Trip Report Already? 2 broke guys for 2 more days of Music & Mickey!

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]

Wanted to share with you. This is my new granddoggie! Her name is Raya and she’s 9 months old. View attachment 843282

Those eyes - I bet she’s smart!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

It will surprise you not in the least that I own one of her prints. It hangs in my dining room, and in case you can’t see the title, it’s called Big Red.

View attachment 843294

Purchased some years ago at Food & Wine Festival.

And the kitty is the image of my Fred, the one I had when I met my hubby

Love it!

 

[93boomer]

Those eyes - I bet she’s smart!

So far she is very smart and very chilled.

 

[93boomer]

View attachment 843143View attachment 843144

I had perused the Le Cellier menu over the years, mostly after hearing positive word of mouth. I never booked it because it seemed like…remember the restaurant Steak & Ale? (Maybe it was regional?) This seemed like Steak & Meh. Or I guess I should say, Steak & Eh. Eh?

I have to be really in the mood for a steak. The heart monitor I was wearing dampened that mood. I toyed with it, asked the difference between the filet from the entree portion of the menu and the “build your own.” Our server was on her second day. She did well. Let’s just start with some drinks.

View attachment 843142



This day in particular felt like we were in a South Park movie. (“Blame Canada!”) That was the deciding factor in choosing this restaurant, especially knowing Canadians work there.

To my delight, it was full, even at late lunchtime on a Monday.

I do remember Steak & Ale. I was taken there for my senior prom and was a pretty big deal back then.
Your photos are beautiful! I love that same view in Canada.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

OK, we hopped on the bus to MGM, I mean, HS and had a nice hangout with Julie - and of course, made some new friends for the evening: a lesbian couple who were just getting a new dog (they joked that every time they come to Orlando from TX, they get a new dog.) And a husband and wife who moved to Celebration from L.A. where the wife used to work at DL.

I asked Julie to make me a Black Russian. She said, “Oh, what you want is a…mumble mumble.” And she handed me this:

She cracks me up. What the heck, I drank it. I was pretty sure it was a mudslide.

Exit pics - not many, because didn’t we just do this like a week ago?

Probably could have cropped those. PITA.

A is for…

Anthony.

Brian had to get up relatively early to make his 9-something train. But we did stop to get a bite to bring back to the room. If I remember correctly, a pepperoni pizza, a chicken parm, a banana bread, and one of those overpriced tall alcoholic cans that reminded me what a deal the old $20 bottle of Jack was. (I broke down. It was vodka pineapple. )

The pizza was meh. The chicken was even meh-er; but I had to see what I’ve wanted to know since the last trip: was it better than Mamma Melrose’s chicken parm?

It wasn’t.

Always salt the pasta!!

I did have a little salt packet, and that did help. But for the million dollars we spent on this stuff, it was almost as bad as Boma.

Note to self: stick to the pulled pork sammy when staying at ASM. It’s cheap and much better than the chicken parm.

And yes, of course I ate it all!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Up next: a day of freedom, Frontierland, and free falling!

And fog?

My poor husband. It was thick as pea soup out there!

I packed his smaller bag into my bigger blue one to make it easier for him to take most of my stuff home. That way I don’t have to use bell services and waste park time coming back to ASM to get my bags. I just take my backpack to the parks and leave it in a locker.

He made it home fine, and had a little nap time before work instead of rushing to work after our normal travel time. You’ll notice I had him carry the print separately in the flat Disney bag because I didn’t want it getting damaged in the suitcase.

Since we had to get up early, I naturally got up much earlier. But hey, that’s how I got this:

Woo hoo! First time!

My magic band hadn’t charged because my charger is broken. It won’t stay attached. I had to rig it with a protein drink.

I packed up, cleaned up, started my push ups (I’m doing 100 push ups per day in February for the American Heart Association - yes, as I’m wearing a heart monitor lol) and after a slight rest and a shower, Mickey and I were on our way.

Bye for now, ASM!

Yet another beautiful day!

People, you’re in my shot.

My quick bus streak kept up, and I was on my way - solo - to MK.

Do I feel a little guilty leaving Brian? Yes.

It’ll pass in a few minutes. That old Italian guilt. Truth: it never goes away. But I’ll still enjoy my day!

 

[Tiggerish]

Always salt the pasta!!

Hell, yeah!!

I packed his smaller bag into my bigger blue one to make it easier for him to take most of my stuff home.

Trying to figure out who's doing who a solid here...

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Trying to figure out who's doing who a solid here...

Both! That’s how we do. (But I did benefit more.)

 

[Tony the Tigger]

My entry into MK took a leisurely approach; I was not rushing to anything. After going through an extensive bag check and storing it in a locker, I was not thrilled with my “beautiful day” morning pics.

So I went up the stairs to the train station. There was no one up there, and a couple of nice benches. I sat for a moment, maybe too long, taking it all in. As I heard the train approaching, I hurriedly snapped two more shots I liked better.

Digging the patriotic theme.

Then I boarded, and took the train to Frontierland. Whee!!! I love the train.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I arrived in Frontierland excitedly wondering, “Is it time yet?” I was boarding group 49.

Almost! (Although I didn’t know how fast these things moved.) I took some pre-show pics.

Was Critter Co-Op always named that? I didn’t think it fit. As expected and appropriate, it’s all Tiana stuff. Gotta be a better name.

I decided to pop over to another Frontierland favorite to pass the time, and it was just about to begin.

Love my boys on the wall!

Before the jamboree began, I checked something else I wanted to do:

I had waited too long to get a LL. Should have done that when I booked the room, in retrospect. But I could do an hour wait for something important the first time. (That’s about my limit, though.) Google told me there is no single rider line. Ahem! Time to enjoy the show.

I’ve seen all kinds of opinions on this show, but as someone who rarely listens to country music that hasn’t crossed over to the pop side (Keith Urban’s “You’ll Think Of Me” is a standout) the more I see the new version, the more I like it. I especially appreciate that the talking heads seem fully integrated again. The replacement for “Blood On The Saddle” exceeded expectations. Despite the naysayers, I knew “the Disney songs” would be integrated cleverly. I believe I stated that on that cantankerous thread before the show reopened.

Once again, even knowing only half the songs, I thoroughly enjoyed this performance!

Happy early Valentine’s Day!

 

[pkkurz]

I wasn’t a fan at first, but the songs grow on you and are well done. I’ve seen it several times and see something new I like each time.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

In the words of the spectacular Mariah Carey,

Queue pics:

So much detail!

I think I fail 95% of these:

Oh, boy - here we go!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

As I got closer to the front of the line, they did call back for a party of one, so I advanced and was placed into row 3.

I thought there was just one guy in front of me, which would make sense for a two person row - but it turned out he had a little kid in front of him. Would she sit on his lap? Between us? I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do. When the little gate opened, they sat next to each other, no room for me.

That was awesome, because when the little gate opened again, it was just me. I had the row to myself, and sat in the middle, less likely (I assumed) to get soaked. ️

So many signs and videos mentioned stowing your belongings, I expected to find a pouch, a drawer, something. I only had seconds before the flume started moving - I hadn’t even pulled down the safety bar yet - so I stuffed my phone & heart monitor control thingy into my pockets and hoped for the best.

As a result, I have no ride pics.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

As a result, I have no ride pics.

Wait a minute…checks app…I have not seen this until just now!

Extreme close-up!!!

This ride was so much fun. I think I only went on Splash with Brian once or twice in nearly 20 years. I specifically remember one time, and I know it’s in a TR.

I never fully “got” Splash Mountain as far as the story goes. I saw little scenes, and then splashed. I’m old enough that my 3rd grade teacher, Ruth O. Van Leuven, “showed” us Song Of The South in class by playing a dialogue/music record and showing still images on an overhead projector.

When WDW was less crowded and I went during the summer PB (pre-Brian) I remember going on it over and over again. B and I rarely go in the summer except at the tail end for my bday, and usually don’t want to get wet.

As the three girls ahead of me put on ponchos, I wondered what I may have just done to myself?

But it was dreamy - especially that early part where you float out into the open sunshine - my pics did not do justice to the bright blue sky, which I adore. The temperature was up such that I didn’t mind getting wet. LFG!!

I thought the animatronics looked good - but did their mouths never move? Thought that was odd. The screens added another layer of depth.

Much like CBJ, I thought it was an upgrade. A tighter show, more to see, more fun. I couldn’t understand much of what Tiana said, but whatever. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would like to take B next time, probably with ponchos.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

The guy in the front row got soooooaked.

But this guy?

Too cool for dat. Some light droplets dried up quickly in the sun. What to do now? Back up to the train? Just missed it. I was starving. Snack and a drink at Tony’s before going to see Julie at HS? (Because Julie has no food, was leaving at 3:30 and I said I would stop.)

As I walked, I tried to reserve a table for one, but it would have been about a 40 minute wait. I tried to sign up for walk up, but I was too far away.

Then I found myself here:

With a stage show going on, and in front of this:

Which was just emptying out. Heeeey!

That would be a fun ride, and get me close to Tony’s pretty quickly. Did I mention it was a beautiful day?

I climbed up to the top level, and you can basically follow my entire ride.

Continued…(max pics)

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Aww, they took me right to the record store.

Was I close enough to book the walk up list for Tony’s? Yes! Did I do it? No. Why not?

Once you get past the first hurdle of being close enough, page two asked you again the number in your party.

For me, myself, and I, they had room:

For just me, no love.

I walked to the front desk and asked, and it would have been a 40 minute wait.

Do they not know I’m Tony?!

Oh, well. Forgetting there was a protein bar in my bag in the locker, I took the bus to HS.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

After what happened last night, this time I just told Julie, “Make whatever ya want!”

How cute is that?

Basically a RumChata root beer “float” without the ice cream. Yummy!

On my second one, she commented that I like “foo-foo drinks.”

Excuse me, but I drink straight whiskey; you just don’t have CR Vanilla!

She made me a Crown Royal with added vanilla!

Did I mention I hadn’t eaten yet?

I sat next to a revolving chair of a guy from Oklahoma who blamed a few presidents back for hurting his construction business, a couple from NJ who were shaming me for only having done Country Bears and Splash so far (hey, back up!) She kept telling me the wait time for Slinky Dog until I said, “I don’t care about Slinky Dog!” I had goals! And finally, a lovely couple from Vermont. Before I knew it, it was time for Julie to go, and I was beyond starvation and nicely buzzed. Would I eat?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Of course not! I was determined to see the Muppets. And I did.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

And then, since it’s also going away, and often frequented by a certain forum pal (and I think we’ve only been here once…)

The upstairs was closed.

I went for broke.

I left quite full. The pizza was much better than last night’s, especially the sauce. The Caesar was fine. The cannoli…OK, but not worth a cheat. I really wanted a solo decadent dessert item today, but it ultimately was not to be.

I was glad to have visited, and couldn’t have eaten another bite.

But I had lofty goals, reduced cognition, and not a lot of hours left! What to do? Walk!

Hi, music!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

The Slinky Dog lady also mentioned short wait times for Tower of Terror (which B won’t go on with me anymore.) I checked, and it showed a 20 minute wait. Maybe it would even be quicker? I figured I could squeeze it in and still have time for Tron if it was still an hour wait.