, and as Marc said, we can't be that close to the parks without stopping in for a few days.
So it looks like another ticker for the end of Jully could be in the works.

Ah, so I see how it is when you keep getting these "little" contracts here and there!!!!

Good for you! And I would agree, if you go all that way, how could you NOT go??!! LOL! That was our logic, too!!!! Hence, where we went after Vero!!!

 

[IluvXU]

Last June we had a 1br, Baylor had the sleeper chair and had no complaints at all...

Next summer we will have a 2br, Baylor will probably still have the sleeper chair.

Just last night I was looking at a return trip to Vero for a couple of nights and a few at Disney just before school starts. We would love to see the sea turtles hatching, and as Marc said, we can't be that close to the parks without stopping in for a few days.
So it looks like another ticker for the end of Jully could be in the works.

Hey... I want those dates. Maybe that would work. We are still unbooked for next summer. It is killing me, but we are waiting a few weeks to decide!

 

[Happydog]

Hey... I want those dates. Maybe that would work. We are still unbooked for next summer. It is killing me, but we are waiting a few weeks to decide!

We have not planned our summer trip officially yet, either! We are looking at 4th of July week, that same June/July hurdle... I gotta get on that!!!!

WigD, THREE weeks!!!!! YAY!!!!

 

[jenseib]

Looks like a great ending to the cruise. Vero does look a lot like OKW. If I didn't know it was Vero, I would think it was OKW right off the bat. Of course the outside looks different.