We went to the party this past Sunday, the 21st. We'd previously been in 2005 and 2006, so I've been a little concerned reading this year's early reports of the party being oversold, the inability to move in crowds, unbearably hot weather, rain, etc. I had my fingers crossed that we'd still have a good time, and we did. Our night was actually a lot like our nights in '05 and '06 - maybe a little more crowded, but manageable.
We got to the MK around 4:30. They shoo'd us to the far right side for entrance, and right away put our party bands on us. We entered on Main St, and did 7DMT (FP), PoC (FP), HM (FP), SplM (Anytime FP), and BTMRR, about a 20min wait. (FP lines closed around 6.) Stopped to share a Dole Whip and pineapple upside down cake in Adventureland (no wait), and later got a bite to eat at Casey's (very crowded) and did some window shopping on Main St. (DS was disappointed he wanted a cheeseburger egg roll we'd read about, but never found them!) A CM was walking around Casey's making sure everyone had party wristbands on, and they checked us many other times around the park, too. (There was also one lady in Casey's holding a table for the parade, which was still a ways away, when people trying to eat couldn't find seats! There were lots of seats on the other side of Main St.) Kids went to ride SpM but it was down so they met us back on Main St and we entered the bypass, where we got some pictures and they gave our packages of full size bags of candy.
Came out and rode TTA, then SpM, about 20 mins also, line moved, though. Meant to go on Astrorbiter as it had almost no line, but must've forgotten! Family also got candy at TL and FL. (I didn't want to carry any bags around!) Headed back up toward FL and DD waited in line for pics w QoH and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (by teacups) but they left before she got in, saying they had to go off for the parade (which we think was a fib, at least for the twins!). Then went on PPF and IASW, followed by HM again, the last two being walk ons. (PPF about 30mins, and they gave out a few bags of candy there, but also came along sweeping the floor inside the house as people were just dropping their wrappers on the ground.) We then got our spot for the second parade by LTT along with some cold drinks. Love the Headless Horseman, he stopped near us, that was fun to see. Earlier we'd seen fireworks as we were walking, but we'd watched Hallowishes from our balcony a couple of times already so we were good with that.
I thought some of the costumes were really funny and creative, we saw many people having a great time in their groups and that was awesome. And not just at the party itself, but we'd seen lots of groups around the monorails on both Thurs and Fri nights, too (some going in as late as 8pm-8:30!). We were laughing at some of the costumes amazed at how they came up with them! I was really happy that Sunday night the weather was almost perfect. It had been really hot and humid prior to Sunday, so that was a gift! (I did see quite a few costumes that I thought would be really HOT if worn on a hot night! Especially the one piece ones like Winnie the Pooh or ones with big capes, etc. If making costumes, I'd stick with ones that are relatively cool!) Just about everyone on our flight home had been at Disney, many to MNSSHP, as hair was still dyed and there were still some remnants of costumes and such, lol.