Mousesavers.com. Their newsletter will keep you updated on any sales, special offers, etc.
Many of the off site hotels are as close as the Disney hotels. Are you wanting to stay in the area so you can get to the parks easily, split your time, or stay elsewhere and commute in? A good source would be the Anaheim/Orange Country Visitors Bureau...I think that's what they go by. Just search for Anaheim/Orange county and the word tourist and their website will come up. They can send you a book that will let you compare what the various hotels have to offer. We stayed at HoJos and loved it!
The book also had coupons for other Southern CA tourist attractions. If you don't have a car, there's one company I know of that offers transportation/ticket packages.
www.AnaheimSightseeing.com.
You should also hang out here, at Intercot West, and at LaughingPlace. The "regulars" on the board have a wealth of knowledge to share.
You're so lucky to have almost a year to plan! You should be able to explore all your options before you have to make any decisions!!!
BTW...we stayed at HoJo's and loved it. Watch Mousesavers...had I booked through them in January, our room would only have been $55 a night! I waited a month and ended up paying $10 more a night, which is still much cheaper than what I've paid for rooms in places like St. Louis!
Have fun planning!!!