Theme Park Survival Guide
| If your family is like most, your summer will entail at least one trip to an amusement park. And why not? After all, a trip to the theme park can be the source of some of the most wonderful family memories. There are also high admission prices, huge crowds, and the general stress of a family field trip that go along with it, but most of those can be avoided if you know how to get in, get around, and get out in style. |
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Getting In
Before you can start running around the park, the first thing you’ll have to do is figure out how you’re going to get in. With skyrocketing ticket prices (Disneyland tickets have raised more than $15 dollars in less than 10 years), anyone could use a break, so here are a few ways to make getting in a little easier on your wallet.
Buy your tickets ahead of time.
A ticket line is just one more line that you can eliminate completely by buying tickets early. Online tickets are often cheaper than buying tickets at the gate, and tickets bought through credit unions, unions, or warehouse stores, like Costco, are always cheaper. A general rule for theme park goers: save money and time where you can—and in this case, that means buying your tickets as early as you can.
Get a season pass.
If you’re likely to go to the same park more than once, it’s probably a good idea to get a season pass. At Six Flags parks, you can buy a season pass for the price of a single-day ticket, so you get over 200 possible days of fun for the price of one. At Disney parks, all multiple-day passes are cheaper online, and Southern California residents can get Twofer tickets that allow them to go to either Disneyland or California Adventure on one day, and the other park within 30 days—two days for the price of one. As a general rule, three trips to a park will usually justify buying a season pass rather than single-day tickets.
Check out half-day admission.
If your family can handle a late night, spend the morning at the pool, then head to the park in the afternoon where late-day admission is usually quite a bit cheaper than full-day admission. At Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, Starlight admission is $24.95 starting at 5 P.M. daily (4 P.M. when the park closes at 8 P.M.) compared to $41.95 for regular admission. Late night visits also mean shorter lines and smaller crowds.
Keep your eyes peeled.
Most regional parks will run discount promotions on soda cans or milk jugs. A few years ago, Universal Studios Hollywood ran a promotion where all kids 15 and under got in free, advertising the deal on billboards in the area. So keep your eyes open for deals and take advantage when you can find them.
Getting Around
Once you’re in, you’re well on your way to a memorable family experience, but if you don’t know where to go from there, it can be memorable for all the wrong reasons. Here are some tips to keep your trip from falling short.
Beat the crowd.
If you’re not opting for a half-day experience, your time will be worth a lot more if you get to the park early. Most families sleep in during vacations, so amusement park crowds are pretty sparse before about 10:30. For that reason, you can go on more rides in the first hour and a half that a park is open than you’ll be able to go on the rest of the day. Once you’re in, head to the biggest, most popular attractions, where there will be the longest lines later in the day, before the lines form. Starting at the back of the park, while most families rush the closest rides, will also help you avoid crowds and get the most out of your experience.
Grab a map.
Even if you’ve been there before, maps can be invaluable. One of the most frustrating parts of amusement parking can be finding your way from one attraction to the next, especially when you’re with someone who’s been there before and is convinced that Thunder Mountain is right around the corner when it’s quite clear that there are no mountains anywhere in sight. Having a map with you will eliminate that problem, help you find areas with rides that are the most interesting to your family, and chart out a route to get those rides you must get on by the end of the day.
Take a break.
If you get tired mid-morning or afternoon, you may want to take a break, grab something to eat before lines get long, or even go back to your hotel, if it’s close enough, to let the kids rest. Then you can come back around noon, when everyone else will be heading for lunch, and take advantage of shorter lines. In general, eating a little earlier or later than usual can help you avoid lines for rides and restaurants.
Getting Out
Don’t be in too much of a hurry.
Staying for the parades and fireworks show can be one of the best parts of your trip—seeing that look of awe on a child’s face is absolutely priceless. Not to mention that lines after the nighttime shows are a lot shorter and you’ll be able to end the night with a bang by staying a little longer. Since most people are leaving then, you’ll also avoid some of the exit traffic.
Set some limits.
There are lots of things inside a theme park that aren’t included in the price of your ticket. Before you leave, set rules about what things you’ll do that cost extra (if any), or give each child a set amount of money to spend however they see fit (but once it’s gone, it’s gone). Deciding ahead of time that you’ll save souvenir shopping until the end (thus saving you from toting around a six-foot stuffed animal all day long) will help ensure that kids won’t spend their money on worthless things during the day.
Remember where you park.
It sounds so simple, but can you think of anything more frustrating than walking around with three nearly comatose kids and no idea where your car is? Even if you think you’ll remember, even if you always remember, write down the lot and aisle numbers so that forgetting will not be an issue. Also, make sure to put that piece of paper somewhere where it won’t get lost—a zippered pocket is usually your safest bet.
LDS Living, July/August, 105
Posted by Michael
from Altus, OK
Look at every turnstile when entering. People will wait for no reason when there is open turnstiles (following the crowd I guess). Don't belive me see for yourself! Bring a ziplock for your wallet to protect it on water rides. Many parks hold souvenirs for you till the end of the day so you can take advantage of some air conditioning and no crowds at stores throughout the day. Ride the spinning rides before eating! Stagger your rides so that little ones don't feel left out. Don't forget sunscreen. An extra 5 or 10 bucks for premium parking will pay off later-your feet and not wanting to walk kids will thank you. Cargo pants/shorts give you more storage and can make rides more comfortable. Don't carry a backpack if you can. You will bring more than you need and some parks do not allow them on rides at all and charge you a buck for storage. If you're not going to watch parades, be aware of routes and times or you'll get cut off and watch it anyway. Make Disney dining reservations in advance if possible (they open up 90 day out-more for some places). For newbies, start with the train around the park and get familiar with the layout with your map. Play games late so you don't walk around with a stuffed animal as big as you are. Wear really comfortable shoes. Grab a drink and lets the kids use the restroom before entering long lines. One more thing: Churros Rock!!!
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Posted by Murray
from Phoenix, AZ
My wife and I bought a single "premium" season pass for Disneyland that gave us free upgraded parking and significant discounts on souvenirs and food. With a large family, we saved more than the extra cost of the premium ticket.
When looking for hotels, you can save a bundle if the hotel has a free shuttle and kids-eat-free deals!
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Posted by Joel
from Massachusetts
Wait until the end of the trip to buy souviners or you'll be lugging them everywhere, including on the rides where they can become easily lost. Alos, give the kids a certain amount of cash to be spent as they like on souviners or special treats but only that certain amount can be spent and will no more given for any 'extras' they want later after using up their given amount.
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