what time does the Santa meet start? If its before 10.45 I'd just head straight there from ropedrop and queue, because it will only get longer as the day goes on, if previous years are anything to go by. Then you'll be free to do the rides with minimal queues I'd have thought on Thursday and Friday, if you're in the parks on Saturday expect it to get crazy busy from pretty early on (xmas season weekends are typically very busy at DLP).
You don't need to queue midweek for the parades, the quietest spots ropeside are up in Fantasyland, between the towers and the queue area of Its a Small World ride.