OKWTink
September 2nd, 2002, 14:31
While wandering the earth recently, I spent some time at this resort.
I made the reservation on a spur of the moment thought; roughly two weeks before the visit. I wasn't able to get the desired one room villa, so accepted a studio.
The studio has a queen bed, and a pull out couch. It's been a long time since I've spent time in a studio and I must say that I sorely missed the full kitchen, but managed to make do with the small refrigerator and microwave.
Disney provides directions to this resort at the bottom of the confirmation letter. They were somewhat odd. They direct you to drive through the town of Sebastian which takes you out of your way. When exiting 95 south, do take the Sebastian exit, but take a right on route 510 much sooner than you'll be directed.
There is a very nice Publix quite close to the resort. There is also a little shop called the Beach Market (?) within very close walking distance. They have a surprisingly nice selection of prepared foods in addition to some beverages and other sundry articles.
There is a public beach/park right next to Vero Beach Resort. This is the place to go if you want to cook out (freestanding hibachis, and covered pavillions) and if you want a life guard while swimming in the ocean. Disney's beach front is not guarded.
The CMs at this resort are unbelievably friendly. From the Security Guard, who welcomed me with every greeting imaginable to the front desk CMs, to the restaurant CMs to the housekeeping CMs, all were extremely warm and friendly!
When you call housekeeping you are greeted with, "Hello, this is (fill in CM name) how may I help the (fill in your surname) family today. Really nice!
Parking for the most part is under the buildings (except for those who stay in the main building). There are elevators at this resort which makes it very, very nice for lugging baggage!!!
Long, endlessly long morning walks on the beach. Puttering in the waves, looking for seashells, watching for dolphins or the elusive head of a sea turtle. Seeing many, many sea turtle nests. The females are still coming in to shore in the evening to nest, but it is slowing down quite a bit. The hatchlings are now entering their phase. There will be nests hatching and returning to the sea for the next several months. The tiny (much, much smaller than they appear on PBS or the Discovery channel !) hatchlings have 24 hours of energy. They expend it covering the expanse of beach from the nest to the water and swimming until they find a patch of seaweed which they then climb upon. It provides a haven and food until they "join" with the huge ocean clump of seaweed where the other turtles are. There are leatherbacks, greens, and loggerheads on this expanse of beach. Lights in the evening, including flashlights/torches are completely forbidden on the beach.
Warm afternoons in the pool. Paddling around, watching adults and children alike use the slide, sipping a drink from the poolside snack bar. Resting in the lounge chairs, continuing to read the book started before this trip.
Late afternoons using the exercise room. The equipment is extensive and well maintained. Treadmills, stair steppers, recumbent bicycles, nautilus to work all muscle groups and free weights are there for the using.
Early evening spent in the Green Room with before dinner cocktails and watching the ocean. Do use the binoculars that are available to you there. I saw any number of turtles in the ocean that way. You will see the dorsal fins of a shark or two if you look closely. Yes, they are along this coast.
After dinner walks on the beach. The darkness allows you to see every star in the sky, or so it seems. The vastness of the heavens, the lulling sound of the sea and the completely uninterrupted expanse of ocean all work to make you feel incredibly insignificant on this earth. A Zen sort of peacefulness decends on your soul.
Had one meal in Shutter's. Didn't care for this restaurant the first time I tried it and still don't. Essentially, the food is too expensive for the quality. The server, Heather, was just as wonderful as she could be though! Maybe reserve this restaurant for the character breakfast? Will have to see next time.
Walked through the breezeway to the property across the street that was once intended for expansion until those plans were scrubbed. It is pretty "natural" there and a little disconcerting. (Natural in Florida means snakes, 'gators in the pond, BIG spiders and other creatures I don't necessarily want to cavort with, vacation or no). There is a parking area, and a covered pavillion (that was being used by a private party during my visit). There are open air/sun picnic tables and hibachis, but they are not convenient to get to. Also, there are only two portable toilets. (In the Florida sun...double ugh)!
All told it is a very peaceful, relaxing place where you can reflect on the meaning of life, ponder the vastness of the ocean, or reflect on the quality of your drink and ponder your next refill!
I made the reservation on a spur of the moment thought; roughly two weeks before the visit. I wasn't able to get the desired one room villa, so accepted a studio.
The studio has a queen bed, and a pull out couch. It's been a long time since I've spent time in a studio and I must say that I sorely missed the full kitchen, but managed to make do with the small refrigerator and microwave.
Disney provides directions to this resort at the bottom of the confirmation letter. They were somewhat odd. They direct you to drive through the town of Sebastian which takes you out of your way. When exiting 95 south, do take the Sebastian exit, but take a right on route 510 much sooner than you'll be directed.
There is a very nice Publix quite close to the resort. There is also a little shop called the Beach Market (?) within very close walking distance. They have a surprisingly nice selection of prepared foods in addition to some beverages and other sundry articles.
There is a public beach/park right next to Vero Beach Resort. This is the place to go if you want to cook out (freestanding hibachis, and covered pavillions) and if you want a life guard while swimming in the ocean. Disney's beach front is not guarded.
The CMs at this resort are unbelievably friendly. From the Security Guard, who welcomed me with every greeting imaginable to the front desk CMs, to the restaurant CMs to the housekeeping CMs, all were extremely warm and friendly!
When you call housekeeping you are greeted with, "Hello, this is (fill in CM name) how may I help the (fill in your surname) family today. Really nice!
Parking for the most part is under the buildings (except for those who stay in the main building). There are elevators at this resort which makes it very, very nice for lugging baggage!!!
Long, endlessly long morning walks on the beach. Puttering in the waves, looking for seashells, watching for dolphins or the elusive head of a sea turtle. Seeing many, many sea turtle nests. The females are still coming in to shore in the evening to nest, but it is slowing down quite a bit. The hatchlings are now entering their phase. There will be nests hatching and returning to the sea for the next several months. The tiny (much, much smaller than they appear on PBS or the Discovery channel !) hatchlings have 24 hours of energy. They expend it covering the expanse of beach from the nest to the water and swimming until they find a patch of seaweed which they then climb upon. It provides a haven and food until they "join" with the huge ocean clump of seaweed where the other turtles are. There are leatherbacks, greens, and loggerheads on this expanse of beach. Lights in the evening, including flashlights/torches are completely forbidden on the beach.
Warm afternoons in the pool. Paddling around, watching adults and children alike use the slide, sipping a drink from the poolside snack bar. Resting in the lounge chairs, continuing to read the book started before this trip.
Late afternoons using the exercise room. The equipment is extensive and well maintained. Treadmills, stair steppers, recumbent bicycles, nautilus to work all muscle groups and free weights are there for the using.
Early evening spent in the Green Room with before dinner cocktails and watching the ocean. Do use the binoculars that are available to you there. I saw any number of turtles in the ocean that way. You will see the dorsal fins of a shark or two if you look closely. Yes, they are along this coast.
After dinner walks on the beach. The darkness allows you to see every star in the sky, or so it seems. The vastness of the heavens, the lulling sound of the sea and the completely uninterrupted expanse of ocean all work to make you feel incredibly insignificant on this earth. A Zen sort of peacefulness decends on your soul.
Had one meal in Shutter's. Didn't care for this restaurant the first time I tried it and still don't. Essentially, the food is too expensive for the quality. The server, Heather, was just as wonderful as she could be though! Maybe reserve this restaurant for the character breakfast? Will have to see next time.
Walked through the breezeway to the property across the street that was once intended for expansion until those plans were scrubbed. It is pretty "natural" there and a little disconcerting. (Natural in Florida means snakes, 'gators in the pond, BIG spiders and other creatures I don't necessarily want to cavort with, vacation or no). There is a parking area, and a covered pavillion (that was being used by a private party during my visit). There are open air/sun picnic tables and hibachis, but they are not convenient to get to. Also, there are only two portable toilets. (In the Florida sun...double ugh)!
All told it is a very peaceful, relaxing place where you can reflect on the meaning of life, ponder the vastness of the ocean, or reflect on the quality of your drink and ponder your next refill!