I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience! :-(
So much thought and planning is put into each trip plus you hadn't been in awhile so that makes it harder.
We had a much different experience in August. It was our first time back in 4 long years. We had a taken a break prior to Covid, then Covid forced us out longer. Anyway, August was magical. Not so much for my husband, but he had his own personal issues (prosthetic issues and getting over Covid).
I wanted to share my Early Entry experience. It was Wednesday August 10th, so two days after the premier of the new Early Entry. Here's how it went for me, I was solo on this morning.
0703 In line at gates, 3rd from front
0727 walking in down Main Street
0731 walking through Sleeping Beautys castle into Fantasyland
0734 boarding Peter Pan
0738 boarding Mr Toad
0745 on Dumbo
0749 boarding Alice
0758 Boarding Peter Pan (looking back at a still empty queue)
0802 the park is officially open and the queue for Peter Pan is massive!
0804 Snow White
0807 Pinocchio
0818 Storybook Land canal boat ride
0824 on King Arthurs Carrousel
0828 mr toad
0847 Nemo
0931 sitting for breakfast at Jolly Holiday Bakery
0952 on a boat at Pirates
1050 (i must have done something in between?) on Winnie The Pooh
1109 Boarding the Railroad