Trip Report Two broke guys & a dog (for the last time.) (completed)

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.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I arrived about ten minutes late to a very important appointment

We were even later!

However someone discovered there was a hard cider offering - and knowing I like cider - kindly bought this yummy blood orange cider for moi.

I think that may have been me. Anything for yu, Tu.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

It was during this visit when I mentioned my membership in D3 (Disney Day Drinkers) and showed off our challenge coins. Patti’s Rob was impressed enough to sign up right away. A few others did later. I don’t want to get too into it because I don’t want to feel like I’m sending members here to the FB page of another group, but it’s easy enough to search - and it’s a low commitment chat, not like here where we tell our life stories. Mostly people “hit and run” posting pics of their favorite Disney drinks and where they were found. There are also “challenge coins” for when you meet up with other members. Mine serves a dual purpose because it has Mexico on one side and Canada on the other - so you can flip it when you get to World Showcase and decide which way to go!

Being in that group helped me find my beloved Chakalaka wine outside of WDW (and at 1/3 the price.)

When a few of the ladies went to get pizza, we lingered a little longer, but the “party” was breaking up.

We went back to our resort, but didn’t feel quite “done.” We had only split a pretzel and had a beer each. So we stopped at one of our old favorites: The Banana Cabana. And I ordered…a Banana Cabana!

See, that’s a pic I posted in the D3 group on FB.

We had I think a BC burger and some kind of fish fritters. We missed our fave bartenders, but Carolina warmed up to us after a bit.

Then it was time to go back to the room and rest up for our night at Epcot!

Some of us made plans to meet up
at Rose & Crown at 8pm to watch Luminous (which I had never seen.) Again, love this group of folks. Who would show?

 

[Tuvalu]

I think that may have been me. Anything for yu, Tu.

Oh I absolutely knew it was you.
I was being discreet in case you didn’t want a big deal made about your generosity.
It was a big deal to me.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

At least with us, it’s always later than we think it’s going to be by the time we get back to the second park. But we did OK this time. We parked at Epcot, and walked on in.

I took a couple of videos of the new lights on the geodesic dome to text to my Aunt in NJ (another WDW lover.) Here are a few stills:

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Didn’t mean to hit “post” so soon. Continuing:

We didn’t have much time before our scheduled meet up, but I wanted to do a couple of things first, since we had gone directly to WS the day before.

First, I was trying to find Moana in the dark, and the directions on the park app were not making sense. Somehow, we stumbled across it. I thought it was adorable, more than I expected as far as things to see and do, and clearly fit the Disney edutainment model. Yet another attraction people decried before it was ever built that turned out wonderfully - and busy. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

I should have taken more pics, but you’ll find more surprises this way. There was a good bit to walk through to see the whole thing.

Next up was Nemo. It’s the first movie B and I watched together on one of our first dates, at his suggestion (on DVD.) He has always liked it. So do I.

Eh, that’s not Nemo.

Since it was a little after 7, we started strolling towards Rose & Crown. So far it was about the same temperature as the night before, which was better than an earlier forecast I’d seen, so that was good. Again, we hadn’t eaten or booked dinner, so that was up in the air. With the park closing at 9, I checked our options. They had a Rose & Crown res available at 8:55pm! Would we repeat the empty park magic of the night before?

I wasn’t sure whether to book it or not. I didn’t know how serious anyone was about meeting up with us. And I didn’t know if that would interfere with us watching Luminous. I held off.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

We arrived at Rose & Crown. We looked around. Didn’t see anyone. While waiting at the entrance, @Tuvalu informed us about ToiletGate, and that neither she & Woody nor Cindy & Seth would be joining. We didn’t have anyone else’s contact info, and that dinner res wouldn’t last forever.

Is this Binny?

I’m pretty sure it isn’t. (Binny is the nickname of the mascot of the D3 group. It’s a trash can near R&C.

Brian agreed to keep a lookout while I went inside for drinks. He had a pint of Guinness. I had a cider & Fireball (which contained both whiskey and Fireball. Woo hoo!) It was a fairly long wait to get the drinks. During that time, I booked the dinner just in case, and when I made it back outside, Brian was still alone. A toast to our pup and to B’s late Dad on Dad’s birthday. And out of the shadows came Miss Patti. Hurray!

It turned out Darlene & fam had been in the R&C patio area the whole time, holding tables!

We sat with them and chatted. Dar’s DH is named Anthony, Italian, from up north and knows what “gravy” means. We were fast friends.

It looked, however, like we wouldn’t get to watch the fireworks with them because of my last minute ADR. While we hadn’t gotten a table ready text yet, I wanted to get seated so our server could take us outside behind the restaurant and not miss any of the show. But something told me something was off, so, when we said our goodbyes, I said, “I might be right back.“

We went to the hostess station and were told they were running behind, and I could ignore the text even if it came during the show, and just show up when we were ready. Cool! We rushed back to Dar & @riverside & co…just as they were giving away our chairs.

No matter, we were glad to be reunited and enjoy Luminous together.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

You didn’t think I’d only have one pic, did you?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Luminous had been recommended by @Tuvalu - of course, she is the fireworks junkie. I had heard there were echoes of Illuminations - a show I adored - and I guess there were. I don’t know if it’s because I was trying to get a good pic, or because I was standing in the back intermittently chatting with Darlene (probably ) or if it was just our vantage point (I typically prefer to watch from the wall closer to Canada) I was a little underwhelmed.

But the whole experience was wonderful. The company was fabulous. I learned that you could grab tables outside R&C without being a customer. (Never realized that!) And a good time was had by all. Once again, Brian and I appreciated the companionship that week.

Of course, when Brian was standing, “someone” made a hand motion to him - a cupped, upside down hand - and when he looked puzzled, they asked, “Do you have a dog?” (Meaning, they were giving Brian the dog command to sit.) I said, “Not anymore!”

They felt awful, not knowing anything about Kylie, but Brian and I found it hysterical, and we needed laughs like that. I reassured them it was fine!

Once again, we said our goodbyes, and as everyone else in the park was making their way to the exit, we sat down and ordered drinks!

Brian kept the Guinness thing going. (I call it motor oil.) I switched to an Old Fashioned. Cheers, mates!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Again, our server took care to let us know we were welcome and not rushed.

The menus on our table were for a prix fixe meal. (Again?) When our server came back and asked if we had any questions about it, I started to ask my usual prix fixe dessert question. She remarked that it was the wrong menu (from the fireworks dining package, I suspect) and brought us correct menus.

They were exactly the same, except we were off the hook for 2 appetizers and 2 desserts. (I should check our receipt to see if that ultimately worked out in our favor.)

Cool. We split a Scotch egg for our appetizer.

And we each ordered longtime favorites: Brian, the fish & chips. I, the shepherd’s pie.

I may have helped myself to some “chips.”

And I may have been affected by my drinks, because I took pictures of none of that!

We enjoyed our meal, took our time (as we grew more accustomed to after hours dining like kings ) and appreciated the moment. Now that we were alone, we did find ourselves talking fondly of memories of Kylie (who we occasionally jokingly referred to as “a good Irish lass.”)

Forgetting in the moment has its place; remembering is the good stuff.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I did ask about dessert, anyway. Since they didn’t have anything for Brian, I did not partake, and it was fine. It was time to walk back to the car between the stop and start drizzle, and as it started to turn colder. Would we get great pics again?

No.

Well, not really.

The night before, what made it more special (in addition to being empty) were the reflections in the puddled rain.

I can only guess my tired, full, and slightly buzzed brain was thinking of that as I proceeded to snap almost all photos of everything *already* on the water - where you would never see people, anyway.

It seemed like a good idea at the time. (Ooh, more reflections!)

Brian stopped to use the restroom, and I kept myself busy taking too many pictures of SSE again (like I can’t do that every day!)

I took standard ones:

Artsy ones:

Close-ups:

A whole page of ‘em!

#epicfail but again I still felt like we shouldn’t be there and we should hurry along.

As we walked, our discussion turned to the Magician meet ups. I think Brian was beginning to understand it wasn’t just random people shouting into the wilderness on these boards.

I opened this very trip report and started reading to him as we neared the exit. I skipped my own posts. I read to him all of *your* posts - all your kind comments regarding our good, Irish lass.

He “got it.” So even if you weren’t there, you helped.

Thank you.

 

[Figgy1]

I did ask about dessert, anyway. Since they didn’t have anything for Brian, I did not partake, and it was fine. It was time to walk back to the car between the stop and start drizzle, and as it started to turn colder. Would we get great pics again?

No.

Well, not really.

The night before, what made it more special (in addition to being empty) were the reflections in the puddled rain.

I can only guess my tired, full, and slightly buzzed brain was thinking of that as I proceeded to snap almost all photos of everything *already* on the water - where you would never see people, anyway.

View attachment 765610View attachment 765611View attachment 765612View attachment 765613View attachment 765614
It seemed like a good idea at the time. (Ooh, more reflections!)

As we neared the exit, Brian stopped to use the restroom, and I kept myself busy taking a page of pictures of SSE again (like I can’t do that every day!)

I took standard ones:View attachment 765615

Artsy ones:View attachment 765616

Close-ups:View attachment 765617

A whole page of ‘em!
View attachment 765618



#epicfail but again I still felt like we shouldn’t be there and we should hurry along.

As we walked, talk turned Tu the Magician meet ups. I think Brian was beginning to understand it wasn’t just random people shouting into the wilderness on these boards.

I opened this very trip report and started reading to him as we exited. I skipped my own posts. I read to him all of *your* posts - all your kind comments regarding our good, Irish lass.

He “got it.”

Thank you.
View attachment 765620

Send B a big {{HUG}} from me. I can't believe they didn't have anything

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Send B a big {{HUG}} from me. I can't believe they didn't have anything

It’s always hit or miss - but many more hits (and great ones at that) at WDW. This will come into focus as I get into the next day’s reporting.

 

[Figgy1]

It’s always hit or miss - but many more hits (and great ones at that) at WDW. This will come into focus as I get into the next day’s reporting.

Tell me about it! Sometimes the offering is just some type of fruit, the SF sorbet or the worst was the allergen free cookie at GG

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Banana Cabana closes at 10 now, so we didn’t bother stopping on our way back to the room. We were pretty done, anyway. Of course, that doesn’t mean I fell asleep easily.

Since our Weekday Select, er, Pixie passes aren’t good on Saturdays, we had the opportunity to chill and resort hop that day. Brian slept & snored late, and I planned lunch.

Often, the deciding factor for me picking a restaurant comes down to a special dessert for Brian, and that was the case today. There were plenty of places available, but the Kona Café (we don’t talk about Tonga Toast) won me over because they listed a no sugar added mango cheesecake in a cup. Now that’s out of the ordinary, and worth an ordinary meal lol. We’ve dined at Kona a few times over the years. We had realistic expectations.

No trouble parking at the resort for our 1:45 res. We were seated promptly, and our server kept calling us “friends” in every sentence. It got weird fast, but didn’t last the whole meal.

I ordered a pineapple beer, and Brian a Blue Moon. They tasted almost the same but were enjoyable.

Not so pineapple-y. All good.

Our “friend” really pushed the potstickers, and explained how it looks like one big one when it comes out because they’re cooked next to each other and then flipped over, like so:

I thought these were impressive. Brian was nonplussed. I pressed him: “You don’t think these are better than what we get home or in the freezer?”

My husband: “Nope.”

OK. (I’ll get him with that cheesecake, though!)

For lunch, I ordered some concoction with pork belly. B ordered a simple chicken stir-fry. I was almost annoyed with him for picking something we can get anywhere. Maybe I was just moody today?!

The thing about taking risks and picking something new is it might not be to your liking. I knew pork belly was a risk because of the potential fat content, but it was too much for me.

Brian could tell right away. He aborted the original plan of eating half and then switching plates, and instead offered: “Wanna trade?” I hadn’t said a word. Well-played, sir.

I enjoyed his simple stir-fry, and he enjoyed my risky pork belly. When our “friend” came back to the table, she said Brian was maybe the 4th person she’s ever seen finish that entire bowl.

He wasn’t sure how to take that.

She asked about dessert, and I said, “Please tell me you have the mango cheesecake.” She did. I said, “We’ll split one, please, and if it’s really good, we’ll take one to go.”

We took one to go!

 

[radiorae]

I feel the same way about pork belly. When I go to Korean BBQ with my friends they always want to order nothing but pork belly and I just can't do it... I have to have some real meat to go with all that fat

That cheesecake looks delicious though.

 

[Bullseye1967]

Would we get great pics again?

No.

Well, not really.

You are WRONG. Those are great pics! Thanks for posting them, you have a good (drunk) eye!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I feel the same way about pork belly. When I go to Korean BBQ with my friends they always want to order nothing but pork belly and I just can't do it... I have to have some real meat to go with all that fat

That cheesecake looks delicious though.

You get me.

The cheesecake, I don’t care if you’re diabetic or not, and I eat a lot of stuff “for diabetics” because it’s in the house and because I function better with fewer sugar spikes, it was delicious. I would recommend to anyone just looking for a yummy tropical dessert. I also happen to adore mangoes. (This is about the best time of the year to get the ones from Peru.)

I looked forward to splitting the second one with Brian at some point back at the hotel.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Boring post alert: this day of rest was mostly that. Brian can and will sleep at the drop of a hat, especially after eating (especially being only the 4th person to finish the pork bowl?) so he was out.

I debated going to the gym (LA Fitness) but by the time I decided, bundled up, went out to the car, and said, “Siri, directions to…” Siri replied, “La Fitness on X street is closing soon.” What? It was 5:30pm. They close at 6. Back inside.

So I went for a walk…from the room to the gift shop. Hey, that’s not nothing at CBR! And it was cold. On the way back, the sun had gone down and it was in the upper 40’s.

Back at the room…snore, snore. I plan meals, he eats and snores.

There was also the chance Darlene was going to take us to Top Of The World to see the fireworks, so I wasn’t sure how to book dinner. I checked online and found some options, but didn’t book yet.

Up next: the only waiter who got a flat minimum 20% tip.

 

[93boomer]

We were even later!

I think that may have been me. Anything for yu, Tu.

Tu is the best!! She is always making others feel better.

 

[93boomer]

At least with us, it’s always later than we think it’s going to be by the time we get back to the second park. But we did OK this time. We parked at Epcot, and walked on in.

I took a couple of videos of the new lights on the geodesic dome to text to my Aunt in NJ (another WDW lover.) Here are a few stills:
View attachment 765379View attachment 765378View attachment 765377

Gorgeous Tony!!