Help me think this through

[asoko]

I'm very excited to finally have some kind of plans for our vacation. I just need some help thinking and seeing what will work.

Arriving at Swan 11/26 Thanksgiving day with in-laws
11/27-11/28 exploring at Swan/Dolphin maybe DTD because I think parks are going to be too busy.
11/29 AK - FIL wants to go to AK with grandkids
11/30 in-laws going back home, we spend rest of trip at POP
11/30-12/5 Staying at Pop with free dining and going to the parks

My problem is with the transfer from Swan to POP and dining. I was thinking I could check in online for the POP and have the Swan transfer the luggage while we were at EPCOT. I wanted to do the princess breakfast and dinner at Coral Reef. My question is, how do I do the free dining at EPCOT. Do I have to physically check in to the POP to have my room key? I wanted to go to EPCOT because it is so close to the Swan, I thought I could save a lot of time and enjoy the walk or boat ride. Am I best off to grab a cab and go check into the Pop then catch the bus to EPCOT? Should I go to EPCOT on Saturday while staying at the Swan, but how bad are the crowds?