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]

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

The Funko Pops of Chip & Dale are in a bag in my dresser as of a few hours ago. Pluto is in the car. Picked them all up today, something new for the trip. Thank you for your thoughts!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

A few viable (I think) ideas:

That one ^ for the 16th after the work folks go home. (Again, tying the trips together as one holiday trip with a few days at home in between.)

That one ^ for the Christmas trip. This looks fun! Calling tomorrow.

Some other things listed were unavailable: sleigh ride at the campgrounds, horse-drawn carriage at Port Orleans (I’ll keep checking that one) plus the thing where you drink at all the monorail resorts & watch the fireworks - I think the listing for that one may just be a relic.

Other things sounded nice but pretty expensive: sommelier class at Wine Bar George $300. Cirque du Soleil $330++ for not even great seats.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Sounds like you have a really good plan. Enjoy the stay, meals and whatever else you manage to do. Looking forward to reading all about it too

 

[RememberWhen]

We have had mixed experiences at Topolinos, but are doing it again! Generally they have been happy to bring me/the kids a side of scrambled eggs or fruit, or a waffle. Our service the last time or two was less than stellar, but everyone has bad days. I’ve never asked for a second meal. But we’ve had some lovely character interactions there! And the view is lovely. Also, we always go around noon. Makes for a nice break after rope dropping MGM.