MK 10/9 - need some advice for planning

[chefmeg]

Alrighty! So 10/9 is my birthday (first one I'll be at WDW on the actual date) and I had a lovely day planned with some of my favorite things...
Food and Wine for lunch and early afternoon
Jiko at 5:30
Then over to MK for MSEP and Wishes and then off to Trader Sams
...and then we got the announcement...
I've been to WDW plenty of times - in the slower seasons - and had no trouble showing up right before MSEP and getting a spot, but now I'm worried about insane crowds putting a damper on my day :/
It's also my fiances first visit and he isn't thrilled about tightly packed crowds...

I tried for the MSEP dining package, but obviously that's gone. Should I consider the Wishes dessert party? I've never done it and at least we wouldn't be packed in for the fireworks as well, but can you see much of the parade from there? Have I seen it enough that an obstructed view won't matter? Will chocolate satiate my fiances irritation from huge crowds? I really want him to *get* Disney and understand why I bought an AP living in Pennsylvania...

Other tips about slightly secret viewing areas for the parade are appreciated as well. I've just never done HUGE MK crowds...