Trip Report 2 broke guys and the XMAS TTFN trip!

Yes, yes, I know we just got back. We went in the middle of December, then again for Christmas, then again in the middle of January, and now - our third month in a row…

When: Feb 2-4
Where: All-Star Music, and All-Star Music (you’ll see.)
Who:

Tony

And Brian

Wait, wait - that’s not right. Pretty close, but not right. Let’s try again.

Tony

And Brian

OK but those were reject “blooper” pics from our last TR. Here’s one where we’re overdressed:

That’ll do.

And…Mickey.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Random out of order pics. There was no point waiting for a seat at the perch, considering my current state. One day.

Horsey pic at the GF, too.

Beautiful day and temperature!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Yep. Doin’ it.

Almost done.

We have dinner at 8-ish. Don’t want to ruin it.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

While I wouldn’t say I’m 100%, I’m definitely improved.

Just one glass of wine tonight as we “Eat like Jose!” Yup. Doing it.

Weird note: online says $150pp. Menu here says $125pp.

Time for a dining adventure.

 

[RememberWhen]

So sorry you’re not feeling 100%! Take it easy as much as possible and also try to have fun!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Well, this will test my stomach.

Each dish has been quite unique - maybe a bit too rich for me today - but so many new experiences!

We’re not done yet, but I’m kind of conking out. Couldn’t force myself to eat those fried croquettes. And I let Brian enjoy the tuna.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

This is as far as we got.

I just can’t eat anymore. While I love the adventure, it’s all very rich, salty, etc. I definitely recommend it for a special occasion, but this was not the night for me. The next batch of bites is being packed up to go.

We did have 7 fishes (I think) though!

 

[93boomer]

@Tony the Tigger how are you feeling today?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Our server seemed slightly disappointed, because the next course was considered the main course - a steak & potatoes dish.

She packed up that course and the dessert to go. We could have used a box for what remained on the table, but didn’t ask. At this point, I was kind of anxious to leave.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

We did not linger at Disney Springs, but went back to our cozy room (by boat) and fell asleep with AMC on (basically playing the same 4-5 Christmas movies on repeat.)

Christmas morning:

We rolled up on SeaWorld around noon. It was a very short drive (2 exits on I-4.) Parking rates without an AP:

 

[Tony the Tigger]

@Tony the Tigger how are you feeling today?

Pertaining to yesterday, when the question was asked: better than Tuesday, not 100%. That surprised me. I had gotten sick from drinking before in my life, and that discomfort never lasted more than a day, at worst (which was a rare exception.) This had been from food, I believe, and I had not yet recovered. I was a little dizzy, my breathing was not great, I wanted to cough for no reason, but it was painful to do so. There was a general pain in my sides(ish) just from what happened the night before.

Brian said we didn’t have to go. I said we did, I spent $200 on these tickets lol.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I did not expect to make a full SeaWorld trip report on a Disney chat site. Wasn’t sure how I felt about that or how you all would feel about that.

Plus, I can do that on the SEAWORLDMAGIC website. I used to chat there more regularly, back when we went to SW more often (usually when we couldn’t afford Disney tickets.)

I miss some of the posters there like 93beluga, and even the pains in the neck like SirWalrusSalad and 23stoolpigeons (IYKYK) - but especially my bestie, Shamuvalu. Her family has been visiting for generations, and she likes to call “Shamu status” on the bus.

(There is no bus, girl. It’s SeaWorld. )

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I think I had a better impression of Seaworld the last time we went. It was around Christmas time, but it wasn’t on Christmas Day. I didn’t remember where anything was, there are very few CM’s around to ask, and it was quite crowded – as we expected. It was another beautiful day, though! Nice and warm. Completely sunny. We lucked out.

 

[Tuvalu]

After all the food and sweets I have consumed in the last 48 hours I feel like Shamuvalu!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I was thinking I would keep an eye out for wherever Rudolph might be. I had an idea in my head that it might be near where the beluga whales are. I seem to remember that was where they had a big Christmas display many years ago. I was sure I would bump into it at some point.

In the meantime, we hit the Aquarium.

There was a Nutcracker theme to their decor.

The rides all seemed a bit crazy, especially in my condition. The dolphin show is always fun.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

This was not where Rudolph is.

I mean, duh – that’s the SOUTH pole!

I was a little annoyed it wasn’t plastered everywhere: “This way to Rudolph.“ Something like that. There were no pamphlets in the stores. There was nothing on the Guide maps that were posted around the parks.

Nearly every CM we encountered who wasn’t directly working with animals seemed not just lacking personality, but exceptionally miserable. Including our food stop. There were lines to get into restaurants, and the restaurants are no big deal. The pizza place was packed, but next-door was a pretzel place that had a pizza pretzel. They were not packed. I ordered a pizza pretzel, and Brian a regular salted pretzel. They were shaped like a hoagie roll. Missed opportunity to not make sandwiches out of these!

I was a little bummed my “pizza“ pretzel included cheese and pepperoni, but no tomato sauce. No big deal. Possibly for the better. I only ate half, and it was not big. Something still felt off. I carried the other half around for a while and eventually fed it to Brian - but not before we sat on the steps near the orca viewing area so I could study the app, and these guys started approaching me like thugs ready to mug me for my pizza pretzel. I took their picture.

(picture taken as my 6‘3“ husband shooed them away.)

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Just then, we approached an attraction too gay, er, good, to pass up.

The slightly less miserable cast member seemed to discourage us and say it would be a 15 to 30 minute wait, but it didn’t look like that would be the case.

By the time we paid $12, put on our lifejackets, and walked down the short pier, it was a walk on.

Best $12 we spent all day. 20 minutes paddling around in the water, in the beautiful weather, on the back of a giant pink flamingo!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

One of the places that left an impression last time was the shark bar, in front of the shark restaurant. I remember being jammed in there and ordering a drink and some kind of stuffed mushroom appetizer. I don’t typically like mushrooms, but they were good enough that I remember them.

Those were no longer on the menu, but we were pleased to find two seats at the bar. It’s basically like the coral reef restaurant at Epcot (though I thought the aquarium used to come a lot closer to the bar?)

We didn’t stay long. One quick drink (didn’t finish it) and on to the shark aquarium that looks like the one Jaws breaks into in Jaws 3D.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

On to the next show!

This mime was quite funny as a pre-show. He kept pretending to lead people to their seats while intentionally misdirecting them, etc.

And Clyde and Seymour never disappoint.

At this point, we had some choices to make. The day was catching up with me, as much as I never expected to be feeling the effects on Thursday evening from what happened on Tuesday night. The walk back to the orca viewing area was not short, and the next show was not soon, so that didn’t make much sense, as much as we would have liked to have seen it. I still had no idea where Rudolph was, and had no energy left to put into figuring that out. I did stop into one gift shop to get an ornament to mark the day.

And here it is back on our little tree at the room a few minutes later.

(it does specify SeaWorld on the little silver tag at the top.)

 

[93boomer]

Pertaining to yesterday, when the question was asked: better than Tuesday, not 100%. That surprised me. I had gotten sick from drinking before in my life, and that discomfort never lasted more than a day, at worst (which was a rare exception.) This had been from food, I believe, and I had not yet recovered. I was a little dizzy, my breathing was not great, I wanted to cough for no reason, but it was painful to do so. There was a general pain in my sides(ish) just from what happened the night before.

Brian said we didn’t have to go. I said we did, I spent $200 on these tickets lol.

Please take care of yourself and not push it too much. I hate being dizzy. I had that a few weeks ago and ended up at ER. Low potassium.
I hope you haven’t picked up something else. Hugs!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

At that point, I had to face the reality that the much anticipated dinner at Topolino‘s, even with the fireworks on the roof and everything, also didn’t make much sense. I had squandered a very expensive dinner the night before, and didn’t want to repeat the same mistake. Regrettably, I canceled that dining reservation. At the same time, I felt relieved.

We were back at the room by about 5:30 PM, and I napped.

When I woke up, we reheated the steak main dish from the previous night, along with the potatoes, and made a heavy snack out of that. The flan was not really my speed, we both tasted it and pitched it.

Brian suggested a movie.

Not that movie. All showings were almost completely booked solid. He mentioned “Song Sung Blue,” a film starring Wolverine and Kate Hudson as a Neil Diamond tribute band. Why not? We hit the 10pm showing. Popcorn was much easier on the stomach, anyway.

The movie was OK. I had seen reviews leading me to believe it would be better. I could not get past the wolverine reference. And I kept thinking how old everyone looked. I remember years ago hearing Goldie Hawn had a daughter, and now she’s already wrinkled. Time flies.

Many of the Neil Diamond songs they chose to emphasize in this film were not my favorites. And I am quite a fan. I guess it’s because The Jazz Singer already included most of his greatest hits, so they probably didn’t want to repeat?

Of course, Brian‘s first words as we exited the theater were: “I thought it was going to be Neil Diamond’s life story.” I could have seen Anaconda! Even if it stunk, at least Paul Rudd is cute!

Still, it was a good ending to the night. While this may be a letdown of a trip report, I did not feel let down. If I’m going to be sick for Christmas, where better to be than at a Disney World resort?

And we weren’t quite finished yet.

(but almost, so temper your expectations. )