I think the reason why some of us respond is that we realize people are coming here and reading all these threads, and it just helps to have a balanced view out there, it's not always "against" what the OP has said... at least IMO. What has stood out to me in this conversation is how it is kind of implied that having gone to WDW for a long time/many times somehow makes one's POV less informed (or blind) than someone who has only recently gone.
Having gone over a long period of time, I've got to experience pretty much everything (except the ticket book, but my dad got to do that when I was a youngling and share the experience with us). And, in that experience it includes pre-FP trips, paper FP trips, a solo trip, a trip with over 12 people, FP+ trips, planned out trips, and literally night before jump-in-the-car-and-go trips. The reason why many vets like me like to hang out here is to help people not feel so stressed about their Disney trips, because we seen and experienced so much of it, we can help teach people how to do a trip that fits them and their family/group, even if they don't have 180 days to plan for it, and within the needs of that particular poster.
One of my own comparisons that always cracks me up; I waited 120 min for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (if you never got to experience that cheesy goodness I pity you... ugh I hated that ride lol) in full sunlight, no cell phones, no video games, no nothing, when I was a youngling. People are aghast at waiting 120 min for FoP in an air-conditioned entertaining queue with access to water, and even a bathroom break if needed, and that's if you can't get a FP, or get there for rope drop, or get there right before park close. Pre-FP most rides were that way... I prefer FP+ for sure.
But the point is; because I've experienced all those changes I can help figure out how not to stand in line for 2 hours, even if you are going down to WDW tomorrow. Now, is it much more tricky at Spring Break, yes. It's more tricky with 12 people too... but it could be done as long as people in the party could or would cooperate. I'm not a Disney cheerleader; a big chunk of years we quit going because the park started resembling the local theme park in cleanliness because of the huge influx of people and the changing norms (like people throwing trash in the street) and Disney had not adapted. When Disney fixed it, and they did, we came back.
The neat thing about boards like Disboards is that the knowledge is all here to help set up a trip that works for the planner and their crew... but sometimes it's that huge amount of knowledge being presented that overwhelms a person. Some plan and hate their trips, some plan and love them. Some don't plan and hate their trips, some don't plan and love them. I just think there are a lot more variables than just Disney's flexibility or lack thereof.
What I hope for the OP's trip is that the planning, and the opportunity to plan, is worth it... and that you have an awesome trip! If you then ever decide to go back, the planning is easier if you decide to plan it all out again, or you may decide to wing it, and still have a ball!