Trip Report One enormous BirthdayversaryPalooza! aka 2 Broke Guys & a dog & Irma COMPLETED

We've been using the "2 Broke Guys" moniker for so long now, we've outlasted the TV show "2 Broke Girls" on which it was based. (Canceled!)

The idea was a year+ of saving Disney Chase Visa points to see if we could go to Victoria & Albert's for our 10 year wedding anniversary completely on their dime - and keeping a running total including additions and withdrawals (for little WDW trips along the way) much like they did at the end of every episode of that TV show - like this:

$1,678.91

And that figure is actually what we have left to spend on our trip - about double what we would need for our V&A dinner! Not to mention: points paid for our 2 AP's, some of our lodging for this trip, and many mini-trips along the way. All that meandering, planning, brainstorming and trip reporting is on this thread:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...table-of-contents.909657/page-43#post-7874545

But that can take awhile. I'll give a little background in another post. Shout out to @dizfan917 for accidentally naming this thread in a post on that one, and to @Tuvalu for inspiring the "mother thread" with links to other thread(s) format.

Also to all those who have been following all this time! As those folks know, I go back and forth between posting with my phone and my laptop, and I'm more comfortable on the laptop. I'm using the phone now, whilst not asleep in Orlando, and anxious to get this first post out of the way before I do something to accidentally make it go poof! I will tag the others in a separate post.

Can't believe we're finally here!!

 

[Minthorne]

I hope Sunday's dinner at V&A's isn't disrupted for you guys.

 

[dizfan917]

Channeling your inner Greg Brady?

YES!! The Brady Bunch has always been a favorite! You're good.

 

[Tuvalu]

I am trying to book the frozen dessert party for next week thru my disney experience app but the dates are greyed out...dw is busy due to storm so can't ask a cast member. Can anyone tell me if dessert party still going on for sept 19th and if so how do i book it?

If the date is greyed out it means it is unavailable (all booked up.)

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I hope Sunday's dinner at V&A's isn't disrupted for you guys.

That's an easy one - it's Friday night!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

It feels really weird to be doing this right now under the circumstances, but I'm just going to go ahead and follow through with that dinner I mentioned about a page back, and try to keep going in order.

Before the 30% offer even came out, I had booked Jiko for dinner on our first night at AKL (Tuesday.) The extra discount was a nice bonus! I booked it for 9PM so we would be able to just eat and go to bed. (Often when we eat at 6 or 7PM, we find ourselves trying to find food later at the hotel.)

I'm going to apologize in advance, I was not on top of things when it came to taking pictures of this meal. Whatever I did take, I'll post separately from my phone.

Those of you who have read my previous TR's know I really like Tiffins. To me, Jiko was easily a notch above Tiffins, with somewhat similar cuisine. We were very impressed.

First, we ordered cocktails. I had an African Old-fashioned, which was made with African whiskey and had vanilla in it. It was the best old fashioned I've ever had. Loved it. Brian had...a drink, also. LOL.

Appetizers: even though our server said it was meant more for one person, I was not starving (What?!?) and we splt the Wild Boar.
With: Mealie Pap, Chakalaka, Truffle Oil, Micro Cilantro

This was fantastic (and I rarely eat meat these days.) It was very rare in the center, nicely seared on the outside. Delicious flavor and all the little extras just enhanced it. Highly recommended.

Dinner: Brian had the filet which was made with Bobotie Macaroni and Cheese, Grilled Asparagus, Kachumbari, South African Red Wine Sauce

Of course, I had a taste, and it was perfect. Normally, I'd say a good filet doesn't need a sauce. This didn't need a sauce, but the red wine sauce was wonderful.

I had the...wait for it...Elk! (Didn't I just see that walking around outside my sliding doors? Nooo.) I get a kick out of trying new things. And, wow. I thought the boar appetizer was good, but this was the best. With: Celery Root Purée, Hibiscus-candied Apples, Turnip Atjar, Lemon-Elk Jus

Normally, we wouldn't do this, but I made a point of doing things we wouldn't normally do on this trip: we ordered the suggested wine pairings even though they were unreasonably expensive. (We order wine pairings a lot, but they're usually $10 to $15 each. These were more.) I was so impressed with the appetizer that I thought these would be worth it, and they were. Plus we had that big discount on the food.

At some point, our server came by with a bottle of wine and said they just wanted our opinion on it. She poured a small glass for each of us. Bonus! (And surprise, it was good!) We very much liked our server, by the way.

For dessert, Brian finally got that deconstructed strawberry shortcake (no sugar added) that he should have gotten at the Turf Club. I didn't order a dessert, but was given a chocolate mousse with whipped cream. It was a treat for wearing our anniversary badges.

I know I did not adequately describe this meal. We loved it from start to finish. We will definitely go back to Jiko and add it to our rotation of favorite Disney restaurants. Woo hoo!

 

[littleroo]

I am late to the parties but following now! Happy Belated Birthday!! I, too, loved the Emmit Otter Jugband reference. It is a must every Christmas! I am really keeping my fingers crossed that Irma Doesn't effect your plans!!!!!!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I am late to the parties but following now! Happy Belated Birthday!! I, too, loved the Emmit Otter Jugband reference. It is a must every Christmas! I am really keeping my fingers crossed that Irma Doesn't effect your plans!!!!!!

Welcome! You're just in time for one or two pics from that fabulous dinner at Jiko.

Cocktails. Now I remember, Brian's involved pineapple vodka.

This pic of our wild boar was taken after we each ate a piece (sorry!) There were 3 pieces on the plate to start. Loved this dish.

This pic of my elk is not a pic of my elk. It is a stock photo taken by someone with more restraint!

Brian's filet looked like a filet. His mac & cheese was very unique - not smothered in cheese and not American cheese. It was just tossed in cheese and seasonings. I thought it was great, and I'm not a big fan of traditional m&c.

Here's dessert after a couple of bites. Probably would not get these again, but mine was a freebie, which I appreciated.

Side note: also appreciated: the way CMs genuinely wish us well for our anniversary.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

After that amazing dinner, all we had to do was walk back to our room. But that involved walking past a bar. Oops.

This was a great, different cocktail. Brian tasted and thought it was awful lol. He had beer.

I definitely felt slightly too tipsy after this - and I had stopped taking the medication that was making me an uberlightweight.

We went to bed, didn't sleep that great, and I woke up at 4:30am and could not go back to sleep. So before 7, I gave up and went to the gym.

On the way:

Nice and empty. Also on the way:

I didn't do it. And @BuddyThomas is supposedly not here.

This is better than most of my Buzz Lightyear scores:

Did a full hour on the treadmill and a few other things. The gym was packed. Trying to motivate to do that again right now.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Another early morning pic.

I took that while waiting to speak with the CM who checked us in, and her supervisor. I thanked her again for putting us in the "partial view" room and said it (she) made our stay special.

Another animal on the Serengeti. What is this thing?

What is it doing? Wait...

Could it be...

Kylie!!

She did not hate her two dads after her first overnight stay!

I hope you're not sick of Kylie pics. I'm guessing there will be more.

I was so happy to see her. Great start to the day.

Up next: changes in plans, large and small.

 

[bee]

Welcome to the Jiko lovers club! After having tried Tiffins I agree with your assessment that Jiko is similar but a step above. It's now in our top three signature restaurants.

And no, none of us will ever be sick of Kylie pics!!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Random interruption of a Facebook flashback from 5 years ago - our 5 year anniversary in the Keys.

 

[SSH]

Ugh...everything down here is IRMA - 24/7. Your TR is such a welcome distraction from the impending doom. Please keep the updates coming!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

After visiting the pup, it was supposed to be a morning chill day - pool, etc. But it's been pretty rainy in the afternoons, so we decided to hit Epcot for a little food and a little vino.

We ended up buying this pass

...using Chase points - and we haven't used it yet! It only makes sense to use on items over $8. So that will factor into a later mission.

With that came this:

Side note: the nice CM who sold it to us told us about the free slushy when you show a celebration pin at Club Cool. We didn't end up doing it that day, but nice to know.

First stop was the new Light Lab. This was supposed to be a big deal, but meh. You can go into a dark room and get a glow in the dark doughnut. Whatever. We had a flight of beer and moved along.

The clouds felt ominous.

They were in no way related to the hurricane, but it felt like they were.

Next up at Coastal Eats we got a shrimp scampi dip with sourdough bread. Not bad, but salty for me.

And with that, these beauties:

 

[Tuvalu]

And with that, these beauties:

View attachment 227227

THOSE are the special AP freebies? How sad. Much prefer last year's gift.

We have three.

 

[bee]

THOSE are the special AP freebies? How sad. Much prefer last year's gift.

View attachment 227229

View attachment 227230

We have three.

It's worse than that! You can get a free larger button at the Festival Center, but the tiny buttons are only "free" with purchase at eight of the booths! (Did that stop us from collecting all eight? No, it did not!)

 

[Tuvalu]

It's worse than that! You can get a free larger button at the Festival Center, but the tiny buttons are only "free" with purchase at eight of the booths! (Did that stop us from collecting all eight? No, it did not!)

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Ugh...everything down here is IRMA - 24/7. Your TR is such a welcome distraction from the impending doom. Please keep the updates coming!

Glad you said that, wasn't sure how it would go over. We are pretty concerned about our home and my business at this point.

THOSE are the special AP freebies? How sad. Much prefer last year's gift.

View attachment 227229

View attachment 227230

We have three.

"Beauties" may have been a touch sarcastic.

But quick: flash-forward: we are supposed to tip the concierge, yes?

 

[sheriffwoody]

So glad you liked Jiko! We went there on our honeymoon, and I've been wanting to go back. Your meal sounded amaaaaazing

Also, you could NEVER post too many pictures of Kylie. Keep them coming

 

[Tony the Tigger]

But quick: flash-forward: we are supposed to tip the concierge, yes?

Hmmm I just saw in another thread (from 2004) that tipping the concierge is not allowed(?)

 

[krisri18]

THOSE are the special AP freebies? How sad. Much prefer last year's gift.

View attachment 227229

View attachment 227230

We have three.

Loved my passholder glass! Until it mysteriously broke in the cabinet, no one is owning up to it. I suspect villains.