I also don't buy tokens with elixer, but mainly because I have so little elixer.... And newer players don't have the benefit (ha ha) of hundreds of benches, or other decorations or even concessions to sell. (I keep thinking back to when you got a decoration EACH time you opened a chest. It was truly a different world than the game is now.) Now, it is difficult to get enough benches, flowers and statues to get to thrill level 1 in one zone, let alone more than that.
The LCs have been interesting for me lately. I had saved a lot of gems plus a few free ones, so I've opened a number lately. I've gotten Queen Elinor (now epic, in a rebalance), Stromboli (epic), Jack's house (common), and epic concession and a trophy (legendary). Not bad, over all. And Stromboli will actually be helpful in chapter 2 (although he is only at level 2, after getting him yesterday). At least I have 4 other Pinocchio characters and two attractions to help work on getting him upgraded.
Will have to see what the level 25 LC brings for me tomorrow. Odds are not great.
Oh, and got Penny in the Sapphire chest that I opened yesterday (and I can upgrade her, which is always good). As things go, a decent DMK week. Here's to hoping it continues for the rest of the TC - two more LCs in the mix and hopefully two more common old characters in sapphire chests.