Looks great, have done it the same way. Getting the stuffing in nice and tidy and stitching the back seam again invisibly is the worst part.
Looks great but as you said a lot of work. Next time maybe you can get one of the ones that are made to be embroidered. They come with the open seam and loose filler.
Yes, I didn't have a bear. (theme is jungle) They asked for it Tuesday, wanted it Wednesday. Have to order the EB's from America takes a little while to get them to Australia.