Hey Dave,
1) Witch flies instead of Tink, pretty neat!
2)Both nights we were there the parades all started on Main Street, we found good spots all the time near Frontierland and Liberty Square at the last min.
3)Saw ropes up for special seating, but don't know if that was wheelchair or AP, no real need for special seating though, unless you HAVE to be right on the castle hub, at least IMHO.
4) Early birds get ushered into Tomorrowland/Fantasyland. You might want to see the change over, pretty cool. They call them fast crews or speed teams and they can transform Main Street from normal to spooky in one hour, very neat to see. Park closes to non-party guests at 6pm and opens to party folks at 7pm.
5) The boat ride changes into a spooky one, there are some characters on board, we saw a couple of the country bears, they tell spooky stories, we liked it. Don't remember seeing a FP, but one wasn't needed anyhow, didn't use FP either night we went for any rides, all were walk-ons.
6)For the headless horseman, get to a spot to view the parade a bit early, say 15 min or so. And just wait, he rides by pretty fast, but he can be seen at both parade times.
7) No you can't get in the coach, just in front of it, Cindy was on hand and they had it all lit up and pumpkins were all around it, it was stunning to see! This was one of the longer lines though. Also keep your eyes opened in this area, we saw several princess out and about right around the coach area.
8) I don't think we saw any photographers around, but they might have been. Ask a CM or ask at City Hall if no one can answer this one.
9)After 10pm the crowds will drop WAY off. Not that we hit any real crowds anyhow, but Fantasyland really cleared out after 10pm. Fantasyland was where I think most of the crowds were during the night. So we did the other areas first both nights and then did Fantasland after 10pm and had walk-ones for everything, including Pooh and Buzz! My little one rode Dumbo 4 times, one ride right after the other with no wait in line. Just hopped off and got right back on it.
You'll love the party, at least we did. I now have it in my mind that I won't go to WDW unless something cool like this is happening, it made the trip so special.
Oh and man the candy they give out, I swear I must have brought home 20 pounds of candy! And it isn't junky candy either most places had candy bars!!! Yum Yum, if you have kids prepare for major sugar highs!!! LOL
Have a blast!
Pammy