On our first trip to DLR, I went all out and did all these extras, which in 2012 meant things like the holiday tour, which ended with you having prime seats for the holiday parade along with hot cocoa in a collectible mug and a gingerbread cookie, and the F! dessert thing, which included prime seats and a giant individual tray of desserts, fruit, cheese, and a drink.
We enjoyed the prime seats, ensuring a good view for my small children, and having a snack while waiting for the show to start. They did not save us time in waiting because the check-in (and competition for the best seats and to be sure all of us would be seated together) was as early as the wait many would do for nice, unreserved spots.
But when we returned in 2013, I did zero extras.
Since 2012, we have added one family member and another has become a "Disney adult," while Disney has increased prices by large amounts. So we are doing zero dessert parties. I am concerned as much by the reports that for some of these things (but not all) the viewing location is not the best as the prices and the reports of being pressed in cheek to cheek. An excellent view of the proceedings is, for me, Job One for an extra like this, so it was not a hard decision for me.
But sure, if I had the ability and desire to drink a fair amount of alcohol at night in a crowded amusement park while minding small children and/or my family was half the size it is, there might be more thought about it. I totally understand why others enjoy it and why others feel it necessary for some members of their party.