Get to the park early to be sure you can get on your favorite rides before the park gets too crowded.
Don't use lifts or other tricks to make your kids look taller than they are. Height and safety restrictions are there for a reason.
Always work your way backwards through a park instead of stopping at the first attraction you get to. You will beat 60% of the crowds.
Never try to make a crying child go on a theme park ride.
When approaching eateries, review the menu and have your selections in mind before you get to the counter. The folks behind you and the cast member will be eternally grateful.
Also when approaching eateries, make sure they have what your child(ren) enjoy eating. If they don't have what your child(ren) like, go somewhere else. Trying to avoid any kid-meltdowns will bode well for you and your child(ren) and you'll have more energy to do fun things.
Try ordering items from the kids menu. You will be surprised how full you get and you'll save a lot of money.
Take a photo of where you park with your digital camera. Easy to remember.
Bring individual packets of Crystal Light etc, as all counter services in most parks will give you a glass of ice water free of charge. Make your own ice tea, lemonade etc!
Smoke in the smoking sections! Because it is really annoying for those who don't. Plus, you can be charged with a misdemeanor if you don't!
Please treat the park employees as people. They do not personally see your 80 plus dollar admission. They are working usually for very little. Plus a little niceness goes along way.
Want to avoid the big crowds? Try going when the kids are in school on a weekday if you're able to. Families tend to come on weekend and when the kids are out of school.
Take a backpack with snacks and water for you and the kids it can save you some serious bucks.
Theme park walkways are designed for traffic flow, keep to the right and keep moving. If you want to gawk around, step to the very outside. If you drop something, step to the right and look around before coming to an abrubt halt. Courtesy people.
If you plan on going on water rides, bring a zip lock sandwich bag for your cell phone. Bring a towel and extra clothes if desired.
Standing so close that you touch the person in front of you won't get you there any faster. Be considerate of others. For the love of Mike, this one annoys the crud outta me! I'm hot enough, I don't need your hot, nasty breath on me.
Bring Sunscreen!! Don't look like some clueless, sun-fried British tourist. Wear sunscreen whenever you visit a theme park.
Have a large snack about ten o'clock, then don't have a meal until middle of the afternoon. That way you avoid the rush between noon and two o'clock. If you are going to have a big meal, eat at ten o'clock then a big snack about 2.
If you are going to visit a park more than once in a year, look into buying an annual pass. Most include discounts on food, merchandise and parking and some can pay for themselves in as little as two visits.
Use parks' free package check services to store what you buy in the park and keep your hands free while you ride.
Freeze water bottles the night before and they will offer cold water for a few hours as they melt.
Be friendly and courteous, even when others are not. When that grumpy staff member at the front gate checks your bag, smile and say thank you. If someone drops something while walking on the path, pick it up and tell them!
Strollers should be parked in areas designated for them, Don't leave them in the walkway so everyone else has to walk around your stroller. That's just plain rude! It's not all about you. There are tons of others who want to enjoy the park as well.
Covering every bench seating area is rude to other guests that also need some time out. As a Guest, our courtesy and common sense can make or break someone else's day at the park.
Always try to buy your tickets online! They're usually cheaper and save you the headache you'll get waiting to purchase at the gate.
Ride rides during meal times.
Short people cannot see over tall people, so please allow them to stand in front for viewing of shows, etc. Pushing them out of the way is just rude and wrong on many levels. Remember, for those of us who are height deficient, we cannot help it. It's how we were made. If you see someone struggling to see, help them. Don't be selfish!
Drink plenty of fluids on a hot day! The last thing you want is to become dehydrated. Try to stay in the shade as much as possible as well.
Bring your own poncho if you don't like getting soaked on water rides. You can find them for less than $1 at stores like Wal-Mart. They often cost $8 in the park. Plus you don't feel obligated to have to carry them around when you are done with them. They are also great on drizzly days. Shorter lines for rides. And you'll still have a great time!
Stay close to park, go early and in afternoon leave so kids can swim and nap then go back in early evening when everyone is rested not cranky and its cooler. Day will be much happier for all!
Make sure you always choose a place to meet in case someone from your family gets lost. Even if you have cell phones, make a plan. Your younger kids don't have phones and if they can't find you, they will know exactly where to go.
Wear shoes that are comfrotable and that have proper support. Most parks will have you doing a lot of walking. A lot of folks get really fatigued (or hurt) due to wearing cheap sandals or flip-flops. Good and comfortable shoes make for a good day.
Have kids wear bright colors so theyll stand out if they happen to get lost and you are looking for them. Or matching shirts or hats work as well too. You'll know what color to look for.
Crokies (adjustabel eyeglass holders) are indispensable if you're a roller coaster fan. Get them at a pharmacy or gas station, and make sure they tighten to your head. Great for sunglasses, too.
Buy your tickets/book your hotel through AAA ,if you are a member. If you aren't join, you'll save the fee with one trip and you'll have someone to call if you get a flat on the Beeline.
Re-apply sunscreen every couple of hours. Your skin will thank you! Re-apply even more often if you sweat a lot or get soaked. Make sure there's coverage of both UVA & UVB. If you or your kids are fair skinned, get 50 spf or +.
Don't EVER unbuckle your seatbelt while riding! The ride will stop, and YOU will be thrown out of the park!
Best time to get on the rides is during a parade or other main event show. Lines are significantly shorter!
While waiting in line, don't stand just 2 inches away from the person in front of you. Not everyone from every country is comfortable with that. Always keep personal space in mind.
Ask someone to take a picture of your entire family/group on your cell phone, in case someone gets lost, you can show the pic and ask for specific help finding them.
Night before going make list of all the attractions everyone has to experience... get map of park online and plot out day beginning at back of park.... stay at hotel near park and with free breakfast, morning of eat and go to park when it first opens. I HIGHLY recommend this. Having a plan of action will save you not only time, but a lot of legwork. Having to go back and forth from one area to another and back take a lot of energy and makes us all crabby a lot faster.
Start at the back of the park.
Two people can split most meals on vacation. You'll save money, avoid leftovers and save calories, too.
Write your cellphone # in sharpie on your childs upper arm on the inside or leg. If you get separated they can get someone in a store or a security person to find you.
Wear a wallet sized purse with long strap that just fits tickets, digital camera and cash. You can stash it in pocket of cargo jeans or inside your shirt when you go on roller coasters. No need for lockers.
If you decide that you want to come back to the park you're visiting, look into upgrading your ticket to a multi-day or annual pass before you leave. Almost all parks will allow you to apply the cost of that day's ticket to the new pass.
Using a spray bottle to spritz yourself with a water mist will cool you down a lot!!
Snowglobes are a favorite souvenir but airline security no longer permits them in carry on luggage because they exceed the liquid restrictions. Pack your snowglobe into checked luggage or have it shipped!
If you have a small GPS, take the position of your parked car and enter it as a POI (point of interest.) Then remember to take the GPS with you! If lost, it will lead you right back to the car.
Use the single riders lines whenever possible and pick a spot in the exit area to reconnect with your party. It will allow you and party members to ride several times over a short period of time.
Bring a wet washcloth on hot days in a plastic baggy- good for a quick cool off on the back of your neck and you can keep it cool with a few pieces of ice in the baggy.
If you want to get some great pictures of fireworks, make sure to use a digital camera with its night setting. Keep your hand still and you will have some great pictures!
Moleskin = life saver! Put on the balls of your feet and it will cushion them with all walking but save your feet from scrapes from the pool bottom as well. I buy a package and bring cuticle scissors to cut to appropriate size.
Give kids a fixed amount of spending money before going to a park. (Or have them earn it.) This way, you'll avoid whining and begging over souvenirs. And don't make them wait until you leave the park. All they will do is whine all day about getting what they want. Let them get it whenever they want it and make THEM hold it. This will also cut down on meltdowns.
If you lost your hat/keys/sunglasses during a ride, it's possible that you'll be able to find it at Lost & Found the next day. Even if you are already back home, call and if they have the item, they will likely courier back to you free of charge.
Drawstring Bags are a great object to bring to a park. You can put all your stuff in it when going on roller coasters and wear it as a backpack.
To save time with lockers, when you buy merchandise, ask them to send it to the main gift shop in the park for you to pick up later.
Either buy or bring a water bottle strap that can go over your shoulder. Who wants to walk around all day carrying one in your hand?
Use Backpack Etiquette - Be aware that your 'personal space' has now increased and your "load" is now in another child's face. Don't turn from side to side abruptly or Swing your backpack up on your shoulder - Place it there gently.
Ask the human resources department at your employer if it sells discount tickets to theme parks. Many do, as well as discount tickets to local theaters, zoos and attractions. Check those prices against the parks' websites and pick the better deal.
Bring plastic grocery bags to use as trash sacks in the car on road trips.
If you feel dizzy on a ride or have a feeling the ride will make you dizzy, pretend you are driving the ride. Don't let it toss you around.
Instead of purchasing the pictures immediately after each ride...keep the pic #'s to all of them then figure out which ones you would like to purchase at the end of the day! You will save money!
Bring a bag of carrots, grapes and other healthy munchies. Go sit on a grassy area and take off your shoes. Take 10 :)
You and your kids are going to get cranky no doubt about it. Carry crackers for when they get hungry an hour into a line.
Buy a cheap folding stroller and tie a colored bandana to it for a quick and easy find in a sea of strollers. Also take some Climbing Clips and attached them to the stroller, for carrying items. Beware of too much weight!!
If you feel a little sick after a ride, take a break and chew on some Ginger Gum. Just don't chew it on the ride!
Don't skip the kid's area, it probably has something fun. And you can sit down and take a break.
Create a home made first aid kit with band-aids, tylenol,burn cream, tweezers,alcohol pads, ect things could get pricey when your kids or yourself run into a small accident.
Make sure small children wear a dog tag around their neck with full name and your cell phone number on it. Where you are staying helps a lot too.
If carrying a child in a crowd be aware their feet may be in another child's face - Don't turn from side to side and tell your child not to kick!
Do the park's lower capacity rides first.
If you are going with a group/family with older teens walkie-talkies are are good idea to have not everyone wants to do the same thing at the same time.
If a new good ride has opened within one year go to the other side of the park to where the new ride is as it will be much quicker.
Forget going to the front of a roller coaster, the real thrill is a the back!
Eat BEFORE you are hungry. This will make your day more enjoyable.
Most know that being further back on a train=more air, but most take it too far. Remember visuals. Sitting in the front row of the back car gives great air and won't leave you with a seat back in your face.
