Hi Joel!
I am so glad you found planDisney to ask your planning question! I'll admit that when I first saw the Disney Park Pass Reservation System, I was confused.
At this time, you can reserve one park per day, both on the
Walt Disney World website and the MyDisneyExperience mobile app. If you have a park hopper ticket, you can move to a different park at 2pm. This worked SO WELL on my trip last week!
I would recommend booking Disney’s Hollywood Studios as your first park, and then planning to hop to a different park for the afternoon. By having the park pass, you are eligible to try for a boarding group for
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at 7am, and again at 1pm (if you are unsuccessful at 7am) if you are inside Hollywood Studios.
For an afternoon park, you might consider heading to Epcot. From Hollywood Studios, Epcot is a short walk or ride on the Disney Skyliner. There are lots of great dining options for dinner at both Epcot and the Boardwalk, which is nearby. I LOVE Trattoria al Forno on the Boardwalk for a nice, relaxing meal.
Since your trip is in August, I would plan to carry both an umbrella (for rain OR sun), and a poncho. Summer is the rainiest time at Walt Disney World, so it’s best to be prepared. Also, make sure all of your family members have extra shoes!
I hope you have a magical vacation!
Happy Planning,
Tracy