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

[glennbo123]

Welcome back Nory! I forgot you were going to Disneyland too. That's interesting on being weird....I bet it would be, like stuff is familiar, but not. I hope to check it out someday.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Seriously. It was like one of those dreams, set in your house or someplace else really familiar, where everything is just a little bit off and bizarre.

Hi Nory! Glad to see you back.

I know EXACTLY what you mean about it being weird. I felt the same way last summer when I went there for the first time. It was underwhelming in a way. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it but it's very different from WDW. IASW was outside for crying out loud! I won't even mention how miniscule Sleeping Beauty Castle looked in comparison to Cinderella Castle. I'm very curious to hear your thoughts on this trip.

 

[norybell]

We've never been to Disneyland, so I'm eager to here what you thought was WEIRD.

I'm not sure when it'll happen, but I promise to get my thoughts together and post something all about it eventually!

Welcome back Nory! I forgot you were going to Disneyland too. That's interesting on being weird....I bet it would be, like stuff is familiar, but not. I hope to check it out someday.

It's definitely worth visiting. Though -- and it kinda hurts me to say this -- I'm not sure I'd rush back.

Hi Nory! Glad to see you back.

I know EXACTLY what you mean about it being weird. I felt the same way last summer when I went there for the first time. It was underwhelming in a way. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it but it's very different from WDW. IASW was outside for crying out loud! I won't even mention how miniscule Sleeping Beauty Castle looked in comparison to Cinderella Castle. I'm very curious to hear your thoughts on this trip.

"Underwhelming" is a good word for it. I was prepared for it to be different...and in a lot of instances the rides may even have been better!...but the experience as a whole just couldn't really compare for me.

 

[tinacaplan]

We've never been to Disneyland, so I'm eager to here what you thought was WEIRD.

ME, TOO! ME, TOO! Although, from what I've read and seen on-line, I get it. Can't you see the parking lot from a lot of the rides? I knwo that was something Walt wanted to be totallly different at Disneyworld. And it is. One of my absolute favorite things about Disneyworld is how you are enveloped in this other world, almost completely. Welcome back!

 

[norybell]

Splash Mountain used to be a ride where you might get wet. Nory remembers this, clearly. You might get wet at the bottom of the big hill. Now it seems like she gets soaked, every time. Apparently, they've raised the water level and turned up the jets, and a brief investigation told Nory the jets were higher than she'd ever seen them (probably because she's never there in the summer) -- the water was shooting far past the Adventureland Bridge, and even the innocent bystanders were getting pretty wet. But she decided to take her chances, anyway. Wait times were thirty or forty minutes for both the big mountains, so she grabbed a fastpass for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad on her way.

After a quick walk through the fastpass line, she boarded a three-row log and was happy to be seated in the back, even though she knew the view wouldn't be optimal. And at least this time she was prepared: She sat on the left side, and as the log rounded the first outside bend, she curled up in what was practically a fetal position, facing away from the big hill, her face and camera-laden purse at least somewhat protected by her arms. She was sure she looked ridiculous.

SPLASH!!!

She was drenched, and laughing.

"This is all my fault!" she hollered to the folks in front of her. "I get soaked every time, no matter what! Sorry about that!"

Then they all laughed together.

Nory enjoyed the rest of the ride. It's always been one of her favorites, and at least the sun was shining -- she knew she'd dry soon enough. And she was having way too much fun to even think about her prophecy.

Her Big Thunder fastpass wouldnt be usable for another fifteen minutes, so Nory decided to explore Frontierland. Really, really explore. For research, naturally. She wanted as many details about the Magic Kingdom as she could gather in her camera and her notebook, so she could draw on them during the sad, long months when she couldn't be there in person.

Despite her extremely damp shorts -- which seemed to be taking forever to dry from her Splash Mountain shower -- walking around taking photos was hot work. Nory thought a ride on Big Thunder would be just the thing to refresh her.

She wound through the relatively empty fastpass queue, and was seated near the middle of a soon-to-be-runaway train. Not soon enough, though. Everyone was seated, the lap bars had passed their upward-pull tests, it seemed like they should be pulling away from the station. Instead they sat. Nory looked around, trying to see the cause of the hold-up, and noticed a twenty-something man hollering at one of the ride's CMs. The man insisted he could fit in the same row as his two female friends, in the car behind Nory. The CM said he could try.

Of course, he didnt fit. The rows arent made for three adults.

"I'm not surprised," the CM told him. "You'll have to wait for the next train."

He tried arguing with her.

She stood her ground, as safety rules surely required.

As he walked back to the loading lines, still complaining, he noticed the empty seat next to Nory. He pointed at it and said, looking at the CM, "How about here?"

Nory did her very best to seem oblivious, and looked away. She didn't want this obnoxious man, who was holding up the entire train, sitting next to her.

"You'd have to ask her," the CM said, and Nory's heart sank. Could she really say no? But then the CM, clearly frustrated, changed her mind: "Actually, no, that won't work. You have to get back into the line, sir."

Whew. Nory could hear the two girls behind her trying to get her attention, in Spanish and broken English, presumably to ask if their friend could sit with her. She ignored them. It was time for the train to move, already!

Nory's trip through the western mountains was fun, of course. Big Thunder has grown on her a lot over the years. When she was little, she was too afraid to ride it. As a teenager, she thought it was just a lame coaster. But now, she finds it almost perfect, both relaxing and mildly thrilling at the same time. Though she knew from experience that it would be a much better ride at night.

She couldnt think of anything prophecy-worthy on the train. Maybe she was just too tired to be creative. Maybe the rush of the ride was too distracting. Or maybe she wasnt going to be able to figure out this novel, after all.

***

NEXT CHAPTER: Finding a Star

 

[onelilspark]

Geez, what a rude NY-er Nory is, ignoring the man like that! (for the record, I would have told him no, so this is in jest.)

 

[norybell]

ME, TOO! ME, TOO! Although, from what I've read and seen on-line, I get it. Can't you see the parking lot from a lot of the rides? I knwo that was something Walt wanted to be totallly different at Disneyworld. And it is. One of my absolute favorite things about Disneyworld is how you are enveloped in this other world, almost completely. Welcome back!

I think that feeling of envelopment is really what I was missing! The weird thing was, I thought I was totally mentally prepared for the differences -- I'd read all about them online, after all! -- but they still kinda threw me.

Geez, what a rude NY-er Nory is, ignoring the man like that! (for the record, I would have told him no, so this is in jest.)

Since I actually am oblivious most of the time, it's pretty easy for me to act like it when it's convenient!

 

[PrincessEeyore]

absolutely loved your update Nory! your pictures are amazing, they really capture Disney in a way that the average TR doesn't and always make me so so excited to read your new posts.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

I'm sorry to see Splash was a little too wet for your taste. It always shocks me to hear that people who love the ride can't stand to get wet. Isn't that the point of the ride? That's the reason I like it Alright enough of my ranting, it looks like you still had fun. You seemed a lot more perkier on that ride. I can't believe that guy with you on BTMRR! That's so rude. I'm glad you didn't have to sit with him. I can only imagine what would happen if he was on the ride, those two girls behind. He got what he deserved. And yeah, BTMRR is much better at night, I love riding it at night! I love the photos you took around Frontierland! Some of the pictures you took I've never seen there before. So cool! Can't wait to read more, update soon!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I never ever ever knew this existed! Where is it? (I assume somewhere tucked away in Frontierland...) I love that you took pics of the less-commonly seen sights, it makes it seem like we are there even more somehow!

 

[tinacaplan]

Splash Mountain looks like so much fun...I've never been there when its been hot enough to get that wet, though...might have to change that when I'm there in July. Have you ever ridden it at nigth? Is it still worth it?

Great pictures of Frontierland, too!

 

[norybell]

absolutely loved your update Nory! your pictures are amazing, they really capture Disney in a way that the average TR doesn't and always make me so so excited to read your new posts.

Thanks so much, PrincessEeyore!

I'm sorry to see Splash was a little too wet for your taste. It always shocks me to hear that people who love the ride can't stand to get wet. Isn't that the point of the ride? That's the reason I like it Alright enough of my ranting, it looks like you still had fun. You seemed a lot more perkier on that ride. I can't believe that guy with you on BTMRR! That's so rude. I'm glad you didn't have to sit with him. I can only imagine what would happen if he was on the ride, those two girls behind. He got what he deserved. And yeah, BTMRR is much better at night, I love riding it at night! I love the photos you took around Frontierland! Some of the pictures you took I've never seen there before. So cool! Can't wait to read more, update soon!

It's not that I mind getting wet...on a hot day it feels great! I just don't like the feeling of having buckets of water thrown at me. Mostly because it means I have to worry about protecting my contacts and my camera!

I never ever ever knew this existed! Where is it? (I assume somewhere tucked away in Frontierland...) I love that you took pics of the less-commonly seen sights, it makes it seem like we are there even more somehow!

That little Chinese Laundry really caught my fancy! I think it's right next to the Town Hall building...I can't for the life of me remember what's on the other side of it, though. Pecos Bill's, maybe?

Splash Mountain looks like so much fun...I've never been there when its been hot enough to get that wet, though...might have to change that when I'm there in July. Have you ever ridden it at nigth? Is it still worth it?

Great pictures of Frontierland, too!

Oh, Splash is great at night! The darkness doesn't add quite as much as it does on BTMRR, just because most of the ride is slow-moving and indoors. But it's pretty cool to do that big drop in the dark, especially because the castle is all lit up in the distance!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Love the pics of Frontierland! I can't wait to get wet on Splash Mountain!

at the man on BTMRR! Am glad the CM got him to wait.

 

[eandesmom]

Thank heavens the CM didn't let that guy sit with you. UGH!!!

I agree about the splash soak factor, it has been hiked up quite a bit for sure.

about DL being wierd. It is so different and it's hard to explain until folks actually see it. I am looking forward to your impressions of it.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Caught back up and am loving the photos. Great stuff Nory!

I especially enjoyed the Tom Sawyer walk through.

 

[All7OfUs]

This one makes me think of a Pepto Bismol ad.

 

[glennbo123]

Somehow this update eluded me for a few days!

This is way cool. Do you remember where it is exactly? Er, I mean, if you don't remember, please ask Nory.

Why, I could go for some of these right now!

I never noticed before that the things holding the lights are broken wagon wheels. Those imagineers are something!

Or maybe she wasn’t going to be able to figure out this novel, after all.

No, I have confidence that Nory will figure it out.

 

[Poolrat]

This is way cool. Do you remember where it is exactly? Er, I mean, if you don't remember, please ask Nory.

I can see and have seen them by the Splash queue before. My best guess would be down the steps to the left in the extended queue outside?

 

[norybell]

It looks like I'm becoming a weekend DISer. Sigh.

Love the pics of Frontierland! I can't wait to get wet on Splash Mountain!

at the man on BTMRR! Am glad the CM got him to wait.

Me, too! I'm sure that if he'd been on the train with me, he would've been yelling back at his friends the whole time...plus, BTMRR is never good to ride with a stranger, cuz you're always sliding into them. Awkward!

Thank heavens the CM didn't let that guy sit with you. UGH!!!

I agree about the splash soak factor, it has been hiked up quite a bit for sure.

about DL being wierd. It is so different and it's hard to explain until folks actually see it. I am looking forward to your impressions of it.

One of these days I'll finally have time to go over my DL pics, and then I'll get that mini-report going! But it will be hard to explain...I thought I was mentally prepared for it, but really I wasn't!

Caught back up and am loving the photos. Great stuff Nory!

I especially enjoyed the Tom Sawyer walk through.

Thanks, GB! Good to see you!

Somehow this update eluded me for a few days!



This is way cool. Do you remember where it is exactly? Er, I mean, if you don't remember, please ask Nory.



Why, I could go for some of these right now!



I never noticed before that the things holding the lights are broken wagon wheels. Those imagineers are something!



No, I have confidence that Nory will figure it out.

I hope you're feeling better today, Glen, and no longer have any need for Herrick's Vegetable Pills!

I can see and have seen them by the Splash queue before. My best guess would be down the steps to the left in the extended queue outside?

Yep, that's right!

 

[norybell]

A single fastpass remained in Norys pocket, for Space Mountain. She took a long, meandering route to Tomorrowland.

She always gets a bit turned around in Tomorrowland, her least favorite land at the park. While Space Mountain was down for refurbishment during three of her last four trips, she didn't bother venturing over there at all. The theming -- a retro future -- doesn't excite her imagination, and the other rides there aren't worth the trouble, in her opinion. But she can't say no to a journey into space.

She sat in the back of a rocket, and the ride jerked her and jostled her through the darkness. I'm not sure I like this ride from the back seat, she thought. Too jarring, and it doesn't give me the hurtling-through-space effect I love. Oh well. Maybe she'd get a better spot next time. Or maybe she was getting a bit too tired to really enjoy anything.

Nory looked at her phone -- around 3:30, Disney Destinations had sent a text that her room was ready -- and debated returning to Riverside for the night.

And suddenly, even though she wasn't thinking about it directly, it popped into her head:

A star to show Evil
from wishes come light

The first complete piece of her prophecy-puzzle!

She decided she should probably leave the park on this high note; she would stick with her original plan and jump a monorail to Epcot. The Food & Wine Festival was going on, but because of her need for Magic Kingdom research, she hadn't been able to squeeze too much Epcot touring into her plans. She didn't want to miss out on the little time she had allotted to her second-favorite park.

As she left Tomorrowland, she scoped out some potential Hallowishes-viewing spots. In 2009 she'd watched from the railing in front of the Crystal Palace restaurant on Main Street -- at the recommendation of Tour Guide Mike's touring plans website -- but her view of the fireworks had been blocked by some trees. She didn't want to make the same mistake this year.

She headed down Main Street and considered tackling her window-photo project: She needed to photograph every Main Street window for her book. But to be honest, she really didn't have the energy. She lingered in Main Streets charming little alley, trying to talk herself into it.

Suddenly, a CM scurried past, yelling, "Get out of the street! The band's coming right this way!"

Nory jumped onto the sidewalk just in time.

She was hot, and tired, and Main Street was crowded -- she decided the window pictures could wait. After a quick good-bye (for now) to the Magic Kingdom's colorful, raggedy pumpkinheads, she was on her way.

***

NEXT CHAPTER: A Lovely Evening, a Lovely Walk