Travel tips for safety, savings and family fun at the theme park

As summer quickly heads to a close, the time has come to own up to those theme park promises you made when August seemed so far away. A family trip to the theme park doesn’t have to be an experience filled with cranky kids, conflicting ride choices, and expensive purchases. Make one of the last family outings of the summer one to remember with a little planning and smart navigating.

Plan ride choices ahead to satisfy all ages

Theme park websites generally provide information concerning the park layout, rides, height requirements, and more. By reading up on popular rides, create a pre-park game plan that allows you to meet each child’s specific ride requests.

When confronted with an age or height obstacle that prevents one child from joining another on a ride, have a backup plan that sends one parent off on a “special mission” with the child who may feel left out. Going off to get ice cream, or even making the child the photographer for an hour may be just enough to ward off a melt down.

Practice safety plans

Theme park crowds often pose significant safety issues when it comes to traveling with a family. Before beginning the day, make sure your children know the color shirts of park staff and what they need to remember to say if mom or dad cannot be found. Parents may also choose to designate a special meeting spot in the park should anyone get lost.

Strategize wait lines and use fast passes

Head straight to the most popular rides immediately after the park opens. Use fast passes during the remainder of the day for rides that while less popular, still draw enough of a crowd to create long lines. During the middle of the day when the park is most crowded, head for a playground or show to avoid the most hectic hours of the day.

Avoid the “wants”

For young kids, a theme park provides an overwhelming number of stimulating toys, sweets treats, and souvenirs. Avoid the whining and begging by setting ground rules before the day begins. Explain that the items may be misplaced if carried around all day, and allow them to pick out one item on the way out of the park at the day’s close. This creates a scavenger hunt feel to the day where they will eye the items, looking for the best choice for their end of the day pick.

Eat smart

Generally, food at a park costs more than the ticket itself. Avoiding the additional costs of food saves money and wards off the stress of eating in crowded park dining areas where cleanliness is hard to find. Pack a lunch and leave it in a cooler in the trunk of your car. At lunchtime, get a stamp at the front gate and go out to the parking lot to eat lunch with your family. This makes for a more relaxing and more affordable option.

Pack the ‘in a pinch’ necessities

Bring a miniature first aid kit, small water bottle, and medicine in a small wristlet or backpack in case of an emergency or crisis. Going prepared ensures the day won’t be ruined if the unexpected turns up. While the park provides such items at most information kiosks, the extra cost makes the event more stressful.

Go right and move to the back of the park

Studies show that crowds tend to move to the left in a clockwise rotation. By heading to the right, you may avoid the longest lines. This makes for a smoother and more enjoyable ride experience.

Don’t try to do it all

Being over ambitious and rushing to accomplish everything turns the day into a stressful race instead of an enjoyable outing. Make reasonable goals choosing the most desired attractions and those at the top of your family’s list.

Overall, end your summer on a them park high note by following the above tips and remembering, above all, to just have a fun family day!

Mom Central