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

[norybell]

Oh, how you make me miss CSR. Your pictures are beautiful. We stayed in both the Casitas and in Cabanas. I loved Casitas for its lovely architecture, but Cabanas location couldn't be beat; we were super close to bus stop four and steps from the pool, which worked for what we needed that trip. I think Pepper Market is just fine, don't know what all the fuss is about on here.

Now...just curious...how would say that bus service there compared with your POR experience?

I can't believe what a bully that cab driver was, nor can I understand why he's even allowed inside the gates of the resorts.

Can't wait for more Poly pictures, though. We'll be there a week from Monday!

The buses were waaaaaaaaay better at CSR than at POR. Of course, I was only at each for about 24 hours, so I don't have a very big sample size to work with!

I'm so jealous that you'll be at the Poly so soon! Ever since the trip of this TR, it has been my all-time favorite resort.

 

[Poolrat]

I do love the Coronado. I have usually found bus service good and Pepper Market has usually been good to me.


On the cab driver. I am surprised the CMs did not run him off. I would have been beyond mad. You handled it great and I hope the Poly is all you expected it to be and more.

 

[glennbo123]

I think I have some similar panoramic shots of CSR.

Nice job not letting that cab driver take you to who-knows-where. I'm such a rube, I probably would have gotten in.

 

[eandesmom]

I would have been totally creeped out by that cab driver. Did you say anything to the CM's? Very surprised he got as far as he did to even attempt that. That probably bugs me as much as anything.

Gorgeous shots and that quesidilla looked delish!

 

[norybell]

I do love the Coronado. I have usually found bus service good and Pepper Market has usually been good to me.


On the cab driver. I am surprised the CMs did not run him off. I would have been beyond mad. You handled it great and I hope the Poly is all you expected it to be and more.

I was very mad! Mostly at myself, though, for letting him grab my suitcase in the first place.

I think I have some similar panoramic shots of CSR.

Nice job not letting that cab driver take you to who-knows-where. I'm such a rube, I probably would have gotten in.

I'm sure he would've taken me to the Poly...and then charged me an arm and a leg for the pleasure!

 

[norybell]

I would have been totally creeped out by that cab driver. Did you say anything to the CM's? Very surprised he got as far as he did to even attempt that. That probably bugs me as much as anything.

Gorgeous shots and that quesidilla looked delish!

I'm guessing that because a conference was going on, the CMs probably assumed at first that I had called the guy. But I'd guess that he'd just dropped someone else, and was trolling for more business before he left property. So annoying!

The quesadilla was delicious. I would like it for dinner tonight, actually!

 

[MEK]

Beautiful CSR pictures. I am still convinced that resort is the most photogenic. What a wouldn't give for a sit at that quiet pool right now!

Wooooo - to the pushy cab driver (or whatever he was) Sheesh! I would have hated that and I don't think you should have to be that forceful with someone while you are on vacation. Stinks!

Hello Poly!

 

[norybell]

Beautiful CSR pictures. I am still convinced that resort is the most photogenic. What a wouldn't give for a sit at that quiet pool right now!

Wooooo - to the pushy cab driver (or whatever he was) Sheesh! I would have hated that and I don't think you should have to be that forceful with someone while you are on vacation. Stinks!

Hello Poly!

Honestly, it was the perfect definition of a "quiet" pool. It made me wonder if it was that peaceful most of the time, or if I was just catching it on a good day/good moment.

 

[teekathepony]

Definitely going to pick my feet up on EE next time. Can't wait to try that!
I'm in love with those CSR pictures <3 How gorgeous.
That cab driver is scary. Pushy and obnoxious yes, but "here single lady, get into my white van while I assume you're going to the airport" is just beyond terrifying to me. I'm very happy you got in a different cab!

 

[norybell]

Definitely going to pick my feet up on EE next time. Can't wait to try that!

It definitely makes a difference! (Plus it kind of works your abs.)

 

[norybell]

Nory had hoped to be overwhelmed, immediately, by the tropical paradise of the Polynesian lobby.

Instead, she was assaulted by the sounds of lots of people: crying children, laughing children, screaming children, screaming parents.

I hope it’s not too crowded here to really appreciate the place! she worried.

The online check-in line wasn’t very clearly marked—it looked like part of the regular line—but after waiting only a few minutes, Nory was talking to a nice older gentleman named Duane.

“So you’re here all by yourself, young lady?” he asked.

“Yes, I am,” Nory said. “What can I say, I just love it here, and my husband didn’t want to come…so here I am!”

“Well, that’s just wonderful!” Duane replied. “You can really relax this way, and do whatever you feel like doing.”

“Exactly.”

“You’re in luck—your room is ready—Aotearoa room 1222, on the second floor.”

And with this news, Nory’s heart sank. Her only room request had been for a full balcony or a patio, as she knew that the older buildings— Aotearoa being one of them—didn’t have balconies on the second floor. As a New Yorker who has absolutely no outdoor space of her own to enjoy (no balcony, no yard, not even a front stoop to sit on), the balconies are what make Disney’s deluxe hotels worth the expense for her.

“Oh, second floor?” she asked, as politely and calmly as she could. “I was hoping for a balcony or a patio…that was really my only request…”

“Of course you want a balcony!” Duane said. “That way you can truly enjoy your alone time, sitting out there and relaxing! Let me see what I can do for you…we’re very full tonight…but let me make a call…”

“Thank you so much!”

Duane got on the phone. “Hello there,” he said, “this is Duane over at the Poly. I have this lovely young lady here, we’ve put her in Aotearoa room 1222, but she really needs a balcony…she’s traveling alone, you see, and she needs a nice place to sit outside and relax…”

“A patio would be fine, too,” Nory interrupted, but he didn’t hear her.

“Yes, I understand, but I think she’d prefer a balcony, instead…she’d probably rather be on a higher floor…”

After a few minutes, he covered the mouthpiece with his hand and turned to Nory with a smile.

“Well, young lady, here’s what we can do for you. If you don’t mind taking a downgrade to your view, we can put you in a room with a balcony overlooking the harbor.” This confused Nory: She’d booked a lagoon view, and wouldn’t a view of the harbor still be a lagoon view?

Duane continued. “But it turns out I was wrong—room 1222 is on the first floor, not the second, so it does have a patio. But I know your heart is set on having a balcony…”

“Oh, no, a patio would be lovely! Thank you so much for going to bat for me, Duane, but I’m perfectly happy with a patio!”

“Oh, good,” Duane said. He thanked the woman on the phone, and handed Nory her room key and welcome packet. “She seemed to think you’d really like this room.”

***

Nory couldn’t wait to see her new home for the next two nights. She wheeled her suitcase out of the Great Ceremonial House, following the map to the Aotearoa building, barely noticing the gorgeous foliage and happy guests in her rush to see her room. Her building seemed set back pretty far from the water; how good of a lagoon view could it be, really? Especially when compared to her stay at the Grand Floridian the May before, when the lagoon was literally steps from their balcony?

She found her building, rolled halfway down the hallway, and within seconds had the door open.

The room itself was warm and inviting, much more so than it had seemed in photos. Pictures never do WDW resort rooms justice! she thought, as she took out her camera.

She strode over to the window, prepared for a disappointing view. Disappointing, at least, in comparison to the Grand Floridian.

She looked out, and her breath caught in her throat. Tears of joy collected in her eyes.

Nory had been upgraded. Her first room upgrade ever. To a Theme Park View.

Between the empty lawn in front of her, the gorgeous floss silk tree with its beautiful hot-pink blooms, and the castle right smack ahead, Nory felt like she’d just been given the most amazing front yard ever.

She tore herself away from her perfect view and forced herself to do yet another bedbug search. The most cursory bedbug search ever. It would’ve taken a whole lot of bedbugs to get her to give up this room! Then, after two nights of living out of her suitcase, she finally unpacked.

Since she had plans for a late night at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party that evening, Nory figured it would be best to relax for a little while that afternoon. So she put on her suit and headed outside.

Nory's front yard.

She fell in love with this tree.

The volcano pool was way too crowded and energetic.

As was the quiet pool.

All of the hammocks on the main Hawaii beach were spoken for. So Nory kept walking.

She walked past Sunset Point with its beautiful views,

all the way to the beach at the far end of the resort, in front of the Tahiti building. It was deserted. There was a hammock, calling her name. And while she’d thought she’d loved the hammock at Coronado Springs, it turns out she hadn’t. Really, she was just practicing for this one. This beach was quiet and peaceful and wonderful. And you couldn’t beat the view.

Nory has decided that she clearly needs to live someplace with a hammock someday. Nothing makes her happier than swaying on one in the sunshine.

***

 

[teekathepony]

Sooo I'm getting pretty misty eyed myself here, just looking at that amazing room and the incredible view. Wow, just wow. I am so happy it worked out so well for you!

 

[MEK]

That has to be one of the most beautiful views ever! simply stunning. what a wonderful upgrade!

I have to admit that the Poly is one of the places I would really like to stay and I doubt I will with the number of DVC points I have. But if I ever get the chance I totally want that room! Just lovely!

 

[tinacaplan]

Way to create some suspense! My heart sank as you began your update...oh, no...she HATES the Poly. But...you didn't! We'll be there Monday and I'm hoping it was worth the price and all that. Your pictures are beautiful and I think we're going to really enjoy ourselves.

And what a VIEW!!!!!!

 

[norybell]

Sooo I'm getting pretty misty eyed myself here, just looking at that amazing room and the incredible view. Wow, just wow. I am so happy it worked out so well for you!

And I'm getting misty eyed remembering it! It really was the nicest surprise ever. I would like to live in that room -- think I can work that out somehow?

That has to be one of the most beautiful views ever! simply stunning. what a wonderful upgrade!

I have to admit that the Poly is one of the places I would really like to stay and I doubt I will with the number of DVC points I have. But if I ever get the chance I totally want that room! Just lovely!

I just got my second upgrade last month -- to a MK view, club level room at the Contemporary, and it still wasn't nearly as magical and perfect as the Poly room was! I hope you get to stay there someday!

Way to create some suspense! My heart sank as you began your update...oh, no...she HATES the Poly. But...you didn't! We'll be there Monday and I'm hoping it was worth the price and all that. Your pictures are beautiful and I think we're going to really enjoy ourselves.

And what a VIEW!!!!!!

You will love it at the Poly...it's just got such a magical vibe. I really wasn't excited to stay there -- was just doing it to round out my resort experience, really, I thought there was no way it could top the GF for me -- but it's now hands-down my favorite resort. I go back and visit that hammock every trip.

 

[glennbo123]

Oh wow, what an awesome upgrade. So nice of Duane to go to bat for you.

And that's a front yard that you don't have to mow, can't beat that.

You're probably having a hard time deciding which of those hammock pictures to use for your desktop picture.

 

[eandesmom]

What a magical upgrade!!! I feel serene just looking at that view!

 

[norybell]

Oh wow, what an awesome upgrade. So nice of Duane to go to bat for you.

And that's a front yard that you don't have to mow, can't beat that.

You're probably having a hard time deciding which of those hammock pictures to use for your desktop picture.

With so little grass in my life, I think I'd even like to mow it! Maybe.

And it was no contest for the desktop pic -- the one with the castle, of course!

What a magical upgrade!!! I feel serene just looking at that view!

Me, too!

 

[Poolrat]

So glad Duane was so nice. I have heard the the Poly is for the exceptional CMs and most have to 'work up ' to being allowed to work there.


I love the Poly for the grounds. Watching the EWP on the beach is a must do for me every trip.

 

[norybell]

So glad Duane was so nice. I have heard the the Poly is for the exceptional CMs and most have to 'work up ' to being allowed to work there.

I believe it!