What should I consider when planning a day at the Park?
What should I plan if I don't think my party can make it for a whole day at the Park?
What can I do before I leave on vacation to help my child make it through a day at the Theme Park?
What should we do as soon as we get inside the Park?
How can I keep my child more comfortable at the Park?
How can the adults enjoy the big rides if they have an infant in their group?
How should we approach the Park's characters?
How can I help my child get the most out of meeting their favorite character?

What should I consider when planning a day at the Park?

• Make a plan before you go and involve your children in the planning process.

• Some of the Parks are so large you may not be able to see everything even if you have more than one day at the Park.

• Some rides are so awesome you may want to try to ride them more than once.

• Since you may have different ideas than your children about what will be the best rides, planning ahead will give you time to make compromises so everyone enjoys their time at the park.

• Some rides have height restrictions and other health warnings for items such as bad backs or heart trouble.

• Motion sickness and scare factors also need to be considered when planning your Park rides.

• It is better to plan in advance that you'll have to skip a ride, than to build up a ride as a must see only to find a restriction that keeps some from going on the ride.

• Remember that your children may find plenty of enjoyment in the simple pleasures the Park has to offer. Small ones may have lots in interest in the fountains, parades and the characters.

Back to Top

What should I plan if I don't think my party can make it for a whole day at the Park?

Plan an afternoon break and return in the evening when it will be probably be cooler and less crowded. You'll all be rested up and can enjoy the park's nighttime activities.

Back to Top

What can I do before I leave on vacation to help my child make it through a day at the Theme Park?

• Make sure your children have well fitted supportive comfortable shoes to bring.

• Buy the shoes in advance and give them time to break them in, so they are comfortable.

• Bring a second pair for your children to switch into.

• Begin an exercise program several weeks before you leave. Start your children on short walks around the neighborhood or at the mall if it's cold. This will help them prepare for all the walking at the Park.

Back to Top

What should we do as soon as we get inside the Park?

• Check out the Park's tip board as soon as you get inside the Park for information on parade routes, times, character appearances and other helpful information on rides such as wait times, hours open, scare factor warnings, height, age and health restrictions. This will provide extra, day specific information to help you make the most of your time there.

• As soon as you have a map and are all still together, find a central meeting place for everyone in case you get separated. Remember some of the large easily identifiable landmarks cover large areas. Be specific about which side of the area you will meet on, such as on the side facing another landmark. Pick a landmark that everyone knows how to find, maybe something tall that can be seen throughout the Park.

Back to Top

How can I keep my child more comfortable at the Park?

• Check to see about availability and cost of renting a stroller from the Park. Many have them available and even if your child hasn't used one in a while, remember that there will probably be much more walking and standing than in their usual schedule.

• Cover your child in a strong sunscreen. You'll be exposed to the sun much of the day. If you want a tan, build it slowly. A burn will ruin your whole trip.

• Consider giving your child a fanny pack so they can carry some of their own items. You can also give them a small toy to give them something to play with while they are in line.

• Go at your child's pace. Their little legs don't move as fast as yours and you don't want to tire them out too quickly.

• You and your children will be tempted with tasty treats all day long, try to keep these to a minimum. Rich foods are harder to digest, and will stress the body even more with the walking and standing all day. Fill your hot and tired child's stomach with lots of ice cream, put them on a few rides, and you'll find out why it's a good idea to bring a second pair of shoes.

• Take an afternoon break and allow everyone to cool off and rest. Mix some indoor air-conditioned and water rides in to cool everyone off. Don't save the water ride for the very last or you'll have a soggy ride home.

• Give your child lots of water to drink throughout the day. It will be much more helpful for them to deal with the heat and stress of the day than sugar drinks.

• Be careful not to push your children to ride on rides the say they are not ready for yet. It may only cause them to become even more cautious about trying the bigger rides.

Back to Top

How can the adults enjoy the big rides if they have an infant in their group?

Use the baby swap if you can. Certain Parks and rides allow one adult to wait outside the ride with the child while the other parent rides the ride. Then they switch, this way both adults get a chance to take advantage of the adult rides. You'll want to check with the park employees at each ride to see if this is allowed and how it works for that particular ride.

Back to Top

How should we approach the Park's characters?

• Park characters in costume usually have very limited vision and can turn and knock down your child without ever seeing them. Guide your child so the character will see them.

• Make sure to watch that your child is careful with the character. The characters don't make a lot of money and even a tight hug or a poke to get noticed can be painful to the character.

Back to Top

How can I help my child get the most out of meeting their favorite character?

• The Parks provide opportunities for the picture of a lifetime, your little one standing next to their favorite furry character. Your child may rush the TV every time they see their furry friend, but it may be different in person. The big version of the furry friend can be scary for a small child.

• Spend your time in line talking to you child about their furry friend and reassure them it is safe, especially if they see another child dragged off in tears.

• If your child is shy, you might want to approach the character first and be the first to touch the character to help your child feel more secure.

Back to Top

Go To Next Section:  GOING TO RESTAURANTS