M.H.
Good Morning A.!
We go to Disney every year (are vacation club members), so we have been well over 20 times now. Here is my advice to you.
1) If you can swing it, the moderate is going to be SO much nicer. You will definitely see a difference in the quality of the room/experience of the trip. Disney does make it worth your while to pay a little more per room. The rooms will be bigger at a moderate resort and it will be a lot more laid back than a value.
2/3) Do NOT book a room only reservation. Buy it all as a package. The tickets aren't any cheaper how you buy them, so just have it included. It will make it easier because your tickets will be put on your room key. This way you only have to carry your room key through the park and not a pass and a room key. The Disney dining plan is well worth your money. For instance, we are headed to O'Hana for dinner when we go in 3 weeks. Dinner alone there will cost approximately $40 a person. That is what the meal plan costs for the whole day. However, instead of spending $40 and only getting dinner, you will get lunch and a snack included (which usually costs about $20 total). So think of it as getting $20 worth of free food every day of your stay. It adds up fast!!! Make sure you get the BASIC DINING PLAN. Anything else will be way too much food and not worth it. Plus, the more sit down meals you have, the less time you have to do the parks. With the dining plan, book your reservations for restaurants now and then you know where you will be eating what night and can plan the rest of your trip accordingly. If you don't make reservations now, you may not be able to get in to any sit down restaurants.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to PM me. I LOVE talking Disney with people and constantly am helping friends/neighbors with their trips. Have fun!