Episode #153: Magical Moments at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort: A Family Adventure

Ever wondered why Donald Duck opts for swim trunks? Get ready for a whimsical ride as we recount our enchanting stay at Disney's Vero Beach Resort! From receiving personalized anniversary buttons and first-visit badges to exploring crafts, movie nights, and campfire s'mores, our journey is filled with magical Disney touches. We delve into the resort's rich history, dating back to its opening on October 1, 1995, and how it offers a serene, non-commercialized beach experience that stands in stark contrast to bustling locales like Daytona Beach.

Our adventures continue as we navigate the delightful activities the resort has to offer. Enjoy our humorous debate about Donald Duck's swimwear, shopping escapades at Island Grove Packing Company, and a day at the beach with warm Atlantic waters and a challenging mini-golf course. We also share our dining experiences at Wind and Waves Grill, a trivia session at the Green Cabin Room, and wrap it up with an evening under the stars watching "Wall-E." Each moment is captured with a sense of family fun and relaxation, painting a vivid picture of the perfect Disney beach vacation.

Finally, we offer practical insights on choosing between ocean view rooms and one-bedroom villas, and why being an annual pass holder has its perks. We reflect on our favorite moments, from beachside relaxation to cozy movie nights, and share tips for making the most of your stay at this charming Disney resort. Whether you're planning your first visit or a returning guest, this episode promises a blend of laughter, nostalgia, and useful advice to enhance your Vero Beach experience!

Please Check Out Our Links Below:

Our Sponsor:

www.mainstreettravelco.com

Email Us:

circleofparks@gmail.com

Our Website:

www.circleofparks.com

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/circleofparks

Instagram:

www.instagram.com/circleofparks

X:

www.x.com/circleofparks

Products we use:

Our equipment

Microphones: https://amzn.to/3T61oD5 

Recorder: https://amzn.to/3Ibl4iu

Bluetooth Adapter: https://amzn.to/4a2MIuf

Microphone Stand: https://amzn.to/3wrOrdS

GoPro: https://amzn.to/3uT6RUl

Cable Organization: https://amzn.to/49oQAFU

https://amzn.to/4bKe7CJ

https://amzn.to/3T5T1HE

Headphones: https://amzn.to/42S5FgG

Our Favorite Disney Books:

Buying Disney’s World: https://amzn.to/3T6z57A

The Disney Story: https://amzn.to/3T8j0hH

The Wonders of Walt Disney World: https://amzn.to/3wrLVEr

Meet the Disney Brothers: https://amzn.to/42Rqxod

Presenting Disneyland: https://amzn.to/3uIUqdI

Transcript

Speaker 2: 0:21

Hello and welcome to Circle of Parks podcast episode number 153. Today we are talking about our trip report for Disney's Vero Beach Resort. There is far too much to see and do. We are here to help guide you through. But before we do that we must talk Disney merch.

Speaker 2: 0:46

So this week on Disney merch, we saw it while we were out at Disney's Vero Beach Resort. But you can also find it on DisneyStorecom for a limited time. It is currently on sale. It is a Mickey and Minnie Mouse Beach Lounge Fly Minnie Backpack. Mouse Beach Lounge Fly Mini Backpack. Usually priced at $89, currently on sale for $62.30.

Speaker 2: 1:14

Enjoy a fun day at the beach in the company of Mickey and Minnie when carrying around this mini backpack from Lounge Fly. The couple are featured relaxing as the sun sets on the tropical beach setting pictured on the front of this simulated leather bag. You'll feel like you are on vacation wherever you go with this compact carry-all. Inside the lining features all over print with Mickey, minnie and beach vacation symbols. So it is super cute. Again, right now at DisneyStorecom it is on sale, so please go check that out. And while we're talking about merch, we have merch as well. So if you go to circleofparkscom, click on merch. It takes you directly to t public and you can find things with our logo, such as stickers, coffee mugs, sweatshirts, t-shirts and more so again, please go check that out thank you everybody for joining us.

Speaker 3: 2:01

Episode number 153. This is going to be a resort review and trip report in one. Yes, because normally we'd separate them, but we're just going to combine them on this one. Apologize for the audio for the live episode it. I got some cheaper ones off of microphones off amazon, just because we're not going to be using them that often, and that actually sounded better than what the original audio was because I was able to have my laptop with me and have the audio editing in there. So it sounded a little bit better than what the original one was. When we go to our big trip next month it's going to sound horrible because I can't bring my laptop.

Speaker 2: 2:41

So it's just going to be like the raw audio from those microphones and it's okay and I think people will understand that, because we're doing it from the actual location.

Speaker 3: 2:51

Yes, so we're going to talk all about Disney's Vero Beach Resort. Don't go there. We had the worst time. He's kidding. Just avoid this place at all costs Kidding. It was not a pleasant experience kidding. So, britney, why don't you uh talk to us about the history of disney's real beach resort, because there's a little more history here than I thought there was going to be yeah, so I myself didn't even realize that it opened on october 1st 1995 it was the, it was trivia from.

Speaker 3: 3:24

Two weeks ago, the first disney resort opened outside of a disney park area right, and it was kind of confusing, but not associated with a park.

Speaker 2: 3:36

This was the first one okay, yeah, so I didn't realize it'd been open that long. It's the second disney vacation club resort and was initially intended for guests to extend their walt disney experience, as at the time, most guests arrived by car and took road trips, so it was designed while you were at the parks and everything to add some extra days yes, so the first disney vacation club resort.

Speaker 3: 4:03

Do you know Hilton Head? Old Key West.

Speaker 3: 4:06

Old Key West that's right, and then this was the second one, and this was intended again like if your most guests arrived by car and road tripped. Hey, we just had a busy week at Disney, let's go to the beach for just a couple of nights and just wind down. That's what this was built to be. There was also another one on the West Coast, planned to be built in Newport Beach. Oh, and that was supposed to be the same thing after Disneyland, but that never came to fruition.

Speaker 2: 4:35

Okay, interesting, yeah, yeah. And I mean, and you're right, like back then you know there were a lot more people taking road trips and stuff, so it might would have worked easier in their schedule.

Speaker 3: 4:46

So when we went the one time me and my family went we did drive. Right. And I'm sure you and your family drove too, right? Yes, yes, yes.

Speaker 2: 4:54

Yep so designed to be a throwback resort and return to nature and family with a break from everyday life. It's definitely still like that it is, it is and it's. It's very relaxed theming, all of that stuff for sure. So disney used daytona beach as an example of what disney's vero beach resort was not going to be yeah, overdeveloped and over commercialized.

Speaker 3: 5:22

That is not this. No, it is still even 25, almost 30 years later. It's still not that right very chill. There's nothing around. There's some few private homes and a few condos, but once you got off of the private beach area, that's vero beach there was nobody, yeah no one yeah, so it's.

Speaker 2: 5:44

Yeah, they definitely stuck to that plan. This was disney's vacation club original description for it. Relax on the warm sand and play in the sparkling blue waters of disney's vero beach resort. Just two hours southeast of walt disney world resort, this elegant, old-fashioned hideaway is located on florida's scenic atlantic treasure coast, near the charming community of vero beach. Get away from it all in spacious lodgings that provide the comforts of home, with an idyllic beach practically at your doorstep.

Speaker 2: 6:19

So yes, like it is spacious, for sure definitely uh like even our son Nolan, when we first walked into the room itself was like oh wow, there's so much room.

Speaker 3: 6:30

It reminded me a lot of the Polynesians room size.

Speaker 2: 6:34

Yeah, I would agree with that.

Speaker 3: 6:36

Because it's very large.

Speaker 2: 6:38

It is very roomy. You don't feel like you're on top of one another when you're in the room when there's four people, so I enjoyed that. Now, part of Disney's wildlife conservation efforts, the beach is where loggerhead turtles will lay their eggs. Disney takes special care of these nests to ensure they will hatch and that they do. And if they see that a nest has been laid overnight, they go and mark it off so no one will touch it late overnight they go and mark it off so no one will touch it.

Speaker 3: 7:07

Yes, their wildlife conservation person goes and checks the beach every morning before people start coming out, and at 7 am they, she or he or she will do like a informative class on them and whatnot. And it's very important because I guess, based on what we've read, sea turtles will return to the same beach that they were born from to lay their eggs. Yes. So it's very important that they keep this the way it is.

Speaker 2: 7:34

Right, correct. Yes, so you know, they try to get as close as they can to that same beach where they were to lay their own eggs and there is a turtle week where most of these eggs will hatch, and this week sells out every year as soon as the booking window opens. Now, in trying to find out that particular week, I did struggle a little bit, because the Leatherback Tour Day Turtles starts on June 16th, which is World Sea Turtle Day, and then you have the Chelelonian tour day turtles, which starts in august, august 1st, so, but this is the time where I think they will start hatching because some of these logger or leather leatherback in the loggerhead turtles, some of them start, like in april, laying eggs in early may yeah, they don't want you to know about it for a reason they don't want people to come like.

Speaker 3: 8:28

This is more like a regular, and I got the vibe. There's a lot of regulars that return back to this resort dvc regulars and whatnot and the cast members that I was talking to there say they see the same families not just once a year, multiple times a year, and so I don't think they really wanted a lot of people knowing.

Speaker 2: 8:49

Like I said, don't come here yeah, well, they don't want it to be overcrowded, they want to protect the turtles, want to make sure everything happens as naturally as possible, right, yes, so now the resort has 211 rooms, including deluxe studios, which has standard views and ocean views, one-bedroom villas, two-bedroom villas and three-bedroom beach cottages.

Speaker 3: 9:16

We had a standard view in the inn.

Speaker 2: 9:19

We did Now, even though we were facing more like the front area where you first enter it was, there was still like a pretty palm tree, you know.

Speaker 3: 9:29

When there's no traffic there either.

Speaker 2: 9:30

Yeah, it's not loud, it's very quiet still. The balcony was still spacious with the table and chairs and, yeah, I mean like the standard view again was still very, very spacious. Yeah, so one of three resorts with a mickey shaped pool no, the other two are the other two are I don't know if you wanted to say you go for it are uh, the other two are bay lake tower and shades of green.

Speaker 3: 9:58

Yes, shades of green is no longer a disney resort, but it is still. You get all the perks and right it has a mickey shaped pool yes interesting, all right.

Speaker 2: 10:07

So dining here on site includes wind and waves grill, wind and waves market, wind and waves bar and the green cabin room. So winning. Waves grill is more of your sit down now. Reservations are not required, but they are preferred and they offer breakfast and dinner. Now Wind and Waves Market is more of your quick service, from ordering at the counter and waiting a few minutes for them to prepare the food to a grab and go type situation. And then you have Wind and Waves Bar, which is where you can get adult beverages, but you can also order food there as well.

Speaker 3: 10:47

You can order food from Wind and Waves Grill at Wind and Waves Bar and then the Green Cabin Room is a bar that is open for breakfast in the morning, for specialty coffee drinks, and then it's a bar in the evening and you can get like little bites from there as well. And the cast member told me it used to be a library heavily nautically themed.

Speaker 2: 11:06

I loved the theming in here yes and when I was looking in the cases, really old books from like the late late 1800s in here yeah, some really cool stuff once zach had mentioned that it used to be a library, like when you're there, you're like, oh, I can see that, yeah and yeah, not a nautical theming, and even the doors when they're closed, like it kind of gives off like a they have portholes yeah, so kind of like a cruise vibe feeling a little bit, yes, and the bar overlooks the ocean too yes, that yes, and they have some outdoor seating.

Speaker 2: 11:38

So, uh, we'll get to this more in detail in a little bit later, but one morning I did go and get a coffee drink and sat outside and just looked over the ocean. So I in a little bit later, but one morning I did go and get a coffee drink and sat outside and just looked over the ocean.

Speaker 3: 11:47

So I was a little. When we ate at window ways grill, not even just ate there, but just passing by it I don't know why they make you make reservations here yeah, because it's never busy it was never busy and it was fully booked. The resort was fully booked the whole week we were there, so it was like what? Why do we have to make reservations?

Speaker 3: 12:05

yeah, yeah, I kind of wondered that too, unless it's just to help them with staffing it maybe maybe, but there's not people from the outside area coming in there to eat right so I yeah, I don't know I would when I made the, I was like, oh, when I saw we had to make reservations, like, oh, okay, we'll make reservations and then we there. There was like two other people in the restaurant.

Speaker 2: 12:26

Yeah, maybe for certain dishes, just kind of having an idea of what they need to prepare. I don't know.

Speaker 3: 12:31

I don't know, but that just kind of was like do we really need to make reservations?

Speaker 2: 12:36

And that's why it says it's, you know, not required but preferred. So yeah, and we'll get into more detail of the restaurant here shortly.

Speaker 3: 12:43

Yeah, all right. So day one we arrived. We spent the night in Atlanta and drove. It was still eight hours from Atlanta. Yes, it was a good drive, yes, but we were trying to break up the trip a little bit on the way down, so that's why we spent one night in Atlanta. Yeah, so we got there right at four o'clock and checked in and you were just giddy about this. So, brittany, tell us everything well, you know.

Speaker 2: 13:04

So when you walk in there is a distinct like Disney smell, like resorts have here. Now it's not like in your face as strong, but it did kind of have a Disney resort smell to it kind of reminded me of the Grand Floridian smell yeah, slightly without the gingerbread right? Yeah, because when we stay there it was christmas, but when we walked in.

Speaker 3: 13:24

You get that smell. The music was like a jazzy, turn of the century, beachy, caribbean type music. Yes, it's kind of.

Speaker 2: 13:32

It's kind of hard to describe it is, but it fits like when you're there perfect music.

Speaker 2: 13:36

The lobby it's not a huge lobby, but when you think of disney, deluxe lobbies, this was it yeah, and it's more light and airy, kind of because you're at the beach and you know when we're checking in. This is where I was like, oh, they do this too. So they they noticed, um, on our reservation, that it's our anniversary. So they had the happily ever after anniversary buttons that you get in walt, disney world World, and inside the the mice ears, I guess you could say they wrote how many years we've been happily married. And then they also asked if it was our first time staying at Vero Beach. So they have the first visit buttons, but they write Vero Beach and the year on them as well. So so that is something you know.

Speaker 2: 14:26

For Disney fans out there, you're still getting those buttons and then, to add to it, you know, after they're talking to you about your room and showing you how to get to your room and where to park and all that, they hand out the recreation activities, and this is like what they do at the other deluxe resorts as well, except I feel like they offer even more.

Speaker 2: 14:47

So, depending on the day, you could do activities from 1 to 8 pm and the activity would vary. But you could make things from memory jars, disney map, photo frames, seashell bags, seashell painting, disney pillows, tile art, wine glass painting and a few other things. On select days you can also do like tie-dye shirts and a few other activities, and then on certain evenings they do s'mores at a campfire site on location, and then again they just have so much. And even at the pool, like certain days, they would have like water slide races. Certain times there's chalk art, sea turtle presentations, as we talked about earlier, and sing-alongs at the campfire. Certain evenings they would have movie nights like you're used to, you know, there in Walt Disney World as well. So that just really got me all all giddy, like, okay, we are at a Disney resort, yeah, but it's not Disney in your face no, it's not.

Speaker 3: 15:49

It's again, it's. I said this on the live show and I've said it over and over again this is going to a Disney deluxe resort with all the amenities, with the beach and no one there, and all the food, yes, and not the craziness of the parks or the anxiety or the pressure and the the must go, go, go. This is what this is. So imagine going to a like, imagine going to the polynesian, but there's no magic kingdom. The beach is an actual ocean and there's.

Speaker 2: 16:27

The beach is an actual ocean and there's half the half the people. Yeah, this that's it. Yes, it was amazing, yes, and you know we didn't realize. But there there are parking garages there, so we were able to uh, park our car in the garage and again, this resort looks beautiful inside and out. Uh, like I said, it was still that disney feel to it.

Speaker 2: 16:44

And so once we took our bags up to the room and toward the room again, nolan's first reaction to the room was, wow, this is nice and big. And the door was still kind of cracked open as he walked in. And so one of the one of the ladies that had been like cleaning the rooms and stuff, like she heard his like oh, and she kind of like paused for a second and looked at me, but when she heard what he was saying she just smiled real big. Like you know, they felt great hearing that and you know the room. So it comes with a couch, but if you have the Murphy bed pulled down, that kind of covers the couch up, and so then there's a another queen size bed, there's a table and chairs, there's a balcony closet, you have a Keurig microwave, fridge plates, mugs, glasses. The bathroom is nice and roomy as well. You have those Disney H2O products to use Not H2O anymore. Well, I know.

Speaker 3: 17:38

It's H2O, but not H2O anymore, right, yes, but it's still the same stuff, but not h2o. Anyway, it's yeah, yes, yes, but it's still the same stuff. And since this is a dvc report, uh, resort all of those plates and mugs all come with the room.

Speaker 2: 17:51

Because, because it's dvc yes, and again in the theming it's so subtle, like I wasn't, I didn't even pick up on everything until even like a day later. So it's themed nemoo, okay, but again very subtle, like above the Murphy bed. It took me a little bit to realize that that was like Dory and Crush and the turtles swimming around, like I knew there was a blue fish on there and I knew there were turtles, but it wasn't like in your face, here's, here's the character. So that was really cool. Um, a day or two later, I realized there were several characters from Nemo on the shower curtain and yeah, just things like that and, like I mentioned earlier, just everything that they have to offer just was very exciting. Turning on the TV.

Speaker 2: 18:38

They have the resort TV that tells you the and the restaurant offerings and all of that.

Speaker 3: 18:46

So they have done away with those in the Walt Disney world resorts, but it was still here. Yes. And then it's still changed to the park hours and events and times of the parks and stuff. So that's nice to still have the background music. This is comforting.

Speaker 3: 19:01

I wish they would not done away with that back at the back in the resorts, yeah so after that we went to public's, got some food uh, to eat in the room, to snack, stuff like that and the boys were excited to get back to the resort, to go to the beach and the pool, and it was great. I will say one thing, though if you do decide to go here, bring your magic band. Yes.

Speaker 3: 19:24

You use it for everything. That is the one. I don't want to say criticism, but annoyance. I get it for getting in the room, but did I need it to get in the pool every single time and get out of the pool? And did I need it to get on the beach and get off the beach? I get they want the security tight there, but there's nobody else around there that would go in there.

Speaker 2: 19:48

I still kind of like it because really not too far there is like a public beach and stuff.

Speaker 3: 19:54

There's nobody there, though.

Speaker 2: 19:55

No, but I mean, but still I kind of liked it to be honest.

Speaker 3: 20:00

I liked the security of it, but if there's somebody on the property that's not supposed to be there, they're going to stick out like a sore thumb, because everybody's Disney-ish there, right.

Speaker 2: 20:11

Right.

Speaker 3: 20:12

You're going to stick out if you're not in part of that Disney crowd.

Speaker 2: 20:16

I think I like it for access to the beach and then, of course, for your room and the parking Maybe not so much at every gate for the pool.

Speaker 3: 20:25

So the room and the parking for sure, and the security guard at the entrance, great, I'm all for that. But it just seemed a little excessive getting it out of the pool every time.

Speaker 2: 20:36

Well, like if you go to get food or to the restroom.

Speaker 3: 20:39

It was just a little it was, and it didn't even work right away all the time.

Speaker 2: 20:43

Oh, it's fine, it just it was, and it didn't even work right away all the time. Oh, it's fine, it just it seemed a little much. She's getting a little older in age guys, it just seemed a little much.

Speaker 2: 20:51

So anyway, but the beach, the beach was beautiful. The boys played at the beach for a bit. We took some pictures. The prices now we didn't get at this point in time time like the rentals for chairs and stuff. They were already closed. But you could see the rental rates and let me tell you such a great deal. Like you could get an umbrella and canvas set if you're a DVC member for $26 and just a resort guest for $32. And I'm sorry, yes. And then if you get an umbrella and lounge set, it's thirty dollars and thirty five dollars. Now we ended up for the next three days getting a cabana and lounge set. Now if you're a DVC member, it's thirty two dollars and resort guest thirty eight dollars. And then they have some other things to rent as well. But those prices are so good.

Speaker 3: 21:41

They were really good. We used to our old beach, would would go to. We would go to Rosemary Beach. Just a table like an umbrella and chairs was like $100 a day. Yeah.

Speaker 3: 21:50

But the cabana was great. I wish they would have. You could flip it over, but in the mornings with the sun coming up it didn't really take its effect of shading you until afternoon After like 12 or 1. But for the prices of it, what we rented them for three days couldn't beat it. It was a great like chill place to be on the beach. They and again the beach was not crowded at all, yeah, it wasn't.

Speaker 2: 22:14

And of course, this first evening even less, because it was the evening, you know, and this is when we first noticed, oh, they really do mark off, you know, for several sea turtle nests. And so we were maybe there 45 minutes or so because the boys also wanted to experience the pool, and we enjoyed an evening at the pool and ate at the pool by ordering from the wind and waves bar. I had a couple of adult beverages as well. Uh, I had the fish tacos and zach and the boys I think you all had the chicken tenders.

Speaker 3: 22:47

These are the same chicken tenders you get in Walt Disney World and the fries. Everything's the same Again. Just amazing. The pool was warm. We had a great time in the pool that night. It was a great end to the night. We almost closed the pool down.

Speaker 2: 23:02

Yeah, we really did. It was very nice, very relaxing and, of course, after being in the car for several hours too, it was just good to have that chill time. And then, you know, we headed back to the room, relaxed before bed. Did you end up going to the green cabin room?

Speaker 3: 23:15

this I did because it's chaos in the room when everybody's trying to get showered and everything. So I was like I'm just gonna go to the bar have a drink and relax.

Speaker 2: 23:25

And yeah, it was good, yeah so, and then, uh, the next day, boy, did we stay outside all day all day, beach and pool all day, and so we took our time waking up, you know, to going, had Joffrey's coffee in the room, so you know you have the Keurig, so they have those Joffrey's, you know K-cups, and we just ate breakfast in the room, like you know bars, things like that, and the resort knew we were celebrating our anniversary. So, even though this was the day before our actual anniversary, when we went to open the door, before our actual anniversary, when we went to open the door, they had left like a little clear bag and inside was an autographed picture hanging and it sorry, scared me, sorry. And it said it was a card and it said Happy Anniversary, brittany and Zach, your friends from DVBR, so Disney's Vero Beach Resort. And then it has Goofy and Donald with their autographs.

Speaker 3: 24:31

So we were talking about this. Okay, so Donald's not wearing any pants. We were talking about this me and the boys all week long. So Donald doesn't wear pants, right. But when he's in swim, like going swimming, he wears swim trunks, right. Why does so, donald?

Speaker 2: 24:46

doesn't wear pants, right, mm-hmm but when he's in, swim like going swimming. He wears swim trunks, he wears swim trunks.

Speaker 3: 24:49

Yeah, I don't know why. That was a topic of conversation all week long.

Speaker 2: 24:54

Yes, but I just thought that this was a little extra. You know, pixie dust, so to speak, and it was very nice of them. They definitely did not have to do that. So then when we left the room, we went to the shop downstairs. It was called the Island Grove Packing Company. So this is where you have, like, some Disney merch and items such as like Tylenol, sunscreen, things like that. We did go ahead and buy a little merch here. We got our Christmas ornament that has I think it was Squirt the turtle Is that the little one's name? Sure, the little turtle from Nemo, and not Crush, but the little one and it says Vero Beach Resort on there. And then Nolan got some pins and stuff. And then after that again, we spent most of the day at the beach. So you know, we did have that cabana, as Zach mentioned, though in the morning the sun's still kind of hitting you, but we spent a couple hours there at the beach. Then we went back up to the room for lunch and just ate some sandwiches and Lunchables, things like that.

Speaker 3: 25:55

Crush. Yes, no, that's his dad.

Speaker 2: 25:57

No, Crush is the dad, and then, after we ate and relaxed a little bit, then we went back down to the beach and that's when we realized, squirt, yeah, so I was right. So that's when we realized, okay, now that it's like 1 o'clock, the capanna is providing some shade for us and everything. So I did a lot of reading, but I also got in the water quite a bit too, and we stayed at the beach until about 3 or 4. I believe.

Speaker 3: 26:26

And then we went to the pool. So the in my head, going down, I thought the atlantic ocean was going to be a lot rougher and well, there's cooler. Yeah, there were some big waves. We're used to the gulf, where it's very calm most of the time and extremely warm waters yeah, clear. Yes. This was sometimes clear, sometimes not, but the water was very warm and it wasn't as rough as I had it pictured in my head.

Speaker 2: 26:55

Yeah, Although sometimes with the current you would get some cold water.

Speaker 3: 26:59

You would feel some cold water and then you would feel some really warm water, so you could definitely feel the water currents much more than you could in the gulf yes, yes, so so again, we went to the pool, though for a while, and then zach left for about an hour and you did yeah.

Speaker 3: 27:15

So I went to uh do trivia at the green cabin room, had a couple of drinks and did pretty well in the Disney trivia, except when they started talking about Disney movies and princesses and stuff. My knowledge of that is not good. But when we talk about Disney historical knowledge and just kind of Disney general trivia, I'm very good at that. But when they started asking what three princesses had to marry in to become a princess, I don't know what princess is the only princess that has a tattoo my first thought goes to Moana, not right. So I don't know. What is Flynn Rider's name? I've never seen Tangled, couldn't tell you. I thought Flynn Rider, not his name, apparently Don't know. I don't know those questions.

Speaker 2: 28:06

Yes, so, but you enjoyed trivia. I did have a good time, yes.

Speaker 3: 28:10

And the guy that did trivia was very good and there was a lot of people in there that did partake in the trivia.

Speaker 2: 28:15

Yeah, it was a good time. It was a good time, well good. Was there any special beverage you had that you'd recommend there? No, no.

Speaker 3: 28:22

Okay, so they have, you know, beers and I like scotches and bourbons, but the best bourbon they had was Buffalo Trace, which is good, but they don't have any high-end type of stuff here.

Speaker 2: 28:37

Right Now. A little later this evening I did have a blood orange margarita.

Speaker 3: 28:41

that was delicious, yes this is a full bar. Yes, again, and I thought maybe they would have like a McAllen 12 or something like that. The best scotch they had was a Johnny Walker Black, which Not bad, but meh. Right Yep.

Speaker 2: 28:56

So, ooh, excuse me, he's coughing and I'm yawning. I'm so sorry. So, yes, so Zach then joined us, you know, again after trivia. But we did eat again this evening at the pool and the boys again got chicken tenders. Now, nolan didn't get fries, though as his side he was liking the applesauce and grapes, but Ryan stuck to the chicken tenders and fries. So I don't know where I don't know.

Speaker 3: 29:25

I guess how he did well as parents. Nolan does not like french fries. I mean he'll eat them, but he prefers like fruit and other stuff on his sides than french fries. Yeah.

Speaker 2: 29:36

And Ryan doesn't really care about french fries yeah, I mean he eats them, but if they offered carrots he might would get he would get them.

Speaker 2: 29:42

Yeah, so and I ate later because I was doing trivia yes, now when the boys ate, I also got the mediterranean chicken pita and it was very good. So it had grilled chicken and lettuce and tomato and onion and like this greek cucumber dressing on it and some hummus. I was like what, what am I forgetting? And it was very good and a little bit healthier of an option. So and then, yes, zach did eat a little later and I think you got chicken tenders no, I had the corn dog nuggies.

Speaker 3: 30:13

That's right, they had corn dog nuggies and fries, and you can get the plastic cheese there too if you want it.

Speaker 2: 30:18

So you can pretend you're at Casey's.

Speaker 3: 30:19

You can pretend and they're exactly the same as at Casey's. Yes. So y'all were already back at the room. I had gone down and I think I was sitting outside, kind of in the bar area, when I had this.

Speaker 2: 30:44

When you ate yeah, when to the green cabin room and got some adult beverages to take downstairs. Because off to the side of the lobby they have an area set up where there's xboxes and playstations and they have, like this basket where you can pull, like the video game card, so to speak, and whatever video game you want to play, you take it to the front desk and they go and get the video game from the back and sign it out to you and you can go and play it yeah, so there was a lot of the boys did that for a little while and me and you were just kind of I forgot we were planning something.

Speaker 3: 31:08

I forgot anyway. Yeah, but when the original description of this was they want to bring you together for family time, they really do that. Yeah, because where we recorded our live show from outside of the spa, the tables had board games in the tables. Yes, so the table we had scrabble, one of them had like chess, another one had checkers, another one you could play monopoly and like they have all these board games you can get play together as a family and we saw multiple families in the lobby all the time playing cards or just talking and just enjoying each other's time.

Speaker 2: 31:46

Yeah, and in that same room that Zach had just mentioned, they also have puzzles laid out, where you can help put together a bigger puzzle too.

Speaker 3: 31:53

Yeah, so this resort really is meant for you to come together with your family and slow down and just relax. The boys are having a good time playing video games, and what multiple other families are doing that?

Speaker 2: 32:06

big couches in there, just super relaxing yes, so when we say really like video games, they're, you know, after being outside and all day in the sun and everything, it was good to actually do that well, we have two boys together and they want to play video games yeah, and you know, and these were some older games they loved them and they loved them. They played like an older version of fifa and an older version of. Was it madden?

Speaker 3: 32:31

fifa and madden, yeah, and so our boys are both soccer crazy and I think it was like fif. Yeah, they knew all the rosters Like, oh, this was when so-and-so was really good, right, you know like they were loving it.

Speaker 2: 32:43

Yes, so, and then that still wasn't the end of our day. We had a full day, guys, so we ended the night. This was one of the evenings where they had a movie shown on the lawn, and the movie this night was Wally.

Speaker 3: 32:56

Wally is one of our family. I think it's one of our family's favorite movies.

Speaker 2: 32:59

Yes. Something we can all agree on. Right, yeah, and Ryan really enjoyed Wally when he was like a toddler too, so, uh, so we watched Wally. Now you can, you know, bring towels, chairs if you have your own beach chairs, or whatnot to to the lawn.

Speaker 3: 33:19

But there were some rocking chairs that we had on that little like patio area. We happened to just get them. Yeah, and it was a great time, wally, this is such a great movie. I just couldn't help but think, ah, I want to get out of that.

Speaker 2: 33:26

But but you know, wally is just like you're watching a movie. But just on the other side of the bushes is the ocean you can still hear the ocean. Yeah, it was great, yeah and uh. One thing to keep in mind too, before we move on, you're being itched by the no-see-ums.

Speaker 3: 33:40

Well, that's not what I'm talking about right now.

Speaker 2: 33:42

Okay yeah, so the lighting here. So if you notice, when you're at the pool and stuff they, they don't have the big bright fluorescent lighting. When it gets dark it's more like a yellow orangey tint. Yes, you want to so that is so.

Speaker 3: 33:57

The yellow lights are because they don't want bright lights on the beach because that would deter the sea turtles from coming back. So they want the beach area to be as dark as possible at night. So the lights on the resort are very dimly lit, like yellow-tinted lights. It's a little different. So the first night I was like what's kind of different. It's kind of dark, yeah, but that's why you get used to it and I appreciate that you know, knowing, knowing the reason behind it.

Speaker 2: 34:22

So, and yes, and zach already brought it up, so something to keep in mind now don't let this deter you at all and they let you know up front. So, if you are like me, and when you're in other places, mosquitoes love to bite you.

Speaker 3: 34:39

It's because you're so sweet.

Speaker 2: 34:40

They have what is called no-seams and they are small, nearly invisible, little biting insects that come out especially more around sunrise and sunset time and the bites remind me a lot of mosquito bites. But throughout the resort they have like this bug repellent that you can get for free, Like they just have it sitting out and you can put on you and I recommend doing that. I don't think I got any of these that first night, like at the pool, and then not even the second day watching the movie, but later in the week, oh boy did I.

Speaker 3: 35:15

So please make sure you are aware of that and that you take advantage of putting on that, that bug repellent so if you would like to get bitten up by, no seeums no, enjoy yes, but if you would love to experience this wonderful resort, yes if you would love to check this resort out, please go check out the official sponsor of this podcast, main street travel. They are the special sponsor and we use them for all of our Disney and non-Disney vacation needs. They can plan your Walt Disney World, disneyland, disney Cruise Line Adventures by Disney, aulani, disneyland, paris and Vero Beach and Hilton Head. Yes, so exclusively for Circle of Parks.

Speaker 3: 35:56

Listeners, listeners. These are offers up to a thousand dollars on board credit with your disney cruise line, up to a thousand dollars cash back on adventures by disney. And if you book your next walt disney world vacation with them, you'll get a gift card based on the value of that trip. And if you book with our travel planner, travel planner erica, she's going to throw an additional $25 gift card on top of that. If you book Disneyland with our Travel Planner, travel Planner Erica, she's going to throw a $100 gift card on top of that because she loves that park so much.

Speaker 2: 36:28

That's her favorite park.

Speaker 3: 36:30

Yes, so you can go check them out. Wwwmainstreettravelcocom. They're on Instagram, facebook and YouTube, and my favorite thing about them I talk about it every single week is they have an actual office with full-time agents. Yes. You can call them 1-800-593-1262, Monday through Friday, 10 am 5 pm, Central Time. Again, tell them we sent you. Take advantage of those special offers.

Speaker 2: 37:03

Several of y'all already have, and we thank you. Take advantage of special offers. Several of y'all already have and we thank you so much for doing that. Yes, thank you, and please, please, like, use them. I mean, so much stress is taken off of you and they really get to know. You know, know what you want, especially erica, you know. She reminds us when it's time to be making those dining reservations and making sure hey, do you still want to eat here? Eat there, and it's just great.

Speaker 3: 37:19

Yes, so the next day we. Let me rephrase that I may have partaken in a little bit too much of alcohol consumption the night before.

Speaker 2: 37:29

And this was our anniversary this day.

Speaker 3: 37:32

And we were all kind of tired from being in the sun all day long.

Speaker 2: 37:37

Yes, we were all kind of tired from being in the sun all day long. Yes, we were all tired. I think the boys were starting to feel that sunburn just a little bit, Because usually when we do beach trips we're not out that whole day like we were.

Speaker 3: 37:48

No, so we'll talk about what we normally have done in the past versus this, but none of us were really feeling that good this morning.

Speaker 2: 37:56

Well, I was. Because I'm like oh, it's our anniversary and everything, and everybody else was like eh. I was happy. But just trying to get going. Yes, but we did have a breakfast reservation at Wind and Waves Grill at 8 o'clock and they open at 8 am.

Speaker 3: 38:13

So this is how anniversary breakfasts should be done in Disney trips Right 8 am. So this is how anniversary dinner breakfasts should be done on walt disney world in disney trips right.

Speaker 2: 38:20

It was very, very low-key, laid back um. You know. They even brought us an anniversary cupcake at the end of it and they just said happy anniversary. They didn't go all out like last year when we were in california at goofy's kitchen that was too.

Speaker 3: 38:34

It was the exact opposite. This year it was nice.

Speaker 2: 38:38

You know, and the table next to us, they're like oh, happy anniversary.

Speaker 3: 38:41

You know one other table that had people on it.

Speaker 2: 38:44

No, there were some further down from us. Oh okay, yeah, there were like four or five other tables, okay Okay, so, um, but anyway, so very, very low key compared to again last year. So, but the food here here the for breakfast was really good and you know, I had an omelet and breakfast potatoes and a biscuit and uh, let's see, nolan had the s'mores the campfire, campfire s'mores.

Speaker 2: 39:13

French toast and it came with bacon and stuff and he really enjoyed it. It was definitely too sweet for me, but it definitely looks like a campfire French toast for sure.

Speaker 3: 39:24

It looked great, but again, I don't do sweets and that would have been way too sweet. I just had a basic breakfast eggs, bacon and it was delicious, Very, very good.

Speaker 2: 39:33

Yeah, but like, we'll post pictures this week of the French toast that he got, just so you can see it, because it is something that they're known for, and apparently one of the chefs came up with it and he's got a sweet tooth, and so that's how that came about. Yeah and yeah. And then Ryan, what did Ryan have?

Speaker 3: 39:54

Just bacon, I think he had just basic, uh, french toast bacon and french toast.

Speaker 2: 39:59

That's right, yep, so yeah. So the breakfast was, was good. Now they do offer, you know, your mickey waffles and things like that as well, and daisy sand dollar pancakes, uh, but we didn't do that this time, but breakfast was good again at the end. It was the anniversary cupcake they brought out and I think she mentioned we didn't get it this time, but that they did do Pog Juice.

Speaker 3: 40:19

Yes, they do have Pog Juice there. Oh, I just saw there's Pog Frozen Slushies at Animal Kingdom Lodge now.

Speaker 2: 40:28

Ooh, that would be good. I might not even mention it. I'll try that this summer.

Speaker 3: 40:30

Yes, but anyway, yes, they do have Pog Juice here.

Speaker 2: 40:32

Yes, so after this, zach and Ryan, I believe, went back to the room and kind of relaxed some more.

Speaker 3: 40:38

Ryan fell asleep. I didn't fall asleep, I just laid down and rested some. It just yeah.

Speaker 2: 40:44

He learned his lesson from the night before.

Speaker 3: 40:50

When you get older and I know better. I thought I was doing okay, but I think being out in the sun all day just made it. Yeah, I wasn't feeling horrible, but I just needed to lay down right.

Speaker 2: 41:00

So nolan and I, we hung out in the lobby and he did some more video games, kind of played the puzzles in that game room area, for for a little bit I just kind of took it easy, took it all in, and then we went back up to the room and we all decided hey, you know, let's not get outside in the sun just yet. Why don't we go take a little drive, uh, you know, further down and go more into the Vero Beach area? And so it was what?

Speaker 3: 41:28

10 minutes about 10 or 15 minutes. Yeah, it was a nice drive yeah and the.

Speaker 2: 41:32

Now this is Vero Beach on the beach. We didn't go to the actual town of Vero Beach. That's a little more inland, like more on, like what the bay side, I guess you could say but but the beach town of it, you know, we didn't get out, we just kind of drove through, but it looked like they had several cute shops and restaurants. You know, and maybe, if you know, we do go back to the area and stay at Disney's Vero Beach again. You know, this might be something that I wouldn't mind walking around and checking out a little more one day, maybe, like have some seafood at one of these restaurants or something. Yeah, for sure so.

Speaker 2: 42:07

And then when we headed back, is this when we did mini golf.

Speaker 3: 42:12

We did mini golf when we got back. Yes, so we didn't really want to like get out in the sun and start going to the beach and everything yet. So we did mini golf there and around the pool area and for being a little mini around the pool area, it was a pretty challenging course.

Speaker 2: 42:28

It was pretty challenging, you know, and fun, but I was surprised at how challenging it was and you just get the supplies you need at at this little ebb and flows equipment rental yes, and it's right beside the pool yes so and and they do a lot of other things there as well.

Speaker 2: 42:47

So we did that for what about 30, 45 minutes, and then, uh, went back to the room, snacked a little bit before going to the beach around 1, 30 and I think we stayed at the beach till about four o'clock and again I got somewhere reading in. But I also spent a lot of time in the ocean as well, just using one of the boys like boogie boards to kind of relax and with the waves, yeah, and I decided to rent a kayak.

Speaker 3: 43:08

It was 30 bucks for an hour, which is, I thought, a really good price, and so me took the boys out and they really enjoyed it. It was a good time. It was nice to kind of just get out, and it was pretty choppy, though it was a lot choppier than I thought it was going to be once I got out away from the surf a little bit, but it's still a very enjoyable time on the kayak yeah, yeah, well, good, yeah, and the boys enjoyed it, and after that, I believe, we went to the pool for a little bit probably and and did we go to the pool or did we go back in?

Speaker 2: 43:39

because at some point, this is when we recorded uh with those I don't think we went.

Speaker 3: 43:43

I think we went back to the resort and got or back to the room and like showered and got not ready for our dinner but just kind of like chilled for a bit. Then we went to the pool after our dinner right.

Speaker 2: 43:53

So after so, while the boys were chilling, we just went downstairs and did that other live recording from the lobby area that we mentioned earlier and you know just our first impressions of the resort and everything. And then our dinner reservation was at wind and waves grill again so where we ate at in the morning and they have daily specials. And so Nolan ended up getting the cheeseburger off of the kids menu and he really thoroughly enjoyed it, but it's like the cheeseburger you get on the kids menu at Disney Resorts.

Speaker 3: 44:30

It's exactly the same.

Speaker 2: 44:31

Yes, and then Ryan and Zach got the filet.

Speaker 3: 44:34

It was all right. It wasn't bad, it's just I grilled a better one yesterday than this Right so, but it looked like they cooked it correctly it was very. It was cooked properly. It was a very flavorful steak. Ryan devoured the mashed potatoes Well, so it had like a red wine sauce on it, and he that soaked into the mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes are really good too.

Speaker 2: 45:01

And he just devoured them. He's like is this what red wine tastes like? We're like not exactly, not really. Yeah. Yeah, because he even like ate zach's leftover mashed potatoes yeah, no, it was.

Speaker 3: 45:07

It was a very. When I say I don't want you to think the wrong, get the wrong idea that this was not a good steak. It was. It was a very good filet. Have I I had better? Yes, have I had worse? Yes, was it worth the price? It was like 40 something dollars. Yes, I think this was worth the price. I just I've gotten really good at making them at home.

Speaker 2: 45:27

And he has.

Speaker 3: 45:28

And so I just don't get filets when I go out much anymore, because I I know I can make way better for half the price. Right.

Speaker 2: 45:38

So I just I'm kind of, but yet you still get the fillets when we go to places like this.

Speaker 3: 45:43

This is the first time I've gotten a fillet at a restaurant In a little while In well over a year. All right, yeah, I think it was your birth. No, I didn't even get the fillet then your birthday dinner. I didn't even.

Speaker 2: 45:53

I got the buffalo filet okay, not even a little bit different, a little different well, I had another special that they had that day, which apparently they have the swordfish on their daily specials a lot, but just the sides change up. So uh, it was, but the swordfish was very, very, very well done. And then for dessert we got the flour not well cooked done, but it was good, yeah, like it was.

Speaker 2: 46:16

it tasted great. And then for dessert, the flourless chocolate molten cake with ice cream. Nothing you know too special, you know about it, it's your usual, you know kind of chocolate molten cake. It's just flourless with ice cream and it was good. The boys really enjoyed it as well. Then the boys like got back in the pool. After this, like we went up, changed, they went to the pool, zach and I just kind of sat around and chilled yeah, I was done yeah, and so that was the end of day three.

Speaker 2: 46:49

Day four, which was our last like full day there, uh, you know we did a beach and pool day again, just kind of took it easy, relaxed. Now you want to talk about what you did in the morning.

Speaker 3: 46:59

I actually did go for a run this morning. I've been getting back into running and I made it a point I was going to go running sometime on this trip. So the actual resort area itself is on a very small piece of land. It's not a very big property, but if they do have more land across for the highway of a1a where they have a soccer field, tennis courts, jogging trails, bicycle trails, all that, there's a tunnel that goes underneath the main road that you can get to it and it's so cool it's peter pan themed and they play.

Speaker 2: 47:33

Uh, we can fly oh, you didn't tell me that, yeah.

Speaker 3: 47:37

So it's pretty cool. So I ran underneath there and checked out some of the jogging trails and they're kind of primitive trails, they're not paved, so it's kind of in the woods a little bit, really really cool. So I did make it a point to go do that and really it's very humid, yeah, but you know it's fine.

Speaker 2: 48:01

Yeah, yeah, but you know it's fine, yeah. So while Zach went for his run, I went to the green cabin room for I didn't eat there, but I got. I went there for, like I originally went for, a just regular coffee drink, nothing too fancy but they had iced chai and you get with espresso. So I got that, took it outside to their balcony area that looks out at the ocean and enjoyed that. And then Zach ended up joining me after his run and sitting there for a little while just kind of chilling, before we went back to the room and Zach and the boys ended up doing something separate, while I went to the fitness room and just did the treadmill for 30 minutes.

Speaker 3: 48:34

Yeah. So the boys wanted to go play soccer. So from Ebb and Flow's rental area you can rent a soccer ball and go across the street and play soccer. And it's not a, I mean, it's it. I guess it would be considered like like a junior 7v7 field and smaller goals. But you know, they kicked around for a good 30, 45 minutes and just had fun and then they were like okay, it's hot, it's humid, let's go to the pool. Right, well, we didn't go to the pool yet.

Speaker 2: 48:59

No, but you went back and just kind of took it easy and then, well, no, I think you did go.

Speaker 3: 49:05

No, we went to go eat because we were done right when you were finishing from the gym, so we went to go eat at this little restaurant area that's right across from the public beach.

Speaker 2: 49:20

It's called Beach bites. Yep, and you can walk to it. It's like 0.2 miles away.

Speaker 3: 49:23

Yes and we were. When we saw it we were kind of like, is this a good spot or not? But when you see all the contractors vehicles parked outside, you know the food's going to be good yeah, and so yeah it.

Speaker 2: 49:35

It's like almost like a gas station. Look to it on the inside.

Speaker 3: 49:39

Yes, you know, like a convenience store.

Speaker 2: 49:41

But the menu is huge, from different types of sub sandwiches, salads, to like home cooked meals, from like lasagna and pastas and meats and veggies like a broad variety of food and, like Zach said, you know, once I saw so many people ordering, I'm like, okay, that's a good sign yeah and um, especially contractors, yes, they go yeah yes, so we ended up taking the food back to the resort and eating it in the lobby area at one of the tables and you know the area kind of to the side of the lobby and n had their chicken tenders.

Speaker 2: 50:17

Ryan had the meatball sub and loved it and devoured it. Said it was one of the best meatball subs he's had.

Speaker 2: 50:23

I believe you had the buffalo chicken yes, it was delicious yeah, he had the buffalo chicken sub and then I had the chef's salad and let me tell you that, lady, she, she put together an amazing salad, like it it was. She made it look fancy even though it's not, and it just it. It tasted good. You could feel the love in the salad, I guess you could say. And so after that we went back to the to get ready for the beach and the boys this day just really enjoyed playing in the sand more. There was a little bit more seaweed in the ocean and they're not big on that and I went out in it for like five minutes. But I really just wanted to relax this day, because me, I enjoy getting in the water at the beach, but after a certain amount of time I really just want to listen to it while I read and just relax. And knowing that this was the last day, that's what I chose to do while they played in the sand.

Speaker 3: 51:20

So the big difference I noticed between this beach and the Gulf Coast beach lots more seashells here. Oh yes, and they were washing up on shore, so the beach was and they don't groom the beach at all because of the turtle eggs. And it was hard. It was difficult to walk on the beach at times because there were so many crushed up seashells. Yeah, at times, at times, but this day there was a little more seaweed in, but I didn't mind, I just got in, got one of the boogie boards and just chilled.

Speaker 2: 51:49

Well, and like I said, I mean I was in it for a few minutes but when.

Speaker 2: 51:59

I realized the boys were really just having more fun in the sand and stuff. I was like, well, I'm just going to chill and read, yeah. And then we just went back to the pool, off and on in the evening, yep. And then we ate dinner at the Wind and Waves Grill. Cheeseburgers and chicken tenders were had, and this cheeseburger was really good. Or maybe it was just hungry from being outside, I don't know it's the same cheeseburger you get at Cosmic Race cosmic rays?

Speaker 2: 52:19

yeah, same thing. Yeah, it was good though, and then, um, you know, I spent some time in the lobby chilling. I think you guys stayed at the pool a little bit longer, and then it was time to just kind of, you know, clean up, pack up, get ready for driving home the next day, and so, yeah, that was day four. Moving on to day five, it was just a full, full day of of driving. Now, before we left, we did, you know, take one last look at at the ocean, went to the little pier area there, um, off of the resort, and just kind of looked out at it. Um, just very, very beautiful. You know, I always like to say bye to the ocean before we leave, and, uh, yeah, now the drive took a little bit of a different way. Getting home, trying to avoid some traffic, ended up taking a little longer than than we'd like, but you know, all in all, a great trip so next time we will be flying into fort lauderdale renting a car and driving yeah because it's about two hours north of fort.

Speaker 3: 53:15

It's about two hours from orlando or fort lauderdale. Kind of right there. Yes. And so we're going to go and say this now yes, we will be going back next year. Brittany wants to do an ocean view room. Yes, I want to do a one bedroom. And here's why.

Speaker 2: 53:31

With a view.

Speaker 3: 53:32

I don't think the one bedrooms have an ocean view. But let me explain. I know you love the ocean view. We have been used to the past 10 years going to a carriage house which the boys had their own room. We had our own room and it was a little bit bigger room and we all just kind of relaxed in the resort or in the house a lot more right I don't want to spend time in the room the whole time.

Speaker 3: 53:58

No, I don't, but just hear me out. So we did spend a lot of time in the room here though as well, did we not? Yes and no we did more than we do. A normal disney resort right well, yeah, but so I think the one bedroom has a little bit bigger of a kitchen I'm trying to look it up.

Speaker 3: 54:16

One bedroom villa yes, okay, I think it has an actual like full-size kitchen. The boys would have the living room pull out, so ryan would, so there's a pull-out couch and then a pull-out chair, and with ryan getting older he doesn't like to sleep with his brother on a pull-out couch much, which I don't blame him yeah, but they also don't like the pull-out couches.

Speaker 2: 54:38

They're not as comfortable, but I do like the full kitchen.

Speaker 3: 54:41

Yes, yeah and so we would have our own room and everybody would just have a lot more room that we're used to, because again, here in this resort you're spending a lot more time in the room than you are at a normal Disney resort. Right. And that's what we do on the vacations we go to the beach, we go to the pool, and then we chill in the room too, right? Yes. What are you going? Ooh and ah for oh, the bathtub.

Speaker 3: 55:04

Yeah, so the bathroom is much bigger too, mm-hmm. So I'm making a case that we get a one bedroom over the ocean view, but I think they're probably about the same price.

Speaker 2: 55:16

I don't know it's not telling it to show me prices right now.

Speaker 3: 55:18

But anyway, that's just my opinion, just to have the more room, because we stay in the room a lot more on this type of trip than we normally do.

Speaker 2: 55:26

Yeah.

Speaker 3: 55:27

Just maybe, just don't end up there.

Speaker 2: 55:29

But I did like staying in the inn.

Speaker 3: 55:32

That was very convenient. I did like that, yes.

Speaker 2: 55:39

And that's why I'm like in the in ocean view. Um, not just because of the ocean view, and I would spend like any time that we were in the room. I would be spending on the balcony looking out of the ocean and listening to the waves. But, um, just the convenience, everything and knowing okay, hey, the boys are chilling upstairs, I can go downstairs, go to the shop, go just whatever you know in the lobby, or, like the green cabin room, go get a drink, like I did. You know and know that they were just literally right there and so and everything was just easy to get to you right so there are definitely pros and cons to either one right.

Speaker 3: 56:13

Yes, so that's something we'll have to weigh out next time. But yes, as soon as I bid my vacation time for next year, we're calling Erica and book in a room, at least putting a deposit down, like, because this place books up really quickly. It's 211 rooms is not a lot of Right.

Speaker 2: 56:31

So yeah, but yes, we will definitely be back here. It again. It no other way to say it. It's Disney, but without the crowds and everything in your face. So you get some of the same food. You get the buttons if you want. You get the shop for Disney merch. You get some other little perks here and there. If you are a pass holder, you get the discount at the store.

Speaker 3: 56:56

So I get my annual pass discount at the store and for this month only, you get 20% off at Wind and Waves Grill. Yes. Not the quick service place or the bar. But the sit-down, but at the sit-down you will get your AP discount there. So we did get that. And Brittany mentioned the merch earlier. There was a lot of DVC merch, yeah, and they had a Vero Beach-specific shirt. I just did not like it, but it just wasn't like calling to me.

Speaker 2: 57:25

I know, if we were ever DVC members, though, there was this pink little zip-up shirt that would have so been mine.

Speaker 3: 57:32

So I actually sat down when we were on this trip and did the math of how much we are spending on resorts this year versus how much we would have to how many points we would have to have for DVC to have the same vacations we're having this year and mathematically we would be spending more for DVC. Yeah, so unfortunately, dvc for as many points as we would need would be more expensive than we're actually spending because I got so many AP discounts this year.

Speaker 2: 58:00

Right, remember, I know, but if it weren't for that, dvc might, would be cheaper.

Speaker 3: 58:06

You have to run the numbers. That's the thing.

Speaker 2: 58:08

Yeah, but yes, we definitely stay here. Loved everything about it and even though the resort that there's still a lot of kids around and stuff like like you didn't hear them much once you're in the room no, no, not at all yeah, and you know, next time what would I do a little differently.

Speaker 2: 58:25

Uh, just again, be more aware of putting that bug repellent on in the evenings for me. Um, but it was, it was just beautiful. Love the convenience every of everything being right there. Uh, loved the beach not being so crowded, loved how the pricing of everything being right there, loved the beach not being so crowded, loved how the pricing of the rentals were so reasonable. Like we would definitely do a cabana or the umbrellas again, and I just I loved all the activities that they had to offer.

Speaker 3: 58:52

I loved everything about this Again. We're used to going to rosemary beach. We've been going there for 12 years. It got really overcrowded, really over pretentious and it just wasn't enjoyable anymore yeah this is the exact opposite of that. There's nobody on the beach, not crowded, everybody. It's like you're at a disney again at a disney resort everybody's there, no one's pretentious, no one's like judging anybody. Like everybody sits there because you love Disney and this is a great resort yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2: 59:25

So yes, you know, and I don't, I wouldn't say I necessarily have like the Disney blues or anything from. I do, I do a little it's maybe slightly, but it's more, just like I don't know. It's a different type, but it's more just like I don't know it's a different type of Disney.

Speaker 3: 59:39

It was yeah, yeah, yeah, all right. Anything else you'd like to say about it?

Speaker 2: 59:43

No, just if you have the opportunity and you're looking for a new place to stay at a beach, you know, check it out.

Speaker 3: 59:50

Definitely check it out. Yeah, all right. So Disney trivia. This week we were trying to keep it themed to what we were doing and I found a turtle-themed question. So this week's question is what is the only attraction that Disney has duplicated and donated to a non-Disney entity? This is a tough question, right?

Speaker 2: 1:00:14

Yes, I wasn't sure.

Speaker 3: 1:00:15

Had several guesses. Some people said Test Track and a few others had said Rockin' Roller Coaster, no Turtle Talk with Crush. Now I've been doing trivia for what? Two years, for a while, yeah, and I will say this is by far my favorite trivia question I've ever done. Oh.

Speaker 3: 1:00:36

So Turtle Talk with Crush was. According to this article, walt Disney Imagineering created a replica of Turtle Talk with Crush and donated it to the Children's Hospital of Orange County Bill Holmes Hospital of Orlando. Cast members volunteer their time and typically perform two shows a day for kids and their families. Aw, I love that. That is so cool. Yes, so awesome. I love that. Bring day for kids and their families. Aw, I love that. That is so cool, yes, so awesome. I love that.

Speaker 2: 1:01:01

Bring a little light in their day.

Speaker 3: 1:01:02

Yes, I absolutely love that. Unfortunately, no winners this week, but look for another Disney trivia question Thursday this week and we're going to start a new series. I don't think we're going to finish it because we've got a vacation coming up and getting it next month, but we're going to be. I just look for that I'm not going to tell you what we're going to talk about yet, but you know what we're going to be doing.

Speaker 2: 1:01:23

I believe so, but the listeners?

Speaker 3: 1:01:25

don't. So again, I try to keep it relevant to what we're talking about. That episode, Right, all right. So thank you everybody for joining us. If you want to support the podcast, the best way to do that is to book your next vacation with Main Street Travel Company. Again, tell them we sent you. Take advantage of those special offers. Go check them out, wwwmainstreettravelcocom. They're on Instagram, facebook and YouTube. And again, call them Monday through Friday, 10 am, 5 pm central time, 1-800-593-1262. You can email us circleofparks at gmailcom. Our website is wwwcircleofparkscom and we're on facebook, instagram and x all at circle of parks. Thank you so much for listening. We hope you've enjoyed this episode and maybe have got your mind thinking about going to disney, vero Beach sometime.

Speaker 2: 1:02:18

Yes, and we'll talk to you next week, hey yeah, bye.