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!!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

On the way to FoP

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Also on the way to FoP, we ran into these two jokers:

This is Christopher & Odie. Christopher (he hates "Chris") is the one on the right. He was my long term (1 year) relationship before Brian. Calculating...I think about 5 years before I met Brian (and come to think of it, I met Christopher 5 years after my first long term (1 year) relationship ever.)

Christopher and I both look back and appreciate that relationship. I consider it my "training wheels." It was serious, but it was a lot of work. We pushed each others' buttons and helped each other work out each others' issues. I credit him for being willing to do that, and for basically prepping me to meet Brian, so I didn't have to work those things out with him. Christopher lives in Ohio and has been with Odie I think almost as long as Brian and I have been together. The four of us have gotten together several times over the years and (surprise) have a lot in common and all get along really well (and make fun of each others' spouses/partners in a good-natured manner.)

And Christopher is the one I've mentioned a bunch of times on these pages who first took me to Disney World back in the late 90's. This trip was the first time he took Odie. (I know what Odie was going through!) (See how those jokes just flow?)

Anyway, at this point, we were just crossing paths - they were going to Na'vi River ride while we were going to FoP. And for some reason, Odie was soaking wet. I never really got the full story on that. They were heading back to the room after that, and so were we to our room, to meet back up at Tiffins for dinner later.

Remarkably, and I truly apologize for this - somehow, between the four of us, no one has good pictures of Pandora!! Zero on my phone, zero on Brian's phone, zero on Christopher or Odie's facebook pages (and there are tons of pics there.)

I think what that says is that we were all just kind of staring and trying to wrap our heads around it all. It is really well done, the obvious things like the floating mountains, and the little details. Brian and I are not huge fans of the movie, but we saw it in theaters after hearing all the hoopla, pretty much forgot about it, but have been watching parts of the reruns that are (coincidentally LOL) all over TV now.

Regardless of whether you know anything about or like the movie, Flight of Passage was fantastic.

I've heard it compared to Soarin. OK. If Soarin is a piece of bread, Flight of Passage is a gourmet sandwich - like one of those $100 truffle burgers or something.

I don't want to oversell it, but we were both impressed. For me to be impressed, that's pretty good. For Brian to be impressed, that's amazing LOL.

It lasted a good long time. It did not make me woozy, and I can't do Star Tours because it makes me woozy. Yes, it is a "screen ride," but so immersive and engaging. No distortions in the screen, nothing to take you out of the moment unless you actually turn your head to see the people next to you (which I did once just to see what you could see.) As I'm sure you've heard, the thing you're sitting on feels like it's breathing between your legs, making you feel like you're really riding an animal. That was a smart touch.

The seats did not bother us. I was very concerned about my back. I sat in the test seat, talked with the CM nearby, and just realized I needed to puff my back out a bit when the bar came up to meet my back, just to give myself a little leeway and not have anything pushing against my bad disc. You end up leaning forward, anyway. Brian is 6'3" and his legs did not fit quite the way mine did, but he still fit.

We loved it and look forward to doing it again!! I think next time I would take my eyeglasses off and just use the special glasses they give you for the 3D effects. It can be weird to try to see through both (I've experienced that at movie theaters as well.)

So, Flight of Passage - woo hoo! Exceptionally well done.

 

[riverside]

Also on the way to FoP, we ran into these two jokers:

View attachment 229800

This is Christopher & Odie. Christopher (he hates "Chris") is the one on the right. He was my long term (1 year) relationship before Brian. Calculating...I think about 5 years before I met Brian (and come to think of it, I met Christopher 5 years after my first long term (1 year) relationship ever.)

Christopher and I both look back and appreciate that relationship. I consider it my "training wheels." It was serious, but it was a lot of work. We pushed each others' buttons and helped each other work out each others' issues. I credit him for being willing to do that, and for basically prepping me to meet Brian, so I didn't have to work those things out with him. Christopher lives in Ohio and has been with Odie I think almost as long as Brian and I have been together. The four of us have gotten together several times over the years and (surprise) have a lot in common and all get along really well (and make fun of each others' spouses/partners in a good-natured manner.)

And Christopher is the one I've mentioned a bunch of times on these pages who first took me to Disney World back in the late 90's. This trip was the first time he took Odie. (I know what Odie was going through!) (See how those jokes just flow?)

Anyway, at this point, we were just crossing paths - they were going to Na'vi River ride while we were going to FoP. And for some reason, Odie was soaking wet. I never really got the full story on that. They were heading back to the room after that, and so were we to our room, to meet back up at Tiffins for dinner later.

Remarkably, and I truly apologize for this - somehow, between the four of us, no one has good pictures of Pandora!! Zero on my phone, zero on Brian's phone, zero on Christopher or Odie's facebook pages (and there are tons of pics there.)

I think what that says is that we were all just kind of staring and trying to wrap our heads around it all. It is really well done, the obvious things like the floating mountains, and the little details. Brian and I are not huge fans of the movie, but we saw it in theaters after hearing all the hoopla, pretty much forgot about it, but have been watching parts of the reruns that are (coincidentally LOL) all over TV now.

Regardless of whether you know anything about or like the movie, Flight of Passage was fantastic.

I've heard it compared to Soarin. OK. If Soarin is a piece of bread, Flight of Passage is a gourmet sandwich - like one of those $100 truffle burgers or something.

I don't want to oversell it, but we were both impressed. For me to be impressed, that's pretty good. For Brian to be impressed, that's amazing LOL.

It lasted a good long time. It did not make me woozy, and I can't do Star Tours because it makes me woozy. Yes, it is a "screen ride," but so immersive and engaging. No distortions in the screen, nothing to take you out of the moment unless you actually turn your head to see the people next to you (which I did once just to see what you could see.) As I'm sure you've heard, the thing you're sitting on feels like it's breathing between your legs, making you feel like you're really riding an animal. That was a smart touch.

The seats did not bother us. I was very concerned about my back. I sat in the test seat, talked with the CM nearby, and just realized I needed to puff my back out a bit when the bar came up to meet my back, just to give myself a little leeway and not have anything pushing against my bad disc. You end up leaning forward, anyway. Brian is 6'3" and his legs did not fit quite the way mine did, but he still fit.

We loved it and look forward to doing it again!! I think next time I would take my eyeglasses off and just use the special glasses they give you for the 3D effects. It can be weird to try to see through both (I've experienced that at movie theaters as well.)

So, Flight of Passage - woo hoo! Exceptionally well done.

I totally agree with you on FOP. I thought it was amazing!! I was able to get FP's when I went in June--which I was quite shocked at. I'm going in a few weeks and wasn't so fortunate this time. Hoping to rope drop it!!
Also, I'm glad you made it through Irma ok!!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

So after visiting Kylie again, we went back to the room for a short rest. I think this may have been when we went to the quick service place and split a pulled pork sandwich. (Those of you reading my previous TR's know this is a fave of mine. This was not as good as the one at Caribbean Beach, but it was very good and had a similar kind of slaw/relish on top.) We didn't want to ruin our appetites for Tiffins.

You guys also know Tiffins has been my "golden boy" of restaurants lately since Flying Fish changed chefs.

This would be my least favorite meal at Tiffins, although the company and the time we had were pure fun.

First, I was so bummed to see my favorite wine from my pre-TR to this TR was gone. No more Chakalaka wine! (I had also checked the menu at Jiko's just in case it was there. It was not.) Poor Chakalaka.

OK, I can roll with that and drink something else. I did. I ordered whatever was paired with whatever I ordered, and it was very good. Plus the server's bottle was almost empty, and he let the excess fall into my glass.

Also gone: my lobster popcorn soup!! So glad I had that twice before. Maybe it is "seasonal" and will be back at some point. I didn't intend to order it that night, anyway.

So here's the thing: I like to try new things. Maybe every restaurant only has 3 good visits in it for me, because without repeats, there are only so many things on the menu. (I did repeat the potato-wrapped snapper at the old Flying Fish Cafe more than once, and that was well worth it, and I'm so glad I did, because it's gone.)

The lamb dish I had at Tiffins on my last visit was stellar. I've never had lamb like that before or since. I did not intend to order it again, though. I wanted to go "different."

Oh, look - there's a venison dish. Pretty sure that one is new to me!

The only thing is: the venison dish WAS the lamb dish. It was the exact same dish, down to the leek ash on the plate.

Duo of Venison
Ethiopian Coffee Butter-infused Venison Loin, Boerewors, Soubise, Chakalaka, Tamarind Barbecue, Leek Ash

Now, I very much enjoyed that lamb dish. And I wanted to try venison. But I didn't want to try venison in the exact same dish I had last time with a different protein.

I came to regret that decision after ordering:

Braised Berkshire Pork Belly Ramen
Spiced Broth, Bok Choy, Takuan, Candied Pearl Onion, Sriracha-Lime Sauce

Brian and I also split a side as an appetizer:

Gobi Manchurian
Crispy-fried Cauliflower, Manchurian Sauce, Green Onion

It seemed to go well with my dish, we both like cauliflower, blah blah blah.

Bottom line: it was all acceptable, but I wasn't crazy about any of it. These are the risks we take when we try different things. It's all good, I don't think Tiffins is "going downhill" or anything. I just didn't choose wisely.

Brian ordered the wagyu beef two ways, which I was nervous about because @Tuvalu didn't like it. Brian seemed fine with it. But it takes a lot for Brian to complain. I tasted it, and I don't know that I would have enjoyed the entire dish. I probably would have liked it better had it been cooked more.

Christopher and Odie had the dining plan. They spent 2 credits on this (I felt bad about that) so they got their appetizers, entrees, and desserts. They enjoyed everything. Odie kept getting shots of patron LOL. We laughed a lot.

We were seated in the same room I always get, in fact at the same table where Brian and I sat recently.

The waiter was able to do our 30% off on our two meals but still combine the check, which the boys from Ohio graciously picked up. That was so nice!!

Christopher took pictures of us with our heads down for some reason.

Hmmm...maybe Brian wasn't so happy about that dish after all?

The finish:

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I totally agree with you on FOP. I thought it was amazing!! I was able to get FP's when I went in June--which I was quite shocked at. I'm going in a few weeks and wasn't so fortunate this time. Hoping to rope drop it!!
Also, I'm glad you made it through Irma ok!!

Thank you!! Keep trying on that FP, they open up at random times, and especially as it gets closer to your date and even while you are there. Trust me, I do it all the time!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

To add: I just asked Brian about his steak adventures. He ordered the filet almost everywhere we went on this trip. He said he was mostly disappointed, especially with the wagyu. (It was great on the small plates at Nomad Lounge, but not so much as a main.)

He said his all time fave was at Monsieur Paul (I agree.) Yachtsman Steakhouse second and then Jiko. The others were unremarkable.

Up next: we get kicked out!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

So there was some late night DVC thing going on at AK that night.

As we left Tiffins, we asked the hostess if we could go into the Nomad Lounge for a drink (I wanted to at least buy a round since they bought dinner.)

She said it was really DVC only but go ahead!

We sat at a table, a server asked if we were there for the DVC event. I said yes. She asked to see our bracelets.

Oops.

We were asked, very nicely, to leave. But we avoided "Disney Jail!"

 

[Tony the Tigger]

On our way out, we stopped to watch the tree. No good pics, but here are some bad ones, a la Christopher.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wagyu =

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Wagyu =

Yep. I don't get it. Except on the poutine!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

These pics were taken by Brian. I'm not sure if the first one was at the lodge or at the park, but the rest are at the store inside the lodge.

He implied something about me with that "hangry" shirt.

Would you believe I forgot to buy a Christmas ornament? I kept thinking I would get around to it later, and never did.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

We talked about stopping at the bar inside the lodge again, but didn't. Off to bed.

One other thing of note: some kind of interactive game started on my phone when we got near the Pandora area. A character asked if I'd like to participate, and then asked me to keep an eye out for a certain plant. Unfortunately, my journey stopped at Tiffins, or that seems like it would have been a cool thing to do. There were other minor interactive things that happened on this trip via the MDE app as well.

The next morning was our goodbye to AKL. It felt like we had been there a lot longer than two days. (I'm sure that early check-in helped.) I think we really got to explore and experience it, and we would definitely go back. (I think I have a DVC-rental "in" with that, and would even do it without park tickets.)

We had kept pretty organized, so packing up was easy, and we had our own car, so no need to risk having WDW move our bags and getting them late or never.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

We sadly said goodbye to the morning crew, our new friends.

...and took a few parting shots.

We thought we would go see Kylie while waiting for the next room text, but once again, the room text came very early!

Next up: Gee whiz, G.Flo!

 

[*Flynnderella*]

NOOOOOOO how can the Lobster Popcorn soup be gone

 

[Tony the Tigger]

NOOOOOOO how can the Lobster Popcorn soup be gone

Right?!?

 

[Songbird76]

I totally agree with you on FOP. I thought it was amazing!! I was able to get FP's when I went in June--which I was quite shocked at. I'm going in a few weeks and wasn't so fortunate this time. Hoping to rope drop it!!
Also, I'm glad you made it through Irma ok!!

I read in someone else's TR that if you are going to rope drop it, go on a morning that does NOT have EMH and then go around 7:00 because everyone else is trying to rope drop it too, and if you aren't at the front of the queue, you'll have a 3 hour wait, even at rope drop.

 

[riverside]

Thank you!! Keep trying on that FP, they open up at random times, and especially as it gets closer to your date and even while you are there. Trust me, I do it all the time!

Thank you for the advice!! I will be sure to do that--starting today!!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

We checked in at the Grand Floridian nice and early. The concierge CM walked us to our room at Sugarloaf.

There's that blue Disney gift bag on the table between our beds again! I was waiting to give Brian his surprises.

Incidentally, I am 99% sure I asked for a king bed when I first booked this a long time ago. I thought I paid extra for that, but could be mistaken. The reservation had changed at least once, and maybe when they rebooked it, they didn't rebook it as a king?

At any rate, we were glad to get the room nice and early and I didn't want to "rock the boat."

We realized later there is a little table on wheels under the desk that rolls out, which is great for having little bites in the room.

Also our room was the very first one just past the concierge lounge - very convenient, and to my relief, not at all noisy.

The concierge CM told us we could get beer, wine, or mimosas anytime of day just by asking.

What is this place of magic?!?

Oh, yeah. Duh!

But for now, it was the tail end of breakfast, around 10:30 AM, so we just wanted to fill up a couple of small plates of deviled eggs, veggie quiche, turkey, etc.

A quick peek at the view...

Ok so, mostly trees, but you could see the monorail go by, and what I especially liked was you could hear the train all day.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Snapped a quick pic of the concierge lounge schedule so I couldn't forget, (also thought it might be informative for some of you guys) and off to visit the pup.

It was a quick visit, because we had to hurry to Mexico!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

At one point, I had booked afternoon tea because I thought it made sense since we were staying at the grand Floridian and it was served at the grand Floridian, and something special to do, and easy to get to without rushing.

While that would have been efficient and slightly brilliant, I'm so glad we changed it to the special food and wine 4 course lunch with tequila pairings.

First, they hand you a margarita as you walk in. Then, you sit down to this:

Four courses = four pairings, right?

No, children! It's four pairings, two shots, and a margarita!

Pay special attention to the little shot glass behind my cucumber margarita glass.

Guess what? That's vodka!

That's right, we had to start with a shot of vodka to cleanse our palettes.