Amusement parks can be a great place for families to go spend time together. Lots of times you are probably even traveling to go to a specific theme or amusement park! In today’s post, we are going to be sharing some of our best tips for having a great experience at an amusement park.

Before You Go:

Make a Plan

Before you go to the amusement park, make sure you have a plan put in place. Are you going to ride every ride? Are you going just to relax and have a good time? Are you going to all stay together or separate out into groups? These are all great things to figure out before you get to the amusement park.

Check out the Map

Make sure you look at a map of the amusement park before you get there. Get familiar with where things are, where specific rides that you know you want to go on are, and know where restrooms or child care centers are located.

Purchase Your Tickets Online

Make sure that you have all of your tickets and other things you will need to get into the park. Most amusement parks let you buy tickets online ahead of time and they are often cheaper that way! One of our favorite places to get discounted amusement park tickets (including tickets to Disney!) is Get Away Today. We have worked with Get Away Today for many years now and love that they offer discounted amusement and theme park tickets as well as hotel and vacation packages. Use our affiliate link to get the best discounts and use our code YELLOWVAN for another discount on your Disneyland 3 night vacation package.

Gather Your Tickets

Make sure you have all of your tickets and other things you may need to get into the park. In addition to your tickets you will probably need a photo id as well as confirmations for any other reservations you may have.

Pack Your Bags

Especially if you’re going to an amusement park with kids, you will want to make sure you have your bags and stroller packed and ready to go the night before. That way you aren’t trying to do it the morning you get to the park. (Keep reading to find out what things we suggest packing!)

When You Get There:

Sunscreen

If you are traveling during basically any time except winter, you are probably going to want to apply (and reapply!) sunscreen as soon as you get to the amusement park. Sunburns can totally ruin an otherwise fun day!

Focus on your Plan

Make sure you get to the rides that everyone wants to go on. Plan on when you want to stop for lunch. Discuss when you will leave to go back to the hotel for a break or if you are going to push through all day. When are you getting snacks? If you’re splitting up, when are you meeting back together?

Have Fun!

Make sure that you actually are having fun when you’re there! Don’t stress if lines get long or rides shut down. Try to go with the flow as much as you can and you will end up having a great day!

What To Pack:

Here is a list of some of our favorite things to pack when you go to an amusement park. (Some of the items listed will be affiliate links.)

• Water bottles
• Sunscreen
• External battery pack and charging cords
• Fully stocked diaper bag
• Snacks
• Glow sticks (these are perfect for keeping track of your kids and your stroller when it gets dark!)
• Giant hooks for stroller
• Change of clothes (especially for little kids and babies as well as for anyone who might get really wet on some of the rides)
• Fanny pack or small backpack (to keep your most important things on you like money, cards, id, phone, etc. while you ride rides)