We have a big difference in perceptions on this. (Which is fine, it keeps the conversation interesting)
There's absolutely a population of Disney foamers that would have booked a trip just to come see this is WDW had given more time to plan.
And yes it would definitely have caused annual pass holders to pivot their plans.
Main Street electrical parade, spectromagic, paint the night, we're all wildly popular. And at least out the gate there's no reason to expect for this one not to be as Even light magic which was widely panned, had packed crowds on its one and only season.
I think the only reason why we're getting a night parade after all that time is because of epic's opening. Had Universal not opened epic, we would still be longing for Magic Kingdom to push the Go button on the night parade.