Hi Liz,
I havn't stayed in the Santa Fe myself, but quite a few of our regular DLP forum posters have - it was given a new CARS theming at the beginning of the year, which has made it more interesting for kids. Rooms mainly have two double beds, although they do have some with bunk beds, and also some new connecting 2 bathroom family rooms that sleep 6. ( special offer prices do not include the family rooms though ).
The rooms are slightly larger than rooms in the Cheyenne hotel, which have one double and set of bunk beds. Both these hotels have some connecting rooms.
The Cheyenne has very realistic cowboy town theming, and very appealing to kids, especially boys. It is a more attractive hotel from the outside than the Santa Fe, which looks like orange office blocks IMO, but people say the inside is fine. I am planning to have a look round SF when I go next in October. I stayed in the Cheyenne in January for the first time, and was quite comfortable. It was worth paying the extra to be in a Buffalo Room near the main building, especially in winter. I wrote a long detailed review with photos on TA afterwards. I had a kettle in my room, but otherwise you can ask for one at reception in SF and Cheyenne hotels if one is not in the room on arrival. Worth taking your own mugs, spoon, and hot drinks sachets though, as they charge for tea/ coffee etc.
The main difference with the Santa Fe is that it is more like a motel - cars can park outside the room blocks. Some people with young kids are not keen on this, as you have to be careful walking from your room to the main building for breakfast, reception, buses to the parks, etc, looking out for coming cars. The other hotels have car parks away from the rooms and hotel buildings.
If there is not much difference in the price, I would go for the Cheyenne above the SF, as long as kids can sleep in bunks. Some prefer this to sharing a double bed together. The SF and Cheyenne are opposite each other, on each side of the Rio Grande canal. You have to cross a bridge to get to the SF.
All the Disney hotels are busy at breakfast time, so worth booking first timeslot 7am - 7.15am when you arrive for each day, to avoid queues and crowds. Hard getting up sometimes, but good to eat in peace, then be at the park for 8am Extra Magic Hours when 7 rides are open. The first EMH hour is less busy than after 9am. We then go over to the Studios on some days, so we can be first in at 09.30 to queue for Crush's Coaster which is VERY popular and has long queues all day, with no fastpass facility.