Tips to ease your way around the parks
Theme park fun often is accompanied by theme park stress. Reduce stress, exhaustion, and even waiting by following these simple steps.
Theme park fun often is accompanied by theme park stress. Reduce stress, exhaustion, and even waiting by following these simple steps.
- Tuesday through Friday are slower days, and whilst many advise you to arrive at least a half-hour before the park opens, often it's better to wait until that first flush of caffeine-hyped visitors gets through the gates, say a half-hour after opening.
- Study Web sites (such as this one) and maps to plot your priorities. Pre-purchase tickets is possible, Multiple day passes and Orlando Flex Tickets save time and money. Be flexible, since weather, crowds and broken-down rides can affect your plan. Do popular rides early in the morning and use peak times in the early afternoon for eating, shopping and shows.
- Disney Parks issue a Fast-Pass at some of the best rides. Universal's equivalent is Universal Express; both set appointed times for you to return to an attraction via a shorter, special line. If you're willing to split up, opt for the quicker Singer Rider lines.
- Wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen and quick-drying clothes. Dress small kids in swimsuits underneath their clothes so they can enjoy the wet play areas. A locker can come in handy for towels, snacks, extra clothes and shopping goodies.
- Attach information about parents/guardians to the clothing of young ones. Decide upon an easily identifiable landmark where you can meet should anyone get separated or lost.
- Don't try to do it all with young kids, or everyone ends up miserable. Take a mid-day break and return later. Don't push kids when they're scared. Let them explore at their own pace.
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