Son likes to sleep, how to do all we want without rope-drop?

[DisneyOma]

That summer heat is brutal and the crowds are the worst between 10-2 so there is no way I would rush him out the door for that. Relax at resort until 3! Schedule your fastpasse and hit the emh parks. You will have a wonderful relaxing trip! I was surprised how much we loved a summer trip. Happy travels!

The heat hits its worst around 3 PM and stays that way until sunset, so I'd aim for a much earlier start. It also rains frequently at that time - although that does help empty out the parks, sometimes a lot of rides are closed for the duration of the storm.

Thank you! I really appreciate everyone's time, but I'd just love to just hear about strategy from people who go to parks later in the day.

Have your 3 FP+ lined up, and be prepared to ride standby in long queues for everything else, as the 4th FP+ might not be available later in the day, especially in the summer.

 

[Lynzer4]

Over the last year since I became an AP holder, my tour has changed a little... not go go go! I actaully enjoy it much more. You can't see and do everything so why push yourself. Its suppose to be a vacation.

This past June I took my 13 year old cousin for her "special one on one" trip. I figured she won't want to get up early every day so I planned late nights. Did afternoon FP+. Thankfully AK was open to 11pm nightly and MK was open to at last 11pm (most nights 12 or 1am) so we sleep in and headed to the park around 10sih. I did plan one early day but that day I planned to have a mid after hotel/pool time. It was a great relaxing trip.

People often talk about RD and early morning but if you have a late night... 1 or 2 am alot of people leave after the fireworks at 10pm and you can get alot done in the night time. So plan to go to EMH nights.

I would also plan a night where you see the fireworks but if you can plan a second time and hit a ride or two during the nighttime entertainment. Lines go way down during the shows.

 

[cinnderly]

Over the last year since I became an AP holder, my tour has changed a little... not go go go! I actaully enjoy it much more. You can't see and do everything so why push yourself. Its suppose to be a vacation.

This past June I took my 13 year old cousin for her "special one on one" trip. I figured she won't want to get up early every day so I planned late nights. Did afternoon FP+. Thankfully AK was open to 11pm nightly and MK was open to at last 11pm (most nights 12 or 1am) so we sleep in and headed to the park around 10sih. I did plan one early day but that day I planned to have a mid after hotel/pool time. It was a great relaxing trip.

People often talk about RD and early morning but if you have a late night... 1 or 2 am alot of people leave after the fireworks at 10pm and you can get alot done in the night time. So plan to go to EMH nights.

I would also plan a night where you see the fireworks but if you can plan a second time and hit a ride or two during the nighttime entertainment. Lines go way down during the shows.

Yes, getting on rides during fireworks is a great idea too. Thanks!

 

[srwarden1928]

I hope this will be helpful to OP. I am the quintessential sleep in person in real life. I get up earlier at Disney than I do at home, because it is worth it to ME. It is not worth it to some people. I did once go on a Disney trip when one person who usually is a morning lark decided to sleep in. This was in June, so I think it is similar to the trip OP plans. Some things OP should be aware of:

1. When you get to a park in the crowded, hot summer at 10 or 11, there can easily be an oppressive crowd waiting to get into the park. That is OK if you are mentally prepared to deal with it. It is very disheartening if you are expecting the kind of entrance crowd you see at rope drop or in October.
2. Different people have different ideas about how many rides/shows/etc they want to do and how much reduction is dissatisfying. The lines for attractions and QS food can be quite long during much of the day.
3. At night SOME lines shorten because some people run out of steam and go back to the resort. Being able to take advantage of evening EMH, especially with hoppers can really help.
4. If you really want to see a lot, and you really want to sleep in, you may want to skip the break. Despite what some people say here, a person can wait through the lines and see some attractions during the heat of the afternoon. In fact, some attractions are more conducive to this than others.
5. Eating at odd times, especially those meals where you do not have ADRs can be an advantage--you are experiencing attractions when others are eating and eating when the lines for food are not quite as long.
6. Depending on your preferences, minimizing time spent for breakfast may be helpful when you are sleeping in.
7. Take into consideration when you plan to get to the parks as you plan your days. A good plan is probably MORE important if you want to sleep in AND see most or much of what there is to experience.

I hope the OP and her son have a magical vacation. My main recommendations (the ones I see as most important) if they want to sleep in are plan park days, do not break, stay late, and expect both heat and crowds.