We love theme parks and have visited a number around the world. From the thrill of rollercoasters to the magic of live shows, most have something for all the family. Now we have children, the likelihood is that we will visit even more and have already dipped our toe in the theme park with kids pond. As with everything involving kids, everything takes that bit longer and you have to be that bit more prepared. However, in reality, the things you have to think about prior to your visit without kids are pretty much the same. Therefore, we have put together a few ways you can prepare for visiting a theme park.
Visiting a theme park can be a pricey day out, particularly if you have a large family. Therefore you want to get the most from your visit and create the best memories possible. It could be a once in a lifetime visit therefore you do not want anything to spoil your experience. We hope these tips help.
Check The Weather Forecast
The most obvious way you can prepare for visiting a theme park is to check out the weather forecast prior to your visit. It can have a massive impact on your day from your journey there, what to wear while you are there and even what and where you will eat.
Weather forecasts tend to change frequently too. In fact, they can change hourly. Therefore check as late as possible to ensure you can amend your plans if necessary.
The weather may affect the need to set off earlier, apply sun lotion, wrap up warm or pack your umbrella. If you are not prepared for the weather, it really can spoil your day.
Prepare Accordingly
Most theme parks require you to book your tickets in advance, especially in these weird COVID times. Therefore, ensure that you have your tickets either printed out or saved and easily accessible on your mobile phone, ready to show upon entrance.
If you are taking an organised trip, double-check your pick up location and time with the company you booked through. If you are relying on public transport work out the best train/bus etc to catch depending on what time you want to arrive at the theme park in advance.
And if you plan to drive yourself, check how long the journey will take you, if there are any planned roadworks along your route and where you should park once at the theme park.
Dress Comfortably
Visiting a theme park can be a hard going experience. You are on your feet all day either walking around or standing in (often, long) queues. Therefore, it is important you are as comfortable as possible and plan your outfit when you prepare for visiting a theme park.
So, leave the heels at home and pull on your old faithful trainers. Sore feet and blisters are a sure-fire way of ruining your day and possibly even days after.
Again, dress for the weather. Hats are a great way of keeping the sun off your face if the sun is shining and scarf are a fabulous versatile accessory that can be used in a number of different ways in different weather conditions.
Travel As Light As Possible
Travelling light can be tricky, especially if you are travelling with kids in tow. However, if you plan to whizz around a theme park without having to lug everything but the kitchen sink behind you, it is vital that all non-essentials are left at home.
One small backpack per group should really be the limit. The adults in the group can then take turns in wearing it. Our backpack usual consists of camera, sun lotion (if travelling in summer), 1 bottle of water to share, snacks (vital) and a change of clothes for the kids. Everything else we have every packed as never been used. Obviously if you have additional essentials i.e. medication, that needs to be packed too.
If you are travelling with little legs and don’t fancy hauling a pushchair with you or running the risk of having it stolen while you are on a ride (yes, it does happen), some of the world’s larger theme parks offer the opportunity to rent strollers either for a day or for the duration of your stay. Even if your child has outgrown a pushchair, you may find yourself needing one. Especially towards the end of the day when they are shattered from all the walking and the sheer excitement.
Maximise Your Time
Again, as theme park tickets can be pricey, the liklihood is that you will want to make the most of your time there. Therefore, one of the main ways of doing this is by maximising your time, if possible. The only sure fire way of doing this is to get there for opening time and leave at closing time.
Another way to maximise your time in a theme park is to purchase VIP (or equivalent) tickets. Most theme parks offer tickets which allow you extra benefits over and above standard tickets. These could include early entrance, queue jumps, photo packages and even a private host. Obviously, these tickets cost more but they allow you to get more from your theme park experience.
Also, some theme parks have on site hotels. Many offer a deal which means that if you stay at the hotel and have a valid theme park ticket you can enter the park 1 hour prior to the general public. For example this is called the Extra Magic Hour at Disneyland. Therefore allowing you to jump on the the best/your favourite ride before the queues become too long.
Set A Strategy
This may seem like a strange one, especially when trips to theme parks are supposed to be fun and somewhat spontaneous. However, if you want to do and see as much as possible a strategy is a great way of being able to do that. Especially during peak seasons and annual holidays.
Check out the website of the theme park you are visiting and make a priority list of all the attractions you have to go on. These could be the big rollercoasters or family favourites. Then to ensure that you at least get to ride these formulate a route around the park ticking these off your list as you go. Then any additional rides are a bonus.
Also, trekking around a theme park all day can be tiring for the fitted and healthiest of us. Therefore, if the theme park you are visiting offers shows, lot tours, displays etc why not try to fit them in at the end of the day when you can sit down and enjoy them. This is a great option if you are visiting with children who have had enough of walking and queuing.
Stick To A Budget
As mentioned previously, theme park tickets can be expensive, especially for the large popular theme parks (Disney, Universal etc we’re looking at you). Even some of the smaller theme parks across the world can cost a pretty penny, particularly if you have a large family. Therefore, spending money for your day(s) at the theme park may be limited.
Even if it’s not, you may want to set a budget prior to your visit regardless. Theme parks can be very expensive. Food, drinks, souvenirs etc soon add up. Therefore maybe shop around when it comes to lunchtime to find the best deals, opt for refillable soft drinks and impose a one item limit at the gift shop.
Most theme parks do not have rules on taking your own food and drinks into them. Therefore, if you are looking for save money during your visit to a theme park, why not take a pack up. This will also ensure that everyone in your party has something that they like without having to visit different food outlets.
Take Breaks
Breaks are important, especially if you are travelling with children who cannot keep up with your pace. The initial excitement and adrenelin are enough to keep even the smallest members of the family going a lot longer than they normally would. However, once that has been replaced by sheer exhaustion, it could mean the end of your trip.
Therefore, it is important to factor breaks into your day. This could be anything from short snack breaks, which allow everyone to have a 5 minute sit down through to an hours lunch break , which allows everyone to recharge. It also allows everyone to rehydrate which is extremely important when visiting a theme park in a hot country or on a hot day.
As mentioned before a number of theme parks offer shows, displays and lot tours which allow you to sit down for all or at least the majority of time. Therefore, you could factor these in throughout your day to ensure that you get regular breaks which may be essential, again if you are visiting a theme park in a hot country or on a hot day in order to get some respite from the sun.
We hope these 8 tips help you when thinking about how to prepare for visiting a theme park.
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