I am a SPG also and the Swan and Dolphin are great Hotels. You will not be disappointed. The restaurants inside them are VERY good and not Disney run.
The Dolphin is the bigger Hotel with more shops and restaurants. The Swan is smaller and easier to get around in. Both are the same as far as points are concerned.
Blue Zoo is spendy but worth it for a one night indulgence, even if you get the kids a pizza in the room and you and the wife go downstairs for dinner.
From the Dolphin/Swan you can walk to Epcot and MGM. If you do not mind walking, you can walk through Epcot (very close to the hotel) and jump on the Monorail to Magic Kingdom. The walk will take about 10-15 minutes to get to the Monorail.
Otherwise there is bus service from the front of the hotel to the Magic Kingdom. There are also boats that run to Epcot and MGM from between the Dolphin/Swan.
As far as tricks for the parks, I'll leave it to the experts. If your there for 5 days you should be able to cover the parks well if you plan your days. I think on property Hotel Guests get early admission to certain parks on certain days, this is your golden hour to get to the rides with the long lines. Also use the fast pass as much as possible.
But, I am no expert. I rarely go to these parks.
To be honest, I have a 5 and 15 year old and my 5 year old has been there on two vacations in his life. We usually only go once every 5 years or so. I prefer national parks, beaches, hiking etc.. to Theme Parks. Every time I get into one, I ask myself why I agreed to do this. I have never seen these kinds of crowds on trails in the Smoky Mountain national park.
BTW - Super Bowl Sunday is the day when the parks are empty. My brother would go every year on this day and have the place to himself.