Hello
I finally have a few moments to sit down and get writing....
Let me start by saying I've been to Orlando 4 times, and then Miami and the Keys on top of that. I've staying on International Drive, as well as the 192 in Kissimee, and most recently in Pop Century. We're going in 3 months, and this time we're upgrading to Port Orleans Riverside. We've booked through travel agents, but this time, after a lot of research, we booked direct with the airline (BA) and the hotel direct with Disney, and the car hire direct with Dollar. This has saved us £340 from exactly the same thing from a brochure (Virgin holidays as well as through travel agents). I would definitely recommend doing it like this. I can give you the links if you do decide to look down this route.
By staying on Disney property, you not only save parking ($12 per day!) but you also get extra magic hours (more time in the park, just for Disney resort guests) as well as little extras like being able to send shopping back to your hotel so you don't have to lug it round all day. You also get free transport (although I would recommend hiring a car) Plus, the resorts are so much more magical than off property.
I would recommend buying a 14 day unlimited ticket to Disney as this means you can just pop into one of the parks after a day elsewhere to go on one last ride, or to a nice restaurant. It also means you can park hop, and you don't have to use up more than one entry ticket.
We have bought the dining package this time (haven't done it before) and you get dining credits for a sit down meal, a counter meal, and snacks and drinks (one a day's worth of each) to use up as you like over the 14 days. We didn't do this last time as we went ona road trip for 4 nights, and so wouldn't be worth it. However, this time we'll ensure we are back to eat in Disney even if we have been out for the day. Some restaurants also require two dining credits (they are pretty expensive places, which is why they charge 2 credits).
On the subject of restaurants, you really have to look at what is available, and book restaurants before you go. We wasn't aware you had to last time, and we missed out in getting into a couple of the nicer restaurant, which was a shame. This time, we made a list of the restaurants we wanted to go to, which parks we wanted to go to on which days, and we will be booking the restaurants in 2 Fridays time. I really recommend researching and booking, even if you don't buy the dining package. There are some amazing restaurants there and even if you just go to a few of them, it really is worth it.
Hope you are still with me... I did warn you that once I get started on this subject, it is difficult to shut me up
Schedule: I would recommend getting a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. very good book, and one of the authors is really nice. (Long story, remind me another time as this post is long enough as it is) They give all the information you could ever want on Disney, and a little of what else is around in Orlando. It, along with the website, will give you an indicator of the best days to visit the parks (especially useful if your going in the Summer with all the crowds and heat) I think we have only 1 or 2 days where we don't plan on visiting at least one park.
As for outside Disney, we're not actually doing that much this time as we did it all 3 years ago, and some of it we won't bother with again for a long time. Universal Studios, was really quiet (I have photos taken up one of the main 'streets' and there was just one other person in the picture. This would have been great, but it just highlighted the fact that every corner there was someone trying to sell us Timeshare. Anyways, I'm not one for rollercoasters and so I'm not interested in the two new parks, so i might not be the best person to ask. However, I have heard of people spending 2 days doing it all. Sea World last time was a little disappointing. I think because when I went before I was a lot younger and it seemed not so good looking through adult eyes. But that goes for more sea life places I go where I can see how small the tanks etc are. But, it's definitely worth a day. Discovery Cove, very good. We went in 2001 and we swam with the dolphins. Once again, I've done it once and so won't be doing it again, but I would recommend it. The good thing with all of the above 'outside' parks is that they sell tickets as a group to brits, and so it works out quite cheap if you plan on going to them all.
Shopping.. pretty much covered by the ladies that have already replied. We didn't get to spend much time shopping last time, and so I can't really remember where we went other than the Florida Mall. I will be researching this over the coming months to know exactly where the best shops are
Definitely recommend hiring a car. We did as soon as we were old enough to, and we both loved driving over there. It was a dream to drive down to Miami and the keys. There is nothing quite like driving on a 6 lane highway
This time we have upgraded the car to a Dodge Charger. That's some car and I can't wait
Erm... what else can I help you with...? Some homework...
https://www.wdwmagic.com/ is a good site for finding out general information.
https://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=0 this is the website that goes with the book I recommended earlier. Lots of useful information, especially useful for summer visitors.
https://www.wdwtoday.com/ is a really good podcast which is both informative and funny. Highly recommend downloading a few and putting them on your pod. Just listen to a couple (especially listener questions to begin with) and they're quite addictive.
I'm sure there are loads more pieces of advice I can give you, but I think I've given you enough food for thought already and I don't want to give you too much in one go
If you want to know anything specific, just let me know and i will try to help.
if you get to the bottom of this!
Disneyworld, Universal Studios, Sea World and Busch Gardens are all worth a visit, and Typhoon Lagoon if you are after a more relaxing day! Shopping wise, I recommend Mall At Millenia - it's got a Macy's, Bloomingdales and every designer you can name, plus they have the Florida Mall which has Abercrombie and Fitch etc and for discount malls the Premium Outlet Mall or Prime are great. For information on Disney I use 
i deffo recommend all stars hun it's great definatel the best value IMO it's not major luxury but it's just what you need and great swimming pools, bars, food court, shops and transport too. Have fun getting excited send me a message if u have any Q's 
xxxxxx
