Wow, and me not so much...
DH thinks I was overly stressed because of my parents and that's why I didnt enjoy it. I just think the cost didnt merit the crowds... my expectations must've been too high. It was wall to wall people!! It rained most of the early evening, so the first parade was cancelled, the 2nd parade you just couldnt get close to it... I feel as if I let everyone down, I had expected the 2nd parade to be less crowded, and then to see the antics of the adults trying to get that penny candy was obnoxious - the first reports from the board was it was "good cand" not for our date, just penny candy stuff - and long lines - and rude adults pushing their way in, and wanting to hit all 3 barrels instead of the line they were in... and at the end we went to the Alice Walk, all the characters left, it was close to midnight, and the MM house closed early, a CM told us we should put dd 9 to bed, and not be out so late, I made the mistake of asking what time it was (11:45) We went down the walk then, we had bags, but barely any candy, it just wasnt worth it... (the crowds, the lines, the rudeness) since it was near midnight 2 CM's noted dd empty bag, and she said that it was so crowded in the park, we didnt stand in line, he gave her 2 bags FULL!! Very sweet, and did bring a tear to my eye!!
And then before the trail ended, people were coming back saying they were out of candy at the end, and I felt guilty, that CM winked and said many people had 5 and 6 bags not to feel that way, and he gave me another bag!!
The fireworks were awesome, but were the fireworks alone worthy of the $30? I guess my main problem was my expectations, I had been to e-nights, when it was $10 extra, and that was an empty park, that you did walk on - this mnnshp, no walk ons, some rides the line was only 15 - 20 min long I'll grant you, but it paled in comparrison to the $10 ticket, so my expectations were too high... that and my costume choices were shot down!!
DD enjoyed the Ticket and Transportation ride, no lines, and quiet, and it was cooler to ride that, we rode it 3 times just to get away from the crowds!!