I've been going to the World for the last 25 years. I always buy Birbaum's official guide. It has some great tips. Right now Disney is offering buy 3 nights get 4 free. I haven't really looked into it as we own a vacation time share. We usally stay one night on the Park just because. We have stayed in almost all the Diseny resorts though. All are good. The more you pay the better the hotel. Ex. Animal, Contempary, in the bathroom you have a real glass to drink from. The meduim hotels (Cornado, Beach) has styrafoam, The All Stars, Pop Century they are plastic. We usually stay in the lower price. The All Stars Resorts are the "Motel 6" of Disney. Depends on when you go, rooms are between $80 to 100 a night. They have the BEST food courts though. The pools are nice too. All are theme, which is fun. (Stay in Movies, you son will like swimming in the piano shaped pool.) You could also get rooms off the park, but then you would have to drive or rent a car. On the park they have the bus system, boats, momorail to get you everywhere in the World,which are good. (Takes time, but no driving) this way you don't have to deal with car traffic. Also if you stay off the park, havng a car, you do have to pay for parking.I think it was $8. last yr. Keep that in mind.
When you are on the park, water is free. Ask for cups of ice, then add water to help the thirst. When you eat at the fast service, get 1 large drink with no ice, & 3cups of ice. split meals. It is always easier to go back & get more food than to throw $(food) away.you & your husband could get your own meal, one with fries & one with the fruit. Thats desert or no fries at all. That will save you abt $3.
I do suggetst getting the hopper passes. They are worth it. That way if one park is full, you can hop to another. Utalize the fast pass if a ride has one. Fast pass it (Jungle Cruise) & go see the Tikki Room, & Pirates. Then come back to the Cruise. 3 rides in the time it might take for 1 line at the Jungle. Once my daughter & I fast passed Jungle, went & ate, then came back. The line was 40 minutes long. We waited 5. Get a fast pass at Pooh's or Peter Pan, the lines are ALWAYS long. At the studios, get there before it opens, when the park does open go straight to Toy Story Mania. Ride it, then get a fast pass. You'll love it & your son will want to ride it again, The line will be 1 hr long at least when you get off. (We'ver seen it the line for 2 hrs).
I know its a lot. If you want more info let me know, but I'm sure you have had a lot of others with info. Again, every hotel is a good one on the park. We have AWLAYS had good expeinces. Going at the end of the year (Christmas) is a very busy time, it will be crowded. Do the Christmas party. Just know the lines will be long, drink water & go with a good attitude. Relax & laugh. We go every year in June. Hot, & Crowded. Abt me, I've been married for 30 yrs,I'm 49, 5 kids, 26,25,24,16,15. 2 boys, 3 girls. We go the same every yr, so the adult kids can get off work now. The 25 yr old was in the college program in the fall of '06 & workd at the Jungle Cruise as a skipper. She now goes back every 5 months to maintain her work status. Our soninlaw was a "Pirate" (of the Carabean). He too worked there. Our 24yr old son is in the Navy, but is getting out in Novermber to go to work where you may ask? Yes Disney World. I too work for the store in Houston for 7 yrs before moving. We are going to Disneyland Feb 13-16 to meet the 24 yr old on leave. This is the 1st yr I have annual passes to the World & Land. As you can see we LOVE Diseny. Sorry this is so long, but hope it helps. B.