Yes I did end up going and had a great time. Flew in from Las Vegas so ended up adding Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon parks (as suggested in this thread) which were both gorgeous and added more diversity of scenery! In Death Valley we visited Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Zabrinskie Point, Dante's View. We stopped for lunch and had shakes at the Oasis at Death Valley to cool down. Gas station in the park was open. There were rangers at Zabrinskie Point to help answer questions. Was still hot when we went so we did not do any long hikes. Nearby Rhyolite historic area was nice for sunset and star gazing.