Trip Report Two broke guys & a dog (for the last time.) (now with Christmas 2024!)

No, I’m not mad at Disney. We’ll be back (in fact, it can’t be soon enough.) But this turned out to be our last trip together as a family.

Who: Brian (R) Tony (L) and Kylie.

When: May, 2023.

Can’t tease this, so I’ll just come out with it.

We’ve posted TRs over the years under the “Two broke guys & a dog” banner (and other titles.) Our May trip was short, and we had already booked August for my birthday (complete with a planned meet up with @Tuvalu) so I thought I’d make one double TR after August.

I ended up with Covid mid-month and we had to postpone to December for Brian’s birthday.

In the meantime, Kylie, our 14 year old German Shepherd/Chow Chow was diagnosed with heart failure. That “heads up” turned out to be a gift and a blessing that allowed us to spend so much extra quality time with her.

Kylie’s 14th bday on Halloween:

She stayed with us through the holidays, rubbing on the Christmas tree when she walked past it, per usual (like a cat lol) and was really doing well - eating, going for walks, snuggling. I expected more of a slow, gradual decline…but she passed yesterday. Now my heart is failing.

I don’t know how far I’ll get with this today. It might actually be too soon. But I thought it could be therapeutic, and a nice tribute.

For some reason, since my 30s, if I cry even a little, my eyelids swell up and it’s hard to undo. Ice helps only temporarily. I fear typing all this out will continue the waterworks (it already has) and prolong that condition. OTOH, they’re already swollen, so WTH? I’ll play it by ear, if that’s ok.

This is my love letter to my pup.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Happy belated birthday
Hope Brian is well on his way to recovery and that your surgery goes well too.
That place looks fantastic and would be a good choice for the break too!

 

[fractal]

View attachment 814178View attachment 814179View attachment 814180View attachment 814181View attachment 814182View attachment 814183View attachment 814184View attachment 814185View attachment 814187View attachment 814188This is the time of year we most often visit WDW - my bday is 8/31 & our anniversary is 9/8.

We decided not to go up this year b/c Brian just had back fusion surgery on 8/13. (He was back to work 2 weeks later! The guy is not lazy.)

My bday was a low key, local, good time with a few friends. We saw my friend Jennifer sing at da club, had a nice dinner, home by midnight.

Last minute, we decided to stay for the first time in Key Largo for our anniversary. We’ve stayed in Key West, Marathon, and Islamorada but never Key Largo before. Just a Sunday Monday thing, home on Tuesday so B can go to work.

Had to tell someone - this hotel is fantastic. The Amoray. (“That’s amore!” ) Paid $111 per night on a deal. Our room was going to be on the second floor. I mentioned B’s surgery, and we were upgraded to a room with a full kitchen on the first floor. We love it. Highly recommended! The bar where “Key Largo” was filmed is next door, too. Food pics are from Sundowners a couple doors down.

Happy birthday and great deal on that rental!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Just as well I decided to freeze a certain BB before shipping it, in hopes that it would better survive the trip. Looks like you're home on Tuesday? So I can try to have it arrive next week.

Wheeeeee!!!!

Yep, we’re home.

So…I asked about renting that place for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day night - with a discount, the smaller king room would be just under $700.

We will definitely go back to the Amoray, but maybe not for Christmas. We’ll see.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Just spent over 2 hours booking WDW stuff, and now it’s too late to talk about it! I need a nap before work on Saturday.

We will be on property for Christmas! Likely not in the parks, but they’ll be so crowded, anyway.

And I’m kind of shocked (shocked!) at the ADR I was able to get for Christmas morning.

Will catch you all up asap.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Backing up a smidge:

I did have a double cervical fusion on 9/19, preventing eventual paralysis due to arthritis growing inside and out from my spine (who knew?!) and instantly restoring my grip, my balance, even my handwriting. I had no clue.

It was fairly painless, just annoying to have to wear that neck brace 24/7.

But one of our WDWMagicians made that recovery time a little easier.

That’s right, the legend that is @Tiggerish
came to MY house, just to deliver a homemade banana bread!

OK, maybe she was going on a cruise departing moments away from my house.

This was just a few days after my surgery. I couldn’t go out yet. Her visit (and bread) were immensely thoughtful, just as meaningful, and her timing was impeccable because any other time of year, I would have cut that loaf in thirds and frozen two of them to maintain my healthy diet.

In this case, since my neck looks like this now:

…I decided I can do what I want(!) And that delicious banana bread was gone before Tiggerish returned to port. You all know I love my banana desserts. Thank you again, doll!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Now, I don’t know why it keeps surprising me when big dates remind me of our pup and make me sad for a while. But Halloween was when we celebrated Kylie’s birthday (as a rescue, we only knew they estimated she was born in October, so why not?) And the moment I tried to say that out loud in September (we were just walking out of a demo about seeing eye dogs - B will need one eventually) it got stuck in my throat. I knew I couldn’t be home that day with no Kylie, with Brian at work, and with people ringing the doorbell. So I got a room nearby in a fun hotel that has a turntable in every room. I ordered Thai, and B joined me after work.

If there had been any doubt, I knew there was no way I wanted to wake up in this house on Christmas morning without Kylie for the first time ever. Once again, like right after she passed, we needed the big guns: WDW reservations. But I (frustratingly) didn’t know it would happen for sure until last night!

But first: I had mentioned we may take a business trip with my marketing company. It was their way of saying thank you for renewing my contract. It was completely their idea - I love it, and it is booked:

We will all (including Brian) take the Brightline to WDW, and have our quarterly meeting and presentation on the train! (Take that, Hogwarts Express!) Then they buy us lunch at (looking like so far) Epcot, and go home. (Which restaurant to choose?) All fares, drinks, and food are on them. We are only responsible for our park tickets. Whoopee!

Naturally, me being me, there is no way in heck I was going home with them that afternoon. Knowing Brian is off on Mondays & Tuesdays, I chose Monday 12/16 as the departing date, and I asked if they could book our two tickets to come home on Wednesday at noon.

The rooms on property were at, well, December prices - nearly double what we’d pay for a value resort, so for half that price, we booked a Marriott nearby. Should be nice. And on the chance we couldn’t make it for Christmas (Brian might have to work - and again, prices) we’d see WDW decked out for the holidays.

At this point, I wasn’t 100% sure if we’d get a day ticket, or a day ticket and a night party, or an AP, but once you math all the maths, our Pixie Pass AP is hard to resist. Ah, but it is blocked out for holidays. Would Christmas happen? (I already told you it would. ) Would we really go to the World and back two weeks in a row? Who are we, @Tuvalu ?!

Heck yeah, we’re going back twice!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Speaking of going back twice, I had my second surgery (ever) on October 24th. This time a lumbar decompression over 3 discs - again thanks to arthritis. This was much more painful than the neck surgery, plus they messed up: it was supposed to be an outpatient affair, but one of the better back surgeons in the world who has difficult cases from all over it come to him for treatment tore the membrane around my spine (which holds in the spinal fluid) enough that it required stitches. I ended up staying at the hospital two nights. All good, but when I had to go to our nephew’s wedding with the neck AND the back brace on…

In all seriousness, very grateful for all of it.

Coming up: Christmas plans.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Hope your recovery has gone/is going well. Enjoy your trips!

 

[MinnieM123]

@Tony the Tigger , sending healing wishes to you, after your surgeries. Rest up, and happier holidays are just around the corner for you and Brian.

 

[mpaulam]

Healing pixies coming for you! Can’t wait to hear about the rest of your holiday plans!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Backing up a smidge:

I did have a double cervical fusion on 9/19, preventing eventual paralysis due to arthritis growing inside and out from my spine (who knew?!) and instantly restoring my grip, my balance, even my handwriting. I had no clue.

It was fairly painless, just annoying to have to wear that neck brace 24/7.

View attachment 827072

But one of our WDWMagicians made that recovery time a little easier.

View attachment 827074

That’s right, the legend that is @Tiggerish
came to MY house, just to deliver a homemade banana bread!

OK, maybe she was going on a cruise departing moments away from my house.

This was just a few days after my surgery. I couldn’t go out yet. Her visit (and bread) were immensely thoughtful, just as meaningful, and her timing was impeccable because any other time of year, I would have cut that loaf in thirds and frozen two of them to maintain my healthy diet.

In this case, since my neck looks like this now:

View attachment 827079
…I decided I can do what I want(!) And that delicious banana bread was gone before Tiggerish returned to port. You all know I love my banana desserts. Thank you again, doll!

Wow that is some surgery! Wishing you all the best in continued recovery. And that was so kind of @Tiggerish to bring you banana bread, so is very kind. I'm sure it tasted fantastic too! And you deserved to pig out on the whole loaf! Did Brian get even a taste?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Did Brian get even a taste?

Brian is not allowed because of the “diabeetus.”

 

[Tony the Tigger]

That gets us fairly caught up. Around 2am, I bought the AP’s. Had I done it sooner, I would’ve saved about 60 bucks before the price increase. Oh, well.

I had planned on getting the same or a closer Marriott (yes, I have Marriott points lol) and one is apparently the closest to one entrance or whatever. (Not that it would matter much in this case, except they advertised rooms with “fireworks views,” which I thought would be a nice touch since we were blacked out.) Of course, since it took Brian until just this past Thursday to confirm he could get the holiday off (after weeks of me pestering) the price of that hotel went up, too.

Under the circumstances, I decided to look at proper Disney hotels again to see the price difference.

While I kept catching slightly different prices over a few days, and I knew we would get a slightly better discount after I bought the annual pass vs. as a Florida resident (a whopping 5%) last night Port Orleans - Riverside and Coronado Springs ended up almost the exact same price ($3 apart.) More importantly, since we are only staying 2 nights, the difference between either of them and the Marriott was $200 for length of stay. And it’s Christmas. And remember, that $100 hotel in the Keys was going to be $600 for Christmas. Do you see where I’m going with this?

I’m going to Disney’s Port Orleans - Riverside with this - for half the price of Key Largo (doesn’t that make it sound better?) and on Chase Disney Visa points (which they don’t take in Key Largo.) See how cheap it is?/I am? I mean thoughtful. And sentimental.

OK, real talk: partly because of their weird rules about what you can do with monthly payments and so forth, I bought one of our annual passes completely on points, and the other one on the credit card with monthly payments. I tried to pay the entire amount of the hotel on points, but the website would only accept the first night.

That means I can still pay the balance in points when I arrive, or have more available points for the rest of the trip, the undoubtedly pricey but worth it meals, etc. It’s really all semantics at this point.

But I’m very excited! I wondered if a Disney trip where we weren’t staying at a Disney hotel and we weren’t going to Disney parks was a Disney trip at all? I will very much appreciate staying on property this time, and waking up at our other home on Christmas morning.

I still haven’t 100% ruled out springing for a park ticket for one day, but honestly, I’m having a hard time talking myself into that. As many times as we’ve been to the parks, plus we will have been the previous week, plus it will be incredibly crowded. I can just consider it “part two” of the first trip, in which the first part had 2 park days and the second part had 2 resort days. Right? Doesn’t that make sense? Still, haven’t ruled it out 100%.

Now…where to dine. Is anything left?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I guess the way my brain works, when I was picturing my idealized Christmas morning at Disney World, I pictured having a late breakfast at the grand Floridian Café. I’m not sure why. I guess it just seems very Christmasy there. I guess my idealizing brain forgot there was no way we were going to be staying at the grand Floridian. but we could wake up at Riverside and take a little drive over for French toast or something with bananas.

That was not to be. But what popped up at 3:30 in the morning surprised me. I probably wouldn’t choose to eat there early on a regular trip. I never have before. Then again, Brian and I don’t typically eat breakfast - or at least not more than a protein bar. We’re just not in the habit.

What popped up?

Really? I thought that would be extremely difficult to get. In fact, if you look it up now for both days:

So I think we just got very, very lucky in the middle of the night!

I don’t typically seek out character dining, but we do enjoy it now and then. Much like the fireworks view at the Marriott idea, I think it’s extra special considering we probably won’t be going to the parks. We will still see Mickey on Christmas! And we enjoy that restaurant for dinner.

I’ve heard all good things about the breakfast there. Of course, I’ve heard all good things about Boma, and we all know how that went. Poor Boma. They’re like my Arby’s if I were John Stewart. Keeping a positive positive mindset: I’m sure it will be a very enjoyable time, and being at 12:10 PM, probably last or very late seating. We don’t have to get up too early, and we can go back and take a nap afterwards before dinner or whatever else.

Whatever else is there? I don’t know. This will be fun to take it as it comes. We’ve often considered doing a carriage ride but have never been able so far. I don’t know if that’s realistic, but I’m down for it. I suspect a lot will depend on how cold it is. We could always pop over to Disney Springs or resort hop. As I typed that, resort hopping sounded better. It’s like drinking around the world at Epcot, but spread out further apart lol. We can get the low sugar but still tasty mango dessert at Poly, holiday drinks at Contemporary (maybe walk up to the bar at Cali Grill? Hey, anything is possible.) Gingerbread at the Grand…oh yeah, what about my GF Cafe fantasy?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

That’s happening on Christmas Eve! We will drive up from So FL that morning, so I didn’t want to book it too early. We’ll get there and go right to the Grand Flo (a la my Grandmother, Flo, with whom I always spent Christmas Eve in Jersey) and that would have to instantly snap us into the Christmas spirit with the way that place is decorated!

Trying to maintain some semblance of my Italian Christmas Eve tradition, as well as keeping my tradition of trying something new every time we go to WDW, I booked an Italian restaurant for Christmas Eve dinner. The menu at Terralina in DS spoke to me more than the other available options, which seemed a little more basic. This place has a pork ragu (hello!) and I’m secretly hoping the specials for the evening will at least somewhat incorporate the feast of the seven fishes. And then we’ve crossed DS off our to-do list. Maybe we’ll finally splurge for that balloon ride or car in the water thingy. (You know I say that every time.)

I think these plans sound as perfect as I could’ve hoped. And I don’t need them to be perfect. We’ll have a great time, whether or not I make crazy last-minute decisions like buying a park ticket or driving up the night before when Brian gets home from work just before midnight, not that I’m thinking about that…

We will enjoy our resort, possibly visit the sister resort, possibly grab a bag of beignets to take home.

The only thing left to book is dinner on Christmas Day. At the moment, the leading contender is Jiko, one of our longtime favorites, which has plenty of availability at all hours, so I don’t need to rush it.

Many popular restaurants are fully booked, and we will be absolutely satisfied and happy with Jiko. I’ll probably book it in a few days just to be on the safe side. Just keeping my options open for things that might pop up in the middle of the night!

If there are any updates, I will let you know. Otherwise, the next order of businesses is getting on that brightline train on the morning of the 16th!

Btw, loving the wallpaper when you open the Disney app!

 

[Tiggerish]

Backing up a smidge:

I did have a double cervical fusion on 9/19, preventing eventual paralysis due to arthritis growing inside and out from my spine (who knew?!) and instantly restoring my grip, my balance, even my handwriting. I had no clue.

It was fairly painless, just annoying to have to wear that neck brace 24/7.

View attachment 827072

But one of our WDWMagicians made that recovery time a little easier.

View attachment 827074

That’s right, the legend that is @Tiggerish
came to MY house, just to deliver a homemade banana bread!

OK, maybe she was going on a cruise departing moments away from my house.

This was just a few days after my surgery. I couldn’t go out yet. Her visit (and bread) were immensely thoughtful, just as meaningful, and her timing was impeccable because any other time of year, I would have cut that loaf in thirds and frozen two of them to maintain my healthy diet.

In this case, since my neck looks like this now:

View attachment 827079
…I decided I can do what I want(!) And that delicious banana bread was gone before Tiggerish returned to port. You all know I love my banana desserts. Thank you again, doll!

Ehrmaghad.

Once again, EHRMAGHAD, I've never been referred to as a legend before. I'm VERKLEMPT. And I totally loved meeting you and B in person. I love a good WDWMagic meetup. And you called me doll...does that mean I can address you as guy?

Even though it was a very short visit, it was delightful. I'm glad you enjoyed the baked goods. I'm sensing that sending you my famous Christmas Cookies would be pointless, since you won't be home. Oh well, there's always St Patricks Day and Irish soda bread. Or if you're home before New Years, maybe they could make it...how do you feel about gingerbread men and Snickerdoodles?

Will be looking forward to the actual trip report. Christmas at WDW will be so much fun. We did NYE 2022 at WDW, and that was our most recent trip.

 

[pkkurz]

I guess the way my brain works, when I was picturing my idealized Christmas morning at Disney World, I pictured having a late breakfast at the grand Floridian Café. I’m not sure why. I guess it just seems very Christmasy there. I guess my idealizing brain forgot there was no way we were going to be staying at the grand Floridian. but we could wake up at Riverside and take a little drive over for French toast or something with bananas.

That was not to be. But what popped up at 3:30 in the morning surprised me. I probably wouldn’t choose to eat there early on a regular trip. I never have before. Then again, Brian and I don’t typically eat breakfast - or at least not more than a protein bar. We’re just not in the habit.

What popped up?

View attachment 827209
Really? I thought that would be extremely difficult to get. In fact, if you look it up now for both days:

View attachment 827210
So I think we just got very, very lucky in the middle of the night!

I don’t typically seek out character dining, but we do enjoy it now and then. Much like the fireworks view at the Marriott idea, I think it’s extra special considering we probably won’t be going to the parks. We will still see Mickey on Christmas! And we enjoy that restaurant for dinner.

I’ve heard all good things about the breakfast there. Of course, I’ve heard all good things about Boma, and we all know how that went. Poor Boma. They’re like my Arby’s if I were John Stewart. Keeping a positive positive mindset: I’m sure it will be a very enjoyable time, and being at 12:10 PM, probably last or very late seating. We don’t have to get up too early, and we can go back and take a nap afterwards before dinner or whatever else.

Whatever else is there? I don’t know. This will be fun to take it as it comes. We’ve often considered doing a carriage ride but have never been able so far. I don’t know if that’s realistic, but I’m down for it. I suspect a lot will depend on how cold it is. We could always pop over to Disney Springs or resort hop. As I typed that, resort hopping sounded better. It’s like drinking around the world at Epcot, but spread out further apart lol. We can get the low sugar but still tasty mango dessert at Poly, holiday drinks at Contemporary (maybe walk up to the bar at Cali Grill? Hey, anything is possible.) Gingerbread at the Grand…oh yeah, what about my GF Cafe fantasy?

We absolutely love Topolinos. It’s an elegant fun experience. We prefer the breakfast menu over dinner. Enjoy!!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

We absolutely love Topolinos. It’s an elegant fun experience. We prefer the breakfast menu over dinner. Enjoy!!

I’ve seen conflicting reports over whether you can still get extras/seconds/whatever. Any recent-ish insight?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Ehrmaghad.

Once again, EHRMAGHAD, I've never been referred to as a legend before. I'm VERKLEMPT. And I totally loved meeting you and B in person. I love a good WDWMagic meetup. And you called me doll...does that mean I can address you as guy?

Even though it was a very short visit, it was delightful. I'm glad you enjoyed the baked goods. I'm sensing that sending you my famous Christmas Cookies would be pointless, since you won't be home. Oh well, there's always St Patricks Day and Irish soda bread. Or if you're home before New Years, maybe they could make it...how do you feel about gingerbread men and Snickerdoodles?

Will be looking forward to the actual trip report. Christmas at WDW will be so much fun. We did NYE 2022 at WDW, and that was our most recent trip.

Please send to:

Disney’s Port Orleans - Riverside resort
1251 Riverside Drive
j/k!! I’m not one to ask for things, but we will be home on the 26th so B can b to work by 4. It’s a quick visit but I’m hyped!

Next time you’re in town, I’ll try not to let anyone cut me, and we’ll get drinks or a bite, on me.

 

[Swissmiss]

Wow on the surgeries! Puts in perspective my 3 broken toes in June and the subsequent tendinitis in my knee.

I thought of you, Brian and Kylie quite a bit at DLP this weekend because I kept seeing Chip and Dale and Pluto on either merchandise, on park decorations or in the parks. You are a wise man to change up Christmas so that the memories are less bittersweet