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]

And we’re off! Made it to the train with one minute to spare. ETA: 1:15AM.

B texted me from work at 6:56PM to say he was out of Claritin D. Sunday night. Gotta get it from a pharmacist. Publix? Pharmacy closed. Walgreens? Same. After 8PM, I remembered a 24 hr CVS, googled it, and the Pharmacy was open until 10PM. Mission accomplished. Who is the best husband?

Emotions are scattered. The “anniversary” is somewhat incidental, but it’s a nice, happy thing. It’s always fun and exciting to go to WDW, very grateful to have this option. At the same time, I was near tears a few times today in the car as I thought about things. Maybe I’m putting too much on this being “an ending.”

They seated us in 11B and 11C on the way up - which means we are across the aisle from each other. So far, the seat next to him is empty. If no one gets on next to him in Boca or WPB, I’ll move over.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I moved over.

There is a woman on this train who must be named mama. I want to throw mama from the train.

You know when someone thinks they are the only person in the world?

She. Will. Not. Shut. TF. Up.

There are designated places to sit and make phone calls. She’s been talking loudly on her phone the entire time at her seat.

And if I couldn’t resent her any more, she just had a sneezing fit, like 7 in a row, like 5 feet away from me.

I do not like this person. Gotta get the headphones.

 

[Bullseye1967]

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.

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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.

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[Figgy1]

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Happy anniversary!

Thank you! It’s really not a big deal or something we celebrate, just something noteworthy. (Our real anniversary is in September, will be number 18 this year.)

Although…will wearing pins get us cupcakes?

Totally kidding. Would not do that!

I am 100% into listening to Mariah’s first album from start to finish right now, and can’t hear mama anymore. Haven’t listened to this in awhile, it’s perfect. Medicine for my mood.

Meantime, booked something cool for tomorrow - keeping it under wraps for now.

Plans are falling into place. Julie is closing at the Tune-In both nights, and we’ve missed her on the last few trips.

Side note: I think the train has been stopped for like 20 minutes in the middle of nowhere(?)

So if we start at AK, hopefully not too late, I have a few ideas for drinks/munchies. Hang with the furry friends. Wander. I like that the shops there have different merch, even though I don’t buy much.

We’ll have to leave around 5 to get to what I booked, and then we can have a short visit with Julie at HS. That hits both parks we missed recently! Would like to squeeze in Muppets and dinner. That doesn’t leave much time for Julie, but there’s always Tuesday!

I have half a mind to change my ticket home and let B go home to work while I squeeze in another day. I’m terrible.

But I might.

They just said Brightline hit another car somewhere, so by law, we can’t move.

Uh oh!!!! Also: those poor people!

I have no idea how long we’ll be stuck. I guess police have to document everything before they clear the tracks (?) Arrival time is not looking good!

Mariah is almost done. What’s the next album?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

We’re moving again, a bit south of Port St. Lucie.

Next album is on. You’d never guess in a million years, so I’ll just tell you it’s Corey Hart’s “Young Man Running.” That’s right, his first album to flop in the US. It hit me just at the right time when I was 17, and an example of the title in spades. It has stuck with me ever since. Good for an introspective moment on the train.

Nothing in google news about the crash yet.

 

[Bullseye1967]

We’re moving again, a bit south of Port St. Lucie.

Next album is on. You’d never guess in a million years, so I’ll just tell you it’s Corey Hart’s “Young Man Running.” That’s right, his first album to flop in the US. It hit me just at the right time when I was 17, and an example of the title in spades. It has stuck with me ever since. Good for an introspective moment on the train.

Nothing in google news about the crash yet.

When I was 17, I was a councilor at a youth camp. At the end of the regular season the teachers went on strike in my city. They offered me to stay on till I had to go back to school. The strike was about 6 weeks and they gave me an apartment. It basically had a bed and a bathroom....OK maybe a dresser but this was in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin. I am a music guy. So radio was my friend. I swear that the local station played "sunglasses at night" every half hour. I actually liked that album but now I can't stand anything by him.

 

[Swissmiss]

Since we can’t bring alcohol on the train, we had a toast of Crown Royal Vanilla

European trains are much more civilized Alcohol is either served at your seat (depending on ticket class) or can be purchased on the train (though this often requires finding the bar/cafe car. It can also be brought on the train to be consumed.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

European trains are much more civilized Alcohol is either served at your seat (depending on ticket class) or can be purchased on the train (though this often requires finding the bar/cafe car. It can also be brought on the train to be consumed.

We could purchase it on the train and at the train station, but we can’t bring it in our carry-on bag.

Finally just arrived at Orlando airport 2:30am! Waiting for a Lyft to hotel. Might not be so early getting to animal Kingdom.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Lyft driver was quick - hotel was not. When we arrived just after 3am, their systems were updating. We waited over 20 minutes in the lobby before they could check us in.

I’m going to dip some pretzel chips into some chicken salad and get to bed. Tomorrow? Who knows!

 

[MinnieM123]

@Tony the Tigger and Brian:

 

[93boomer]

Happy Anniversary!!

 

[RememberWhen]

Hope you two have an awesome time.

 

[Tuvalu]

I wanna be with you guys this trip!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I wanna be with you guys this trip!

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Oh, that beard was not working as well as I thought it was.

Get in the car, it’ll be faster than the Brightline from Fort Lauderdale! Board 10:20pm, hit the pillow 3:30am.

I mean, it happens.

Just woke up (not completely, and sorry, not rushing out the door.) I feel slightly hungoverish. Aaaand I just remembered it’s the 13th. There will be better days to hang with us. I’m in full sap mode. You guys can’t tell when I pause and my mind wanders, but the tears are queued up like people must be at Ratatouille right now. It would be a good day to try out for an acting part: “Can you cry?” In 4 seconds flat.

And that’s why we’re here!

Well, so far we’re here-adjacent, at the Marriott Delta in Celebration. I suspect it will be closer to 11 by the time we get out of here.

I’ll tell you who’s not here: the one surviving gingerbread man. He made it intact up to just south of Port St. Lucie.

Current temp:

Hey, I’ll take it if 74 happens! What a wild swing in forecasts. We do have rain ponchos.

Last night was the coldest it will get.

They mentioned breakfast until 10:30, but I’m not sure if it’s free or paid. We’re not really breakfast people, but I’ll nibble on a hotel freebie. We’ll see. Gonna nap a sec.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Oops! Just missed whatever breakfast was.

We’re both awake, slept 5 hours. At this point, just gotta make our way to AK ASAP, OK?

It won’t be on the hotel shuttle.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I kept thinking this looked like Lady Gaga when it was dark.

 

[Tuvalu]

Just got in the car. First song to pop up on streaming -

Is it a sign that I should keep driving south?

 

[Swissmiss]

Just got in the car. First song to pop up on streaming -

View attachment 836973

Is it a sign that I should keep driving south?

Yes!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Just got in the car. First song to pop up on streaming -

View attachment 836973

Is it a sign that I should keep driving south?

No one will ever know you’re in our room!