Our next trip, MVMCP will be the only park visit we make. Our last tip we did MVMCP and a water park visit [different days]. We enjoy our resort time and our trips now bookend
DCL cruises.
Most of the rides are open during the party but a small number are not: we use the party guide that gets released when the parties start to help us ID what is/is not open during the party and then ID if there is anything that isn't that is a priority for us to do. FOr us in the past that has meant making sure we get a ride on the railroad in, but that is a moot point this year since it is closed entirely.
We arrive as close to 4 as possible or a little before so we maximize our time in the party, and stay pretty much until close. When we went last time we arrived at about 3:50 and they had just started letting party-goers in.
We get fastpasses for the period they will allow them, starting with the 3:30-4:30 window.
We eat a late lunch that day so we only need to snack during the party, though we often end up hitting Cosmic Rays for a burger later in the evening.
I am sun sensitive so we really like that most of the time the party is in the dark
We focus on doing the rides, watching the parade, and watching the fireworks. And getting a few of the free snacks and drinks.
The park will be crowded for the initial window while the day guests are still there, but then it starts thinning out. IME the worst area is around main street, so we found the key is to get through and past that as quickly as possible - we linger in the shops there after closing as we meander out of the park
If the side bypass is open that is a good way to get around that main street crowd. Now, if you want to see Main Street in the daylight, just be prepared for a lot of people !
As for discounts, with the opening of SWGE I wouldn't count on their being any or many discounts for fall. Be prepared to be paying rack rate.
Wilderness Lodge is also a great place to stay for the party -- nice boat or bus ride over and back.
SW