As far as ur ride concern.. u did well to it
but for ur rout and stay plan.. i have some suggetions if u consider (as i return from Neelum on 3rd may)
First of all.. Do not spend night in MZd though u r travelled almost 11 hours frm Bahawalpur and of course with family. try to manage ur time in a sense that u reach MZD in early morning have a short stay have breakfast there (Because MZD is crowded city and temp is as high like lahore) n then leave for Kutton. (it is just 3 hour drive frm MZD). and if this is not possible then u can stay there. n must stay in Mir continenetal Hotel. (Good for food and for the stay as well.. as i stay there last year and they charge 3000 per master bed room with all facilities and complimentary breakfast)
if u are not stay in mzd then u must spend night in kutton. otherwise u'll be fresh by staying there and drive till Kel (it is 8 hours drive from mzd). according to me u must spend ur night in Arang Kel. park ur ride in kel and trek to arang kel just 2 km trek easily done with family in 1 to 1.5 hour.( As i did in 40 min).
Next morning u can visit to Taobut. (4 hours drive from Kel) and stay night there in shabistan hotel across the river. good hotel with facilities.
i skipped Shounter just due to shortage of time and heard some avg comments about the place.
On the return u must stay at Upper Neelum for the night and next morning u can travel back to lahore.
Six days are enuf for the Neelum Valley.
As u are with Family so u can and must cook ur food by urself because good food is rare there. every good rest house offer kitchen so no problem in cooking there. Raw food items easily available every where except some places.
Most Imp get advance booking for ur stay for each destination to avoid any pareshani..
Finalize ur plan and then feel free to ask me for the accommodation.. i'll provide all numbers of best places to stay
