I know it is probably too late for the OP but I just came back with my kids (DS -14 and DD - 10). Heat was definitely an issue for DD, who isn’t a particularly good walked on the best of days. She ended up moving slower than a snail, despite cooling towels and a fan. DS got really frustrated and started dashing ahead. Things improved much more once I had a second adult join me so we could separate a bit. When it was just us, I tried to give DS as much freedom as I could, because I didn’t feel comfortable letting DD walk on her own.
One silly example is that he got really angry that I said we would eat at Rainforest Cafe at AK (DD’s favorite restaurant) because he wanted flatbreads. I reminded him that he had charging privileges and on one of the breaks I told him to go get whatever he wanted to eat for second lunch. There were multiple times when I sent him off to get popcorn, or a snack, or even do something while his sister caught up. That helped his attitude a lot.
Because he loves planning I let him steer a lot of the itinerary. We added rides that we don’t normally take and dropped some favorites (eg safari) due to the heat.
I also bought him a resort anytime mug even though I didn’t think we would break even on it because he loves making drinks. I let him go down to fill it whenever he wanted.
Finally, we took more Lyfts than usual to try to stay cool/comfortable during transitions. It was a small thing but when everyone was tired I think it made a difference.
All-told maybe I spent an extra $150-200 on random charges that DS made, transportation, and cooling products. But I just chalked it up to the cost of being there in the summer and didn’t think anything of it.
Lessons learned:
Don’t bring DD back in July. The heat is too much for her. We had to this time (Galactic Star Cruiser) but otherwise it doesn’t work for her.
For the rest of us July is manageable. Not necessarily the preferred time to travel, but as schedules are becoming more complicated it’s nice to know it is an option. Also for as much as I like family time, it was great to do a trip just with DD last year, and I could see doing one with DS a different time.
Kids NEED separate spaces. I knew this but because it was a last minute trip I thought I could get away with a studio. That doesn’t work for our family. Thank goodness for DVC.
In the summer the pace of trips changes. Thank goodness for annual passes so it wasn’t a big deal to go to MK and just ride Tron with a LL, or enter HS and just spend an hour there at park open when
Genie+ really isn’t needed.