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A trip to the amusement park can be a day full of fun and happy memories for you and your family. But it can also be a day of headaches and tired disappointments. Long lines and wasted time can keep you from doing everything you want to do.
Make the most of your visit to a theme park by planning ahead and using some common sense during the day. Here are 15 great tips for a fun-filled day:
BEFORE YOU GO:
1. Prioritize: Talk with your family or group and make a list of all the things you want to do. Make an “A” list of the things you definitely want to do. Make a “B” list of the things you would like to do but can skip if necessary. Make a “C” list of the things you are not interested in.
2. Know the details: Find out the park’s exact operating hours for the day you are visiting. Many parks vary their hours depending on the day of the week and time of year. Also, get the times of any special events during the day, such as afternoon parades or evening fireworks shows. You can schedule your day around those events if they are on your “A” list. Get this information from the park’s Internet site, a brochure or by calling the park just before leaving home. Many parks have a toll-free information line.
3. Map your adventure: Get a map of the park ahead of time. It will help you plan your day, and it will also help children visualize the adventure ahead. Most parks have maps available on their Internet site, or call or write the park and ask for one..
4. Money talk: If you plan to use cash during the day, have it with you before you arrive. Major parks have ATM machines, but you can avoid a service charge and possibly a waiting line by doing this ahead of time.
5. Get your tickets: The first long line of the day is always at the ticket windows during the morning rush. You can avoid this line entirely. How? Buy your tickets before you arrive at the park. Get them through the park’s Internet site, through the mail or at participating AAA and travel agency offices near your home. In the Orlando area, for example, you can buy admission tickets to all the major attractions in the lobby at most hotels. Also, check with the park about ticket discounts. They are often available at AAA or through sponsor partners such as soft drink distributors and local fast-food restaurants.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
6. Early birds: Get a jump on the crowds by arriving at the park early. Parking lots and ticket booths normally open 30-60 minutes before the gate opens. You can park and leisurely make your way to the entrance before the park opens, saving up to half an hour of precious ride time.
7. Set the rules: If you have children or your group will be splitting up, decide ahead of time on meeting places and times. Make sure children carry identification and a watch.
8. Consider a locker: Renting a small locker is a convenient way to store things so you don’t have to carry them all day – snacks, drinks, rain coats, jackets, medication, suntan lotion, cameras, etc. If your group splits up, it also makes an ideal meeting place for later.
DURING THE DAY:
9. Plan of attack: When you enter the park in the morning, don’t go to the rides closest to the entrance. The masses will do just that, making for some of the longest lines of the day. It is better to walk through the park and start near the back and work your way around in a logical fashion. Avoid the rides near the entrance at the end of the day, too. Many people will wait to ride them on their way out of the park – again, making for longer lines.
10. Get a reservation: A new trend at theme parks is to issue advance admission passes for the most popular attractions. If this is offered, take advantage of it. It will save you time. Generally, you go to a booth outside the ride and show your admission ticket (a ticket is needed for every person in your party). You will be given a pass to come back at a certain time, generally 2-4 hours later. At that time, you give your pass at a special no-waiting entrance and go to the front of the line.
11. Let’s eat: Avoid buying food at the traditional meal times. The lines at the burger place are longest during the lunch hour. It is better to be riding a ride when others are eating lunch – and taking your break when the restaurants are not as crowded.
12. Divide and conquer: If you are in a large group or family with different interests, split up for part of the day. That way, more people can get through their “A” list.
13. Kiddie time: Most major parks have a kid’s area full of swings, treehouses, rooms of balls and other fun stuff. Make this your last stop of the day. Once there, it is difficult to get kids to leave these areas. Let the park’s closing be the signal that they have to leave.
14. Snacks and drinks: Take some small snacks and a few nutritional drinks or water with you in a backpack. This will avoid stopping and waiting in several small lines during the day. If you face a long wait for a thrill ride, you can pass out a small snack to help pass the time.
15. Souvenir shopping: Save your souvenir purchases until the end of the day. Make sure the kids understand this. The stores and souvenir booths stay open long after all the attractions close, so you will be saving riding time. The best selections are usually located close to the front entrance.
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