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

[tinacaplan]

Another pair of incredibly engaging updates! And beautiful shots of the castle, too? Score!

I'm glad that you liked CSR. We've stayed there twice now and we love it there. I love the beachy feeling, too. When my husband and I were at Disneyworld on our own for our anniversary trip (Feb. '10), we took the boat from DTD to POFQ and strolled around. Lovely. Then we got on a bus to EPCOT and it stopped at every stop in POR and it felt interminable to me for some reason.

And your comment about handing costumes out at the gate...priceless! It would certainly help make everything feel so much more authentic.

 

[norybell]

Ok, I'm still getting used to the new and improved updating here! I am two updates behind, how did that happen? Looks like I'll have to be more vigilant now.

Sheesh, first I don't post enough, then I post too much -- there's just no pleasing everybody around here! (just kidding!) Seriously, though, I'd like to find the perfect balance -- posting enough to keep the flow going, but not so much that it takes constant catch-up. Any suggestions?

First off, it sounds like Nory is some kind of secret super hero! Why, you may ask? Because as you know, only super heroes change in bathroom stalls (or phone booths). Therefore, Nory is a super hero! She can change clothes in a single bound, insert contacts WITHOUT a mirror! Impressive!

Oh my goodness, that makes me sound so much more fun and exciting than I am in real life! I'm totally running with this! Maybe, for my next trip, I will bring some sort of cape!

POR has sort of appealed to me, sort of. I can't get over the ginormous lay out of the resort though. It would be my luck that we'd be stuck in that Alligator Bayou over there in Timbuktu! The lobby looks gorgeous though and I'm very curious to see your Mansion room. Very fitting for a super hero too.

I actually really like the vast, spread-out feeling of some of the mods...makes the resort feel more peaceful to me. Granted, that's my solo perspective -- if I were dealing with a stroller I'd be singing a different tune! But it is why I've decided the Poly & the GF are my all-time favorites...with the separate outbuildings, they still have that peaceful feel (when compared with all-in-one-building hotels, like BC or BWI or AKL), but are more convenient and not so spread out (when compared to the mods).

Oh, I can easily understand the draw of an AP. Because then there's always a reason to return to Disney, to use it up!

Yeah, it's certainly worked for me, considering I've already gotten three trips out of it! And I'm bound and determined to squeeze in at least one more before it expires in October...I'd like to squeeze in two more, but with my sister getting married in CA in September, that might be impossible. Oh, and the fact that I'd kind of like to get pregnant one of these days (perfect fodder for a solo-and-pregnant TR, in which I carefully detail the merits of every WDW bathroom!)! I guess we'll see...

Stunning pictures, really beautiful!

Hmm, what shoud she search for? Dole whips maybe?

Fantastic update, I love how vibrant that blue sky is, especially against all the orange decorations!

Thanks! I was excited to get to the part where I actually started taking (tons of) pictures!

 

[norybell]

Another pair of incredibly engaging updates! And beautiful shots of the castle, too? Score!

I'm glad that you liked CSR. We've stayed there twice now and we love it there. I love the beachy feeling, too. When my husband and I were at Disneyworld on our own for our anniversary trip (Feb. '10), we took the boat from DTD to POFQ and strolled around. Lovely. Then we got on a bus to EPCOT and it stopped at every stop in POR and it felt interminable to me for some reason.

And your comment about handing costumes out at the gate...priceless! It would certainly help make everything feel so much more authentic.

Yeah, CSR is definitely the winning mod for me so far (sorry for the spoiler). I loved it that it just felt a bit more adult, though I could see how that would be a turn-off for some families.

 

[DisDreamz]

Great update! I felt the same as you when I bought my AP. Thankfully I already had a trip planned in June, but I'm just itching to find another way back for a third trip before it expires in April 2012.

Am I the only one who did a double take on this picture? It looks like someone's wearing Mickey Mouse pasties!

 

[norybell]

Great update! I felt the same as you when I bought my AP. Thankfully I already had a trip planned in June, but I'm just itching to find another way back for a third trip before it expires in April 2012.



Am I the only one who did a double take on this picture? It looks like someone's wearing Mickey Mouse pasties!

You mean you didn't know about the MK strip club, Aunt Polly's?

Sorry, that was terrible! I honestly hadn't even noticed that!

 

[elbodans]

greetings! i just spent the last half hour reading the first day of your first ever trip report--your first solo trip. and i have to say, we have a scary amount of things in common! i'm glad you love disney solo, and i can't wait to read this TR...which i'm about to start doing right...NOW!

EDIT--ok, i read what you have so far, and i have to say that i LOVE that you are doing it in third person! i love the challenge of it, and the novelty--i'm super impressed, and i can't wait to read more!

oh--and you take BEAUTIFUL photos. i love how festive the halloween decorations are, too. i will hopefully be in WDW next october, and i'm really looking forward to it (i'll be there for book research, the desire to do the food and wine fest and the food and wine classic at the dolphin, and the curse of the AP...yeah, i'll be there in october!)

 

[norybell]

greetings! i just spent the last half hour reading the first day of your first ever trip report--your first solo trip. and i have to say, we have a scary amount of things in common! i'm glad you love disney solo, and i can't wait to read this TR...which i'm about to start doing right...NOW!

EDIT--ok, i read what you have so far, and i have to say that i LOVE that you are doing it in third person! i love the challenge of it, and the novelty--i'm super impressed, and i can't wait to read more!

oh--and you take BEAUTIFUL photos. i love how festive the halloween decorations are, too. i will hopefully be in WDW next october, and i'm really looking forward to it (i'll be there for book research, the desire to do the food and wine fest and the food and wine classic at the dolphin, and the curse of the AP...yeah, i'll be there in october!)

And thanks...I'm glad you like the 3rd person thing! I was a bit nervous about it, so I'm happy it seems to be going over well.

One of the coolest things about TR-writing is that it gives you great incentive to learn to take better pictures.

You're going to love WDW in October. It's my very favorite time of year to go!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Sheesh, first I don't post enough, then I post too much -- there's just no pleasing everybody around here! (just kidding!) Seriously, though, I'd like to find the perfect balance -- posting enough to keep the flow going, but not so much that it takes constant catch-up. Any suggestions?

Oh my goodness, that makes me sound so much more fun and exciting than I am in real life! I'm totally running with this! Maybe, for my next trip, I will bring some sort of cape!

Oh, and the fact that I'd kind of like to get pregnant one of these days (perfect fodder for a solo-and-pregnant TR, in which I carefully detail the merits of every WDW bathroom!)! I guess we'll see...

I think your updating timing is fabulous! But you see the problem, don't you? All of your future TR's will have to live up to this one! Seriously though, I'm not complaining, I promise!

Oh, absolutely wear a cape next time! It's required of super heroes! Honestly, I think society needs to be reintroduced to wearing them more anyway. A good cape should be a wardrobe staple!

Hmm, are you hinting about a big announcement here?? A pregnant solo trip would be sooo much fun to read! And let me tell you from experience, you will become VERY familiar with Disney restrooms!

Have a Happy Easter Nory!

 

[norybell]

I think your updating timing is fabulous! But you see the problem, don't you? All of your future TR's will have to live up to this one! Seriously though, I'm not complaining, I promise!

Oh, absolutely wear a cape next time! It's required of super heroes! Honestly, I think society needs to be reintroduced to wearing them more anyway. A good cape should be a wardrobe staple!

Hmm, are you hinting about a big announcement here?? A pregnant solo trip would be sooo much fun to read! And let me tell you from experience, you will become VERY familiar with Disney restrooms!

Have a Happy Easter Nory!

No, no announcement, just thinking ahead! Of course, I have to talk my DH into it first.

Happy Easter!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

No, no announcement, just thinking ahead! Of course, I have to talk my DH into it first.

Happy Easter!

Ya, he might appreciate a head's up!

 

[All7OfUs]

Am I the only one who did a double take on this picture? It looks like someone's wearing Mickey Mouse pasties!

You mean you didn't know about the MK strip club, Aunt Polly's?

Sorry, that was terrible! I honestly hadn't even noticed that!

I didn't notice it either, but too funny!

Great update, Nory!! Seriously, the castle pictures you took are really top-notch. I love that you, too, were unhurried in your wanderings, ready to soak in the atmosphere of the Halloween decorations.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Tanz is sad to read that nothing happened to commemorate Nory buying her first ever AP!

However, she soon felt better after seeing all the photos of the castle!

 

[norybell]

I didn't notice it either, but too funny!

Great update, Nory!! Seriously, the castle pictures you took are really top-notch. I love that you, too, were unhurried in your wanderings, ready to soak in the atmosphere of the Halloween decorations.

Thanks, Liesa! Doesn't it feel amazing, when you have the freedom to wander the World at your leisure?

Tanz is sad to read that nothing happened to commemorate Nory buying her first ever AP!

However, she soon felt better after seeing all the photos of the castle!

Yeah, I mean, is a little fanfare too much to ask?

Glad Tanz liked the photos!

 

[onelilspark]

Happy Easter Nory!

Is it sad that I like the new tickets? I'm kind of jealous and I kind of want to replace my AP just because I like it better...

 

[norybell]

Happy Easter Nory!

Is it sad that I like the new tickets? I'm kind of jealous and I kind of want to replace my AP just because I like it better...

I like 'em, too! And I want to get my TIW card replaced, so it doesn't confuse all my WDW servers.

(And Happy Easter to you, too!)

 

[KatMark]

Nory, I love the update. AP Pass Tables in Wonderland card Halloween Party tickets

And your photos are stunning. I hope you don't mind I "borrowed" one of the castle to be my desktop on my laptop.

 

[Poolrat]

The Link in your siggie lured me over. Going solo is great!

As for getting the AP .... Oh yes there is a "side effect".

Love the third person perspective.
Hope I can keep up.

 

[norybell]

Nory, I love the update. AP Pass Tables in Wonderland card Halloween Party tickets

And your photos are stunning. I hope you don't mind I "borrowed" one of the castle to be my desktop on my laptop.

Thanks, Kat! I'm very flattered -- you can borrow my pictures any time!

The Link in your siggie lured me over. Going solo is great!

As for getting the AP .... Oh yes there is a "side effect".

Love the third person perspective.
Hope I can keep up.

I've seen you on so many other threads -- it's nice to meet you "officially"! Thanks for coming on over!

 

[norybell]

Here was a gorgeous triumph; they were missed; they were mourned; hearts were breaking on their account; tears were being shed; accusing memories of unkindnesses to these poor lost lads were rising up, and unavailing regrets and remorse were being indulged: and best of all, the departed were the talk of the whole town, and the envy of all the boys, as far as this dazzling notoriety was concerned. This was fine. It was worth being a pirate, after all.
-Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Nory wasn’t being completely aimless. Her first voyage to Tom Sawyer Island, the year before, had only been a teaser. It had felt like a secret world within the park, one where few guests ever ventured. Nory wanted to discover every nook and cranny of the place, which she planned to make her character’s safe harbor.

She waited, behind fifteen or twenty others, just a few moments before their raft, the Huck Finn, docked and they climbed aboard.

After they disembarked, a bunch of people lingered in front of the island’s map. I hope the island’s not too busy for any decent exploration, Nory thought. I don’t want to get stuck behind this big group of people. She waited a few moments until they walked away, then turned and struck off in the opposite direction.

She visited Harper’s Mill, and heard the birds in its rafters.

She climbed Hick’ry Switch Hill, and discovered the fort and the picnic area at its top.

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

 

[norybell]

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST

She noticed Howling Dog Point for the first time.

She laughed hysterically at herself as she crossed the Barrel Bridge.

She wondered if Aunt Polly’s was ever actually open.

She crossed the Little Crooked Bridge, which was really just a little crooked.

She overcame her fear of dark, enclosed spaces, and entered every mine and cave she saw.

She survived the crossing of Superstition Bridge.

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST