Trip Report Two broke guys & a dog (for the last time.) (Once more, with feelings. 1/13/25.)

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]

This would be the sad ending, except we’re already packing to go back in 9 or 10 days! (depending on whether we go up the night before again, whether we take Brightline, etc.)

If Christmas was a splurge trip, this will be a low budget trip. Only about $300 in points left, All-Star Music booked. Might fit in a Jiko or Tiffins dinner. We’re overdue for AK and HS.

In the meantime, being Mr. Deals, I continued to take advantage of hitting max out of pocket on my health insurance back in September, and the day after arriving home (real home, not DVC “welcome home”) I had another (minor) surgery scheduled. Not that minor, they still put me under, intubated, the whole deal. Just had to have a thingie removed (not cancer) that was too complex for a dermatologist’s office.

The only thing that could mess up our upcoming trip is the weather. I’m hearing about this polar vortex (typed as I’m in bed in a hoodie) coming in 3 waves, the worst being the 12th-15th. Or, as these drama queens put it:

But:

OK, 20 degrees is not fun, even if it’s only at night.

I’m going to monitor the next week, and may cancel/postpone this trip. There’s no reason to put ourselves through all that for two cold days, although the heat will work better in the hotel than in our home. As much as we’d rather be at Disney distracting from what anniversary it is, it kinda doesn’t make sense when we are fortunate enough to be able to switch weeks on the fly.

Then again, it could be less crowded.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Posted without comment so as not to jinx anything!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Told you I forget stuff!

I did go back to the gift shop and quickly purchased this pin. In times when I haven’t been able to find or afford the nicer ornaments, I’ve purchased a pin, and we leave them on the cards and hang them on the tree as is. This was kind of cute, and mentioned the year and the resort!

Also, it’s a Transformer!

And yes, that’s the sky blue tracksuit in the background because someone hasn’t returned it yet.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I was all set to not post anything today. I don’t want to post frivolously with no news. Been waiting on Brian to confirm whether or not he can get out of work early enough on Sunday to go up Sunday night or if we have to wait until Monday morning, because we are planning on taking the train this time.

So I’m at home wishing I had ventured back out today before it started getting cold at sundown. (We’re having a chilly few days and then it will pick up a bit.) There was a knock at the door, and I was greeted by…several men!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I mean, they were small men, kind of flat, and apparently suffocating, but…

Oh, wait, they’re not all men…oh yes, one is a man in drag!

These gingerbread men, plus an assortment of Christmas cookies (and yes, the gingerbread ones are way better than those roof shingles from you know where.)

One of the little bags is almost empty. I just had my first (barely) workout (since September) a few days ago, so I can’t go crazy - but then I remembered: there are no calories at Disney World, and we’re going soon! I will pack these babies up, hide them on myself, and they should at least make the train ride up, right?

I’d like to thank the person who sent them very much! At the same time, I don’t want him/her getting private messages wondering, “Where are MY superior baked goods?!” so I’ll leave it up to that person to say something or not. Thank you!! Who knew this TR would be so full of gifts?

This sent me down a whole rabbit hole about the trip. Were we still going, despite the weather? Can I buy the train tickets yet? Should I check in to our All-Star resort yet? Does that affect whether or not we can cancel? Do you realize I haven’t booked any meals or anything?

I do know that Monday and Tuesday have just been announced as “good to go“ days, so I don’t have to book a park. We can be somewhat spontaneous. We will almost certainly visit Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, but that doesn’t mean we will exclude Epcot or MK. It just means we’d be more likely to hit those at night. I think. I haven’t even looked at the schedules!

Also:

View attachment 834498

Posted without comment so as not to jinx anything!

I jinxed it. Here’s today’s forecast:

That’s kind of a big difference. Who knows whether it will go even lower or moderate? “Any way the wind blows…”

In the meantime, “I see a little silhouette-o of a man!”

…er, queen.

 

[Swissmiss]

I was all set to not post anything today. I don’t want to post frivolously with no news.

But I like when you post frivolously with no news, because you always end up saying something that I enjoy and it makes for a fun coffee read in the morning

 

[meg0039]

This would be the sad ending, except we’re already packing to go back in 9 or 10 days! (depending on whether we go up the night before again, whether we take Brightline, etc.)

If Christmas was a splurge trip, this will be a low budget trip. Only about $300 in points left, All-Star Music booked. Might fit in a Jiko or Tiffins dinner. We’re overdue for AK and HS.

In the meantime, being Mr. Deals, I continued to take advantage of hitting max out of pocket on my health insurance back in September, and the day after arriving home (real home, not DVC “welcome home”) I had another (minor) surgery scheduled. Not that minor, they still put me under, intubated, the whole deal. Just had to have a thingie removed (not cancer) that was too complex for a dermatologist’s office.

The only thing that could mess up our upcoming trip is the weather. I’m hearing about this polar vortex (typed as I’m in bed in a hoodie) coming in 3 waves, the worst being the 12th-15th. Or, as these drama queens put it:

View attachment 834393



But:

View attachment 834394

OK, 20 degrees is not fun, even if it’s only at night.

I’m going to monitor the next week, and may cancel/postpone this trip. There’s no reason to put ourselves through all that for two cold days, although the heat will work better in the hotel than in our home. As much as we’d rather be at Disney distracting from what anniversary it is, it kinda doesn’t make sense when we are fortunate enough to be able to switch weeks on the fly.

Then again, it could be less crowded.

Ha! As someone who hit her OOP max after surgery in 2024, I wad literally like April and Andy in Parks and Rec going to alllllllllll the doctors.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

OK, just booked the Brightline.

And the Sunday night sleep hotel.

They actually had an AP discount ($12) at this hotel. I’ll take it.

So Brian has to be fully packed before he goes to work at 1pm on Sunday. He’ll get out around 9pm, with a 30 minute drive home (more or less, depending on traffic) and then we immediately take a Lyft to the train station (10-15 minutes) for a 10:20pm train that arrives after 1am.

I’d imagine we’ll go right to bed(!)

And we can hit the parks as soon as we wake up on Monday. We’ll move to the All Stars as soon as we get the text. Or we will just go there first to check our bags. That’s probably better.

This is happening!

ETA: very few cookies are likely to make it to this train.

 

[93boomer]

OK, just booked the Brightline.

And the Sunday night sleep hotel.

View attachment 835631

They actually had an AP discount ($12) at this hotel. I’ll take it.

So Brian has to be fully packed before he goes to work at 1pm on Sunday. He’ll get out around 9pm, with a 30 minute drive home (more or less, depending on traffic) and then we immediately take a Lyft to the train station (10-15 minutes) for a 10:20pm train that arrives after 1am.

I’d imagine we’ll go right to bed(!)

And we can hit the parks as soon as we wake up on Monday. We’ll move to the All Stars as soon as we get the text. Or we will just go there first to check our bags. That’s probably better.

This is happening!

ETA: very few cookies are likely to make it to this train.

Glad you will be able to go. We are in a winter storm watch. Hoping no ice. You will be a lot warmer than me up here in the frozen tundra. Send cookies and margaritas!

 

[Zipadeelady]

OK, just booked the Brightline.

And the Sunday night sleep hotel.

View attachment 835631

They actually had an AP discount ($12) at this hotel. I’ll take it.

So Brian has to be fully packed before he goes to work at 1pm on Sunday. He’ll get out around 9pm, with a 30 minute drive home (more or less, depending on traffic) and then we immediately take a Lyft to the train station (10-15 minutes) for a 10:20pm train that arrives after 1am.

I’d imagine we’ll go right to bed(!)

And we can hit the parks as soon as we wake up on Monday. We’ll move to the All Stars as soon as we get the text. Or we will just go there first to check our bags. That’s probably better.

This is happening!

ETA: very few cookies are likely to make it to this train.

1. I will have the Go Go's stuck in my head all day..... Thank you for that.

B. AOL still exists? My kids told me I'm old for still having a Yahoo email.

I hope the crowds are down and you stay warm.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

1. I will have the Go Go's stuck in my head all day..... Thank you for that.

B. AOL still exists? My kids told me I'm old for still having a Yahoo email.

I hope the crowds are down and you stay warm.

I should probably edit that pic. Not everyone around here is friendly.

Btw that is the name of my biz.

I can’t seem to ditch the aol account. I’m too used to it. I have a gmail, I have a tony@ my biz .com that I probably don’t remember how to sign in to! Old dog.

**ETA: if anyone is confused, I deleted, edited, and re-uploaded the image of the sleep hotel. The first image had my email address on it.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

We got to hang out with Declan last night at a local kava bar.

He’s a normal sized German Shepherd, whereas Kylie was smaller, being part Chow.

This was a nice moment.

I re-read the first post of this TR, and realized I mentioned her brushing up against the Christmas tree even then.

This whole thing really has been therapeutc. I know it’s not for everyone. It’s not just Disney rides. Thanks to those of you who hung in for what turned out to be a one year journal after my dog died.

WDW itself has been helpful, and you all have been helpful.

I want to re-read it. I know I will cry. And I can’t look like my eyelids are pillows at WDW, so I don’t know when I’ll get to read it.

I think it’s fitting to start the 13th at Animal Kingdom. Something about being with the animals feels right. Hopefully we get some rest the night before, but wake up at a reasonable hour. Tiffins is available for lunch ADR’s, but I think we’re only going to one or two sit-down meals this time, and I don’t want to over schedule or have to rush.

My preference would be to luck into a spot at the little bar at Yak & Yeti. If that doesn’t work out, maybe the Nomad Lounge. We can get small bites at either of those along with our drinks lol.

As for dinner at Tiffins…well, who knows if we’ll be there that late(?) Kind of leaving it open. Something perfect will often reveal itself when we need it!

MK has After Hours available that night…but it will be freezing! We can hop to HS or Epcot. We don’t typically go to MK on Mondays, anyway (higher crowds.)

Checked in.

Really 3 days to the sleep hotel. I have to finish packing!

 

[Swissmiss]

Thanks to those of you who hung in for what turned out to be a one year journal after my dog died.

Thanks for letting us share your sorrows

 

[luvinthemajik]

Thanks for letting us share your sorrows

There's no timeline for grief after a loss, and since my son is a dog trainer/ animal lover,owner and advocate , I understand the depth of emotions a dear furry friend can bring to one's heart.
I agree with @Swissmiss, Thank you for sharing, and all best wishes for you guys in this New Year.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

It’s tomorrroooow!!

This website has been so helpful and consistent over the last few days.

So Monday will either be in the 50’s, 60’s, or 70’s, as predicted over the last 3 days.

I’m hearing crowds are lower, sooner than expected (weather-related canceled flights/plans, etc.) Hopefully that won’t lead to revenge of the locals if it warms up a smidge for us.

Well, we started this TR in the cold in January, and we’ll end it the same.

I’m still In more of a winging it mood this time. Plenty of good ADR’s still available. No need to commit. Might try something new.

Always amazed how much we’ve never done and get to do. On the 2-day Christmas trip alone: breakfast at Topolino’s, Winterland golf, Enchanted Rose, Teralina’s - even just having Christmas Day there for the first time, putting the tree up in the room - kinda lame things like Rainforest Cafe. Still a new Disney experience.

I have one eye on Beaches & Cream. Some fun stuff on the menu. No banana stuff. Possibly one sugar free vanilla option. @Tuvalu never told me they had “hard” milkshakes & floats! Maybe we can get Brian a Guinness float with the SF vanilla. I bet that would be a new experience for him! I love to find things he thinks he can’t have (probably more than he does.) May have just talked myself into that one. May save it for upcoming trips - when ice cream is more appealing (not January!) Also, his schedule is changing to being off Sundays & Mondays. That means we will get one resort day and one park day per visit for the near future. Can do B&C on a warmer resort day. See, now I just talked myself out of it.

Oooh, and we’ll get the free waterpark day on Sundays…perfect. What day does my birthday fall on this year…

OK, this is not magic (or maybe it is) but my bday falls on a Sunday this year! (I did not know that when I asked the question.) Do I hear waterpark bday? I believe I do! You’re all invited. Just make 8/31 your arrival date and admission is free lol.

I am distracting myself from the 13th on Monday. I see Monday as the end of “active grief” and Tuesday as the beginning of whatever comes next. (I hope I can will that into existence.) I can’t carry her around with me as prominently as I have over the holidays.

Twenty minutes of daydreaming before I remembered to click “post.”

 

[Swissmiss]

Looks like we will miss your birthday by a couple of weeks.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Packed! Never enough room lol.

Going to look about the same every day with the hoodie & jacket, anyway!

Now I just have to squeeze in 50 million errands tomorrow.

 

[mpaulam]

Have a great time! We check in at the Fort on the 21st. So excited!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Now I just have to squeeze in 50 million errands tomorrow.

Done! Every single one. I am da man.

Christmas stuff is down & put away, tree out with bulk trash. (No point taking everything down until we could put the tree out for bulk trash. Plus, we put it up so late.)

By coincidence, today is the 10 year anniversary of our vow renewals after our much older marriage was legally recognized in the State of Florida. (We went to WDW right after!) These are the flutes we had engraved from the place in Epcot Mexico. Since we can’t bring alcohol on the train, we had a toast of Crown Royal Vanilla when Brian got home a few minutes ago.) It can be fun having several anniversaries every year.

Etched on the glasses: “Brian & Tony, Take three, 1/12/15. Image of the castle on the back. (Some of you have seen these in earlier reports. In fact, I think it was the first thing I ever posted about on this site.)

Being me, I had to add some orchids (similar to our wedding orchids, and Brian has taken to raising them. He’s always proud when they bloom. The ones he has now are dormant.

When we get home, Christmas is over, and he has something to take care of.

 

[mpaulam]

Happy anniversary!