Vero Beach and BCV trip report...

[goofyguy1958]

I have been putting this off as long as possible in hopes that I would actually wake up from my nightmare that I/we have left WDW.

Sunday June 19, 2007: Up and out to the airport for our early morning flight to MCO then drive to Vero Beach. Good start to the trip with our flight actually arriving 20 minutes early. Thanks to Florida’s 70 MPH speed limit, the drive to Vero Beach took us about 90 minutes.

Stopped to grab some grub and suds for the room and then check in at Vero. If you haven’t had the pleasure, VB is awesome! As soon as we dropped our food and luggage in the room we went back to the lobby to grab some food at the Green Cabin Room. This place serves really cold beer and has some great burgers and whole wheat flat breads that they make into an interesting pizza, but the best part is the un-real view looking out on the ocean while enjoying all of the above.

We stayed for 3 nights and the only complaint any of the 4 of us have is that they need to replace the mattresses - all of them! We relaxed, had fun in the pool, had an adult beverage or twenty, enjoyed some relaxation and then really had fun when we sent the kids off for crafts, a very un-merry birthday party, more crafts, and another event that I cannot recall right now.

On our second night at VB we went on a turtle walk with the group Caribbean Conservation. It was one of the neatest things we have ever done. While waiting on the very dark beach our guide asked if anyone had questions. Well, he did not know that the master questioner was there – my son is a huge animal lover and very inquisitive for a 7-year-old. My DS took the bait and about 100 questions later (occasionally he would let someone else ask something) the scouts called on the radio to let us know that a turtle was on the beach laying her eggs. We walked right up to her and my DS actually was let right up front to help her with replacing the sand after she was finished laying. Walking back to the cars (we had to walk about ¾ of a mile up the beach) my DD and DS said to DW and I that this was one night they will never forget.

On Wednesday, June 22nd we checked out of VB and drove to WDW and the BCV.

To be continued …

[kathyseb]

OH come on, that is no place to stop. What the heck happened?

[bababear]

That is so cool --definately something I'd love to see. Disney is great at helping people create wonderful family memories.

LOVE Turtles

Glad you have a wonderful time and hope they change the mattresses soon.
Hugs Mel

[mkhurley]

Great report, sounds like fun, now I'm gonna have to book a few nights at VB....THANKS...uh I mean Thanks.

[CRSNDSNY]

Sounds amazing so far! Can't wait to hear more!

[mickey4us]

Wow!! My kids would love the turtle walk! I had no idea they did anything like that at VB. We definitely want to try VB during one of our future trips-only 1 1/2 hours away?? I'm sure we can squeeze that in.

[harmrose22]

The turtle walk sounds awesome! We are definitely keeping that in mind for a trip to VB.

But... what happened with the rest??????? What a way to leave us hanging!

[goofyguy1958]

Well, I guess I waited long enough before completing my report. Seriously, work has completely taken over my life and I have had no time to finish the report. Sorry for the length but I tried to not be so verbose.

Onward we drove to BCV and the excitement crested when we drove under the arch welcoming us into WDW; I LOVE THAT ARCH.

I have heard nothing but good, if not great, reviews about BCV and was anticipating a wonderful stay. I ask when checking in for a room with a good view and am told none are available and our room was not ready yet. No big deal lets go get lunch. We walk over to the Yacht Club Galley and have a really nice sit down meal to start our stay.

After a lot of pin trading by my DD and DS with cast members I call and get our room assignment – room 403. The room was very nice but the view of the courtyard and the car port leaves something to be desired. So, this being the worst thing that occurred, we had a great stay.

After unpacking we head out to the first stop of any trip to the World, Magic Kingdom! No trip to the world can start until we walk under the train station and great Roy and Minnie for a picture and gaze up at the castle. After a short stroll up Main Street we head over to Tomorrow land and catch Mike W’s (I do not know how it is spelled) Laugh Floor – cute (kids and DW loved it) and DD actually texted a joke that was used in the show (How do you make a monster scream? Show them a picture of Roz before her morning coffee.). We spent a couple of hours in Magic Kingdom and then jumped on the Monorail and headed over to EPCOT just in time to jump on Spaceship Earth, Nemo, and Soarin with no wait because it was close to Illuminations. We watched Illuminations then walked back to the Beach Club for a couple of night caps.

Day 2 starts with a very nice relaxed breakfast in the Yacht Club Galley then a walk over to MGM. Here we do all the normal attractions and rides and kids favorite visit to the Art Institute for some character drawing. If you ever get the chance to do this it is really fun to see how all the characters are drawn and you get to give it a shot. We went back a few times and drew Minnie, Stitch and Goofy. The capper of the day was diner at 50’s Prime Time – love this place and the goofy characters who serve you.

Day 3 and off to an 8 AM seating at Crystal Palace for breakfast and a day at Magic Kingdom. After a great breakfast we head over to Space Mountain for my DS’ (7) first ever ride on the mountain. He was very excited and even a bit scared but was eager to experience the ride. We walked right onto the ride. My DS is now a Space Mountain expert willing to share his wisdom with everyone. Again we do all the normal rides, Mickey’s Philharmagic, Main Street, and then off to EPCOT again. In case you can’t tell, my family really likes EPCOT and when at WDW we visit there at least every other day. We also hit the pool (Stormalong Bay) then Beaches and Cream before settling down for the night.

Day 4, breakfast in the room then a ride over to SSR for DW’s mother’s day present and DD’s reward for getting strait A’s in 5th grade a message and pedicure for both. DS and I grab a bite to eat at Artist Palate and then head over to the arcade for some time-wasting-money-sucking games (these are the shortest and most expensive games I have ever seen). We picked up DW and DD then head out to DTD for some shopping. After buying more pins for the kids and a few trinkets for DW we head back over to our park EPCOT and diner at L’Original Alfredo diRoma.

Day 5 we got a late start after heading over to Mary Queen of the Universe for church services. On returning to WDW we go for a bit of miniature golf at Fantasia Golf. This was a blast and a really good diversion. After golf we hit the pool for a bit, grab some grub and then head over to MGM for the remainder of the day. While waiting for the Indiana Jones show I watch as a lightning bolt hits the Tower of Terror and then the only rain of the trip hits. They let us into the studio for the Indy show and we wait a bit before they announce the last show of the day will not be run because the storm is moving away too slowly and they don’t want the actors to get hit by lightning. This actually turns into a good thing as the kids get their picture with Indy and do some awesome pin trading. I believe the rains cleared the crowds a bit because we walked out of the Indy theater and walked right onto Star Tours (my DS’ favorite ride), then to the Muphet show and back to the, as my son says, artist thingy.

Day 6 is our annual visit to Chef Mickey’s and a lot of food and fun. My DS loves twirling the napkin more than anything. After breakfast we are off to see some pirates, tiki’s, a mountain or 2, and anything else we come across. OOPS, this place is getting over crowded and it’s time to leave. We again head over to EPCOT but this time with a focus on KIDCOT and Illuminations.

Day 7 is our planned early morning visit to EPCOT and we are greeted with a very nice surprise. After hurrying over to Soarin to grab a fastpass, we are heading to Test Track and a cast member stops us and tells us to head to Figment’s Imagination ride for a nice surprise. I notice he has the special blue and white shirt of a Year of a Million Dreams cast member and heed his advice. On walking into Imagination we are informed that we are each winners of a dream fastpass for EPCOT for the day. This made my trip because we literally never win anything and never expected to even see the Dreams cast member – WOO HOO!! The fastpass included Soarin (now we have 2), Test Track, Mission Space, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Living with the Land (was actually closed due to ride problems this day), and Maelstrom. We did all the rides and a few more then headed to the countries for dinner in the Beirgarten – good beer and food but a bit too heavy for me (the food that is). Then it was back for a dip in Stormalong and Beaches and Cream.

Day 8 is our Animal Kingdom day (had 2 scheduled but skipped one to let everyone sleep in on Sunday before church). Our biggest mistake because I didn’t check the morning extra magic hours and when we got there at 9 AM it was already packed. I did manage to get FP’s for Kilimanjaro Safari and we did all the walking tours but left because of the crowds after only 4 hours. What a bummer. We went back to BCV and spent a good deal of time in Stormalong before heading over to Ragalin Road for some grub and of course adult beverages.

Day 9, our last, we have breakfast at Cape May Café (always a great time). We then head over to DTD for some last minute items (Mr. Potato Head, crystal in Arabus brothers, Legos, etc). Our plan is to drop off our booty at BCV then head over to Magic Kingdom for a viewing of Wishes. After a brief walk to the Mexico pavilion in EPCOT for DW to grab a gift (a really nice silver and variety of stones bracelet) for MIL for watching the dog while we are away, we head to the monorail and off to MK we go. We do as many rides and attractions as we could fit in and then DW asks if anyone minds if we leave, she is really hurting. As background, DW was in an accident back in November where she was hit head-on by another driver who was going too fast and lost control. She, DW, was hospitalized with a severe concussion and nerve damage to her right arm and shoulder which will require surgery to relieve in a couple of weeks – in short, she is in constant pain. She has been a trooper throughout the trip and we all readily agree to head back for some swimming and Beaches and Cream one last time. My kids were great here and gave no fuss stating mommy is more important than fireworks. Very rewarding ending to our trip.

Day 10 we leave Disney. Nuff said.

See you in 114 days at your ToT race and Halloween party Mickey.

[erikthewise]

Great report, even better trip! You did it right!!