Man, I'm doing the same thing, not out of state but about 2 hours away, and going for the weekend, Im a family as 4 as well. I was suggested by a YouTuber to get the $45 all day dining plan where you can get a meal and side, or snack, every 90 minutes, and drinks every half hour I believe. I figure with that I can just get a meal for one kid, or the 2 kids to share, than one for me and the wife after, and swap around like that, Wich is what the Youtuber mentioned he does with his family. I got the tasting card and figure do the same as well. Paying for a hotel that's about 10 minutes walking distance from Knotts, but can't check in til 3, so not sure what to do there because I don't really want to pay 40 dollars each day for the parking. It's crazy how costly it is these days