Newbie planning my very first trip!

[Rivka]

Hi everyone!

I'm planning our family's first trip to WDW in October 2013, to celebrate my 40th birthday. It'll be me, my husband, 8yo daughter, 4yo son. I'm hoping to go for 8 nights, 7 days arriving Oct. 19, and also hoping that Disney will offer free dining again during that time period.

My current thoughts are:
- Carribean Beach Resort or Port Orleans Riverside (Alligator Bayou)
- 3 days MK, 2 days Epcot, 1 day each AK and HS
- 40th birthday dinner at the California Grill, returning to MK for the Electrical Parade and Wishes

My main dilemmas are:
- Rent a car or not (not planning to do anything non-Disney, but with the ages of our kids we are counting on returning to the hotel for a rest most afternoons)
- Where else to make ADRs, assuming free dining
- How our plans should change if there isn't free dining

I'm sure plenty of other questions will arise as I really get started planning.

Thanks!