The "S" Family's Magical Vacation

So, we're back in the United States after our week in "the world" ; It really is separate from reality, just as I read Walt and Roy intended it to be. After being at Epcot, and anywhere there for that matter, with all the international visitors it seems very comfortable to be back home in good old small town USA. It's great to go, and just as great for me to get back home after a week.The Magic + worked well for us. We walked straight into rides and shows without a problem - it was so fun; we would look at each other and laugh. A few times the kids changed their minds, or we would have timing issues - no problem, we changed our passes on the fly! We did see guests having trouble occasionally, but when they presented proof via their phone or printed fast passes, the cast members let them in.We did have longer waits at the bus stops and boats from park to park and between resort and park in general as compared to two years ago. This made us late for dinner reservations despite allowing over an hour to commute, but within the twenty minute grace period more than once. A bus driver explained that there are new longer articulated buses and additional depots coming, starting this week in fact. Our mousekeeping was also a bit off from our past experience, and what I would expect ; our towels were not always hung up, one bed made and not the other one day, etc. Nothing serious, but notable.We learned not to be at the MK (especially in Fantasyland) on a weekend day beyond 10 o'clock AM or any day after 3 o'clock, not to be at ANY park period the weekend beginning a holiday week with school and government time off, and not to do much the first day after driving down. We did OK with all these things, but it would be better done differently next time. We have heard some of these things, but experience is my best teacher.A few notable specific events and experiences for us were:* Dinner at Be our Guest, where we sat directly beside the Christmas tree at the far end beside the windows while it "snowed outside". It was great atmosphere, service, and food anyway, but it felt like our own huge dining hall filled with three or four hundred of our friends. Magic.* Raglan Road was equally as great as far as food, atmosphere (if a little loud), and service. The dancing and live music were great to watch, especially from the high top table we got when we asked for a view like you recommended. Magic.* We had the best view I can expect can be had for illuminations from from front and center between the two shops on the concrete slope. I read about spots like the bridge between France and UK, but they can't be as good from the side like that, can they?*Fantasmic was amazing for our first time, but it was really packed Saturday night (holiday crowd?)* Jennifer thoroughly enjoyed Senses at the Floridian while I entertained the kids a monorail stop away in Adventure land. Mommy Magic.* The newer interactive attraction with Belle in fantasy land "enchanted tales?" Is really amazing and enjoyable for kids and parents alike.*Connor's favorite thing of the week was the Phineas and Ferb adventure secret agent thing at Epcot, and meeting them at HS. He's a big fan. He happened to be wearing his shirt with them that day, which they pointed out and loved. Magic.*A grandmother and granddaughter gave the kids two of those big expensive double balloons one morning at the bus stop at the resort. They were flying home and couldn't take them. We left a couple days later, and they wouldn't fit in the SUV, so we left them at the same bus stop (at 5 o'clock in the morning) for the first kids there. Magic.After dinner at Tusker House (great), we were walking past the first bus to our stop much further down the line when the driver of that bus asked where we were headed. We responded with our resort, different from the destination on the bus sign, when he told us to get on and he changed the route for that bus to our resort. Service.* It rained pretty hard Thursday during 4 o'clock dinner at Crystal palace after Connor turned into a ghost pirate and until Avery turned into a princess at the BBB. It stopped while she was there with Jennifer and Connor and I caught some indoor entertainment at Philharmagic. The Christmas parades and shows had been in question, but were able to happen and were great. Magic.We had a great time, and it was a different trip from last time. I suppose with everything there, one could go many times and have a different experience every time. We are thinking of going back in perhaps 3 to 4 years. We will be in touch in that case, if not in between. Thanks for all your work and time in planning our trip. We had a great trip and will remember it for years to come. Feel free to contact me with questions or comments.Thank You "S" Family for sharing your magical family vacation moments!