Best plan for summer?

[mshanson3121]

It's going to be hot, humid. We want to make sure we have lots of down time on our 8 days. What is a better strategy - to do longer days (say 6-8 hour days, from say 12-6 at Epcot, or 9-4 at MK) and then take two full days off where we don't go into parks at all, or to just do all mornings (probably 9-12 or 9-1) every day?

 

[720L]

We get to the parks at opening, take it slow during the hottest time (afternoon)(you could go back to your resort if you wanted), then enjoy the evening which is still hot but seems better without the blazing sun.

 

[Ocean]

We schedule our midday meals around 1:00 or 2:00 so that we're sitting in the AC during the heat. And we often go back to the room for pool and nap time. Since we like the late night hours, cooling off in the pool followed by a 2-3 hour nap really works well for us.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We schedule our midday meals around 1:00 or 2:00 so that we're sitting in the AC during the heat. And we often go back to the room for pool and nap time. Since we like the late night hours, cooling off in the pool followed by a 2-3 hour naps really works well for us.

This exactly.

 

[Tomh]

We visit the parks in August, it is HOT HOT HOT, and I do not like HOT HOT HOT lol.

That being said, the vast majority of the time, we are at the park for rope drop, or very close to it, and spend the entire day. In the morning, when it is cooler and less crowded, we hit the big rides, and we tend to move fast and get a lot done. In the mid-day and afternoon, when it is hazy hot humid, and crowded, we take in shows, long rides, do shopping, nice long lunch, nice long supper, basically we take it easy, and just try to beat the heat, and conserve energy. Then, when the sun goes down, we enjoy the evening parades / shows, or some more rides depending on what park we are in, and how late it is open.

 

[scrappinmom]

I'm in the same spot OP - We've got 8 day hoppers on a 10 day stay but I still can't decide what to actually DO - I've got my meals planned for a take a break & go back for dinner, my FP kinda half & half some for touring after dinner 7-10 pm & some for after that initial morning time 11-2. I've left nearly every day open from 2-7 we can either stay in the parks & do air conditioned stuff or go back to the resort & relax

 

[mshanson3121]

It would make it easier if we could go back to the parks in the evenings, but we just can't. The kids can't handle late bedtimes. Oh one or two nights, fine, but every night? Let's just leave it at - the trip would be ruined.

 

[Lucius Best]

If you want lots of downtime, definitely hit the parks at rope drop every day, mornings will be cooler and less crowded. Like someone else mentioned, plan your lunches where you can sit inside in AC. Back to hotel in afternoon to relax in pool/nap. Then wing it, back to park after dinner after the sun goes down if you're up for it.

 

[cbellasmomma]

What CS offers AC at MK?

 

[TwoLittlePrincesses]

Pinocchio's, Columbia Harbor House, Cosmic Ray's, Pecos Bill, Tortuga Tavern, Be Our Guest all have indoor seating with AC

 

[preemiemama]

It would make it easier if we could go back to the parks in the evenings, but we just can't. The kids can't handle late bedtimes. Oh one or two nights, fine, but every night? Let's just leave it at - the trip would be ruined.

If you can do it one or two nights, your best bet is to do this at MK. Not only is it easier to get additional FPs, but many rides have much shorter lines (especially during fireworks and parades). I would plan for rope drop- you can get a lot done before noon. Then take a swim/nap break and see how it goes heading back in the evening. I would recommend doing this on a day when you have a non-park day scheduled for the next day. If it works out, you can try it again- sometimes an afternoon nap can get you surprisingly far in the evening. If not, you have a day to relax and regroup…

Otherwise, plan on that rope drop as many days as possible to get things done in the morning and take breaks that allow you to cool down more as the day wears on.

 

[smiths02]

Here is our plan. For toddlers like we have and FP+, I'd rather do short days with no resort days.
Arrive by afternoon-, FP Soarin,dinner at Garden Grill in Epcot, maybe ride something else...leave park
Day 2-am EMH at DHS, sit down lunch, leave around 1-2, rest, dinner at a resort at 6, back to room
Day 3-pre-park opening breakfast at MK, leave around lunchtime, rest, dinner at a resort
Day 4-sleep in day, Arrive at Epcot around 11, use FP+ for Soarin/character spot, late lunch at Biergarten, explore World showcase, leave when we've had enough
Day 5-sleep in day, KONA breakfast at 10, head to DHS for a few hours (ride FP+ rides), dinner at 50s PT, leave park
Day 6-am EMH at AK, lunch Yak n Yeti, leave, dinner DTD
Day 7-Epcot Future World, get there rope drop, leave after lunch, dinner at a resort
Day 8-arrive rope drop at MK, BOG lunch, leave, rest, return for Pirates and Pals Cruise
Day 8-last day, brunch at CP, use FP+, drive home

 

[tinkerbesh]

It would make it easier if we could go back to the parks in the evenings, but we just can't. The kids can't handle late bedtimes. Oh one or two nights, fine, but every night? Let's just leave it at - the trip would be ruined.

Doesn't have to be evening. You could do 9-12 or 9-1 like you said. (Set up your next late afternoon FP+ before you go.) Then siesta or pool time for a few hours. Then back to the parks from 4-6 or 5-7.

That said, we were shooting for that kind of plan with our 11 month old last year, but he would fall asleep in the stroller every day after lunch. So we almost never made it back to hotel for siesta. We did park days from about 9-6 or 10-7, but for the scorching early afternoons we'd find AC somewhere he could sleep & we could rest (restaurants, monorail, or similar). Took it very slow during those afternoon hours. Sort of an in-park siesta.

 

[MainMom]

Our plan: Rope Drop, TS lunch around 12, back to hotel for midday break, evening in park.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Our plan: Rope Drop, TS lunch around 12, back to hotel for midday break, evening in park.

This is our plan of attack as well, but really OP I think you'll find every family is different. You may end up surprised and going commando works for you. You never really know till you are there.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

We do rope drop and EMH, fit in as much as possible, then leave in the afternoon. Some days we go back in the evening to the park, other days we do pool time then dinner and relax. For us the early start is 100% the key, so we cant do late nights every night either.

 

[Parker Clan]

We only go in August, it's the only time we can go each year, and we try to get to parks close to RD, bring water, gatorade & salty snacks, eat lunch at 11-11:15 and take a mid afternoon break by the pool & a nap. Then we go to dinner and hit the parks at night, taking it slow. We do all six days we stay at the parks but for 8 days you can probably schedule a break day to hang by the pool or something more low key

 

[quandrea]

We have been to Disney over fifty times but never in the summer until now. Just booked a five night last minute trip. Staying at Wilderness Lodge. I'm enjoying these tips.

We are not fans of the heAt but really wanted a getaway. How important is Gatorade? We are actually wondering if the heat will be so bad that we won't even do parks this trip. Will we be able to stand it?

 

[preemiemama]

It is hot, no doubt about it. We typically drink water and do OK. Stay hydrated. We have only gone in the summer, and honestly our key is that midday break. If you can do it, early morning and after dinner touring saves you from the harshest sun/heat of the day. Also, you are safely back at the hotel when the midday rainstorm rolls through. They are usually brief, but help to cool things down and chase people out of the park.

 

[720L]

We have been to Disney over fifty times but never in the summer until now. Just booked a five night last minute trip. Staying at Wilderness Lodge. I'm enjoying these tips.

We are not fans of the heAt but really wanted a getaway. How important is Gatorade? We are actually wondering if the heat will be so bad that we won't even do parks this trip. Will we be able to stand it?

Water is your best bet, IMO. LOTS of water. Afternoon 1-4 is the worst heat. Most things are air-conditioned so you are only in the heat walking to places. I'll suffer through anything for Disney lol.