My 18 year-old is a girl and she will want to look around in the shops, I'm sure. The hubby and my son will not....they can sample some foods and drinks while we shop! Excellent plan.
She can also talk to the CMs in the various lands in various languages and/or have then write a small note in their language as they all speak the language of the country (With perhaps a few exceptions based on some comment here.)
Yes! Park hoppers are nice. Don't sweat it too much because you have freedom to "hop"!
Rope drop MK 2.5
Get in at rope drop and get out around 1100 - 1200. We noticed that we can do more in those first two hours at MK than we can do in 8 hours after 11am.
Plan to go back to MK one evening (or two) and catch the evening parade and fireworks.
Epcot is 1.5 - 2 day park.
With all the construction at AK & DHS these two are very much 1 day parks. Maybe hop back over a second time in the evening to do TofT or RnR or Everest to get your fill if need be.
For the days you make rope drop for MK, I would save your fast passes for the second park.
TIP - If you want to ride Peter Pan ride, do it first or second as a line forms very quickly. I noticed long lines for this ride shortly after opening longer than the mountains. Must be the new line wait (que?).