When Disney built the "All Star" resorts it changed the Orlando hotel landscape. Before the reasonably priced All Stars, folks would stay off Disney to save money, but still stay at a nice,clean hotel. Now, because of tough low end competition, some of the low cost off Disney places are real dives. My family stayed at Lxxxxxx’s Lodge several times and loved it….clean, neat,,,,,pool well heated. The last time we stayed 10 yrs ago it was awful….duct taped carpet…..repaired doors that had been previously "kicked in"….a front desk behind bullet proof glass. We stay at the All Star resorts now. They are no longer $59 per nt as when they opened, but at about $80 to 130 per night depending on season, they are very fairly priced. Your hometown travel agent will get you the same price on the rooms as if you call Disney directly. AAA can save you 5% on your Disney Tickets, but may make it up on fees for other services.

If you are in Orlando, Disney is not the only game in town, although they have added enough stuff to fill a week. Universal has the characters that are more in tune with what today’s kids want. With kids that age, I would consider a day at Disney, and a day at Universal. If you do that, I would stay at a mid range (not the cheapest) hotel over on International Drive. To do that, you really need a car. As others have said, avoid mid April. The northeast has school vacation week then, and it will be very busy, very expensive, and hard to book,