Hi and welcome to the DIS, weary traveller.
It can be a bit confusing, can't it?
To answer your question, in addition to Patinmn's most excellent itinerary, you do not have to stay at the beautiful WDW Swan/Dolphin Resort to participate in the activities.
There are a lot of events that are free, such as Kimonos Karaoke night at the Swan, the Newbie breakfast meet at the Dolphin, all the park events, "except for the paid event held at EPCOT called the Illuminations Party."
The other inclusive paid events are the opening reception, breakfast, Illuminations, Swan Beach dinner, farewell breakfast and the lanyard, I.D.'s.
Of course, the Hoop-Dee-Doo Muscical Review or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party just costs the admission fee, as well as any park entrance, water park, or normal dinig stuff.
But everything else is open to anyone and everyone for free.
So on Sunday, 12/01/02, DixieDreamer wants to meet up with everyone at the EPCOT International Gateway to watch Tapestry od Dreams Parade, and Illuminations, and anything else that is of interest.
On Monday, 12/02/02, Patinmn is hosting a Blizzard Beach DIS mini-meet, a Newbie meet, and a Resort Holiday tour.
On Tuesday, 12/03/02, there is another newbie breakfast at the Cafe May, a Magic Kingdom DIS mini-meet, a Chef Mickey and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review DIS mini-meets
On Wednesday, 12/04/02, there are two newbie breakfast DIS mini-meets, then the official(paid) registration, EPCOT Day, oldkcker's Rose and Crown DIS mini-meet, Lynda/Barb's British Invasion, then the official(paid) opening reception event, then the free Jellyrolls Dis mini-meet.
This goes on everyday and you and your friends are very welcome.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
There is no such thing as a dumb question. As a matter of fact, your question and someone elses answer may help someone else.
Hi Dan Murphy, Princess Michelle and helenabear, and welcome to the DIS-CON-II Board.
Hope to meet you in a few weeks!!!!! 
