Hi Ed!
I took my two (aged 6 & 9 at the time) to Chef Mickeys for dinner, great food, but to be honest it was a bit too busy, large and noisy for me. The character interaction was so/so, but like we've all found people like different things and the atmosphere of places can be different one night to the next.
Can't comment on the cruise or the cooking though I did look into them both for last year and they both seemed brilliant - I would have opted for the cruise personally.
As for planning - Like Dave says, everyone does it differently. I tend to do something like:
Monday - MGM (PS at Hollywood & Vine)
Tuesday - Sea World/shopping
Wednesday - Magic Kingdom - inc. fireworks
Thursday - Epcot (lunch at Garden Grill)
etc etc. Just so I've an idea of where I'm going and fitting in any reservations. Everything with me is liable to change if necessary though (apart from reservations) and it works ok for me this way.
Suggest you do as Dave says, give us a bit more detail and then do a rough plan and then post it and ask for opinions. Staying on/off site makes a difference as does the passes you hold.
DaveSD - Ahem ...... what's this ....... you do your holiday at a leisurely pace?????

hmmm, the words Army Commanding Officer spring to mind!!!
Astrid