We did away with Hoppers as an unnecessary expense after our first or second trip. We just didn't hop that much and they went to waste. We prefer to do exactly as you are describing. We hit rope drop for smaller crowds and cooler weather on summer trips. We start marching out of the park as hunger and overheating sets in. Normally that's 12 or 1pm. We go back to the room, eat something, and nap or swim. Then around 4 or so we head to dinner, wherever that might be, and back to the park until close.
This plan will work especially well for your AK strategy.
For our family, not taking a break of some sort mid-day means at least one of us is going to be cranky and no fun at some point.