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

[KatMark]

for a trip to Disneyland. We have never been there. I hope it is a wonderful trip for you. Another TR????

Oh, and if you ever get bored, pop over to my PTR...a lot of the familiar faces are there.

 

[norybell]

I think you'll really like DL! I went for the first time last summer, but only for a day. It was overwhelming because I tried to do BOTH Disneyland and California Adventure. Are you planning to do both? In retrospect, I wish I'd have spent most of my time just at DL. Though I did have my three DD's too so maybe that's why I felt overwhelmed!

I haven't given much of a thought to itinerary planning yet, and I'm not even sure I know what California Adventure has to offer! But I think I will probably spend about 80% of my limited time in DL. I'll probably go to CA first, pick up a FP for something (isn't the big coaster there supposed to be great?), then leave and go to DL. So I guess I'm planning on using the unlinked FP system to my advantage, just to ride whatever the few biggest rides are at CA. I'm used to walking back and forth at Disney -- I'm sure it's much easier solo than with 3 DDs!

For me, it was really special to see the original Disney theme park, you know? I felt like a kid in a candy store...I didn't know what to look at first! It's pretty cool though and I'd just read one of my Walt biographies beforehand too. When we were walking down Main Street, I remembered reading how on opening day, the asphalt was still warm and lots of ladies had their high heels sinking into it!

This is exactly why I'm excited to go there. It's high time I saw the original!

I was totally surprised by how much larger Toontown is there too. And Space Mountain is totally different! They have two seater cars. Crazy I tell you! My sister took her four year old son on it thinking it won't be bad but it was fast! And he screamed bloody murder the whole time we rode! Poor baby, I'm sure he's scarred for life now.

I'm so excited to ride all the rides that are at least a little bit different!

Hey, are you going to incorporate your little trippie into this TR?? Pretty please??

I promise I will do some sort of TR for it...otherwise all the pictures I plan to take will just go to waste!

I thought I'd spend my morning coffee time right here with Nory!! WHat a treat to get to go to DLR for a day and a half! Love it! I"m so excited for you to get to stay at the GC too!! Make sure to pop into the Blue Bayou to say hello to my old stomping grounds. So many memories...

Hey, I'm having my morning coffee, too! Oh, wait, actually it's morphed into my lunchtime coffee. This is what happens on the rare nights when I have to close the store and not go to work until 2:00 (and not get home until 10:30, ick!)!

I was thinking of not making any meal reservations for this trip, since it's so quick, but I have to admit those Monte Cristos on the Blue Bayou menu have me reconsidering!

for a trip to Disneyland. We have never been there. I hope it is a wonderful trip for you. Another TR????

Oh, and if you ever get bored, pop over to my PTR...a lot of the familiar faces are there.

It's crazy how many of us rabid WDW fans have never been to DL! California is just too far away! (seriously, it's very strange to me that I could get to London more quickly than LA!)

And I'll definitely pop in to your PTR when I get the chance! I have a hard time with PTRs, generally, just cuz sometimes it's tough for me to have time to keep up with the banter on more than a few threads at once, and PTRs have so much more banter! It all just depends on my work situation at any given moment, essentially. But considering my work situation is in a bit of flux lately, maybe it's time to give PTRs another try!

 

[DisDreamz]

Congrats Nory on the DL trip! I'm the opposite of you living on the West Coast so get frustrated at having to get a park hopper for WDW when I have a DL annual pass (considered getting the Premier AP this year since I'm going to WDW two times this year, but it didn't work out ).

Anyway one and a half days should be perfect. I wouldn't worry about ADRs (out here walk-ins are definitely the norm with possibly the exception of Goofy's Kitchen at DL Hotel).

Unfortunately California Adventure is going through a huge refurb so not as much will be open. However there is California Screamin' which does have FASTPASS plus Mickey's Fun Wheel is fun Toy Story Mania is a much shorter wait than DHS (no FASTPASS). Soarin' is exactly the same as WDW (although the lines are usually more manageable) as is Tower of Terror.

I've always wanted to stay at the Grand Californian. Unfortunately I have yet to be able to justify the cost (even with an AP discount it's more than I like to spend when I can pay more than half that to stay at the HOJO across the street or of course pay nothing to just drive home).

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yay on getting to go to Disneyland!! I look forward to reading all about that trip as well

 

[Tribilín]

Ooops! I think I'm a little late... you already posted 2 chapters! WOW! I really like the third person style

 

[tinacaplan]

Yay for going to Disneyland! That's fantastic. Hopefully I'll get to see it someday. Am going to California for the first time in the spring, but I'll be chaperoning my school's trip and we're only going to the Bay Area. So...no DL for me, but I love to look at pictures.

 

[norybell]

Anyway one and a half days should be perfect. I wouldn't worry about ADRs (out here walk-ins are definitely the norm with possibly the exception of Goofy's Kitchen at DL Hotel).

Unfortunately California Adventure is going through a huge refurb so not as much will be open. However there is California Screamin' which does have FASTPASS plus Mickey's Fun Wheel is fun Toy Story Mania is a much shorter wait than DHS (no FASTPASS). Soarin' is exactly the same as WDW (although the lines are usually more manageable) as is Tower of Terror.

That's so good to know about ADRs...I guess I'll really just wing it, then! (Or at least wing it as much as I can given my planner's personality.)

I see from your siggie that we were both solo at Pop at the same time! Though I only got to be solo for one night on this trip -- April 4.

Yay on getting to go to Disneyland!! I look forward to reading all about that trip as well

I know, I'm so excited!

Ooops! I think I'm a little late... you already posted 2 chapters! WOW! I really like the third person style

Hi, Tribilin, good to see you!

Yay for going to Disneyland! That's fantastic. Hopefully I'll get to see it someday. Am going to California for the first time in the spring, but I'll be chaperoning my school's trip and we're only going to the Bay Area. So...no DL for me, but I love to look at pictures.

I've gotta admit, even taking my Disney-love into account, I'd probably rather be vacationing in the Bay area than in LA!

 

[clearskies]

Hi Nory. Great start so far!! This is going to be a fun ride. If I may, I have a suggestion for this Nory character you are writing about. Perhaps you can edit the protagonist of this TR to take out her camera a bit more to take some more pictures of her journey. Great pictures in the intro though. I am looking forward to more as well as an entertaining report!

 

[norybell]

Hi Nory. Great start so far!! This is going to be a fun ride. If I may, I have a suggestion for this Nory character you are writing about. Perhaps you can edit the protagonist of this TR to take out her camera a bit more to take some more pictures of her journey. Great pictures in the intro though. I am looking forward to more as well as an entertaining report!

Hi clearskies! I promise Nory will start taking out her camera soon! Today's update will still be pretty photo-sparse, but after that they'll kick in, and I'll have more than enough photos to make up for the beginning, I promise! When I was there this month, I was seriously thinking I'd crack out my new camera in the airport and take some pictures, just so I could fill in the first few chapters of this TR. But it turns out I just seriously cannot motivate myself to take pictures at the airport. I think it's because I'm always loaded down with all of my bags!

 

[norybell]

Between the crowdless line, her instant placement on a bus, and the absence of other stops on the way, Nory's time between getting off the plane and climbing off the bus passed extraordinarily quickly, and by eleven o'clock she was the only one standing in the online check-in line at Port Orleans Riverside Resort.

Inserted from an earlier TR, because Nory thinks you're being very patient waiting for photos.

Port Orleans Riverside is beautiful. It's modeled after the romantic (if also war-torn and racially-divided) Old South, and Nory loves pretending to be Scarlett O'Hara just as much as the next girl. But she had to admit that she wasn't feeling too enthusiastic about staying there this time. She'd visited it, just for a relaxing walk around the grounds, a year ago, and fell in love with the landscaping. But when she actually stayed there for one night the previous May, she hadn't loved it as much as she thought she would. She liked her room, and the soothing boat ride to Downtown Disney, and the grounds were still lovely, of course, but the whole place had felt really busy, and finding a peaceful spot to sit for a little while seemed impossible.

For this trip, she had originally planned on spending two nights at the Polynesian Resort and one night at Coronado Springs, where she'd never stayed or even visited (thrilling, the idea of staying someplace that would be almost a complete surprise!). But when she decided to add another night onto the beginning of her stay, she couldn't add it to her Coronado Springs reservation with any of her available discounts. So she booked at Riverside, instead.

In other words, her night down South was born of necessity, not excitement. But that was okay; she was just happy to be in Disney World at all.

I hope doing three resorts in four nights won't be too exhausting! she thought as she stepped up to the check-in desk. I don't want to get home from this trip more tired than I was when I left!

A young CM in a pale blue dress with puffy sleeves and a white apron greeted Nory, took her ID, and rather perfunctorily informed her that they would text her when her room was ready.

"Can you tell me what building I'll be in?" Nory asked.

"Oh, of course," said the CM, as if surprised at herself that she'd forgotten to share this essential bit of information. She took out a map and circled Magnolia Terrace, one of the mansion-inspired buildings to the northeast of the lobby.

Nory was pleased. She hadn't considered a one-night stay to be worthy of many room requests, so all she'd asked for was Quiet room & upper floor. She'd booked a water view, because that's all that was available, and she hoped she'd be looking out over the river and not the pool (Nory hates pool views), but she didn't care too much for just one night. Last time she'd stayed in the Alligator Bayou section, with its overgrown foliage and simple, two-story buildings, and she knew she liked the look of that area better than the mansions. But she was curious to try something new.

She wheeled her suitcase into the lobby bathroom and opened it up in the handicapped stall, happy to have a little extra space to change from her chilly-weather traveling clothes into her warm-weather Florida ones. She'd planned ahead for this, and packed shorts and a T-shirt at the top of her suitcase. While she was changing, she heard a janitorial CM come into the bathroom and tidy up the other stall and the sink. Nory figured the CM was waiting for her to leave, so she could finish cleaning, but Nory still had to put in her contacts (no one can be expected to insert contact lenses at five in the morning!), and do something about her hair (which was in a lovely mat stuck to the back of her head, from sleeping on the plane). She figured she didn't need to rush; there weren't any other guests in there waiting, after all.

"I'll just be a few more minutes," she called out.

No response. Did she not hear her? Nory could practically feel the CM's impatience penetrating the stall door. She began to worry about her Karma -- was she ruining this poor woman's day, or something? But what else could she do? It's not like she could change her clothes in the middle of the lobby!

Finally, the CM gave up and left the bathroom, and Nory finished getting ready for the parks in peace. Then she found Luggage Storage outside the main building, left her suitcase, and headed to the bus stop. And just as she got there, a Magic Kingdom bus pulled up.

Score! thought Nory as she climbed onto the nearly-empty bus. At this rate, I'll be at the Kingdom by noon!

She quickly realized she was being far too optimistic. The bus stopped at Riverside's West Depot. Then the North Depot. Then the East Depot. It took forever. But finally they were truly en route to the Magic Kingdom.

***

NEXT CHAPTER: Welcome to the Castle

 

[onelilspark]

Another update!? Are you *really* Nory???

I'm anxious to hear how you liked the Mansions vs. Alligator Bayou.

And YAY! for Disneyland! We went last May...I have a Trip Report somewhere down there in my sig...

EDIT: Oops, we went in March...here it is: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2372711

 

[ChattaAlley]

Awe I love Nory's story..

 

[norybell]

Another update!? Are you *really* Nory???

I'm anxious to hear how you liked the Mansions vs. Alligator Bayou.

And YAY! for Disneyland! We went last May...I have a Trip Report somewhere down there in my sig...

EDIT: Oops, we went in March...here it is: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2372711

Yes, it's me, I swear! The updates will probably slow down a bit (my goal is two a week) once the photos are involved, but I kinda wanted to crank through these first few (the boring ones, as I think of them)!

I will definitely check out your DL TR! It'll be good to read about it from a fellow WDW-vet perspective.

Awe I love Nory's story..

Thanks, ChattaAlley! I think it'll become much more interesting in the next update, once I'm actually in a park!

 

[TanzUnited99]

I like that Nory decided to insert earlier TR pics!

Nory is also the first person I have found on here that has not fallen in love with Port Orleans Resort. I have read nothing but great things about this place on these boards.

A mansion inspired building for one night sounds great!

Yay on Nory taking her time and not feeling rushed by the CM like other people would have been. Am looking forward to hearing about Nory's MK adventure

 

[Mikes:)Mom]

Hi Nory! I'm heading to WDW solo for the first time in August. I've read a few of your reports. I can't wait to hear about CSR, I'm staying there for the first time.

As for DL, it's great fun. I grew up going to DL, my 1st WDW trip was in 2007. I just went to DL again, it's been 6-7 years. I thought I know DL, but I kept getting turned around. Some of the rides are in different places. Get a MAP! POTC is awesome at DL!

One thing you must try: at the end of main street on the right is a small red building. (I think part of a train??) They have the BEST corn dogs!! I'm not a big corn dog eater but these are just amazing. I wish WDW had them!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I must say, I'm impressed with Nory's ability to put in contacts in a bathroom stall (I've been wearing them for 12 years and still need a mirror to find my eyes!).

I'm interested to hear your (er...Nory's) perspective on POR, particularly the Mansions. We had been slated to go there, were it not for meddling me, and had been hopeful to stay in that section. Hope the stay was more enjoyable this time!

 

[norybell]

I like that Nory decided to insert earlier TR pics!

Nory is also the first person I have found on here that has not fallen in love with Port Orleans Resort. I have read nothing but great things about this place on these boards.

A mansion inspired building for one night sounds great!

Yay on Nory taking her time and not feeling rushed by the CM like other people would have been. Am looking forward to hearing about Nory's MK adventure

I really have mixed feelings about POR. I could probably love it if I were there for longer, in an off season. I do love the grounds! And I think they're in the process of refurbing the rooms now (or soon), which'll make a huge difference.

Hi Nory! I'm heading to WDW solo for the first time in August. I've read a few of your reports. I can't wait to hear about CSR, I'm staying there for the first time.

As for DL, it's great fun. I grew up going to DL, my 1st WDW trip was in 2007. I just went to DL again, it's been 6-7 years. I thought I know DL, but I kept getting turned around. Some of the rides are in different places. Get a MAP! POTC is awesome at DL!

One thing you must try: at the end of main street on the right is a small red building. (I think part of a train??) They have the BEST corn dogs!! I'm not a big corn dog eater but these are just amazing. I wish WDW had them!

Hi MikesMom! Congrats on your solo trip...I'm telling you, they're the best! I'm tempted to just come out and tell you how I felt about CSR, but I guess that'd be a spoiler, right?

I will totally try the DL corn dogs! And definitely POTC...I can't wait for that one, I've heard so many times how much better it is at DL than WDW!

I must say, I'm impressed with Nory's ability to put in contacts in a bathroom stall (I've been wearing them for 12 years and still need a mirror to find my eyes!).

I'm interested to hear your (er...Nory's) perspective on POR, particularly the Mansions. We had been slated to go there, were it not for meddling me, and had been hopeful to stay in that section. Hope the stay was more enjoyable this time!

I've been wearing contacts for...hm...somewhere in the neighborhood of 23 years. So maybe you'll be ready to go mirror-less after a few more!

Honestly, I was at POR so briefly on this trip -- I checked in, headed straight for the parks, and resort hopped right away the next morning -- it barely qualifies as a stay! Where did you end up, instead?

 

[KatMark]

Great update. I've never really seen the inside of POR's registration area since we haven't stayed there (just can't tear myself away from CSR), although e've toured the grounds, etc. It really looks very pretty.

 

[All7OfUs]

Killjoy!

It's my job.


For Nory:

You got the same building as the Belle Battalion! Nice! I really enjoyed it there- but that's getting ahead of myself...

I didn't find it too rushed or busy at all, but then again, different season.

I hope that even staying here out of neccessity has helped you see POR in a more positive light than after your first stay. If nothing else, it has Yeehaw Bob!

 

[norybell]

Great update. I've never really seen the inside of POR's registration area since we haven't stayed there (just can't tear myself away from CSR), although e've toured the grounds, etc. It really looks very pretty.

It is very pretty, there's no denying! THough I think I'm just inclined to like the beach-and-sunshine feel of CSR better than the river-and-moss feel of POR. Relaxing in two completely different ways, you know?

It's my job.


For Nory:

You got the same building as the Belle Battalion! Nice! I really enjoyed it there- but that's getting ahead of myself...

I didn't find it too rushed or busy at all, but then again, different season.

I hope that even staying here out of neccessity has helped you see POR in a more positive light than after your first stay. If nothing else, it has Yeehaw Bob!

Yeah, I think I just got unlucky the night I stayed there in May. I don't mean to badmouth POR, or anything! I'm sure if I could stay there for a whole week (or even a few nights!) in off-season, I'd love it.