Order specialty food on the app ahead of time (raspberry Mickey macaroons from Jolly Holiday bakery are worth a try).
To getter better lines, go as early as possible.
Lines will be heavy or worse all day, but better in the early morning. They also get better during dinner time and the last few hours before closing, but morning is still the “slowest.”
Go-to ride to cool off is Pirates of the Caribbean: ~15 minutes long in air conditioning and the standby line is usually 20-40 minutes. Same story for Haunted Mansion.
If you want a shorter line for Splash Mountain or Grizzly River Rapids, then ride after dark. People don’t want to be wet when it’s cooler outside. We bring ponchos and put them on just for the ride. If you sit in thr front third on Splash Mountain, then there’s a much higher probability of getting wet.
You’ll use your phone a ton with the app, so bring a portable battery.
We always bring a backpack and bring water bottles, snacks, sandwiches, fruit, etc.
If you have younger kids either bring or rent a stroller. I can’t imagine doing the park carrying them around…exhausting.
Go at your own pace. Take a break, sit in air conditioning, watch a show, or take a long lunch. Also, if you stay nearby, then even go back to your hotel for a few hours mid-afternoon.