DISNEY WORLD!!!! UCF IS RIGHT NEAR THERE!
My top suggestion: eat at Prime Time Cafe in MGM. It is the most incredibly overlooked place, but one of my favorites. It's a sit-down restaurant themed around the fifties sitcom families. You go in, and everyone treats you like you're family. You have to set the table, use good manners, and eat your vegetables...or you don't get dessert!
The waiters and waitresses are super nice, and I guarantee you will die laughing if they play the whole theme up.
It's also got really good food.
Also, you certainly can't miss my favorite ride: The Haunted Mansion. If you are one of those people who must know how every thing works, like me, go to
www.doombuggies.com. It's really interesting reading on how the special effects work.
If you love princessy stuff, remember to eat in Cinderella's castle. If you can manage to time it so you're in there while the fireworks show is on, they dim the lights and play the music and you have a prime veiw. I'm not crazy about the food, but it really is incredible- I ate there before my junior prom and still tell the stories.
Also, make sure you visit the AFI exihbit at the end of the backlot tour at MGM if you're in to moves. I haven't been in a while, but I've heard they have one of the wicked witch's hats from the Wizard of Oz, and Darth Vader's costume.
I would definitly reccommend getting passes with Parkhopping abilities. IMHO, Animal Kingdom isn't worth a whole day.
On the shoes- you could really do either. I prefer tennis shoes, myself. My feet hurt less and stay cleaner.
If you have any more questions, just ask. I grew up here, and I'm a walking guidebook.
Oh, almost forgot. You can bring backpacks in, but post- 9-11, they've been searhing them at the entrance to every park. I'd consolidate stuff into one bag if at all possible (preferably with very few pockets!) , especially if you'll be parkhopping a lot. It can be a real pain.