I was just reading about your trip and stopped to get my
DVC book out to write and suggest that same thing. We bought our membership this time last year and we love it. By doing DVC, you are buying vacations for the next 50 years!!! It is very affordable.
You would benefit by doing this. If you bought at the minimum of 160 points, you could use 2 years of points combined for a wonderful vacation which could equal close to a month. If it didn't then switch resorts and stay at a Value at the end.
You would also be able to get the DVC rate for the AP which is even better than the FL Resident AP rate (only by $2) but it currently is $348 (adult) and $307 (child). Then you could renew the following year for $315 (adult) and $278 (child). Plus you would have a studio at minimum which includes a kitchenette (microwave, toaster, and fridge).
You should call DVC and ask questions. They also have the
DDP you can add on for $37.99 (adult) and $9.99 (child) per day.
Good Luck in planning no matter what route you take. It sounds like a trip of a lifetime.