Rusty.......I think you did it wrong.....imo of course, all the things you mention are specifically things to which there is a solution......
1.......Stay on property, if dealing with a budget I suggest "pop century" it's newer and nicer than the other value resorts, expect noisy families and a more congested areas at any of the value resorts.....
Personally port orleans riverside (a moderate resort) is the nicest resort....I've stay at all but a few of the resorts over the past 2 years.....the grand floridian didn't impress me unless you're on concierge level....
2........Disney has a great transpotation system, don't drive your car.....buses go from each resort to each park and back, about every 20 minutes until past closing and they're free.....
3......Get the meal plan......it'll cost about 40 per person per day (not counting tip)....you'll get a counter service, a dinner service, and a snack credit, on average you'll spend about 50-90 per day for each adult if you pay cash......plus everything is atatched to your room key.....room/parks/meals etc...there is a more expensive meal option but is WAY too much food to realistically eat and you'll end up wasting credits....you can't walk up to a sit down restaraunt and get a table......it won't happen so don't chance it...especially for more than 2 people.....
4......Make dinner reservations as soon as you can.....people plan way ahead and its nearly impossible to get into the good spots on short notice (a few months ahead)......
5......Get park hoppers......this way your days are flexible and you can spend 1/2 day at a park, this will keep the kids from overload.....we usually plan our parks according to dinner reservations....
6.....Fast passes.....use them, love them......you can get one at the entrance of every ride, this will make you not to have to wait the hour to ride, you'll max wait will only be 10 minutes as you'll go to the "front of the line".......
All wait times are posted, 30 minutes is a short line for any of the "big" rides.....I believe you can only get one every couple of hours, so don't get one if there's a moderate wait....
7.......You can get a good discount with AAA sometimes, so ask when you call the mouse, sometimes cheaper, sometimes not.....
in my opinion, the only way to do disney is this.....
Stay on property.....
Get the meal plan (and make reservations).....
Park hoppers....
If flying into orlando use "the magical express"......they'll take your bags right to your resort and a comfy bus ride from the airport....no need to rent a car or deal with cabs.....
And plan ahead....
Being local now we have anual passes and are there regularly, let me know where you'll be on a particular sat/sun and maybe we can grab a beer.......
fyi there is alcohol everywhere on property......EXCEPT the magic kingdom
