Disney vacation planning- HELP!

I’ve never been to Disney World in Orlando and I’m trying to plan a trip for our family. Is there an advantage to staying in Disney World versus a hotel outside of the park? We want to go to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens too so we’d need to leave the park anyway. Also, if we need to stay in the park, where can I find details on every section of Disney World so I can plan our trip around what I think my son will enjoy? Also, what hotels inside the park are located for the shortest travel times from the hotel to the parks? I’ve heard of people having to travel an hour one-way inside the park just to get from their hotel to their destination! Planning this trip has really seemed overwhelming since I don’t know the difference between the Epcot Center and Animal Kingdom!!