In the heat of August

[clutter]

We tried that strategy for a September trip and failed spectacularly. We cannot do late nights AND rope drop. Even with an afternoon nap no one was rested. So, if you plan late night maybe plan to sleep in in the morning.

SotS

Same here. We can't do RD even if we don't go out late! Late August is one of my favorite times. We generally hit the parks later, maybe between 11 and 1. We made sure to go to cooler places during the heat of the day, and with park hoppers it was a lot easier to do that. But I agree that, with the exception of AK, the heat is pretty much running from one indoor place to another. And I agree that the kids tend to get energized when evening comes. Of course, the hottest we've ever seen at Disney was in May 2003! Every August trip had maybe one or two really killer hot days. And after a rainstorm the parks are virtually empty!

 

[the3dwizard]

We typically plan around a couple of magic hours in the morning and then leave around lunch even though we normaly go in March or June. When then will rest or swim and then go to EPCOT for dinner and fireworks or stay in and cook and chill. Since we go almost every year there is not that need to fill every hour with park time so this can affect plans.

One of my favorite activities is MK magic hours when they are open until 2am!!! Of course everyone else sleeps in the next day and me I am ready to go. Also don't forget the water parks.

So plan around the things and activities that need planning like dinner reservations and magic hours that you consider must do's, etc. but keep the rest of your day flexable.