I have done -more or less- what you describe. I've played LMoP with a group and I've started CoS with the same group at level 5, although they started new characters.
I'd suggest to use the backgrounds and/or factions of the characters to tie them to Barovia. I used the "plea for help"-hook and...
Then be sure to steal from the same source I did: slangdesign.com/rppr/the-new-world-free-4e-dd-campaign-setting/
And all materials you can get your hands on about the Maztica campaign setting, the Jakandor (Odyssey) campaign setting and The Living Jungle RPGA setting.
My best guess is that Strength-based warriors will probably turn to barbarian instead of fighter. On the other hand, I doubt that 1 point of AC will matter that much.
The best case scenario is that Strength-based fighters (or clerics, for that matter) won't dump Dexterity like they can do now.
I'm not. But you raise a good point, that I hadn't really thought about.
More and more, I'm starting to think that the houserule to add an extra spell is a bad idea. I was worried about intra party balance,but this thread has convinced me that this won't be an issue. Plus, and this is also...