Hey again Chris,
All three trails are pretty steep, and the first section of Panorama is crazy steep. I've never been a huge fan of the Falls Trail, mostly because it's so crowded, but even though it's supposed to be the greatest vertical gain, I always head up Snow Creek. I'm really partial to the campsites up there when you get to the top and head to your right. The views of Half Dome and Tenaya Canyon are memorable and something I can never get enough of. Besides being a great experience, Snow Creek is a good place to be able to bail out from if you need to get out in a hurry. Of all the options, it would definitely be my vote for every reason I can think of.
So looking at the webcam myself and judging the conditions, it doesn't look too bad or too deep (more spotty than anything), but it can be deceiving until you're in it. You may have to do a little post holing, but unless you get caught in a blizzard and it builds up fast, you certainly won't need crampons, and probably not snowshoes either. You may wish you had them, but you'll make it through. Check out the micro-spikes though. Kathoola makes the best IMO for about $50. Since you're going to be climbing some steeps, they might come in handy and keep you from face planting more than once. They slip on over your boots easily. If you don't need them, return them or keep them for next time. I just consider them a good thing to have for slick conditions and when traction might be an issue. Gore-tex gaiters might be nice to have, and some trekking poles might come in handy too...preferably with powder baskets. Above all, know how to use all your gear before you head out.
What do you mean by a "grill"??? As in a Coleman? If that's the case, stop whatever it is you're doing today and run down to REI and pick up a small backpacking stove with a windscreen, at least a 1.5 liter pot (2.5L is better for 3 people, but kind of big for most general use), and a couple 8oz iso-butane canisters. I promise that whichever one of you doesn't have to play Sherpa and drag a grill around will be forever in my debt.
The trails are well marked and it doesn't look like you'll need to be too worried about it, but there is snow on the ground, and you never know for sure. It's better to be safe and err on the side of caution, and navigational skills can save your life. You guys are probably young, so what you don't have in experience, you can probably make up for with piss and vinegar, but I'm not able to, nor comfortable with, teaching you to navigate in a paragraph or less. Map, compass, GPS if you have it...the ability to use all of them. Try this for the ridiculously rudimentary starting point though:
http://www.backpacker.com/skills/beginn ... -the-snow/ Although I would definitely spend some more time searching for better online resources on the subject. If you get into trouble, STOP! and take your bearings. If it's worse, remember that there's no shame in quitting, turning around and bailing out. If you get into real trouble: with where you'll be, you should have almost solid cell coverage; call 911, stay where you are, and wait for YOSAR to come and find you. That's about all I can give you on it without being there.
"I've done so much prep work, but I feel I'm thinking of something new each day haha."
Dude, trust me, it never ends.................