Several months ago, when we heard that this year's Dizapalooza was at Harry Potter Land just a few days after our Potter-obsessed daughter's 7th birthday, we knew we had to go. We made reservations to be in the Magic Kingdom on Lila's birthday and we would end the vacation with a surprise trip to Harry Potterville. When we told her about it Saturday evening, she was really excited and couldn't wait to get there.
The problem was, she was low on gas. When we were waiting with the other DISers for the gates to open, Lila was already getting tired. Since we knew we were on borrowed time, we skipped the Podcaster's reception line and headed to Olivander's. We saw the show and bought Lila a wand (Hermione's, of course). We then ran over to the Hogwart's ride which Lila loved (my belly, not so much). We caught the last song from the frog choir but then Lila officially ran out of gas. She was like a whiny, wet noodle. Couldn't walk. Could barely form the words "I'm tired"and this 7-year-old admitting she is too tired to stay at Harry Potter World? yikes. I tried to talk my wife into staying and letting Lila sleep in the stroller but she countered with her annoying logic and parental responsibility crap. I grabbed a butterbeer on the way out as we took the very long walk of shame back to the car at around 10:30.
We knew all along that a poop-out was a possibility because Lila is not a night-owl. But we thought we could overcome her normal bedtime. We planned a casual afternoon that day including nap-time which mommy and daddy took advantage of but, of course, Lila did not. Our biggest regret was not meeting the Podcast crew. By the time we got back to the entrance, the reception line had dispersed. We were at least hoping to put faces to the voices we have been getting advice from for 6(?) years.
Anyway, I'm not looking for pity. For the record, we had a fabulous trip and this (and the lack of wifi at Port Orleans) was probably the only hiccup we ran into. I just thought I would tell my story and explain to anyone who saw us mope away from the party early that night that it wasn't anything personal. We have only ever been lurkers on the boards so we didn't really know any of you but you could just tell that this was a friendly, considerate bunch. I'm sorry we couldn't have stuck around longer.
The problem was, she was low on gas. When we were waiting with the other DISers for the gates to open, Lila was already getting tired. Since we knew we were on borrowed time, we skipped the Podcaster's reception line and headed to Olivander's. We saw the show and bought Lila a wand (Hermione's, of course). We then ran over to the Hogwart's ride which Lila loved (my belly, not so much). We caught the last song from the frog choir but then Lila officially ran out of gas. She was like a whiny, wet noodle. Couldn't walk. Could barely form the words "I'm tired"and this 7-year-old admitting she is too tired to stay at Harry Potter World? yikes. I tried to talk my wife into staying and letting Lila sleep in the stroller but she countered with her annoying logic and parental responsibility crap. I grabbed a butterbeer on the way out as we took the very long walk of shame back to the car at around 10:30.
We knew all along that a poop-out was a possibility because Lila is not a night-owl. But we thought we could overcome her normal bedtime. We planned a casual afternoon that day including nap-time which mommy and daddy took advantage of but, of course, Lila did not. Our biggest regret was not meeting the Podcast crew. By the time we got back to the entrance, the reception line had dispersed. We were at least hoping to put faces to the voices we have been getting advice from for 6(?) years.
Anyway, I'm not looking for pity. For the record, we had a fabulous trip and this (and the lack of wifi at Port Orleans) was probably the only hiccup we ran into. I just thought I would tell my story and explain to anyone who saw us mope away from the party early that night that it wasn't anything personal. We have only ever been lurkers on the boards so we didn't really know any of you but you could just tell that this was a friendly, considerate bunch. I'm sorry we couldn't have stuck around longer.
But getting your daughter out of there once she hit bottom was the responsible thing to do - so good for you 
I hope your next visit to HP makes up for this disappointment 
He did pretty well until about 11pm, although there was a little frustration when he didn't get picked for the wand ceremony (he even wore his Harry Potter robes). We eventually moved on and bought a Harry Potter wand. He was too exhausted to walk by the end and I had to carry him much of the way back towards the water taxis - which wasn't easy because I'm pretty little (he is small for his age, too) and we had bought gifts for my husband and other children. 
While waiting for the water taxi, a very nice rickshaw bicycle driver came over and offered us a ride back to Hard Rock which we happily accepted!
