Most accounts are that Franklin was writing satire and it ended up being adopted over the years. The myth that it was for farmers was always that a myth. Cows and chickens don't care what time it is.
Based on the OP having to drive in, it would not be a day there, just an evening most likely, judging on what they said. I always want to start my vacation early, so it is always worth it to me! ;)
If you look further from the parks you can find name brand and relatively inexpensive lodging, and CLEAN. Cheap close to the parks mostly equals run down.
There is a lot of free entertainment on various nights and some people actually like it. Lots of opinions here. I think anyone who has not been should at least give it a look to judge for themselves.
Almost every dish at every restaurant is shareable if cost is an issue. Wife and I split the fried chicken salad there and they brought us 2 almost of not exactly full size salads for one price. Fried chicken is much better than any fast food chicken I have ever had but to each his own.