Pre-Trip 2 Broke Guys (now with Table of Contents!)

Important note: First post edited 7/13/17 to make this odyssey easier to follow!

The reason is I started this pre-trip report over a year ago to help plan our most important trip ever (so far) our 10 year wedding anniversary trip.

However, we have AP's, and we took many short "side-trips" along the way. Rather than creating so many Trip Report threads and looking like a total egomaniac, I just added those mini-TR's into this same thread.

People have said it was hard to follow (I can see that.) Someone suggested putting a "table of contents" in the beginning. So that's what I'm doing. Then you can skip to the pages with the other trip reports, or just read the ones pertaining to "the big one" coming up in early September, 2017.

I will post that trip report separately when it finally happens, but will of course link to it here.

Speaking of linking here, here's a little background. This old post details our vow renewals a few years ago, for a very specific reason. If you haven't read my other trip reports or interacted with me very much on the boards, it kind of sets the stage for what's to come. Here's that link:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...orporate-disney-into-your-vow-renewal.903761/

What follows is the original first post (from 2/11/16) of this long, long thread. At the end of it, I'll put the table of contents to guide you through the rest of the thread.

I am sitting here in a hotel in Tampa, just an hour away from "home." And I'm thinking about it LOL. Oh, am I thinking about it.

When I'm "home home" - in Fort Lauderdale, I never have time to do more than some quick posts because I am always busy with work.

This is going to be a long-@ss pre-trip report.

Not necessarily this first post, but the report as a whole - by necessity, since the trip isn't until early September 2017. And I know I can use some help and advice in putting this all together - it's a very special trip - and have already begun organizing my thoughts based on discussions on this forum.

The basic premise is this: We are going to spend our 10-year wedding anniversary celebration at WDW, with the centerpiece of that trip to be the biggest dinner we can afford at Victoria & Albert's (hopefully the chef's table.) One of the things we enjoy most about Disney in our forties are the amazing meals at places like the Flying Fish Cafe and the Yachtsman's Steakhouse. I expect this meal will be at least as mind-blowing, but probably more.

The catch is - it costs a freaking fortune (at least to us.) I'm estimating something like $600 to $800 when all is said and done(?) And there is no way I could justify spending that much money on one meal.

Except...we have the Disney Chase Visa card, and have come to rely on this for our last several trips. This has opened doors to new experiences that we couldn't afford before. Instead of getting a 4-day ticket, we started getting AP's. Instead of staying off property, we started staying at Disney Moderates. And loved it!

And - we have a year off (sort of) to save up for this magical trip and important celebration. For the last several years, we've been getting the Florida Resident Weekday Select Annual Pass every other year, never two years in a row. I think it's good to go away and miss it for awhile, especially with all the work being done. Stay away for a year and come back to lots of little surprises. (Like those metal detectors! Ha!) They're fine. Anyway, that's the responsible side of me to say we shouldn't spend that much money every year. (We really shouldn't.)

But the advantage of that in this case is to amass Disney Chase Visa card points for months on end (sort of.) We used up all the rest of our points on our last short trip in January of 2016. But then at the end of the month, we earned more money. It's just sitting there...LOL.

Well, I made a deal with myself - if I can save up that $700 or $800 just in Chase points, then I can justify booking that meal at Victoria & Albert's. So that is the first goal. I know somebody will tell me when is the first day I can book it, and I will make a note on my phone so I don't forget LOL.

Based on January rewards being $146.50, I'm thinking this should be cake. (Mmm...cake...)

I'm not saving up for this September, but next September 2017. Total cake, right?!

Then we have to figure out where to stay. I'd like it to be our first Deluxe (possibly on the special floor with the extra goodies) and probably our first DVC rental. DVC Upside - real cost is less. Downside - can't pay for it with Disney Chase dollars LOL. That is funny, but it is a real consideration.

There's the obvious choice - to stay in the Grand Floridian to be where Victoria & Albert's is.

I don't know if that would be my favorite place in general.

I think my favorite place might be the Polynesian - I like the food & the vibe - and the walking into MK. I think that's a must on this trip - have to be able to walk to somewhere. That would include all of the Boardwalk area properties, which are fine with me as well.

Or AK with the Savannah view.

Then there's the corny and sentimental way - 10 years ago, our honeymoon was to Key West. They have a Key West DVC hotel. We love Olivia's. Somehow it doesn't seem big deal enough or have something special like a footpath to MK lol.

At the very least, a monorail resort, even if not walking distance, would be preferred.

Then we have to figure out whether or not to bring the dog or leave her home, drive or fly, diet for 6 months for the pictures LOL. Maybe this one and only trip would be worth memory maker?

I want to really blow it out - something we will never forget. Go for the upgrades. Pick the right tour or tours. So much to discuss!!

I will end each post in this saga like the parodied "2 Broke Girls" TV show, with the dollar amount of whatever they have left or have made at the end of the show, so you can see where they are in their goal.

So for example, tonight's would be:

$146.50

I'll add in any WDW Gift Cards I might buy or receive in the next year as part of what's saved up for that trip. My free BJ's trial period just expired, so I won't be getting any discounted GC's from them.

Now - the potential issue: there is no way we are not going to go to Disney in some way until September of 2017. We are toying with skipping our usual January or April trip in order to go full-on crazy in September.

But we are also toying with things like my dilemma as I sit here in this hotel with all this time to type. We're less than an hour away. I told this story in more detail at the end of my last trip report thread, so I'll just make it very short: Brian is working in Tampa from the end of January until the middle of February (over three weeks.) Yesterday I packed up our pup and drove up to visit, with our Valentine's Day gifts in tow (mostly specialty sugar-free chocolate dipped pretzels potato chips, oreos, plus peppermint bark, etc. We know we won't see each other for Valentine's Day, so basically tomorrow is it, unless I stay until Saturday morning.

Since no WDW trip was planned, I did not bring either my Tables In Wonderland card, or my Chase rewards gift card. But I called, and confirmed I could go to Guest Services and get another gift card (which of course can be loaded automatically.) There's a nice lunch reservation open. There's a spot for the pup at Best Friends Pet Care for 1/2 day care.

On the one hand - this would be something like a 45 minute to 1 hour drive for Brian from 12:30 to 1:30 to go to a special Disney lunch at 1:50, hang out for a bit, and then drive back 45 minutes to an hour to go to work by 4PM until 4AM. (I would have my own car, spend more money buying Disney records for my record store after lunch, go pick up the dog, and drive home to Fort Lauderdale.)

The other option is to drop the pup off at Petco in Tampa for a shampoo, and then hurry to whatever local restaurant is near that Petco, and meh.

Who would ever forget picking up and driving to WDW just for lunch for Valentine's Day (early) There's a fun story to remember when we're in our 60's LOL.

But it would already deplete our current total towards our V&A goal:

$146.50

OK, that was the first post of this whole thing. Now here comes the table of contents. Separate trip reports will be listed in bold. Regular stuff won't.

Posts 1-11 planning.
Posts 12-18: "The Blip Report" - a spur of the moment, one day drive over to the Yacht Club for Valentine's Day lunch at Captain's Grille (with dog.)
Posts 19-70 planning.
Posts 71-199 (page 4) pre-trip (back pain) & TR for 3-day quickie in September 2016 for Food & Wine (no dog, meeting Tuvalu, car trouble LOL) (skip it if you're only in for the anniversary trip!)
Posts 200-210 stuff. (starts bottom of page 10)
Posts 211-258-ish (begins page 11) "micro-trip" - had to go back up to get our car, might as well visit the Mouse!
Posts 258-ish to 276 planning.
Posts 277-283 (page 14) Pre-trip for almost Christmas at Saratoga Springs
Posts 284-331 planning, chit-chat, Thanksgiving
Posts 332-380 (page 17) That almost Christmas trip at Saratoga Springs
Posts 381-392 (Page 20) mostly chit-chat
Posts 393-561 (starts on page 20) (Several short trips back and forth since Brian had sporadic work in Orlando - all with dog!) Including Flower & Garden, Tiffins, more Tiffins, Valentine's Day again, RoL, and to confuse things, somwhere around #522 I'm at WDW but also planning the September 2017 trip (it was the 180 day mark for ADR's!)
Posts 562-569 chit chat
Posts 570-605 (page 29) - omg another quickie trip, Paddlefish
Posts 606-614 chit chat
Posts 615-657 (page 31) omg another trip - Wishes at Cali Grill (our last time seeing it)
Posts 658-694 chit chat, Record Store Day, Nashville
Posts 695- serious September planning!!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Well, I was trying to find a clip from a movie for context, but I can't find it. The movie is "Mother" starring Debbie Reynolds & Albert Brooks (Debbie plays his mother.) She is driving into a mall parking situation with him in the passenger seat, and they come up on one of those little things where you have to take a ticket before entering. She really doesn't want to pay to park and thinks maybe she can drive around and find another spot. Albert Brooks tells her to "take the ticket!" She keeps saying, "I don't know," and he keeps saying, "take the ticket" until finally "taaaaaake the TICKET!" and she takes the ticket.

Cut to me driving into the Swan parking lot for karaoke fresh from Animal Kingdom, coming upon the same little thingy where you take a ticket. I think: there must be some other place to park that won't cost $20. There was a booth and someone working the booth, but they were out of the booth and talking to another car on the other side. I am going forwards and backwards with the car, saying, "I don't know, there must be someplace else to park - 20 dollars?!" And D starts saying she would pay half and just take the ticket. And I was trying to remember what Brian and I did the last time. D said something about she thinks Kimonos validates and "taaaaake the TICKET!" I took the ticket.

Then I told her the whole story about the movie and was hysterical laughing.

Kimonos did validate it (apparently) - they gave me an extra ticket, and some instructions to put one ticket in first and then the other when we leave. I didn't know if that would discount it, make it free, whatever. But when we left around 1:30AM or so, the arm was raised anyway, so there was nothing to enter or pay. (I think that's what happened with Brian the last time, too?)

After singing, I dropped D off at OKW and she wanted me to see the room (knowing I have a very slight interest in DVC if it's a stunning deal.) I'm glad I did, because I was not very impressed with the studio at OKW after seeing Buddy's pics of the 1BR and after staying ourselves at the Saratoga 1BR. It's basically like any other studio except with the sink/microwave set up. She bought 50 points per year (secondhand) and uses them every other year.

I don't think I got to sleep until around 3AM. Alcohol keeps me awake. And even then it was not good sleep. But it was worth it, had a great time.

The next morning, I was not hung over at all, but was very tired. I stayed in the room right up until the last minute 11AM and then moved over to the Red Roof. Brian and Kylie were getting in around 1PM, so I went for a walk to kill time/get some exercise & sun. Met Brian & Kylie at BFPC, took her out back to play as usual, and let her stay there for the day. Brian and I went to meet D at Epcot for the Arts festival (which she insisted we wouldn't like and there wasn't much food.) We only had a few hours before Brian had to continue on to Daytona.

When we arrived, she was still at lunch at Le Celier, so we headed in that direction, looking for food booths on the way.

 

[Tiggerish]

After singing, I dropped D off at OKW and she wanted me to see the room (knowing I have a very slight interest in DVC if it's a stunning deal.) I'm glad I did, because I was not very impressed with the studio at OKW after seeing Buddy's pics of the 1BR and after staying ourselves at the Saratoga 1BR. It's basically like any other studio except with the sink/microwave set up. She bought 50 points per year (secondhand) and uses them every other year.

The OKW studios are the least impressive, because they most resemble a traditional hotel room with the 2 queen beds. We love our OKW home resort, but if we're staying there, it's gotta be a 1BR. The studios in the other DVC properties look more like an actual studio apartment, where you have a sofa that you can sit on to watch TV, and the kitchenettes all seem a bit nicer at the other properties too.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

The OKW studios are the least impressive, because they most resemble a traditional hotel room with the 2 queen beds. We love our OKW home resort, but if we're staying there, it's gotta be a 1BR. The studios in the other DVC properties look more like an actual studio apartment, where you have a sofa that you can sit on to watch TV, and the kitchenettes all seem a bit nicer at the other properties too.

Thank you for that clarification!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

If I remember correctly, at the first booth we got a venison dish that we both enjoyed but none of the drinks looked good or to be a good value.

A lot of the menu items seemed geared more towards desserts or desserty drinks. That does not work with my diabetic husband LOL.

We walked on after that booth and met up with D. We saw the area where they were doing some kind of group painting and wanted to be a part of it. It was basically a paint by number on a huge canvas. You stood in a short line, they explained everything to everyone on line, and then handed you a Disney color with a number on it and a disposable brush. You had to take your color over to the canvas, find your number, and paint up to five squares of your color. They said they expected it to be all done by Saturday night, and when it was done it would look like this:

So this was the part we painted:

no, the orange is not us! I had the dark blue gray and Brian had the light blue gray. Mine are the straightest squares in the picture LOL. Now I know D took a picture of us doing this and I have to go hunt for it on Facebook.

I am in the bright blue T-shirt to the left of the giant pole. (It's a cheap tourist Mickey Mouse T-shirt I had just bought at Walgreens on my walk LOL.) Brian is the giant one in the darker blue shirt a few people to my left, until I called him over and said, "No, let's do all our squares in the same area." LOL.

I'd love to see a picture of the completed work at some point! It was fun to be a part of it.

There were other things to do like taking a picture with yourself as the subject of a famous work of art. We didn't do any of that. We were looking for more food booths! D was right, there weren't too many with food. We skipped a few that didn't sound all that exciting. But the next one was excellent: we got both a pork dish and a scallop dish, and Brian just went to get a regular beer somewhere for each of us. We sat at the picnic tables in America to enjoy those and chitchat. This was the first time Brian met D. She was not eating, which left her mouth free to go on and on about her boyfriend who they recently discovered has asperger's at age 48. That's not as interesting as it sounds after about 20 minutes LOL.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

That pork dish was much bigger than expected, and the scallop dish was much smaller than expected – which is exactly what happened at the next booth, which would ultimately be our final booth - and my favorite by a longshot. We got a short rib dish which was the large one and a snapper dish which was the smaller one. Both were great, but the short rib was the outstanding dish of the day, more for the minor components than the short rib itself. The broccolini was excellent, and the parsnip purée has me now obsessed with trying to recreate it. Love, love, loved it. It was on line for those where I met this guy:

...and his buddies, all coming right up to the line begging for food, and well-meaning misguided individuals feeding him. Hey, Kylie's puppy dog eyes don't even work on me for that. Give it up, duck.

At this point, we realized the time, and it was running out. We walked over to the imagination pavilion, and this was kind of a highlight for us, D took us up into the DVC lounge.

My review of the lounge is almost impossible to do without comparing it to the Chase Visa lounge we experience every year at food and wine.

First of all, it's very cool just to be in that location and looking up at the structure we can only usually see from the outside.

They had more sofa type chairs also.

They have the same free soda machines as the Chase Visa lounge. And DVC members and their friends have access to this lounge all year round, not just during a festival.

One major difference: Chase Visa lounge has beer and wine - case closed!

Side note: I forgot to go to Magic Kingdom one evening to see how many drunk people are ruining other peoples vacations in the new era of 2 drinks with dinner at a sit-down restaurant LOL.

It was another great thing to cross off our "never done" list.

While we were in there, I checked Facebook, and someone I barely knew from high school started posting ugliness on a picture of Barack Obama I posted, while at the same time sending me private messages with gay slurs. He didn't have the guts to post those in public. Oh, the nut jobs are emboldened - which reminds me, I need good T-shirt ideas for our 10 year anniversary trip. I want to make sure no one attending the Night of Joy can mistake us for brothers, cousins, or buddies.

After sitting in the sofa chair, I realized how exhausted I was. I walked Brian out to his car to say good night and he was on his way to Daytona. I told D I need to go back to my room for a little rest, but really didn't feel like driving all the way to international Drive, and was a little afraid I wouldn't come back. So I got in my own car, reclined, and more or less passed out for a bit.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Somewhat refreshed, but also a little on the zombie side, I walked back into Epcot and before telling anyone I was back, I went on spaceship Earth which was a walk on. Texted D and we met behind it and then really couldn't decide what to do. We are both planners with partners who basically do whatever we want, so it was hard to make a decision. She had a reservation at France for dinner around six, but was still full from lunch long past that. she had gone over there earlier to ask about changing it to a later reservation, and they said just come back whenever you're ready. That's how not booked they were.

I guess it was around seven by now, so I suggested why don't we just head over to France, see what's what, and if we end up just getting dessert and a drink, so be it. I had eaten at Monsieur Paul a few years ago and loved it, but had never eaten downstairs. She had not eaten downstairs since she was a kid but did not have a great memory of it. We hopped a boat from wherever we were to Morocco I think and walked to France.

Our waiter was, to use a French word, a d****e. He had all the attitude and coldness of the ones who worked upstairs and maybe had a right to be that way, but he was serving in a restaurant with paper menus and tables practically end to end. By the end of the not-really-a-meal, I was calling it the "pretentious cafeteria."

I looked at the menu, and nothing seemed impressive or worth the pricing. We have two great French restaurants here at home. So I thought I would go with a drink and dessert, but there was no dessert on the menu. I asked for a dessert menu and he brought another folded piece of paper. D ordered a salad.

There is good to be taken from every situation, and the drink I ordered turned out to be a highlight of the day. It was a martini with both vodka and gin, which is unusual in itself, plus a third ingredient I knew I would have to take a picture of to remember:

Ah, it was the Vesper Martini, and it was a revelation! I would go back just to sit and drink two of those – or better yet, find it somewhere else.

It also gave me a bit of a second wind. The dessert menu was disappointing and useless, and I wasn't going to cheat on my no sugar diet unless it was worth it. I knew the pastry shop was right around the corner, and I suggested we go there next.

Ta-da!

No, neither of those were for D. I found my luxury, and was going to dig in. I love napoleons, and also wanted to try something new. Couldn't make up my mind so got both. Hey, I never do this.

The one on the left was good – not quite as good as I thought, but well worth it. I would have preferred a little more mousse and a little less cake. The Napoleon was stunning. Loved it. D got some kind of parfait.

The to go box was not needed.

At this point, I really was dead. I had to stop at mouse gear to stock up on more records and it took like 20 minutes to check out. I dropped D off at her room again, apologizing because I felt like I may have been a downer on the night. She said it was her next to last day of vacation and she was tired too.

By the way, she highly recommended the new bus situation. She said sometimes she was the only one on it and usually no more than three people. She really liked it, said it was very efficient and it was worth the price because she was staying the whole week. Park hopping made easy!

We had no problems with the passholder lines. I went through security everywhere every time.

That's basically it. I picked up the puppy, took her back to the room, woke up early and got home by 11 AM. Brian came home the next night.

No exaggeration, the moment I pulled into my driveway, I got a text from a friend in Ohio – actually my ex – who was calling to talk to me about Disney World. He is actually the one who first brought me to WDW back in 1999. He and his boyfriend just booked beach club for August 31 to September 7. So their trip will overlap with our anniversary trip. We have hung out with them twice before when they came down to Fort Lauderdale and got along well. In fact, they took us to a drag brunch for one of our prior anniversaries LOL.

Look how fat I looked when they called us up on stage

So this is the year of meeting friends at Disney World!

We are not planning any other trips from now until the anniversary, and Disney helps us with that by blocking us out from June till August.

There is a chance of a quick one day stop in February when I visit Brian working in Tampa and possibly in May when I drive to and from Nashville.

And even with what I spent on this trip in points, we still have around $950 in points saved towards September.

The end for now!

 

[MerMom1981]

Oh my! I just read The Odyssey of TR's.

It's been a bit of a ride. Break-downs, break-ins, back pain and Disney! My favorite part is that you didn't let any of it get the best of you.

Your anniversary plans sound fabulous!
You make me want to do ditch my kids and do Disney with my man!
He snores too. Sympathy

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Oh my! I just read The Odyssey of TR's.

It's been a bit of a ride. Break-downs, break-ins, back pain and Disney! My favorite part is that you didn't let any of it get the best of you.

Your anniversary plans sound fabulous!
You make me want to do ditch my kids and do Disney with my man!
He snores too. Sympathy

Thank you for reading all that!

 

[MinnieM123]

That was odd about your waiter in the restaurant. I mean, it's Disney, for heaven's sake--it's supposed to be a laid-back, family atmosphere--not a place for a stuck-up personality like that.

I love the picture of Kylie running toward you! (But you know that I always love your photos of Kylie--the one the other day that you posted of her in the back seat was so cute!)

Lastly, you didn't look fat in your photo from some years ago. You may have had a few extra pounds back then, but I think you still looked nice.

 

[Gabe1]

I don't know much about the Florida car rental market (it's been years since I rented a car down there). However, a car rental place that closes at 4 p.m. -- AND -- I also noticed in the picture you posted, that it's CLOSED on both Saturday and Sunday??!!! What the heck kind of rental location is that??!!! The franchisee of that location must be independently wealthy, because I can't imagine a business with those limited hours making much money at all !!

I have rented from Enterprise frequently. They too around here have real short hours. They open early-close early. Believe half day Saturdays. Closed Sunday. Closer to airports it is very different.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I think I/we are going back in February lol!

 

[Tuvalu]

I think I/we are going back in February lol!

When?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

When?

B will be in Tampa from this Monday until 2/22. Same hotel as last year (pet friendly.) At the moment, I'm thinking Kylie and I should be there for Valentine's Day, so I'd probably drive up the Sunday before and stay the week. Then I can pop over to WDW whenever I want! And maybe we will do a Valentine's Day lunch again. Dates are flexible and subject to change!

 

[Tuvalu]

Hope you and Brian will have a Disney Valentine's lunch....since I can't be there on my birthday.

 

[21stamps]

Somewhat refreshed, but also a little on the zombie side, I walked back into Epcot and before telling anyone I was back, I went on spaceship Earth which was a walk on. Texted D and we met behind it and then really couldn't decide what to do. We are both planners with partners who basically do whatever we want, so it was hard to make a decision. She had a reservation at France for dinner around six, but was still full from lunch long past that. she had gone over there earlier to ask about changing it to a later reservation, and they said just come back whenever you're ready. That's how not booked they were.

I guess it was around seven by now, so I suggested why don't we just head over to France, see what's what, and if we end up just getting dessert and a drink, so be it. I had eaten at Monsieur Paul a few years ago and loved it, but had never eaten downstairs. She had not eaten downstairs since she was a kid but did not have a great memory of it. We hopped a boat from wherever we were to Morocco I think and walked to France.

Our waiter was, to use a French word, a d****e. He had all the attitude and coldness of the ones who worked upstairs and maybe had a right to be that way, but he was serving in a restaurant with paper menus and tables practically end to end. By the end of the not-really-a-meal, I was calling it the "pretentious cafeteria."

I looked at the menu, and nothing seemed impressive or worth the pricing. We have two great French restaurants here at home. So I thought I would go with a drink and dessert, but there was no dessert on the menu. I asked for a dessert menu and he brought another folded piece of paper. D ordered a salad.

There is good to be taken from every situation, and the drink I ordered turned out to be a highlight of the day. It was a martini with both vodka and gin, which is unusual in itself, plus a third ingredient I knew I would have to take a picture of to remember:View attachment 185770 Ah, it was the Vesper Martini, and it was a revelation! I would go back just to sit and drink two of those – or better yet, find it somewhere else.

It also gave me a bit of a second wind. The dessert menu was disappointing and useless, and I wasn't going to cheat on my no sugar diet unless it was worth it. I knew the pastry shop was right around the corner, and I suggested we go there next.

Ta-da!
View attachment 185771

No, neither of those were for D. I found my luxury, and was going to dig in. I love napoleons, and also wanted to try something new. Couldn't make up my mind so got both. Hey, I never do this.

The one on the left was good – not quite as good as I thought, but well worth it. I would have preferred a little more mousse and a little less cake. The Napoleon was stunning. Loved it. D got some kind of parfait.

The to go box was not needed.

At this point, I really was dead. I had to stop at mouse gear to stock up on more records and it took like 20 minutes to check out. I dropped D off at her room again, apologizing because I felt like I may have been a downer on the night. She said it was her next to last day of vacation and she was tired too.

By the way, she highly recommended the new bus situation. She said sometimes she was the only one on it and usually no more than three people. She really liked it, said it was very efficient and it was worth the price because she was staying the whole week. Park hopping made easy!

We had no problems with the passholder lines. I went through security everywhere every time.

That's basically it. I picked up the puppy, took her back to the room, woke up early and got home by 11 AM. Brian came home the next night.
View attachment 185772

No exaggeration, the moment I pulled into my driveway, I got a text from a friend in Ohio – actually my ex – who was calling to talk to me about Disney World. He is actually the one who first brought me to WDW back in 1999. He and his boyfriend just booked beach club for August 31 to September 7. So their trip will overlap with our anniversary trip. We have hung out with them twice before when they came down to Fort Lauderdale and got along well. In fact, they took us to a drag brunch for one of our prior anniversaries LOL.
View attachment 185775
Look how fat I looked when they called us up on stage

So this is the year of meeting friends at Disney World!

We are not planning any other trips from now until the anniversary, and Disney helps us with that by blocking us out from June till August.

There is a chance of a quick one day stop in February when I visit Brian working in Tampa and possibly in May when I drive to and from Nashville.

And even with what I spent on this trip in points, we still have around $950 in points saved towards September.

The end for now!

I have soooo much to catch up on here!!!! I'm jumping around because I wanted to read about your most recent trip first.lol. Love it!!!

Where was the bottom photo taken?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Where was the bottom photo taken?

Lips in Oakland Park

 

[21stamps]

Lips in Oakland Park

I've never been there. Have you lived in Ft Laud long enough to remember the Sunday night drag shows at Voodoo Lounge?
I loved those. I'd walk home over the 7th street bridge afterwards..I may or may not have lost a shoe on that bridge once or twice...

I am making it my mission to read this entire report before I fall asleep tonight!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I've never been there. Have you lived in Ft Laud long enough to remember the Sunday night drag shows at Voodoo Lounge?
I loved those. I'd walk home over the 7th street bridge afterwards..I may or may not have lost a shoe on that bridge once or twice...

I am making it my mission to read this entire report before I fall asleep tonight!

Omg yes I have been to VL many times. ( I was a bartender at another bar at the time.)

I was actually there the night Dennis Rodman made an announcement that he supposedly bought the place. He was walking around "making it rain" with a stack of lousy one dollar bills LOL.

P.S. Daisy Deadpetals!

 

[21stamps]

Omg yes I have been to VL many times. ( I was a bartender at another bar at the time.)

I was actually there the night Dennis Rodman made an announcement that he supposedly bought the place. He was walking around "making it rain" with a stack of lousy one dollar bills LOL.

P.S. Daisy Deadpetals!

Ha ha ha!!! Love it!!!!!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Listening to this episode today…