Honest question for those booking what entices you to this? I'm not being nasty I'm honestly wondering
We go to the party to trick or treat, see the parade and fireworks, and maybe ride hm and potc. We'll sneak in some pics and m&gs if we have time, and the waits aren't nuts...but the atmosphere alone is worth the party admission.
We are a party of 6, with kids 13,11, and 9....and my mom who is 63.
I hate,hate,hate having to stake out, and hold, a decent spot to see both the parade and fireworks. I find it stressful, uncomfortable, and generally unpleasant. Not to mention you have to plan a military operation if anyone has to use the rest rooms. We usually start the process of finding a spot around 8 pm on a party night, and don't move from it (hopefully) til after the fireworks.
This almost completely eliminates the thing i hate most, potentially lets us check in a little later (8:15 ish?), and then gets us a comfier spot (with food and drink and CHAIRS!!) to make the wait til fireworks. And then we have an emptier park to finish up touring in/looking around in, since we will stay til close (late day at epcot the next day), and folks empty out post fireworks (and those who stay...lots are hanging out to see the second parade).
The little extras are just neat: the mug and (maybe) lanyard and badge, but don't really factor in to the decision.
IF the move from town square to terrace is a cluster or IF we have to check in ay/by 7:30....we will probably cancel.
Edit: i should add that, too. We strongly considered a dessert party for saturday, the 17th, but couldn't find availability for our date. Its something we've wanted to try for awhile.