I am a huge planner and have a list detailing all my expenses. Hint: You should too.
With 6 people you will want to look into booking suites or double rooms with connected doors.
Free Dining was offered last year and you needed to book before December 21st fr dates in August and Sept.
There are some people that have free dining codes attached to their names. You have to call Disney and figure it out or you may get it in the mail/email.
Check out Mouse Savers to see what discounts are available for the dates you want to visit. (Room only Discounts would help you a lot if you don't need a Vacation Package (Tickets, room and optional Dining). I am planning a trip for August.... I don't know if there are any codes yet out for October and November. You may have to book and wait and see if a code comes out for your dates. You can always call back and add the code later. I would kinda suck if you waited to book when codes were released and not have any availability left.
If you do a Room Only Ressie, Check out
Undercover Tourist for Discounted Tickets. There is a thread somewhere on the boards that gives you everything you need to know about Tickets at WDW. (Can't Figure out Which Forum it is in)
Vacation Packages with Dining have restrictions. For example you need to have everyone in the room be on the same Plan.
Visit All Ears and see the Menus. If the you spend more than 41ish dollars per adult on one Sit Down (TS), One Fast Food Place (CS), and a snack... then the Dining Plan would be a good addition to your budget.
Repeat the previous step for the Children Dining Plan.
Remember to Calculate Tips for Sit Down Restaurants.
Check out the Stickies in the Resort Section, Planning Sections. That is where the gold information is.
On the flip side, maybe renting a condo will be cheaper for you as you will need to rent a car to get to Clearwater... if that is the case check out the Orlando Section and checkout reviews for off site houses/condos. Buy tickets from Undercover Tourists and budget parking for each day you are there. This way you can also eat off site and save lots... meals for 6 for 50 or less instead of 100 or more in the parks.
If you have not been since 2005, be prepared to not see and do everything especially if you are wanting to split the dates between two Florida Locations. Trying to fit in a commando touring style with a group of 6 with all different ages will be hard.
With those 7 days, take time to map out what Theme Parks you and your family want to spend the most time. Outline the headliners and your Families must-do's. Be prepared to use the parent rider swap if your youngest is not the right height. Places where you can save is by not adding the extras like Park Hoppers and Water Parks and more Options.
Character Buffets are a great way to see 4 or 5 or more Characters and not have to wait in line to see them. Each one has different groups.... Pooh princess, Lilo etc
If I am not mistaken you are also going during Mickeys Not so Scary Party... October 31st gets crowded and will sell out quickly, but it might be fun for the little ones to go Trick or Treating in the Magic Kingdom.
The first part of your battle is done. Airline tickets are pricey. Book your resort stay and know that with plenty of time you can always change it.
Plan a Disney Dinner and order the vacation planning dvd from Disney (Its free!) Have everyone tell you their must-dos and plan around that.
You came to the right place to ask for advice. I am normally a lurker and have only recently been actively talking it up! I went in 2008 and in three years there are plenty of new and excited things to see.
Have fun planning.
My Biggest tip and one that doesn't really cost anything is to take lots and lots of pictures. They are my favorite souvie!
