I watched CP in 2015 and this wasn't my experience at all. Granted, the parks are always getting more crowded so 2016 might have been worse than 2015, and 2017 might be worse still. In 2015 we watched the second showing of the evening under the assumption that it would be less crowded than the first, like with parades. We arrived in the waiting area in the middle of the first performance, so I think we only waited about an hour or two (I don't remember how much gap there is between shows, but it didn't seem too long). We were toward the front of the line and we got a spot right behind the benches so we had an unobstructed view. Luck may have been on our side, but even so I don't think you need to devote an entire day unless you want a bench seat. Otherwise you can spend the morning and afternoon doing whatever you want and arrive in the evening. I also recall that there were at least a couple operating hours after the processional was over, because I remember stopping for a leisurely dinner and still having time for all of Fantasyland that night.
How long did you wait and where were you that you considered it a crappy view? Was it first or second show?
It's not a public event at DLR. It's a private invite-only event that happens to be held where the public can see it. So while there may be some benches with a view, it's basically standing only with heavy crowd control in effect.
There are benches around Town Square that are available, but they are usually staked out quite early. The seating areas are usually invited guests.
Wasn't 2012 the year that they did it for a month and made it open to the public? It won't be like that this year.
