Pre-Trip 2 Broke Guys (and a dog!) and $200 French Fries?! multiple short trips

Who:

Tony:

Wait, a little more recent, please (but remember the blue tufted sofa for later.)

"Hidden Mickey" ears behind me? It's actually a wall mural with ocean waves.

Brian:

That picture of him is 8 years old, but still adorbs.

...and sometimes Kylie:

60 pounds of German Shepherd/Chow Chow love & anxiety. She is as old as that picture of Brian, and also adorbs!

 

[kaitertot5249]

I was very very late to your last Trip Report Epic but I'm here for the start of this one! Can't wait to read more of your planning and traveling saga!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Today is National Pet Day. (The background of this day is to encourage pet adoption. The motto is: "Don't Shop, Adopt!")

Don't shop, kidnap!

 

[PacNWTigger]

Don't shop, kidnap!

Makes me glad that I live on the West Coast!

 

[Gurt]

looking forward to all your adventures

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Well, had I started writing on Valentine's Day as well I should, it would have begun where it did. Margaritaville, Hollywood.

Instead I started writing on my way back from our recent trip, so that was a flashback.

March began with the store grand opening. Coming up 4/21 is Record Store Day, which requires so much prep that I haven’t had much time to type lately. Puppy has gotten a little less attention these days.

Jeff and Billy (the other two with me in front of the giant flip fop) are tying the knot on Cinco de Mayo in Hilton Head.

So Jeff had a "bachelor party" run primarily by his girlfriends and bff Luis. This was over Easter weekend. At some point, they decided to go to Orlando. Jeff loves water parks. So they had to take him to the new Universal Studios Volcano Bay. $80/person for one Florida resident day pass.

I kept reminding them this was Easter/Spring Break week. I mentioned crowd calendars. Bah!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

So of course, we went along. Brian worked all day Easter. I took a rare “me day.” Both stores closed, no phone, no texts, pretty much no work, backyard with my mongrel, total chill. A Crown Vanilla day.

The next morning, we drove up. Trysch would watch the pup, and we’d be home the following night.

I knew there had to be some Disney action at some point, because… duh. Who am I? I knew I had to at least go shopping for those exclusive records of haunted mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and it’s a small world, which are the only Disney records I don’t have in my stores because you can only buy them at Disney World, not even on the Shop Parks app.

And I figured at the very least, Brian and I would take a private moment to go and have a nice meal on Chase points, or possibly bring some of our party over and buy a round of drinks on those points. And maybe meet up with a WDW magic pal or two?

Overall, we had a good time. But this is a lesson in how things can suck when you’re not in charge. LOL.

 

[Tiggerish]

Jeff and Billy (the other two with me in front of the giant flip fop) are tying the knot on Cinco de Mayo in Hilton Head.

A co-worker of mine is tying the knot on Cinco de Mayo in Hilton Head.

 

[PacNWTigger]

I don't suppose you would be stopping by WDW on your way home...we get into Orlando on Cinco de Mayo.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

A co-worker of mine is tying the knot on Cinco de Mayo in Hilton Head.

Are you going?

I don't suppose you would be stopping by WDW on your way home...we get into Orlando on Cinco de Mayo.

It’s possible! We are not finding good flights at all, may end up driving.

 

[Tuvalu]

I don't suppose you would be stopping by WDW on your way home...we get into Orlando on Cinco de Mayo.

Us too!

 

[Tiggerish]

Are you going?

I am. We arrive on Thursday the 3rd (which is actually our anniversary!) and fly back out of Savannah on Monday.

We’re staying at the HH DVC, if you guys want to visit and put a little Disney in your weekend.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I don't suppose you would be stopping by WDW on your way home...we get into Orlando on Cinco de Mayo.

Us too!

WDWMAGIC convention!

I am. We arrive on Thursday the 3rd (which is actually our anniversary!) and fly back out of Savannah on Monday.

We’re staying at the HH DVC, if you guys want to visit and put a little Disney in your weekend.

We are trying to get there Friday night for the rehearsal dinner (although neither of us are in the wedding party.) That may not be possible depending on B’s schedule and our mode of transportation.

Definitely keep in touch about it! A visit would be fun! Or you can crash a wedding (open bar!)

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I am. We arrive on Thursday the 3rd (which is actually our anniversary!) and fly back out of Savannah on Monday.

We’re staying at the HH DVC, if you guys want to visit and put a little Disney in your weekend.

Omg, I completely forgot about this but - flash forward:

And now that Record Store Day is over, I’ll pick up shortly with the bachelor party...

 

[Tiggerish]

Omg, I completely forgot about this

LOL, me too!

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

Just did a shot of Jaeger for Jaeger. (Serious.)



O. M. G!! and W. T. H?!?

He and I are friends on FB, I'll have to reach out and see what the heck happened. (and I guess I'll just look up his recent posts?)

I imagine it had something to do with the political thread. Very bummed - he was a bright spot around here! Shot of Jaeger for Buddy. (Not serious this time, one is enough to put me to bed.)

Yes it was because of the political thread. He was kind enough to tell us on chit chat. Miss him.

 

[Tiggerish]

At least we had perfect weather on HHI this weekend. My hubs and I had a great time, hope you and Brian did, too. Where did you dine?

 

[ScarletBegonias]

I'm in!!!

 

[Gabe1]

So are you two doing your September trips again this year?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

My goodness, this thread could sue me for negligence!

At least we had perfect weather on HHI this weekend. My hubs and I had a great time, hope you and Brian did, too. Where did you dine?

I really am bummed that we went to where you were staying, and somehow forgot you were there! Of all people on this site, it would have been fun to meet. Next time! Where did we dine? Nowhere special. The wedding food was "meh." We went to a diner next door a couple of times. I really don't remember, I don't think there was any fancy meal.

So are you two doing your September trips again this year?

So much is up in the air.

So much has happened since I last posted. So many plans have been considered and either happened or didn't. Hint: we still haven't activated those AP's. I'm really not super missing it eek and I'm fine with putting off starting the 12 month clock as long as possible.

However, I'm thinking now (before Star Wars opens) is a good time to go, with so many people waiting for Star Wars to open. I don't even think I'll be able to do the Millennium Falcon ride (it might be a motion sickness issue?) and the capacity of the ride is half that of FoP (or so I just read on another thread.) Lines will be nuts under any circumstances - for years. So again, maybe we should activate those passes sooner rather than later, catch Star Wars towards the middle or end of it (depending on when it opens) and then focus on the cruise. (I kind of wish we did the cruise first before buying those AP's. But it was an impulse purchase by the cheapie in me when I heard the prices were going up the next day for AP's LOL.)

At one point (like last month) we had almost enough in Chase points to cover an entire 3 or 4 night Caribbean cruise. We don't anymore (for now.)

Anyway, I feel bad about this thread. I knew it would take a commitment of time to do a lot of catch-up posts, and I never allowed myself that time. I pop in and make quick comments here and there, but haven't really sat down and, well, (trip) reported.

I will pick up back at Volcano Bay for Jeff's bachelor party, my review of VB, a stop at DS (the FRIES) the horrible no-good tour guide, and go on from there.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Didn't want to make too long of a rambling post, so broke this up a bit.

Brian is up to something. Right now. I think WDW would be a stretch - like really a serious stretch, but:

My bday is this Friday. Beyonce is ruining it. (Details will be filled in.) Brian is taking off Wednesday (or most of Wednesday? I'm not sure I have the story straight, he might be going in for a little bit in the morning.) Anyway, he told me he made birthday dinner reservations for 7:15PM on Wednesday. He won't tell me where. I asked him what to wear? He said, "Jeans and a polo shirt."

I was going to start asking more questions, like: Have I been to this place before? But I didn't want to ruin it. (That's Beyonce's job.)

But, possible (?) clues: We have a friend named Gary, who is old and drinks every night. (Surprise.) He worked for Brian for years, and even helped at my very first store for a few months. We all go out to lunch once in awhile (usually a surprisingly nice Chinese buffet.) He has started calling us almost every day. Anyway, he called last night, clearly already hitting the wine. And Gary tends to...spill stuff. (Not the wine. Info.)

Mmm...wine. I'll be right back. (This has officially become a drinking thread. Is that legal? "Drink around the Trip Report." Hey, that's not a bad TR title revision for later.) If ya got it, get in on it!

Since it's early afternoon and my birthday week, I'm starting with this:

Chocolate wine. Smooth. It's a little sweet so I mix it with a little almond/cashew milk and some ice. Very un-wine-y, but it's made from oranges, so I guess it's technically wine. It's yummy.

So Gary calls us both last night, on speaker, on wine, and weirdly asks, "What kind of buffets do they have at Disney?" And I thought, "Why would he ask that? Is he going to Disney?"