Get MaxPass. I have not used it but everyone that has raves about it. If you can get hoppers do it - I never hop at WDW but at DLR it is so easy! No bus, monorail, boat - just your feet
I would focus on the things DLR has that WDW does not - Mr Toad, Alice, Snow White, Pinocchio, Storybook Canal, Casey Jr, castle walkthough, Nemo subs, Roger Rabbit, Indy, Matterhorn. Sometimes the canoes are open. POTC is very different and worth the wait.
DCA is a beautiful park, really like nothing at WDW. Carsland is the best themed land Disney has (so far). WoC is our must do show, we splurge on the dessert party - no wait, you have seats, and sweet stuff to eat and drink. Paint the Night is coming back, this time to DCA. It starts in the Spring and I doubt it will go away before your trip. This is a must see, especially if you like MSEP.
I would skip TS just because that would just take time from your park day - but if you are planning on a TS I would do Blue Bayou. Again, something that WDW does not have. For CS I would do the Plaza Inn for their fried chicken (pretty famous around here). Beignets at Mint Julep Bar for a snack (I like the ones at Ralph Brennan's better but they are not Mickey shaped
).
Pacific Wharf at DCA has several different choices in the same area (like a food court) so you can all get something different. I love the Cozy Cones in Carsland. I get the Mac n' Cheese or the chili cone - fast, easy, eat on the go!
Other good places for food - Rancho Del Zocalo (cs), Cafe Orleans (ts but you can share a Monte Cristo!), Bengal BBQ (cs), Carthay Circle (ts), Flo's V8 (cs).
I would skip DtD, nothing super different than what you find at WDW...except the beignets at Ralph Brennan's.
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