A theme park vacation can be very fun, however it can also be expensive and quite stressful if you don’t prepare. Whether you’re going to Orlando or LA, here are a few tips on how to make the most out of a theme park vacation.
Book your tickets in advance
You can buy tickets at the parks, but you’ll likely waste hours queuing to get them. Booking your tickets in advance can allow you to bypass these queues. On top of this, it gives you time to shop around for discounts. The likes of this Disney theme parks blog has a lot of tricks on how to save money. Make sure to take time shopping around when buying tickets.
Think wisely about when to go
There are some periods of the year that are busier than others including December and the peak of summer. If you want less crowds, the best months to go are January and October. Be wary that there are likely to be more storms between June and November in Florida – if you want to reduce the risk of bad weather, you may want to avoid these months.
Don’t stay too far away
It’s possible to stay in hotels at the parks, but these can be quite expensive. Most people choose a hotel outside the parks. When doing this, make sure that your accommodation isn’t too far away – you don’t want to waste half the day travelling to and from the theme parks. Some hotels have free shuttle buses that can save you money on travelling to the theme parks. Renting a car may be better if you plan to do more than the theme parks.
Arrive early to get the most out of your them park vacation
Lie in and you could waste precious hours that could have been spent going on rides. It’s better to arrive at the gates as soon as the parks open (which is about 9am for most of the parks).
Don’t try to pack too much in
An itinerary of which rides you want to go on or which amusements you want to see can be a good idea. However, you should be wary of trying to pack too much into each day – especially if you have kids. Not only may the queues foil your plans, but you may find it exhausting if you’re rushing from one ride to the next.
Consider spending extra on a fast-pass
If you’re going to spend extra on anything it ought to be a fast-pass ticket. This will allow you to spend less time in lines so that you can enjoy each day to the maximum.
Consider bringing your own food
Food at theme parks is notoriously expensive. Consider whether you’re really prepared to use the restaurants and food stalls there or whether you should bring your own food. The latter option could save you a lot of money.
Spare some days for relaxing
Many people spend a week or two visiting the parks. It could be worth sparing a couple days for hanging out at the hotel or simply doing something else beyond theme parks (there are so many things to do in Orlando and LA). It’s a vacation after all – you should have some time to relax.
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