here's a big tip. HAVE FUN!!!!. I love MVMCP I haven't been in several years. We were going to go this year, but my daughter has a cheerleading competition and we couldn't go. You will love it. I am not a parade person, but I love the Christmas parade and the fireworks are spectacular.
Get there at 4pm, don't waste time with a TS dinner, go to the later parade. Also, the whole reason of the party in my opinion is the special events like the parade and fireworks, so don't "waste" too much time in ride lines.