Looking for some assistance...coming over to the "dark side"

Hi Everyone,

My family is planning a trip in May 2012 and we planning on doing non-WDW parks (Discovery Cove, Sea World, Aquatica, IOA/Universal and maybe Busch Gardens). I plan on getting the Super Grover Pass thru Sesame Place on Black Friday (hoping for discount again) and purchasing discounted tickets to Discovery Cove with it.

This is our first non-WDW trip ever! My children DD9 and DS4 have only been to WDW. I have read plenty of threads and think there's plenty to keep them entertained.

My problem is, I know nothing about the area...where to stay or where to eat. I have timeshare and trade with RCI. I have my usuals I trade when going to WDW but don't know anything about the other areas.

These are my choices:
Wyndham Cypress Palms, Westgate Leisure Resort, Wyndham Bonnet Creek (don't know if I could stay here and not go to WDW), WOrldMark Orlando Kingstown Reef, Sheraton Vistana, Cypress Pointe Grande Villas, and Hilton Grand Vacations Club @ SeaWorld. Does anyone have opinions about any of these or know of other nice RCI timeshares? I have extremely high trading power so can trade anywhere in the Orlando area.

How about the restaurants outside the park themselves? Can anyone recommend anything?

Lastly, I also have an American Express. Was thinking of buying tickets with that to use the lounge but it seems the offerings are pretty bare there.

Are there any other tips you can provide?

Sorry for all the questions...I am really out of my element here.