With 6 people, you can look at the All Star Suites or the Ft Wilderness Cabins. Both are onsite Disney and have all the perks of a Disney resort. Most of the resorts only fit 4, some 5 unless you have a baby.
IF you have to go offsite, start reading this board and see if you can find some inexpensive hotels/motels to stay at. I have heard some good things about the resorts near Downtown Disney, and saw the Nikelodeon Suites when we were driving in to WDW last week, they looked cool from the outside and weren't that far away from WDW.
I would look at a guide book, we used the Unofficial Guide to WDW, but others swear by the Passporter.
Also, look into mousesavers dot com. She has some great info as does allears dot net. Of course the official disney site also has info.
We just got back from our first trip to WDW yesterday. There are only 3 of us and we loved the Port Orleans Riverside resort. It is a moderate resort with pool, restaurant, food court and beautiful landscaping.
Keep posting questions, that is how I planned my trip! Most people here are full of great tidbits of info!!