We had a FABULOUS time at CP before MNSSHP...The characters were NOT wearing their costumes yet (of course, they wear costumes later for the parade). The characters were all playing with my kids' costumes. I have great photos of Tigger and Piglet "stealing" DS's Captain Hook hat and hook, DD's Belle crown. The food was decent (hey, it's a buffet...and I'm a food snob), but the character interaction was GREAT! I highly recommend it.
We had the earliest possible PS (I think it was 5PM). We figured the food and characters would be fresh and we'd get an early start on the party.