As a season's pass-holder to a chain of amusement parks, I can't pretend to be objective about the subject. Although I personally get nauseous on the teacup rides—never mind the serious stuff—I have learned to enjoy our frequent visits, if only because there is no outing my children love more. They beg to go; they hate to leave; they don't even mind waiting in line.
But visiting an amusement park can be stressful, especially for grown-ups who pay for everything and carry everything (including tired children). Fortunately there's a lot you can do to reduce problems and save money.
Some simple rules to follow
Comfort is key. Check the forecast; dress appropriately; use sunscreen. Wear shoes that won't fall off on rides where your feet hang down. My kids don't mind getting wet on the soaking rides, but for myself I bring a 99-cent plastic rain cape that folds up small and flat.
Snack affordably. Park food is expensive. To avoid buying $3 sodas every hour, make the kids tank up at water fountains. Freeze a disposable bottle of water beforehand and take cool sips as it melts throughout the day. At lunch, it may be cheaper to buy the extra-large size of some food items and share, rather than individual servings for each member of the family. Some parks offer fresh fruit and sandwiches made with lean meats as an alternative to fried foods, and some parks list food concessions on Web sites or maps; research before you go so you'll know which kiosk to head for.
Set limits beforehand. My kids love the expensive “shoot a target” games; I usually let each of them play one, and only one, game that costs extra each time we go.
Try to "game the lines". Waiting on line for popular rides can literally take hours. Posted signs usually state how long the wait is. Some theme parks have systems like Disney's FastPass and Universal Express, which issue timed tickets for popular rides, allowing you to arrive at a certain time and wait just 15 or 20 minutes instead of hours. Some parks charge extra for timed tickets; others don't.
Another technique for avoiding long lines: Get to the gate before the park opens, have your route plotted, be among the first in the door and make a beeline for that famous coaster before the crowds arrive. Ride lines may also be shorter during daily parades.
And in the strange-but-true category: “When you have a choice between more than one line for a ride or concession stand, take the one on the left; most people instinctively move to the right,” according to Nancy Dunnan, editor of the TravelSmart newsletter.
Arrive early or leave late: Many parks experience a lull after the daytime crowds leave and before the teenagers arrive. Coasters with hourlong waits at 11 a.m. may have no lines at suppertime. Admission fees after 4 p.m. are often half-price, too, and many parks stay open late into the night in summer.
Save it for a rainy day: Fodor's "1,001 Smart Travel Tips" recommends visiting theme parks after it rains. “You'll find you'll have the place to yourself,” the book says. Some rides will close intermittently, especially if there is thunder and lightning, but indoor attractions will be unaffected. Pack a hand towel to wipe off wet seats; wear a plastic rain cape. (Some parks distribute free plastic parkas in bad weather; others sell them.) On the other hand, amusement parks as a rule do not make refunds, so if the rides are closed for hours, you lose out. A season's pass makes the risk affordable.
For waterparks, come prepared. Visiting water parks is an art unto itself. Leather and cloth wallets are easily lost and ruined in water parks, so a watertight plastic pouch, suspended from a string around your neck, is a must. Here you will store your car key, cash and credit card.
It's amazing how often guests drag bags full of items into waterparks, only to store them the entire day in an expensive locker. To avoid that: Wear your bathing suit and light flip-flops. As soon as you're off the hot concrete and onto the cooler surfaces most waterparks have underfoot, store your footwear, sunscreen and towel in an old bag you can leave unattended— along with everyone else's—outside each ride or pool.
Don't let weak swimmers in the wave pools; standing your ground in the force of the waves is fun but exhausting. Be vigilant about swim diapers for toddlers, and in the interest of public health, postpone your visit if anyone in the family has a stomach ailment.
Collect coupons, hunt down discounts: Theme park admission for a family can easily run into the hundreds of dollars, so look for discounts. Sometimes coupons appear on milk cartons and soda cans; check Web sites for discount days—deals for senior citizens or two-for-ones. And contact the nearest Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Local tourism boards almost always have coupons for the big theme parks,” according to Fodor's "1,001 Smart Travel Tips."
Also, “check with your auto club, AARP and other groups,” says Dunnan. “Many offer discounted tickets to members.”
All in one deals: Many amusement park visitors will be making a day trip from home, but others go as part of a longer trip. If your visit involves an overnight stay, check out package deals through travel Web sites. You might save on hotels, car rentals and admission if you roll them all into one.
Don't pass on the passes: And consider buying that season's pass if you live near a park or within driving distance of several outposts in a chain. “Most season's passes pay for themselves within two or three visits,” said Beth Robertson of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
With a season's pass you can drop in for a few hours instead of feeling you have to stay 10 hours to get your money's worth. Shorter visits are less exhausting; you learn the layout and can head straight to favorite rides; and you avoid entrance lines for one-time guests. If you're buying a pass for a chain, check prices at each location; it may be cheaper to buy the pass at one of the chain's lesser known facilities.
Safety and security: For peace of mind, put an ID card in every kid's pocket; write down exactly where you parked; and arrange a time and place to rendezvous so your group can split up to try different attractions.
Finally, observe all safety regulations. Rules about age, height and weight determine who can ride safely, and health warnings screen out people who might be hurt on certain rides. Obviously obeying these rules is in your self-interest.