To momofsix. do you have any samples of how you spent your time. - which days at which parks and how long at each park. We have taken our kids to
Disneyland/Ca Adventures two times. They all love rides. The faster the better. Do you have any suggestions on purchaseing Disney tickets. Do you suggest the park hopper option? That adds about $400 to the ticket prices. Thanks for your input.
WE have learned that we need atleast a week there.... we have done less then that but it ends up being very stressful for everyone.
I understand your extra $400 park hopper ordeal... we dont do it because with a big family its a significant increase in the trip... we think it would be nice sometimes obviously but not $400 nice.
I dont know about you but I am not in the habit of letting everyone do their own thing... its a $6000+ trip each time we go therefore we are spending it together so my kids all hang together and we do all the things they want to do.... if someone is to young or doesnt want to go on a specific ride.... we do the child swap and therefore everyones happy. If my 3 year old little girl wants to see the beauty and the beast stage show... my 17 year old son goes with and doesnt complain.... my kids are close and he enjoys seeing his sister excited seeing the princess's and anything else....
We spend half day at epcot but thats the day we arrive in FL.... there isnt that much there that my kids really want to do... we have done full days in past... cuz everyone has to learn things for themselves...
We spend 2 days at MK.... we dont do the two days right in a row... it depends on when the extra magic hours are and when the parades are going on....
We spend 1 day at Mgm and havent ever had a problem getting it all in that one day....
we spend 1 day at Animal kingdom and thats also a short day.... also that night we sometimes enjoy the boardwalk or downtown disney for a couple hours....
then we have another day available in case a park was ruined by rain or we decide we want to get some more of another park... my kids vote on this day and where we will go and so far they havent fought about it once.
We always do the value resorts because we have to get two rooms and its cheaper then getting a suite at a higher up resort....we ask for connecting rooms and have always had our request fullfilled. Staying onsite and offsite with a big family... onsite is less headache even if you can find places cheaper....
I always pack food for breakfasts and for one meal in the park.... I always check for where im going to eat in the park and their menus and prices and thats where we head.... no fussing over where we will eat and no going over budget.... I dont know your financial situation but my husband is an civil engineer/hydrogeologist and I work part time as an executive admin so we arent at poverty level BUT I am careful with where the $$$'s go and I personally dont think the charactor dining experiences are worth the money you spend.... I always think you can eat cheaper somewhere else and find the charactors through the park somewhere for free.....
I do utilize the unofficial guide although I try not to put to much stock into all the opinions as that can drive you batty....
my trips are relatively smooth because my kids always know what to expect before hand.... I explain that we will have breakfast at resort, bring some snacks with, eat lunch at park and sit down and have packed dinner in the evening.... also they are each allowed one in park snack a day.... ice cream or whatever.... my kids dont have big appetites while we are there so its never been an argument. Also I tell my kids what their spending limit is for fun things... shirts and what not.... I keep a small notebook in my bag with a tally and they always know what their total is.... never had an argument with this either and lots of times they dont spend what they could.... $100 each.
Hardest thing for me as the mom and the one that makes all the plans is to relax and remember to have fun and slow down sometimes.... I just try so hard to make it perfect for everyone that I forget to take it easy. ALSO I realized that I dont slow it down taking pics.... I walk up to something... tell my kids to go stand there and snap a pic.... I have made a conscience effort to take more pics with my kids by themselves.... so they have those individual memories and pics of just them to share someday with their kids.... I think I do that because I dont want to slow people up behind us but I have decided that we waited our turn in line so im taking the time I need....
Hope this helps... anything else, just ask!
) just have to meet see if they have a character meal. This way they come right to your table so you dont have to wait in line. I found that in itself was well worth the money. 
