They actually started YOAMD in 2006. We were there in December 06 at
MVMCP on 12/20 (the second to last party night that year). We were waiting for the late parade to start. My 11 year old son had had it already. He was tired and his feet hurt and he didn't want to stand to watch the parade (he's slightly autistic and gets overwhelmed when he's overtired). I told my DH and DS8 to go find themselves a spot. I found a railing in Frontierland that we could lean against but our backs were to the parade. I told my son that we could stay there and rest and if we could see any of the parade, fine and if not, fine. He was OK with that.
So suddenly a guy in Dream Team clothes walks up to us and asks how many are in our party. I told him we had 4. He asked where we were from and I said California. He said, "We'll let's get the other two - since you came from so far away you have to have a good view of the parade." I found my DH and son and told them to come. My DH hesitated because he didn't want to lose the spot they were in. I said, "Come on, we're going with him," and I pointed to the guy. He took us across the Liberty Square bridge to a private viewing area on the other side. They had 3 rows of benches set up and the area was roped off and manned by a CM. We sat in the 2nd row of benches and watched other people brought in by other Dream Team members until the area was full. When people tried to slip under the rope, the CM would stop them and say it was a private area.
We had an excellent view of the parade and a nice place to sit and rest. All of the characters waved to our little area when they came by and we got some excellent pictures. It was much better than leaning against a post with our backs to the parade!
Between that 10 day visit and a visit last year to
Disneyland, that's the only dream we got. But it was a good one!