A family vacation to a theme park may be a very enjoyable and memorable event (for a group of friends). But, let’s be honest, standing in lines for hours, getting sunburned, and paying $5 on a bottle of water might make it feel less wonderful. Fortunately, a little forethought may help you save money, avoid long lines, and minimize tantrums from your toddler. Follow these six pointers for a stress-free theme park visit.
Don’t buy tickets directly from the park’s website; do some research first to ensure you’re getting the greatest deal. On travel bargain websites, look for savings through memberships you may already have, such as Costco and AAA. Subscribe to their emails and follow them on social media to see if they have any promo codes you can use when making your reservation.
Don’t get carried away by the first thing you see as you go inside the building. Decide ahead of time which rides and attractions are most important to you and find out where they are. Make a beeline for those rides as soon as the park opens, or reserve fast passes to save time in line. If you’re traveling with children, look at the height requirements, so you know which rides are off-limits.
Both quick-service and full-service restaurants will be busy with hungry families at peak lunchtimes. Make reservations to avoid having to wait in line for food. (Because popular restaurants often fill up months in advance, make sure to mark this off your list well in advance of your trip.) Consider putting lunch in a cooler and storing it in a locker if you’re on a budget. You can find a shady area for a quick snack when you’re ready for a break.
When you’re spending hours in the sun, you’ll need sunscreen, hats, polarised sunglasses, and lots of water. Bring a reusable water bottle (such as this collapsible one) to save money; most park restaurants will fill it up for free. Pack a lightweight poncho in your backpack just in case it rains.
While it may be pleasing to sleep in for a while on vacation, getting to the parks as soon as they open is well worth the effort. You’ll be able to ride the most popular rides before they become too crowded, and you’ll be able to spend many hours at the park before it gets too hot. You’ll be eager for a break in the shade as the people start to arrive.
Know that you won’t be able to see and do everything, especially if you’re visiting a theme park with little children. Pace yourself and schedule breaks throughout the day. Either return to the hotel for a snooze or seek out an indoor attraction to cool off.
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