I usually don't worry too much about sold-out parties because I go solo and therefore can move around a lot easier than a family can, but I am concerned enough about the crowd levels this year that I have yet to buy my tickets for mid-October. In 2012 and 2013 I did two parties each and loved every minute of every party. Couldn't get enough of the atmosphere, etc. even on sold-out Halloween nights. I know it is highly unlikely that a repeat of opening night will happen, but that risk is still hanging around in the back of my mind. It sure would help if it would quit raining on party nights so we could get a good feel for what a "normal" party will feel like this year, even a sold out party.
On a slightly different note, lots of people keep referring to Disney as promoting the parties as "exclusive" implying there will be lower crowds, but I don't think Disney has actively promoted that for past few years if ever. I think that misconception is a hold over from Disboarders and other repeat visitors experiencing that in previous years. It is not a deliberate attempt to mislead anyone, but simply is something that is no longer true. I feel like when we buy a party ticket, we are paying for the special atmosphere, activities like ToT, special Meet and Greets, and entertainment. Not necessarily for low crowds. Those have just been a bonus in the past. The event is exclusive in that only people who have purchased tickets are "supposed" to be able to enjoy those special things. I think that is why opening night was such a horrible mess. Disney most certainly screwed up that night by not enforcing the rules, but I really don't think they have intentionally misled anyone. Disney as a whole is so much more popular now. I guess it is a sign that in some ways the economy is getting better because we can all afford to go (maybe the discounts really do help!), but the result is higher crowds whether it is a special party or regular day.
I just wanted to get this off my chest because it just makes me a bit sad that so many posters feel like Disney is intentionally misleading them.
Thanks for listening.