Never too old! Grumpy & Sassy's adult only- BWI & GF split stay 1/21-1/26/22

[ktink]

A little background about us. DH & I have been married for 7 years. We love to travel and have been on various vacations ranging from Yellowstone to several tropical destinations. When the subject came up about our 2021 vacation, I suggested WDW as I had many times in the past. DH just turned 50 & has NEVER been to WDW.

We scheduled a stay for the week of Labor Day to stay at BWI. My thinking is get him in a deluxe & there's no turning back, right?! Well that trip didn't happen due to Covid concerns. So, the seed had been planted & I watered it constantly. To say he was hesitant is an understatement. But we finally booked the trip for January 21-26, 2022. I also suggested that we just go ahead & buy AP's because it just made sense. He reluctantly agreed.

I included DH in the planning as much as he was willing to participate. He had this vision of WDW in his mind that had been painted by other's horror stories of long lines & crying kids. I hadn't been to WDW in years & had never been without my children. Maybe he heard some of my own horror stories, LOL. Any who, as our trip was approaching I could feel his dread. He would tell me he was excited but I could tell he wasn't. About 2 days before we leave I get a text from him while we were at work. It said, "I just talked to Gary. Him & his wife are going to WDW for her 50th birthday. He said they're going to have a ball. That's it, I'm ready to go now." Really? WOW!

 

[rdkeim]

Following

 

[Hubie]

I'm waiting to hear what your DH thinks about WDW after your trip. At least his experience won't be affected by fond memories of what WDW was like in the past.

 

[ktink]

I'm waiting to hear what you DH thinks about WDW after your trip. At least his experience won't be affected by fond memories of what WDW was like in the past.

So true! I never thought of it that way.

 

[ktink]

Arrival day 1/21/22- Boardwalk Inn & Animal Kingdom

Our flight out of Nashville was at 8:45 AM. We arrived at BNA shortly after 6. It was 19 degrees so we decided to use vallet parking, lol.

When we arrived at MCO it was a glorious 77 degrees! That first spring breeze on your skin after such cold weather felt like the breath of Jesus! We used Mears for our roundtrip to & from MCO. We were headed to BWI, which was my first deluxe stay. Remember, I'm on a mission to win DH over hook, line, & sinker! And to enjoy myself, just in case he's an ingreat. There were a couple of lines that they were loading onto a somewhat loaded bus. The attendant told us that the bus wasn't headed to the Epcot resorts but they were putting us in a private taxi so that we didn't have to wait. I like it!

We arrived at BWI and received a text that our room wasn't ready. No problem, we dropped our luggage at Bell Services and headed to the bus stop. The AK bus showed up in just minutes. We boarded around 12:30 PM and the bus pulled off. We get the room ready text. You're killing me smalls! Had we have been just 2 minutes later.

I had used Touring Plans to request room 3247 but was just wanting the Boardwalk view. We paid for the view we requested, of course. I didn't want to read any further on the email & just decided to let the room be a surprise.

We had dining reservations at Tiffins at 5:45PM so we decided to ride Navi & FoP. There was about an hour wait on both rides so we waited. This was DH's first trip ever but there were so many new things since I had been years earlier. I felt like I was just as clueless as he was but I was ate up with excitement to ride FoP & boy, it did NOT disappoint. DH was laughing at my outbursts of various sounds. After we had rode both rides we just decided to walk around Pandora & before we knew it, well it was time to eat. We are not small people but somehow we forgot to eat so we were starved!

Below is our food from Tiffins. We had the bread service but I failed to take a picture. I had the cab wine flight and the Familia Zuccardi was my favorite of the 3. So much so that mama decided to have another glass. Tiffins is now one of my favorite restaurants! Absolutely delicious!



I had the Tamarind Braised Short Rib



DH had the Shrimp & Grits


We shared the 50th Celebration Chocolate Gateaux

 

[suse66]

Joining in! I was just like your DH before my first trip when I was 42. "Disney is overpriced, big corporation, not worth it, blah, blah, blah." Then our first trip we were at the Grand Floridian, deluxe dining plan etc and I fell head over heels in love. Fast forward 13 years to where I own DVC, have been on multiple solo trips and definitely am a card carrying cult member, lol!

 

[rdkeim]

What a great first day! Hope you were happy with your room.

 

[ktink]

Joining in! I was just like your DH before my first trip when I was 42. "Disney is overpriced, big corporation, not worth it, blah, blah, blah." Then our first trip we were at the Grand Floridian, deluxe dining plan etc and I fell head over heels in love. Fast forward 13 years to where I own DVC, have been on multiple solo trips and definitely am a card carrying cult member, lol!

I’m hoping to convince DH that we need to buy into DVC.

 

[ktink]

What a great first day! Hope you were happy with your room.

We were! I plan on posting pics tonight.

 

[bsjs0708]

Cannot wait for the rest of your report....I LOVE experiencing "first visits to WDW through other peoples eyes "

 

[ktink]

The park was closing as we were leaving Tiffins. We headed towards Pandora to see it lit up at night. A CM stopped us but allowed us to go on by. It was absolutely beautiful! We decided to head towards the buses.

We get back to BWI and I couldn't wait to see our room. One thing I'm realizing is that I need to take more pictures. The BW lobby is so beautiful! I didn't get a single picture. On to the room.

I had requested 3247 through Touring Plans. I don't know how the logistics of the requests work but.. We ended up in 3243! We walked in & while the rooms could use a refurb, the room was larger than I expected and oh, that view!! This was my birthday trip so I was happy with the card, balloon, & birthday pin.

Y'all! I can NOT say enough about this room! I enjoyed the liveliness of the BW! I absolutely loved the location of our room. DH got a little annoyed by the Friendship Boats. The horns got to him but I mean, they only run from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM so I don't see what the problem is. You could hear the crowd at times but this was my favorite room that we have stayed in so far! Love, love, love BWI!!

 

[ktink]

Saturday 1/22/22 Epcot & MK

Before I get started.. this is so much fun! I just love reading trip reports & doing one of my own is just fun!

After such a wonderful day & night of spring like temps, we woke up to highs in the mid 50's & drizzling rain. It was pretty chilly & I had read to layer clothes so we were prepared, thank goodness. We went down stairs to Trattoria al Forno for breakfast before heading to Epcot. Our plan was to drink around the World, nap, & then off to MK for dinner at Be Our Guest.

One thing I want to say is that prior to this trip with DH, I had been commando style planner in the parks. We are older now & I didn't want the rush of a schedule, rope drop, or any stress to be here or there other than dining reservations. My MO is to make this a pleasant trip for DH as well. So this trip was out of the ordinary for me but a relaxing way to see WDW. And it will be my new style of WDW vacationing from now on!

Breakfast @ Trattoria al Forno

I had a couple of Peach Bellini's & they were soooo good!



DH had the Tiramisu- style French Toast. This was absolutely delicious & very light. I thought it would be heavier.


I had Florentine Frittata. This was just ok. It was more of a "me" problem than anything else. I knew it was egg whites but the frittatas I make at home are more quiche style than open faced omelet style. The goat cheese was good & so was the fruit. I didn't take but a bite of the frittata. I should've went with the avocado toast. lol



I had developed a little happiness after my 2 bellinis and was ready for Epcot! As we walked out of Trattoria al Forno. The Epcot friendship boat was leaving the dock. We went into the general store to look around since it was rainy & cold right there off of Crescent Lake. Soon our Friendship Boat was headed across the lake so we boarded for Epcot!

 

[Hubie]

The French toast at TTEF is delicious!

 

[DLo]

Great start. Looking forward to reading more. Staying at BWI in May but garden view. Stayed BWV last year and loved the location .

 

[footballmouse]

 

[ktink]

Great start. Looking forward to reading more. Staying at BWI in May but garden view. Stayed BWV last year and loved the location .

The location is amazing! We will probably stay garden view the next time that we stay at BWI. The friendship boats were too much for DH. LOL

I hope to hear about your upcoming May trip!

 

[ktink]

Continuing Saturday 1/22/22 Epcot & MK

Here's were I realized I failed taking pictures. We had a few drinks around the World but I didn't get a single picture of any of them. The 2 that stood out are the Smokey Pineapple margarita in Mexico. This was phenomenal! And the Black Velvet from Rose & Crown Lounge. It was too much for me. Just not something I would normally drink.

As we were making our way "Drinking around the World". We were about 2 drinks in & remember I had the 2 bellinis. Needless to say, mama was feeling fine as a frog hair split 3 ways!

Disclaimer **** no one was hurt **** We were finishing off one of our drinks near a trash can so that we could trash it & be on to our next country. A family was coming by & the mom who was pushing the stroller clipped a sign & the wheel locked up. The little girl in the stroller fell out, in slow motion. She was not hurt, she was stunned, as were we. DH & I look at each other & he says, "we're never going to see that happen again." We were wrong & learned there are 3 kinds of moms when this happens. Yes, we saw this happen an alarming 3 times & each mom handled it so differently. The Epcot mom, was just as shocked as her daughter was. She was so apologetic. Once I saw she was ok, I got shamefully tickled at the situation. But it was the booze & my knack for laughing at the most inappropriate things. Everyone was ok, we headed on around the world.

It started raining pretty hard on us & it was cold so we decided to head back to the room to sleep off our drinks.

We woke up around 5 to head to MK were we had reservations at Be Our Guest.

As we walked into MK. I decided to have DH pose to reenact a picture from years ago. I sent this to my DD's and they responded back with the original picture of a meltdown at the end of the day. LOL

 

[ktink]

Finishing up Saturday 1/22/22- Dinner @ Be Our Guest

We ended up getting in It's a Small World before dinner. This is my mom's favorite ride so it has sentimental value for me.

BOG was the thing I was looking most forward to on this trip. Walking up to the Castle is so magical even at the ripe old age of 48! We had just a short wait prior to being seated in the Ball Room dining area. We enjoyed the food despite some of the reviews we had read.

Oh! A couple became engaged during our meal. DD 25 says if her future husband doesn't propose to her at BOG, then she doesn't want one. LOL

I started off with the French Onion Soup



DH started off with the Maine Lobster Bisque



I had the Center Cut Filet


DH had the Herb-salted Pork Tenderloin


Dessert Trio

 

[ktink]

Sunday January 23,2022

DHS

MK was open the previous night until 11PM so we decided to sleep in on Sunday. I'm really surprised at how relaxed this trip was. We didn't get everything in but we also didn't get worked up trying to stick to a specific plan. It was so nice!

We had breakfast in the room. DH had gone down to Boardwalk Bakery. DH had the Butter Butter sandwich & a cannoli. I had a banana & most of the cannoli. I didn't get a picture of anything but the cannoli. It was perfect!

 

[ktink]

Finishing up Sunday 1/23/22

So we had dining reservations at Sci-Fi at 8 PM & Oga's @ 9:45. We decided to spend the afternoon on into the evening at DHS until our reservations.

This was the first time for either of us to see Galaxy's Edge. We were amazed! We had a Ronto Wrap for lunch. Then we decided to go on to Smuggler's Run. The wait was only 30 mins. We get up to que where it was our turn to board & DH got in trouble for his mask. It was the ONLY time we had an issue. His mask looked like mesh but was overlaid with a cloth material that allowed for breathing. I had on the same mask & did not get questioned, that was a bit odd. But they asked if he had another mask, which he replied, "no". I was like, he absolutely DOES have another mask. No way in heck was I exiting after waiting. LOL He put my mask on & I wore the leopard print I had in my back pack. LOL

We made out way around over to HBD Lounge. I had the grapefruit cake martini & I don't remember what he had. We decided to sit down on one of the benches and enjoy our drinks. We were sitting there and we saw this lovely family walking pushing a stroller. Right in front of us.. the stroller wheel locked up & the little girl flew out, unharmed, and her crocs were bouncing around. I couldn't believe we had witnessed this phenomenon twice. But this is when we witnessed mom type #2. This mom was so tickled the dad had to switch in to survey the damage. We couldn't quit laughing at the mom laughing, this would have been me, I'm sure. The little girl was fine & got back in the stroller.
We then went on to Tower of Terror. DH was dreading this. He hates drops & I do too. I was on a mission to get him on this ride to the point that I forgot how much I disliked it the only other time I had ridden it. We get up to board the elevator & I'm near panic mode. I have this mask on which is making my trauma even more difficult. We board, buckle in, I'm taking deep breaths & praying. As we are moving through the story line part of the ride. I'm looking for an escape route & realize.. I've got to ride this out. Then the windows open up & we plummet. The technology was so much different now than it was many years ago. We absolutely LOVED it! The fall was so much smoother than I remember it being. We laughed & laughed enjoying every single minute of it.

We exit & it's now dark & very cold. We had about an hour and a half before our dining reservations. We decided to cancel both Sci-Fi & Oga's & go back to the room. The low was in the 30's & we had not packed for that level of cold. Yes, we had watched the weather but it changed significantly while we were there.

We ended up having dinner at Trattoria al Forno. I had worn my birthday pin we ended receiving an appetizer & a dessert!

Our waiter brought out Crispy Pancetta Arrancini. These were amazing!!! I almost forgot to get a picture before they were completely gone.



I had the Shrimp Papardelle. The pasta was so fresh & it was a really great entree. Once again I about forgot to get a picture.


DH had the Pizza Carni



Then our waiter brought out the House-made Gelato


We then went up to the Belle Vue lounge to catch the end of one of the play off games. We met a great family from the Pittsburgh, PA area. We are from TN but are huge Steeler fans. We had some great laughs & then headed up to the room. It was too cold to enjoy the view from our room but I managed to endure it for a few minutes.