Angelina,
I have a split opinion here, but hopefully positioning both sides will give you the info you need to make a choice that is best for you.
AGAINST PARKHOPPER
I am a big fan of the Park Hopper feature. But on your first trip you really have so much to do in each park that the need to change parks mid-day because you have exhausted all you want to do in a park is not a likely scenario. And I love keeping to one "theme" for a day. So by that reasoning, you could save the money.
FOR PARKHOPPER
The added cost of the Park Hopper is pretty low in the scheme of things when you are there for as long as you are going. For a 1 or 2 day visit it would be a lot, but for a 7 day stay it is, proportionally, not much. And that flexibility gives you the opportunity to keep things more open to spontaneity, and that is a good thing.
BOTTOM LINE: I would go for it, if your budget can handle it.
As for where to go, and when, here is what I would do (assuming NO park hopper)
- January 11 - Arrival Day
- January 12 - Magic Kingdom
- January 13 - Animal Kingdom
- January 14 - Epcot
- January 15 - Hollywood Studios
- January 16 - Magic Kingdom
- January 17 - OPEN
- January 18 - Departure Day
For the 17th I would recommend you leave it open to whatever park you think you need the most time in. But if forced to choose, I would think that the Hollywood Studios would be your best bet.
Write me back if I can assist further!
Have a magical vacation!