If you have taken little kids for a long day at the park, you’ve probably been there. One of your little ones gets worn out, hot, or hungry. Then something frustrates them, which sets them off. That was the end of the sanity. The meltdown begins. We’re going to look at some tips for avoiding tantrums during long days at the park.

If you haven’t experienced it directly, you may have observed a screaming fit in the parks and wondered, “What are they doing to that kid?” Young couples or individuals who don’t yet have kids or lack experience around them may not understand.

Experienced married couples, like my wife and me, smile knowingly. We’ve been there before. We’re sympathetic. We really are! It is a moment during the child-rearing years that is most memorable. We remember our little ones having a red-faced screaming fit. It usually occurs in the 2-4-year-old range. If you want to observe one, just sit near the exit around dinner time on a busy park day. You will probably see several in one sitting.

One of the most memorable we saw during 2016, was a little boy who was stubbornly holding his ground in front of Starbucks on Kings Island’s International Street. He was screaming at the top of his lungs. The moment before his dad advanced on him, to scoop him up and carry him to the car, the kid threw his shoe! This screaming kid, with messy hair and tear-streaked cheeks, then proceeded to turn his legs into jelly, dropping to the ground. It was epic!

Breaking down the problem

The main cause is that the child is over-tired. They’ve been at the park all day. They are exhausted. They are probably hot. They’ve likely been drinking soft drinks and eating high-calorie park food all day.

Little kids can’t sustain or stabilize their energy the way a larger person can. We grown-ups have reserves of stored energy. We’re also more aware of our physical condition. We know when we’re thirsty and tired. The little ones just know something dissappointed them to the degree that it is now the end of the world.

Something was denied. Maybe she was told “no” about a treat they saw in a window. Maybe they felt they needed another souvenir. The fit is not really about the thing they are screaming about. That thing was just the catalyst… the straw that broke the camel’s back.

An Ounce of Prevention

I like to point out the advantages of making shorter visits to the park, more frequently. That is arguably the greatest benefit to living close to a park and having a season pass. You can stay for a little while, then leave without feeling like you have to get your money’s worth. Visiting the park for stays of only four or fewer hours is almost never going to get your kid into tantrum territory.

If you are doing a big, full-day visit to the park, then you need to plan ahead and monitor your kids’ energy levels throughout the day.

Rest Time – A good stroller is one of the best tools for bringing kids to the park. It serves as a home base or mothership for carrying diaper bags, water bottles, changes of clothes, snacks, maps, hats, sunscreen, etc. If you have one with a canopy and a reclining seat, you have a mobile napping place! Pick a time between lunch and dinner to give your child some quiet time. You can take them on a long walk on the quiet, less-populated paths.

Kings Island has a shady path between the main park and Soak City, the water park that is a great example. You can just walk there and back for 20-30 smooth and quiet minutes. If your son or daughter successfully falls asleep during the walk, you can also glide gently to a stop at a quiet table or bench to rest your own feet. This doesn’t have to be a long nap. Usually, a healthy little snack with lots of sipped water, plus a 20-minute nap is all that is needed to achieve happy evening hours at the park.

If you have trouble getting them to relax and nap, an alternative would be to take them to a show. There are a few outdoor performances around the park, most offering shade and a place to sit. Dark, air-conditioned theaters are the best. King’s Island has its namesake theater where they often have fantastic acrobatic shows offered several times on various days of the week. The performances are very entertaining. The music may be a little loud for naps. If you think you can get them to nap here in the dark, you might ask the ushers if you can sit toward the back or outer edges to improve your chances. The shows last about 20-25 minutes. But you can go in and sit about 30 minutes before the scheduled showtime. Your child might even get the rest they need before the show starts!

Two more options that are good for a brief rest are a park’s railroad and dark rides.

Hydration – Just because the souvenir cups are refillable, doesn’t mean you should keep pouring sugary, caffeinated drinks into your kids. Switching to water at least every other refill or keeping water bottles on hand will help keep your child’s temperature regulated. Even if they insist they are not thirsty, you need to continuously encourage them to take drinks.

You could even make a game out of it. One visit to EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World, I decided to stop at EVERY drinking fountain for a sip of water. It was just to be silly at first. Later on that 90° day, I realized I’d never felt so good during a long day at the vast Florida park. My energy was constant all day and I didn’t feel hungry or tired.

Food – Similar to the hydration ideas above, it helps to encourage little snacks at frequent intervals for the smaller children. Many park rules state that you should not bring in food. I don’t think they enforce this rule when it comes to snack items for little children. You can also hold on to a pack of crackers that you get at a restaurant. The oyster crackers from King’s Island Skyline Chili locations have saved our skin a couple of times.

The idea is to get the little kids a little extra fuel about half-way between meals. You can have an ice pack in a bag with some apple slices or carrot sticks. A piece of fruit and granola bars could be the difference between a 7:00 pm meltdown and a beautiful evening looking at the park lights and staying through the fireworks.

Meltdown

What do you do if the meltdown has already begun? Most parents angrily storm toward the car, cutting the day off early. Here are a few ways to help stop the madness. There are steps you can take to help rescue the evening hours of your visit.

Immediately try to provide calm, water, and shade. If you can cool them off, get them drinking water and moved to a quiet place. A change of scenery is a surprisingly effective help. If your kids have been under the blazing sun, you could take them to a show, as mentioned, or walk them around a gift shop. International Street and Main Street are two examples of parks with several stores that connect so you can browse them all without going back outside. A long meandering walk is a good way to cool off and change the mood.

Advanced Hack

If you want to bring this change of scenery idea to the next level, throw the kids in some water! Many parks have an included water park. Your hotel or resort may also have a pool. If you have little kids in diapers, it is always a good idea to bring a swim diaper along with your supply of regular ones.

Even if you don’t want to make it a full waterpark visit with swimsuits, this can still be a great way to add a break. You can have your little ones splash in a wading pool up to their knees for 30-60 minutes. If you’re wearing shorts, you don’t need a swimsuit. Just take your shoes and socks off and wade right in with them. The cool water will make your feet feel refreshed. The undulating wave motion can help your sore, tired legs recover. In the shallow areas of wave pools, the kids may still need to wear the provided life jackets.

Once your feet are dry, put your shoes and socks back on before you head back to the park refreshed and recharged!

>> Do you have any secrets your family has learned for avoiding tantrums during long days at the park?

Photo credits:
Disgust Masse.media / CC BY-SA

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Challenge your friends to play a Brady Bunch Challenge. Kings Island enjoys a rich history. They filmed a Partridge Family episode there, but more famous is The Brady Bunch episode “The Cincinnati Kids“.

Watch the episode and then identify the locations that still exist. Many remain almost unchanged.

Stand in the right spot and reenact the scene for a photo. Extra bonus points if you dress in retro fashion. Even the cast has returned to commemorate the episode.

Suggested locations for the challenge:

• The football game on Coney Mall where Greg flirts with Marge
• Food stands visited by Bobby and Cindy
• Outside the Octoberfest BierGarten area with table service waiters and waitresses. (Thanks to John, in the comments, for correcting me about what I thought was the area between Festhaus and Viking Fury.)
• The Brady girls and Carol Brady rode the log flume currently called Race For Your Life Charlie Brown.
• The Racer roller coaster. Nearly the whole family rode.

Discover challenges in other parks

Many amusement parks have been settings for tv shows and movies. You can play variations of the Brady Bunch Challenge at any park.

Photo source: I borrowed the tiny BierGarten reference from this cool collection of historical Kings Island photos on the WCPO site.

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Kids always want to grow up. Being able to ride higher-level thrill rides is no exception. What do you do when your child goes from 48″ wristband to a 52″? You celebrate! Here is a list of a few ways you can celebrate your kid’s new achievements each exciting time.

When children get measured and get the next color level, it opens up new opportunities for fun and helps them to feel they are growing up.

Make it an event

When this a milestone moment arrives, get excited! Show your children that you are thrilled for having reached the next color.

As they approach, hopefully, you’ve been researching rides will soon be able to do. Maps of the park list the height requirement, so it should be easy to see new options. Invite your kid to choose which new ride they want to conquer first. You can keep a map at home, or look them up on the park’s website. Build the anticipation by circling each new ride with a thick magic marker.

Remember: It is not a good idea to push your child to ride something they don’t feel comfortable with, it can lead to them being afraid of it for a long time. When they are ready, they will be excited about it.

Additional Ways to Celebrate Your Kid’s New Achievements:

• Letting them pick where you’ll eat dinner.
• Getting ice cream or a special candy treat.
• Waiting the extra time to ride in the front seat for a special experience on a new ride they’ve been eager to ride.

Small adjustments

If your child is literally a hair too short, it wouldn’t hurt to boost up the height a little with some toilet paper in their shoes or foam insoles. Some kids wear cowboy boots for that extra boost. If you push this too far, some ride operators may ask them to remove the shoes. If you pay attention, some ride operators may be more strict than others, especially for spotting these small artificial tweaks.

I got lucky, back when King Cobra was in operation at Kings Island, platform shoes were in style and I was able to ride one year earlier because of those shoes.

Krystal

ID Cards

Some amusement parks offer printed ID cards with the child’s height on it. This is a fun option to consider when celebrating your kid’s new achievement. There is a good and bad side to these cards. The good, is you can show the card without having to get measured each visit. They will get the band that is on the card. The bad side of the card, if your child grows during the season you may have to purchase a new one. Last check they were about $12-15. Or you can just have them measured each time you go. Some families buy these IDs for their kids each year, but that is more as a souvenir and keepsake.

Incentivise

Also if your children are picky eaters, you can use their height to your advantage. Tell your kids if they want to ride the bigger roller coasters they have to eat more of their food.

Heights Can Fluctuate

A person’s height can vary during the day. You’re taller in the morning and the cushion in your spine compresses as you walk around. It is more obvious in taller people, but it is in your interest to get your official measurement with a bracelet or ID card as early in the day as possible.

If this daytime shrinking happens, or your child changes shoes or hairstyle, they might not make the same height requirement at a later time, even with a wristband. Some ride operators can remeasure a child that is on the line. If you’re conscious of this, you can avoid these frustrations.

» What do you do to celebrate? Does your family have a special way of recognizing when your kids grows to the next level? Let us know in the comments below!

Illustration credit: Mike Kunze

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Amusement parks can be enjoyable for everyone, no matter their physical or mental condition. Rides move in wildly different ways. What makes them fun, becomes the reason each one must have its own ride policy for disabled guests. These rules ensure the consistent function of the safety restraints for each rider.

Most amusement parks, provide a safety sheet with a summary of restrictions and limitations. (You can download the Kings Island’s Guest Assistance Guide as an example.) Guests and ride operators refer to this list as the rules for determining if a person can ride. The safety restraints are part of the ride’s engineering. Each ride has its own seat design and different forces it puts on riders.

The Green Sheet

Guests with disabilities should stop by Guest Services by the front gate to determine which rides they can ride. The “Green Sheet Boarding Pass” is a special piece of paper they give you. An area manager, or a head supervisor, helps list which rides the guest can’t ride. After the evaluation, more rider information gets written on the back of the sheet:

• The guest’s name
• How long they need to wait
• How many in their party can ride with them

The operator, at each ride, writes what time the guest should return. This becomes their equivalent wait time, had they been able to wait in the main queue. They can stay near the exit or explore the park. But during this wait time, they can’t ride another ride. That wouldn’t be fair to other riders. If they try, they will forfeit their spot. If the ride line is short, the time they can return may arrive quickly.

Seat Selection

Disabled guests able to ride, usually get the same choice of seating as everyone else. Crowds are often heavy on popular rides and no riders get to pick their own seat. Other times riders can choose seats. This option is extended to disabled riders, as well. To accommodate a green sheet-holding rider, a ride operator may ask riders to unexpectedly wait a turn.

Most of the time guests don’t mind where they sit, they just want to ride. This may be the first and only opportunity for this individual and their family.

The Parent Swap

The Parent Swap follows a process like the green sheet. This offers a way for parents with small children to enjoy thrill rides. One parent waits in the regular line. The other adult watches the child. After the first ride is over, they switch. The second adult gets to jump on the ride in an empty seat. Passes to do Parent Swap, can be found at Guests Services. Compared to the green sheet, these are very easy to complete.

Special Thanks

We want to thank Timothy Hammond, a member of the Park Hacks community, for reviewing this article and confirming that it is accurate and helpful. He has experience using the green sheet system. We appreciate him helping to make sure we got this post right!

If you have tips or your own experience relating to this topic, please share them in the comments. Remember, this a short description of the current park procedure at one specific park. A ride policy for disabled guests can change at any time.

Photo credit: Photo of a wheelchair – CC0 Public Domain

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We’re sharing some of our favorite moments during the different seasons of park operations. Seasonal parks all around the country are opening up for the start of a new year of operation! It won’t be long before we’re back to enjoying more of these special moments with the fun rides, cool shows, and the evening lights.

We want to hear your favorite moments too. Please share yours in the comments at the end.

Spring

Krystal – My favorite Spring moment is obviously opening day. Spring is here and we have over 100 days of fun ahead of us! After being in hibernation for three months, I have all my excitement built up. I will soon be able to go back to hearing all the familiar sounds, and smelling all the foods. This is the time that you can check out what is new, and who has come back from last year. One of my favorite new things that they change each year, is the merchandise. From coffee mugs to t-shirts, sometimes designs stays the same, and sometimes they change it up.

Mike – Like Krystal mentioned, discovering what is new is a special thing to do those first couple visits. Park attraction updates, new signage, improved landscaping, a modified queue, a change in the menu or drink options, it is like a game to spot what is new. It is cool to notice employees from previous years who have returned. Sometimes even to a higher, more authoritative leadership role. Those early season days, when the crowds are still very light and the park is open all day on weekdays… those are some special times.

Summer

Who doesn’t love Summer? My favorite thing about this season is that Kings Island is open everyday. When I feel like going, I can jump into my car and just go. Living so close to the park, I really enjoy being able to fly by the seat of my pants, and go to the park. It is also a great way to just let my kids get some energy out before bed time. It also works when I am needing some “me time” for a few hours. I enjoy this season as well because the shows are all playing. I really enjoy 4th of July specifically, because the park stays open for two extra hours. They always put on a great firework display that is about ten-times bigger than their typical end of the day display.

Taking a day off of work and enjoying a morning to visit the Soak City waterpark. That is special. The weeknight afternoons and evenings that are light are the best. Simply walking around the park, enjoying the moments when the sun is setting and the park lights start coming on is tip top among my special moments. I’m a fan of being warm, I love it when the weather is good and hot. Staying late in the Summer you get the opportunity to be one of the last riders on The Beast. Riding The Beast at night and sitting toward the back… it is chilling to look over your shoulder, into the dark woods behind the roller coaster.

Fall – Halloween Haunt

Fall is one of my top favorite times because the weather is getting cooler and the crowds are calming down. I enjoy the shows and the haunt mazes this time of the year. This is the last part of the season when majority of the rides are still running. This is a bittersweet moment for me. Walking up to the entrance and hearing The Undertaker always brings a new excitement. I wonder what new mazes and shows have come. I also take a moment this season to to get one last ride on my favorite rides.

The weeks before the haunt officially begins and props start appearing around the park is pretty special. During the haunt, it is fun to recognize “scareactors” through their make-up. Many of them previously worked in another area of the park. Like Krystal mentioned, hearing The Undertaker’s voice as we approach the entrance is a special treat. Sitting among the fog and lights on Coney Mall, eating a late Subway meal while the performers circulate, making kids scream up and down Coney Mall, that’s my favorite moment of the Halloween Haunt.

WinterFest

Everything about this time is my favorite! I really can’t decide. From the shows, to being able to ride rides, I have to claim everything to be my favorite. This is the time of the year everyone is bundled up and creating memories with their families. They even offer holiday like foods which really brings the Winter wonderland to life, with the lights and music and shows.

International Street is pretty spectacular during WinterFest. Watching people emerge from the admission entrance onto International Street, they first see the lights, the Eiffel Tower, the ice skating and their expression is all excitement and holiday magic! The moment the new show performers come out with energy, and actually make eye contact with you, as you sit in the audience. It is then, that it sinks in how live the shows are.

» Now it is your turn. What are your favorite moments during the season?

Photo credit: Roller coaster at dusk – CC0

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Many of us have been sitting around, avoiding the cold weather, since the new year. Now is a great time to prepare your body. You will be doing a lot more walking, standing, and jiggling than you’ve been used to since the holidays. You will have a better start if you take some time to do a little conditioning for the start of a new season at your amusement park.

I asked Krystal if she does anything to prepare for the start of the season. She came through with this nice list of tips to help you get in good condition for your park experience.

Krystal here: That conditioning starts about now for me. I have already started to condition myself for being at the park from open to close. Especially after being cooped up in my house for 3 months.

I know you’re probably thinking why would a well-seasoned amusement park regular need to condition? It is mainly because I don’t walk 10+ miles every day. So coming out of winter, how do I get myself ready for the walking, and waiting in lines? I reenact the elements that I will have to endure.

Walking

Being a waitress, I walk a lot. If I am not wearing the right shoes, my feet will start aching within the first few hours. When I go to Kings Island, I have a favorite pair of shoes to wear. If you don’t have a broken-in pair of good walking shoes, make sure you get yourself a pair. Get them worn in so that are so comfortable you could sleep in them.

Next, get your number of steps up. Some people use a fitness tracker like a FitBit. I have a step counter on my phone. I keep it in my back pocket and try to average 10k steps a day.

My home park, Kings Island completely flat, there are some spots that are a little hilly. It is good to also get practice walking some hills. You can vary the incline on that treadmill.

Kids

With young kids, it is always a challenge to get them ready to do serious amounts of walking. Toddlers can become a ball of energy after a good nap. You can start your youngsters by having them play outside as much as possible. Don’t forget, they are more prone to exhaustion than adults are. They will need frequent breaks for something cool to drink and a snack.

Mentally Prepare for Crowds

If you are anything like me, crowds and people being in your personal space bubble freaks you out. Enjoying an amusement park means there will be moments when you’re among large numbers of people, in a confined space. One way to help prepare for this is to go to the flea market, or a mall on the weekends and start walking around.

Listen To Your Body

Listen to your body. Don’t over do it. Ease into the activity gradually with lots of time to rest and just enjoy being back in the park.

Spring weather can be unpredictable. You never know precicely how the weather will be until it happens. Humidity can also really make you feel like poo. While you’re doing all that walking, make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water. Even if you’re consuming soft drinks, you’ll feel better if you switch to water every cup or so.

Also pay attention if your body needs to cool down. There is a walk at Kings Island between the Vortex and The Beast that is well-shaded. You can also find a place to sit and cool down.

Equipment Check

Mike here: Krystal gave a few nice pointers earlier about shoes. Shoes are one of the most important parts of your amusement park gear. Because your kids have likely grown during the time away from the park, you probably want to review everything. Have your kids outgrown their shoes? Sometimes their shoes get tight and your kids don’t think to tell you about it.

Also, if you have kids of stroller-riding age, take a moment to inspect it. Are there old granola bars or oyster crackers (KI people will understand) stuffed into a pocket from last season? Do your kids still fit in the stroller? Dig down in there and pull out all of last years maps that accumulated.

Make sure you have a bag with versatile clothing options and backup outfits to keep in the car. If your kid is still in diapers, having some spares and fresh wipes tucked away in the trunk can save the day.

We’re almost ready to trade the snow brush/scraper for the umbrella. Being in Ohio, we’ll probably need both… along with suncreen until May, when we can finally retire the snow accessories for another season.

Work Your Plan

Everyone is different. You probably have your own way to prepare for your park’s opening day. Being prepared, and keeping it pleasant, will help make the kids want to come back often as often as their “Big Kid” parents.

What do you do to prepare for the physical challenges of your amusement park?

Photo credit: Sailors men women working – CC0

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Kings Island is two parks in one, the main amusement park, and the Soak City water park. When you buy a ticket, you get admission to both! If you plan to spend a full long day, consider splitting the day into parts. Strategically change activities for rest, a chance to cool off, or just to focus on something different. After a break like that, you can return later, feeling refreshed.

To keep your options open, come to the park prepared. You should bring swimwear, flip-flops, beach towels, and sunscreen. If you have small children, they are required to wear flotation devices. The modern puddle jumper style of floatation devices are a lot more comfortable. Kids will be more willing to wear these fun updates to traditional life vests. Don’t drag all that stuff through the park. Keep it in the car until you need it.

Activities External to the Park

Other local attractions may interest you and provide a break. Getting away for an hour or two isn’t wasting your fun. For instance, you could head to a nearby mall. For visitors to Kings Island, IKEA is only fifteen minutes away in West Chester.

Krystal offers this suggestion: Southwest Golf Ranch, is near Kings Island, just off US 42 going into Lebanon. Putt-Putt golf ($7 for adults $5 for children) you can play as many rounds as you want! It is a nice off the property activity.

Most parks offer wi-fi. In other words, bring a Kindle or tablet for an easy break. Kids can play a game in the shade. Or you can update your social media by the fountain. If the car isn’t too hot, you can just roll down the windows and take a nap. Bring a cooler and a card table for a cheap snack and a board game break. You can also take this time to charge your phone while you plan the rest of the day.

Photo credit: water park Attribution 2.0 Generic.

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When we polled the readers, the most frequent pain or problem at amusement parks is waiting in long lines. There are ways to avoid long lines. If you only visit the park on weekends or holidays then you’re probably used to waiting in long lines.

Keep in mind, these hacks involve behavior change. To get different results, you have to do the park differently than the masses do. Attempting to visit when everyone else goes is the first problem!

Go when it is not crowded

When the Park First Opens

If you get to the lot before the park opens, you’re going to have a head start on the crowd. It is during the first hour or two you can often walk the clean, quiet park enjoying nearly no waits.

Early Season

If your park is seasonal, there are a few weeks that serve as a soft-opening. This gives the time for the new employees and park operations to get running smoothly. New associates learn their jobs while the pressure of the crowds is lighter. Heavy days definitely occur when parks first open after the winter months.

Late Season

Same idea with the early season. As students return to school and college, the crowd thins out. The general population may not even realize that the park is still operating this late in the season. If your park has special Halloween, Fall, or Winter events, they can be very popular. There are still occasional days of light crowds as the weather cools. Bring a jacket and breeze through the shorter queues!

Cold, or Rainy Days

Any day that starts out with a rainy prediction causes people to change their plans. Rainy mornings or a mid-day storm can produce some of the best days to visit the park. If the afternoon and evening dry up, you can discover a park with the crowds washed away.

Some Holidays

Holidays often bring the heaviest crowds when a large number of people are off work. A rainy forecast, an odd calendar year, or any number of random factors can cause people to shift their plans. It isn’t always predictable, but the weather usually had the greatest influence. Check the park webcam, you may be surprised!

This phenomenon is part of the Park Hacks origin story. July 4th, 2016 was rainy in our region. I expected the park to be packed, but it was empty. Everyone shifted their plans to the following day, July 5th which was hot and sunny. The place was packed. That was the inspiration for me to start sharing these tips. I felt the need to help people like the unhappy people I saw on that hot, crowded day. I left as soon as I could, appreciating the day I had enjoyed previously.

Mid-Week

Any day during the Summer can be heavy, but weekdays are almost universally better than the weekend crowds. Of the weekdays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are usually better. More people choose to extend a weekend to either a Monday or a Friday.

Counterintuitive tactics

That first set of park hacks were more logical. They help you select optimum days on the calendar, or based on the predicted weather conditions. These next Park Hack are more in the category of being a little weird. If you “do” the park differently than the majority, you can find ways to avoid the crowd.

Start at the back

When the park opens, everyone selects the rides that they see and start walking toward them. Only a few people break this pattern of human nature and walk to the far end of the park. This buys you some time to enjoy an empty park until the crowd spreads more evenly through.

Some parks, like EPCOT Center, figured this out and staggered the opening of the back areas. The World Showcase used to be completely empty for the first two hours. It was fabulous! But now the back half opens later. This tip also reverses at the end of the day when fewer people are in the front. Unfortunately, EPCOT has shifted its hours for the two halves, nearly eliminating this opportunity.

Ride during parades, fireworks and shows

When people are gawking at parade floats, fireworks, and shows, you can get time riding with reduced crowds. Make sure you check if the ride shuts down during the fireworks. It is also possible your path will be blocked by a parade. That can be just as frustrating. If you commit near a favorite ride, you can often repeat it a couple of times while crowds are distracted.

Be there when a ride reopens

This one is tricky. When a ride shuts down because of a storm or a mechanical problem, the crowd bails and goes elsewhere. If you happen to be nearby when it reopens, you can be one of the first to jump back on. Standing around waiting is the same thing you’re trying to avoid. This is hack is if you spot the opportunity. Be watchful for these special moments to appear! When you see the ride start to cycle empty, it can be a clue.

Ride While Others Eat. Eat While They Ride

This tip also helps you reduce the time spent in food lines. Shift your meal schedule. Have a big brunch or a snack to get off the normal eating schedule.

Single rider lines

(where available) If you don’t mind breaking up the group or going it alone, watch for rides that offer single-rider lanes. These can move much faster.

Just Don’t Go

This definitely falls under the counterintuitive. Realize that you don’t have to go. If you’re reading this, then you probably really want to go to the park. But you can decide, even in the parking lot, to just drive right on through and return another day. If you decide to go in, you’re taking the decision to deal with the crowds. Which isn’t always bad

Having the mindset that it is ok to go and not ride can save a lot of frustration. The park’s atmosphere, themed music, evening lights, fireworks, and the crowd itself are entertaining features too. Riding rides is a big deal, but it is only one of the many activities the park offers. You can make it a special goal to enjoy the park without getting into any lines! You may still have to wait in places. The main gate, security checkpoints, food lines, and even a drinking fountain could have a queue on crowded days. Just remember, you only have to wait in the lines that you decide are worth it.

Sometimes, going in with full knowledge of heavy crowds, keeping your expectations set very low, can yield surprises. Some days the lot is full, but for some reason, the lines in an area of the park aren’t bad. Maybe the people are all over at the water park, packed into the wave pool. This has happened to me. I kept wondering, “where is everybody?” A full parking lot can be deceptive.

The park can help

Use the App to Track Ride Times

(where available) Many park apps offer the ability to check ride wait times. Some app functions have strange limitations. You may have to be in the park, with GPS turned on and using the park’s wi-fi. I don’t understand this. Remember, the park is tracking you every bit as much as you are getting data from the app. The app may help you spot that a ride’s wait is short. That can be a big help in deciding where to go next!

Be a VIP

Celebrities get special treatment. A host employee can guide VIPs through back doors and along paths that skip the lines. I’m not sure how realistic this is for regular people reading this. It is a way some people skip the line.

Special Events, Season Pass Holders, Extended Hours

Occasionally there are special nights or mornings where pass holders get special access to ride. If you take advantage of this, you may have an extra hour or two to ride a favorite. This can boost overall crowds. But the general ticket-holding crowd will be held back during these special times.

Baby switch/swap

Many parks have the policy to allow families with infants, to wait in line together. The first parent rides while the other cares for the child. When the first rider returns, they take over with the kid and the other parent gets to ride. The way this helps is that you don’t have to separate and wait in line twice.

Sometimes, an older sibling may get to join with the parent for a bonus ride!

Fast Passes like those at Disney

I’m not a fan of Disney’s Fast Pass system. It is less a way to skip the lines. Instead, it becomes a game and complication to the park. At least it is free and fairly applied.

The Fast Pass allows you to prioritize attractions, scheduling a window of time when you can skip the regular line. The Fast Pass line is shorter, but still a few minutes to wait.

The consequence is that it makes the standard line far longer. It gives the appearance that you are jumping to the front of the line. However, your total rides for the day end up reduced. It also takes a lot of attention watching the clock and killing time. Thus it creates a virtual line when you can be shopping or eating, a win for the park!

Get a Job at the Park

there are occasionally events offered after public hours for the park’s associates to enjoy the rides. These are great bonding opportunities for associates. Certain areas are open and it is like a private party.

Fast Lane

The one last option I will mention but don’t agree with. The park allows an add-on pass to be purchased that allows the holder to cut in line. This is different than Disney-style Fast Passes which anyone can pick up.

>> Got more ideas? Other Park Hackers wouldn’t object to making this list better. We’d all love to benefit from your experience! Use the comments below.

Photo credit: People, Crowd, Munich by Pexels CC0 Public Domain

The post 18 Strategies To Avoid Long Ride Lines appeared first on Park Hacks.

If you are planning on traveling a large distance to visit an amusement park, there are some things to keep in mind as you prepare. Let’s make the worries of your trip wash away!

Make a checklist

You don’t want to arrive and realize someone forgot something important. Weather you are traveling by car or plane, it can still be very stressful, especially for newbies of travel. Checklists help prevent important details from being overlooked or forgotten.

(Mike’s notes in italics) Start your checklist days or weeks ahead and keep it near you. Things will come to mind as you visualize what you’ll be doing. It is hard to make a complete list in one sitting. You may find things to omit too! Have you ever returned from a trip and cleaned out your bag to realize that you only used half the stuff you’ve been lugging around?

Weather and clothing

Did you check the weather of where you are going? Most women, including myself, will pack for all seasons. But for the normal people out there, who don’t want to pack absolutely everything, checking the weather forecast will help. It never hurts to prepare for rain with an umbrella or a poncho.

If you are staying at a hotel with laundry machines available, you can pack half the clothes and just refresh the ones you’ve worn partway through.

Transportation

If you’re going by plane, and this is a more than just a day-trip from home, make a couple checklists and a folder to keep all your important information handy. Review all the tickets. Each person should have a ticket and the departures and arrivals should match your plan. Better to solve a problem now than when your trip has begun.

Since strollers are a huge asset in amusement parks, read-up on your airline’s policy on checking strollers. They are often surprisingly easy to bring and can also help out when moving through the airport.

If traveling by car, you might want to do a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle. Making sure the air pressure is correct in all your tires. There are the four on the ground of course. Don’t forget your spare! Check all fluids. Check your jack, make sure all the parts are there. Get yourself a small emergency road kit with those orange reflective triangles. If you are not sure how to do preventive maintenance, check with your local shop and ask them to do a quick inspection.

Travel entertainment

How are you keeping the youngsters entertained? Young children and teens have a different ideas of “fun”.

I personally enjoy the license plate game. Keep track of how many out-of-state plates you see. You earn bonus points for funny personalized, vanity plates.

The children I know, like I Spy. This game also encourages the children be aware of their surroundings.

Games on a plane can be a little more difficult. Electronics can come in handy, especially if you or someone you are with is afraid of flying or heights.

You can use the travel time for some spontaneous trip planning. Have each person make their “Must Do” list. It helps pump up the kids, and lets you see where their priorities are. If you can printed map of the amusement park, you can plan how you’re going to work through the park.

Travel Snacks

If you are going by car, pack a cooler of drinks. Designate a snack distributor. If your vehicle is packed too tight, then maybe just plan on eating out. If you are taking an infant, it is great to have a bottle warmer that plugs into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter. I have personally used one that took about 15 minutes to warm up.

One snack-related game I’ve used, that is both entertaining, and teaches kids about the opportunity cost of money, is to stop at a large truck-stop or convenience store and give each kid $2-3. Encourage them to spend their money any way they want. They can also combine and share with a sibling, pooling their resources for a better-value item. Or they can just get the enormous soft-drink. Remind them that they may regret that option 30-40 minutes down the road when it has transferred to their bladder.

Tickets

Unless you plan to buy them at the gate, check to make sure everyone has a park ticket. If you have a special pass, like the Cedar Fair – Platinum Pass, make sure you have each person’s packed.

If you’re planning to buy tickets there, you might save money by looking for discounts online or at stores near the attraction. For example, Kroger is a grocery store with a large presence in Cincinnati. They offer discounted tickets to Kings Island at their customer service counter. There are likely deals like this in businesses near parks and stores in other regions!

Lodging

Also make sure you have your hotel booked. If you’re staying with friends or family, make sure they are reminded of your arrival. Mobile phones are a great help for this, you can text them with little updates on your progress.

A good place to look for last minute deals on hotels is booking.com sometimes they won’t charge you until you get to the hotel.

We’ve found great deals on hotels.com and hotwire.com.

Allow yourself a moment to breathe before leaving your house or your hotel. Get the kids out the door and make a last-minute check. An extra minute of calm and focus now can save a lot of headaches if you were to leave something important behind.

Have a safe and fun trip!!!

>> Take a sec, in the comments below, share travel hacks that you use! Whether it is a day trip or something more major, the community of Park Hackers would love to benefit from your experience!

Photo credit: “Packed Up and Ready to Go” by Paul CC BY-SA 2.0

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Seasons and weather creates changing conditions in all parks. After some research, comparing many parks like Six Flags and Cedar Fair, I found that many have similar protocols when it comes to inclement weather, drones and certain types of clothing.

Weather

I have been at a park when bad weather was about to strike. I check the radar on my phone. It helps to see how bad it really is and helps us decide if our family should wait it out. A lot of parks shut down outdoor attractions once lightning strikes within a 15-20 mile radius of the park. This distance ensures that the ride operators can get everyone off the ride. It also gives guests the opportunity to move to a safe spot. While the storm is rolling through, most, if not all, indoor live shows will usually still go on.

During this time you can shop, catch a show or get a bite to eat. The park employees have been working hard to enforce a non-written rule… DO NOT RUN in the park. This is especially important when the ground is wet and visibility is poor. Personally, if a tornado is coming, then I’m running!

If it’s raining with lightning, and you have children, (been there done that,) get them under cover. Bring them into a store or restaurant. You could also make your way to your vehicle. This will give you the option of leaving for a while. If you are going to hang out, in your car, try and make a game out of it or catch up on a nap.

Drones

Remote-controlled quadcopters, often referred to as drones are a recent issue. I personally do not own one. Most, if not all, parks have rules prohibiting these. If you are not an authorized professional operator, hired or invited to use them at the park, do not bring them in. You should not fly them near the park. There are too many safety reasons. Just leave them at home. I would say car, but if you try and fly them around in the parking lot, it could still cause a disturbance. I’m sure you wouldn’t want an out-of-control flying object crashing into your car. I know no one wants that.

Prohibited Attire

These are not recommendations for how you should dress. It is a description of what the park doesn’t want you to wear. The park management can ask you to leave, change, or at least cover up. Remember, this is a family place. This isn’t a private club, or your friends house. Try and refrain from wearing revealing clothing, images depicting nudity, graphics promoting drugs, or anything gang related. It is not too much to ask. I personally believe wearing a shirt that says Bud Light would be okay, since a lot of parks sell beer. Try and keep your choices in good taste.

I know a lot of people don’t read policies or procedures before going somewhere. So hopefully, this quick summary will make your trip to any amusement park go a tad smoother. It may help you avoid problems during your visit.

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