Disney Final Thoughts - The "Hiccups" and the Great Things

(My mom captured the above picture.)

I think by now you all know what an amazing time we had a Disney. It was magical, special and wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.

Of course, all vacations have there - let's say - hiccups. Not every single second of a week long vacation can be perfect. Especially when you are in crowded quarters with lots of whiny, distracted kids and tired parents that are beginning to snip at each other. Disney is a busy and fun-filled vacation - emphasis on "filled". There is not a ton of time for relaxation - at least there wasn't for us. Lots of expectations to fulfill and lots to "cram in" in 5 days time.

So here are a few of the "hiccups" we encountered:
* Do not eat at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe in Magic Kingdom. The food was less than mediocre and the service was worse. And the seating was uncomfortable. It was the one place in Disney where wishes didn't come true - like getting bacon that was actually cooked on a cheeseburger - ewww (just ask my dad).
* Even though you have a reservation at the Biergarten in Epcot for 6:45 PM, you won't get in until 7:15 PM, and that is only after you complain. At least we got front row center for our trouble. The food and entertainment was worth the wait.
* Don't sit closest to the buffet at the Crystal Palace. Sit closest to the windows. Those were the tables that Pooh and his friends hit first. We were one of the last tables they hit. We were there 45 minutes and had only seen two of the four characters. We actually had to ask to approach Tigger or we would have never seen him before we left the restaurant. Unfortunately, the characters were taking too much time at each table. They needed to speed it along. And that wasn't just the characters' fault. Families were making too many requests for extra time with the characters. Hug the character, get the autograph, take a few pics and let them move on already. (On the other hand, Akershus was awesome. We saw every princess without one issue. It was a very well run production.)
* Standing in the drenching rain to watch "Illuminations" at Epcot kind of bites. It was a great show, but my sandals got really squishy. It was the only time Briana cried at Disney. After the show was over, she cried "I'm soaked." (She was just a little wet. Mommy and Daddy were the ones that were soaked.)
* Disney is the child meltdown capital of the world.
* Don't accidentally step in front of a woman taking a picture of a scuba diver in a water tank at "The Seas" or she will get on you about it. Believe me, I know. That lady needed a major chill pill.
* Even though you have your curb reserved for the Spectromagic parade, people will try to squish in next to you. Forget personal space.
* Don't accidentally run over someone's hand with your stroller while you are waiting for the parade to start. It is kind of embarrassing.
* Try not to get annoyed when your daughter is complaining that the line for the Dumbo ride is not moving fast enough and is also begging to ride the purple Dumbo over and over during the 20+ minute wait. Then she changes her mind and wants to ride the yellow Dumbo when she gets to the front of the line.
* Even though I walked miles each day, I still gained three pounds.
* Don't wait until mid-afternoon to try to hit Toy Story Mania.
* You cannot do everything in each park in one day - especially if you have a young child with you. Each park needs two days at the least to hit everything. Especially Epcot because it is HUGE. We were only able to hit three pavilions and four countries in one day.
* When the weatherman says that the weather will be cold, believe him.

Here are the great things I learned:
* Do your homework. Read books and online Disney sites. Take advice from your friends that have been there and done that. I can't tell you how much my friends helped me know what places to go to and when to make reservations for which restaurants (you know who you are!). :)
* Have your customized maps ready to go. I knew what I wanted to hit and when. It was so helpful.
* Do as many character dinners as you can. Briana's eyes lit up at every character meal.
* Book those meals 90 days in advance or you might not get the time you want.
* The Spectromagic Parade was amazing, as well as the fireworks at Cinderella's castle. Do not miss those.
* Definitely buy an autograph book. Every page of our book was signed and Briana loves looking at it.
* I LOVED the monorail access. It was SO convenient.
* I love the Polynesian Hotel. It was a great place to stay.
* The food was great at most places - thus the three pounds I gained.
* November was a perfect time of year to go to Disney. It was very crowded but not unbearable. The weather was wonderful. I can't imagine the crowds that flock to Disney in the summer and the week of Christmas.
* Soarin' was AMAZING! Go to it first thing in the morning.
* There is nothing like seeing the magic of Disney through your child's eyes.
* Disney is magical and wishes really do come true.
* I have the best, happiest and most wonderful daughter in the whole world.

My daughter loved this vacation. And so did her mommy, daddy and grandparents - despite the small handful of hiccups. I am so happy that Doug and I could give her this gift.

Thanks for enduring/surviving my week of Disney talk. Ok, bring on Thanksgiving and Christmas!