I'm in the camp of getting it over with and I get to the park early too...I usually eat in the park at either CP or LTT and there is a photo booth right next to LTT so last year I got it done right away, I was first in line.
Some people wait till the end of the night for it to die down again, but my kids don't make it that late.
Yes you can keep you tickets!
We eat, do photos, rides, shows, fireworks, and the second parade.
Enjoy!