How old are your kids? It makes a big difference. Why didn't anyone else ask? Personally, Disney has a low bang for your buck if the kids are under age 7. (Having said that my 5 year old has been there 3 times. So what do I know.) We've been there so often because I'm in the Disney Vacation Club. So we have a time share that include all the resorts. Find it on the web for a real pitch.
Some points others made that we spot on: Stay at an on-site resort (Port Orleans is lovely. Avoid the "All-Star" resorts, they are cheap and you get what you pay for), get the meal plan, one park per day, fast pass is great if you know where you want to go and when you might get there.
If you plan to go to animal kingdom, go very early (7am) and rush to Kilimanjaro Safari (Straight ahead making a gentle left at the big tree into Africa) as the animals are most active in the early morning. Animal Kingdom closes earlier than most of the parks and is a good "last day" park and a good "go to Downtown Disney" afterwards park.
If you get the Meal Plan, go to the Wolfgang Puck Express on the east side of Downtown Disney. The Meal Plan works there and you can get a $20-25 per person meal for the same "price" as a burger and fries in one of the parks. (On the west side of Downtown Disney, there is an actual Wolfgang Puck restaurant. It is a $40-50 a plate sit down restaurant not on the meal plan. Don't mix them up.
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EPCOT is divided into two parts the front and the world showcase. To FULLY see them both takes two days. BUT... if your kids are too young/can't stand/etc science (the front) or travel (the showcase) either half (or both) can be skipped. The rides at EPCOT are mostly "lame" as it is a park about "people living together".
Like EPCOT, going to conservation station in Animal Kingdom is only worth it if your kids are into animal care/conservation.
Magic Kingdom has parades at 2:30 and 7:30? (it's mentioned on the map). When they occur crossing the parade route is difficult. Plan accordingly.
Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios is cool, but has an additional expense. If you eat lunch/dinner at certain restaurants in the park, you get tickets. But these are not preferential seats.
Ask your front desk clerk about the Hoop-Dee-Doo Review. It is usually sold out months in advance but it is a cool dinner theater show. It's a live show with 6 singer/performers and an orchestra consisting of a ragtime piano player and a banjo player. Some audience participation is involves as well. It takes place at the Wilderness Lodge in the Fort Wilderness campgrounds. Getting there is half the fun.
Bring BATTERIES for your camera. I can't stress that enough.
Bullgrit, even when the parks are "packed" you don't notice it walking among the attractions. You notice it waiting on lines for the attractions. When they say "2 hour wait", they mean it. Fast Pass on those kinds of days is turned off by mid afternoon because once they give out the 8:30 time window, there are none left.
