Nory Report III: In the Third Person! After 3 Years, the Final Update! NEW 2/6

[Poolrat]

TT at night is fun!!!!

What a bummer to hike all the way to France only to NOT find what you were looking for.

 

[norybell]

A bus was parked at the Riverside stop when Nory finally reached it, but a long, long line of people snaked along the queue, so she settled in at the end, prepared for a lengthy wait. Thankfully, as soon as the first bus departed, another pulled up. Nory got a seat, even though the bus was very full, and she closed her eyes for the trip back to the resort.

When the bus finally stopped at Riverside's North Depot, Nory made a snap decision and jumped down off the bus. She knew a later stop would deposit her closer to her room, but she thought she'd stock up on some supplies at Fulton's General Store and pick up her luggage herself, rather than waiting for Bell Services to deliver it to her room.

Fully aware that she wouldn't be able to drink it all, she grabbed a bottle of Pinot Grigio, as well as some water and some powdered Pop Ems mini donuts (if she couldn't have her miniature bottle of wine, she could at least have miniature something). While she was waiting to pay, she noticed some Port Orleans Riverside pins near the cash registers, which they'd been sold out of during her last stay. Since Nory collects pins from every resort she stays at, she was happy to see that this one was particularly cute.

Nory asked the CM - a slightly standoffish older lady - at the cash register if they had any corkscrews, and she gave Nory a free plastic one.

After making her essential purchases, Nory decided that, despite her Food & Wine snacking, she should probably eat something else (besides donuts) before bed. So she ventured into Riverside Mill, the food court, for the first time.

Her chicken nuggets were fine, and the fries were great. After her second dinner (or was it the third?), she retraced her path through the lobby and out toward Luggage Storage. To her dismay, it was closed: A sign instructed her to see Bell Services. As she turned around to walk away, a Bell Services CM saw her, rushed over, retrieved her suitcase, and wouldn't accept a tip. Within minutes she was rolling through the lobby, wondering how, exactly, to reach Magnolia Terrace. She ended up crossing a bridge to Ol' Man Island - the pool looked lovely in the moonlight - and then another, which deposited her slightly west of her destination.

She found the far end of Magnolia Terrace, its outer wings overlooking the river, and she felt hopeful for her water view. Signs informed her that her room was on the third floor, and she began the long walk to the elevator. No one was around.

As soon as she reached room 8920, just to the left of the building's central entrance, Nory realized that there was no water in sight.

How can they charge me extra for a water view room and not give me one? she wondered, irritated. Luckily, for just a one night stay, it didn't really matter. If she'd been staying for longer, she definitely would have complained. She had only booked a water view because it was all that was available, and she knew she wouldn't see too much of the view from her room. But still, she should be getting what she paid for!

Nory walked into a clean, simple room, and confirmed that she definitely liked the Alligator Bayou room décor better. That had been colorful and cozy, whereas this room looked a little bland, like a hotel room anywhere. But by now, Nory was just happy to be home, even if it was home for only one night.

She did the now-obligatory bedbug check, and noticed that the mattresses looked brand new. Should that make me suspicious? she wondered, but chose not to worry. She hated having to deal with the whole bedbug thing at all, but they've been a problem in New York for years, she's known quite a few friends to have their lives overtaken by the nasty creatures for months at a time, and no way did she want to bring any home with her.

As a reward for her vigilance, she retrieved the bottle of wine from the fridge. She put together the free corkscrew, screwed it into the cork, and pulled.

Nothing happened.

She pulled again, with all her might.

Still nothing.

She put the bottle on the floor, held it between her knees, and pulled and pulled and pulled.

Nothing.

"^(^%@%#&!" she yelled.

She unscrewed it a little, and tried again.

Nothing.

She screwed it in farther, and tried again.

Still nothing.

She flopped down on the floor, panting.

If I take it to the bar, will they open it for me? she wondered. She contemplated the humiliation and the long walk there and back.

She googled how to use a cheap plastic corkscrew on her phone, but didn't learn anything she didn't know already. She had opened many bottles of wine in her life, after all.

This thing is not going to beat me! I want my wine, dammit! She took a deep breath. Then she pulled at the corkscrew with every bit of strength she could muster.

POP!

Woo! Yeah! That's right! I am strong! Nory cried in victory, punching her fists in the air.

Then she poured herself a hard-earned glass, watched Seinfeld, took notes, and went to bed.

***

NEXT CHAPTER: Nory's First Visit (to Coronado Springs)

 

[onelilspark]

Oh man, I have so been there with the wine...

 

[KatMark]

So glad that Nory was able to get her wine AND get the bottle open.

The resort looks absolutely lovely at night.

And I do like Nory's PO pin that she picked up -- very cute.

 

[norybell]

Oh man, I have so been there with the wine...

I wish they still sold Mickey corkscrews! I would probably end up buying one every trip!

So glad that Nory was able to get her wine AND get the bottle open.

The resort looks absolutely lovely at night.

And I do like Nory's PO pin that she picked up -- very cute.

POR was beautiful...so peaceful at night!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

And that is EXACTLY why on my last trip we bout the bottle with the screw top instead of a cork! I'm so glad you persevered!

Your pictures from POR are great. It's a really pretty resort at night!

 

[JolllyHoliday]

A bus was parked at the Riverside stop when Nory finally reached it, but a long, long line of people snaked along the queue, so she settled in at the end, prepared for a lengthy wait. Thankfully, as soon as the first bus departed, another pulled up. Nory got a seat, even though the bus was very full, and she closed her eyes for the trip back to the resort.

When the bus finally stopped at Riverside’s North Depot, Nory made a snap decision and jumped down off the bus. She knew a later stop would deposit her closer to her room, but she thought she’d stock up on some supplies at Fulton’s General Store and pick up her luggage herself, rather than waiting for Bell Services to deliver it to her room.

Fully aware that she wouldn’t be able to drink it all, she grabbed a bottle of Pinot Grigio, as well as some water and some powdered Pop ‘Ems mini donuts (if she couldn’t have her miniature bottle of wine, she could at least have miniature something). While she was waiting to pay, she noticed some Port Orleans Riverside pins near the cash registers, which they’d been sold out of during her last stay. Since Nory collects pins from every resort she stays at, she was happy to see that this one was particularly cute.

Nory asked the CM—a slightly standoffish older lady—at the cash register if they had any corkscrews, and she gave Nory a free plastic one.

After making her essential purchases, Nory decided that, despite her Food & Wine snacking, she should probably eat something else (besides donuts) before bed. So she ventured into Riverside Mill, the food court, for the first time.

Her chicken nuggets were fine, and the fries were great. After her second dinner (or was it the third?), she retraced her path through the lobby and out toward Luggage Storage. To her dismay, it was closed: A sign instructed her to see Bell Services. As she turned around to walk away, a Bell Services CM saw her, rushed over, retrieved her suitcase, and wouldn’t accept a tip. Within minutes she was rolling through the lobby, wondering how, exactly, to reach Magnolia Terrace. She ended up crossing a bridge to Ol’ Man Island—the pool looked lovely in the moonlight—and then another, which deposited her slightly west of her destination.

She found the far end of Magnolia Terrace, its outer wings overlooking the river, and she felt hopeful for her water view. Signs informed her that her room was on the third floor, and she began the long walk to the elevator. No one was around.

As soon as she reached room 8920, just to the left of the building’s central entrance, Nory realized that there was no water in sight.

How can they charge me extra for a water view room and not give me one? she wondered, irritated. Luckily, for just a one night stay, it didn’t really matter. If she’d been staying for longer, she definitely would have complained. She had only booked a water view because it was all that was available, and she knew she wouldn’t see too much of the view from her room. But still, she should be getting what she paid for!

Nory walked into a clean, simple room, and confirmed that she definitely liked the Alligator Bayou room décor better. That had been colorful and cozy, whereas this room looked a little bland, like a hotel room anywhere. But by now, Nory was just happy to be home, even if it was home for only one night.

She did the now-obligatory bedbug check, and noticed that the mattresses looked brand new. Should that make me suspicious? she wondered, but chose not to worry. She hated having to deal with the whole bedbug thing at all, but they’ve been a problem in New York for years, she’s known quite a few friends to have their lives overtaken by the nasty creatures for months at a time, and no way did she want to bring any home with her.

As a reward for her vigilance, she retrieved the bottle of wine from the fridge. She put together the free corkscrew, screwed it into the cork, and pulled.

Nothing happened.

She pulled again, with all her might.

Still nothing.

She put the bottle on the floor, held it between her knees, and pulled and pulled and pulled.

Nothing.

“^(^%@%#&!” she yelled.

She unscrewed it a little, and tried again.

Nothing.

She screwed it in farther, and tried again.

Still nothing.

She flopped down on the floor, panting.

If I take it to the bar, will they open it for me? she wondered. She contemplated the humiliation and the long walk there and back.

She googled “how to use a cheap plastic corkscrew” on her phone, but didn’t learn anything she didn’t know already. She had opened many bottles of wine in her life, after all.

This thing is not going to beat me! I want my wine, dammit! She took a deep breath. Then she pulled at the corkscrew with every bit of strength she could muster.

POP!

“Woo! Yeah! That’s right! I am strong!” Nory cried in victory, punching her fists in the air.

Then she poured herself a hard-earned glass, watched Seinfeld, took notes, and went to bed.

***

Cool night time pictures!!

 

[norybell]

And that is EXACTLY why on my last trip we bout the bottle with the screw top instead of a cork! I'm so glad you persevered!

Your pictures from POR are great. It's a really pretty resort at night!

See, that's because you are SMART!

Though to give myself at least a tiny bit of credit, I don't think POR offered a screw-top option!

Cool night time pictures!!

Thanks! And

 

[glennbo123]

This installment has to be the record for Nory-sightings!

That pin reminds me of when I took my son fishing at the POR fishin' hole.

Nice job with the corkscrew, Muscles.

 

[norybell]

This installment has to be the record for Nory-sightings!

That pin reminds me of when I took my son fishing at the POR fishin' hole.

Nice job with the corkscrew, Muscles.

Yep, Muscles is what they call me!

 

[clearskies]

Hi Nory,

I am a bit behind and was still at EPCOT with you so bear with me.

You are so right on the beauty of the park in the dusky light. I love being in the World Showcase as the sun sets and twilight rolls in. You can be treated with some gorgeous light. You got a great picture of the Italy and American pavilions. If you can find a spot where you can shoot with the sunset at your back you can get some beautiful light as well.


I am with you on Test Track. They can lose those other tests and just take me on the Speed Test.


I am liking the POR grounds at night. From what I have read, you need to be careful with "water view" there. Supposedly the term “water view” is interpreted rather loosely by Disney and could mean any room which even partially overlooks the river, a swimming pool or even a fountain! I guess the one positive is that it guarantees that you are not looking at a parking lot but it is tough pill to swallow to pay extra for a water view and you end up overlooking a swimming pool or fountain. I can't say that I see any of those in your picture though.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Sounds like it was a tiring day, good thing you got off the bus at the earlier stop Love the Port Orleans Riverside pin, very cute! Those chicken fingers and fries didn't seem to bad either. I'm sorry you didn't get the water view you wanted, but I must say, it looks like a fairly good view, otherwise and the room is nice for one night I guess plastic corkscrews aren't your thing LOL (at least you did end up opening the wine bottle) Can't wait to read more!

 

[norybell]

Hi Nory,

I am a bit behind and was still at EPCOT with you so bear with me.

You are so right on the beauty of the park in the dusky light. I love being in the World Showcase as the sun sets and twilight rolls in. You can be treated with some gorgeous light. You got a great picture of the Italy and American pavilions. If you can find a spot where you can shoot with the sunset at your back you can get some beautiful light as well.


I am with you on Test Track. They can lose those other tests and just take me on the Speed Test.


I am liking the POR grounds at night. From what I have read, you need to be careful with "water view" there. Supposedly the term “water view” is interpreted rather loosely by Disney and could mean any room which even partially overlooks the river, a swimming pool or even a fountain! I guess the one positive is that it guarantees that you are not looking at a parking lot but it is tough pill to swallow to pay extra for a water view and you end up overlooking a swimming pool or fountain. I can't say that I see any of those in your picture though.

My view had nary a pool nor a fountain in sight. Luckily, I didn't care too much!

Thanks for the tip about shooting with the sunset behind you...I'll have to keep that in mind for my next trip!

Sounds like it was a tiring day, good thing you got off the bus at the earlier stop Love the Port Orleans Riverside pin, very cute! Those chicken fingers and fries didn't seem to bad either. I'm sorry you didn't get the water view you wanted, but I must say, it looks like a fairly good view, otherwise and the room is nice for one night I guess plastic corkscrews aren't your thing LOL (at least you did end up opening the wine bottle) Can't wait to read more!

Plastic corkscrews definitely aren't my thing!

 

[PrincessEeyore]

Those last two pictures are the coolest! The shadows on the white walls and columns are so perfect, it almost seems a Disney CM came along and placed them there just to add to the old 'mansion' feel. Love it!

Talk about bedbugs being a pest! A family friend of mine just exterminated her house a few weeks after learning they had bedbugs and had finally moved all of her family's belongings back into the home from the garage - all to learn this past Thursday that the bugs have come back!
Smart job with the checking!

Can't wait for more!

 

[eandesmom]

I have to admit, if I'd have paid for a water view I'd have complained the next morning at checkout as you shouldn't pay for what you don't get (even if that's all that was available to book).

Backtracking....

I LOVE TT at night...yeah, I could skip the whole front part and go straight to the speed test but it never gets old, especially at night. What a drag about the half bottle of wine, you'd think during F&W in particular they'd have a selection.

Your three dinners cracked me up, I'm glad to see you got your glass of wine, albeit with more effort than desired. If it were me it would have spilled as I yanked it out that hard.

I love your cloudy moonlight shot. I think my favorite part of those rooms, decor wise, is the tile floor. Loved that part.

 

[teekathepony]

Oooh all caught up. Thanks for helping me pass some time at work tonight!
Loving the solo stories. You're making me want to try a solo trip some time! I also love the third person narrative. I'm a literature nut so your title captured me.

 

[tinacaplan]

POR looks beautiful at night. I, too, have often had corkscrew problems, so I can relate.

 

[norybell]

Talk about bedbugs being a pest! A family friend of mine just exterminated her house a few weeks after learning they had bedbugs and had finally moved all of her family's belongings back into the home from the garage - all to learn this past Thursday that the bugs have come back!
Smart job with the checking!

Can't wait for more!

I try not to give in to the paranoia, but bedbugs just freak me out! And I doubt that my checking is all that preventative, really...I never feel like I'm looking closely enough, but at the same time, I don't want to spend an hour of my vacation removing headboards and such!

A very good friend of mine recently got them in her apartment two months before her wedding (and her dress was in her closet). Talk about a nightmare!

I have to admit, if I'd have paid for a water view I'd have complained the next morning at checkout as you shouldn't pay for what you don't get (even if that's all that was available to book).

I really should have complained the next morning, but by then I was so excited to move on to wherever I was headed next, I forgot. Oh well!

Your three dinners cracked me up, I'm glad to see you got your glass of wine, albeit with more effort than desired. If it were me it would have spilled as I yanked it out that hard.

Everyone should have at least double meals on vacation, don't you think? And I was seriously considering breaking off the top of the bottle. Probably for the best that I didn't.

Oooh all caught up. Thanks for helping me pass some time at work tonight!
Loving the solo stories. You're making me want to try a solo trip some time! I also love the third person narrative. I'm a literature nut so your title captured me.

Solo trips are really the best, in my opinion -- you should try one sometime, if you ever get the chance!

POR looks beautiful at night. I, too, have often had corkscrew problems, so I can relate.

The good news is, that one harrowing corkscrew experience has allowed me to approach all corkscrews since then with much more confidence!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Nory paused occasionally to take in the beauty of the park in the dusky light.

When she finally reached the front of the line, the CM asked her how many were in her party. “One,” she answered. To her dismay, the CM motioned her to move over to the front of the Single Rider line, and began seating the next few groups that had been after her in the regular line.

It was awesome. She didn’t remember it being that awesome.

Beautiful night shots of Epcot!

That is completely WACK about the CM putting you in the Single Riders Line! They shouldn't do that!

So glad you enjoyed the ride! I can see why you haven't ridden it since your accident how frightening.

***

I don't think I've seen the Mansion rooms ever! Or, if I have, I had forgotten what they look like. I'm more partial to the Bayou as well. But, I do love the exterior of the mansion buildings. And those shots you got they are eerie (is that the correct spelling?!), yet beautiful!

 

[norybell]

Beautiful night shots of Epcot!

That is completely WACK about the CM putting you in the Single Riders Line! They shouldn't do that!

So glad you enjoyed the ride! I can see why you haven't ridden it since your accident how frightening.



I don't think I've seen the Mansion rooms ever! Or, if I have, I had forgotten what they look like. I'm more partial to the Bayou as well. But, I do love the exterior of the mansion buildings. And those shots you got they are eerie (is that the correct spelling?!), yet beautiful!

It was totally eerie -- but in such a cool way! There was actually a full (or almost-full, who knows) moon the whole time I was there, which really put me in the Halloween spirit!