So what else is new?

When you live a long way away from a Disney resort, you sort of start to idealize the vacations to the Happiest Place on Earth, or to the World. The good stands out; the less-than-good disappears into the haze of memory. You remember the magic as you ride through the Haunted Mansion, or through Splash Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean, but you don't remember the long lines to get to that point. You remember the excellent meals at Le Cellier or at California Grill, but you don't remember the hassles of actually getting to them. You remember with fondness your room at the Polynesian, but you don't remember the killer trip on a bus to get back there after a long day at a park not on the monorail line.

As we look forward to a fall vacation at the World, I am anticipating all of the good things. I want to see the Osborne Family Holiday Lights (or whatever exactly it is called) at Hollywood Studios. I want to maybe pay a few dollars extra and go to Mickey's Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. I want to have a dinner or two at the restaurants of the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

But my wife is recalling some of the negatives. Among them is the waiting in line for those counter service meals, then waiting again to find a table. She also remembers the extremely long lines for popular rides, and the need for patience. She remembers the running around to get fast passes to the popular rides first thing upon arriving at a park.

All in all, though, I'd say that the positives will outweigh the negatives. And I am still looking forward to the vacation with extreme anticipation! As is usual, so far...