What have people's experiences been at the parties. I read the admin's trip report about the empty MNSSHP, but when I want last year it was PACKED (and not that close to halloween either). Do you guys usually find it's more or less congested at the parties?
When I first started going to the parties about 4 years ago, it was always empty. It's become increasingly more crowded each year I've gone since (MNSSHP and MVMCP). I chalk it up to people traveling more as 9/11 goes farther and farther into the past.
May 2008 CSR 
Well if I'm not mistaken they're making more and more of them every year so they must be popular. Or at least profitable.
Would be interesting to know how much the 'half day' hurts attendance. I bet it doesn't hurt that much at all, and if people's didn't plan ahead and they want to go on that night, then they'll just have to buy a ticket...which is great for Disney as long as they don't alienate too many people.