Hi! You are going to LOVE the GF. Awesome that this will be your first Disney experience! Everyone in your party will be impressed! Architecturally it is gorgeous! Magnificent! Location-wise it is primo! In three minutes you're literally at the Magic Kingdom via the monorail!
There is a character dinner every night featuring (as far as I know) Cinderella, her Prince, the Mice and others - terrific buffet. Also for Breakfast: Alice, the Mad Hatter and others. Mary Poppins in the waiting area. Be sure to get autograph books if you have young children. The lobby is incredible - huge - piano player in the evening. Great lounge to have a drink. Also Garden View Lounge for the ladies to have Tea (men, too

). There are two pools - one with a really fun waterslide and a waterfall theme and "zero entry" (like walking into the ocean - gradually gets deeper). Girls can get their hair "wrapped" with colorful threads and beads...pools are heated year-round and there are towels for your use. Also a hot tub.
There is a 24-hour grill called "Gasparilla's". You can buy your refillable mugs here if you choose. They have everything from cereal, milk, coffee, soft drinks, candy, baked goods, fruit, soft-serve ice cream, ice cream bars, baked potatoes, fries, etc. It also has an arcade. Outside of Gasparilla's is a terrace area with tables and chairs. The view is of the marina and Cinderella's Castle! Many an evening we've sat there with ice cream or drinks and watched the fireworks over the Castle (especially when DD was very young and too terrified by the noise to be any closer...) You will not believe how gorgeous the place is and how fun. You can take a boat to the Polynesian for dinner one evening if you'd like...and then the monorail home. Take the monorail to the Contemporary for dinner or breakfast at Chef Mickey's with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy (?). Rent "water mice" at the Marina, get ice cream at the ice cream parlor by the beach...you will LOVE it! Can you tell I do?

Enjoy!!