Proper planning is important for any vacation, but long strenuous days in a theme park present some unique challenges. If you’re new to this type of getaway, you can prevent many painful and problematic situations by running through this list of important to-dos before you leave.
1. Check your shoes
One surefire way to spot a first time visitor to a theme park is to look at their shoes. Many vacationers get brand new shoes right before their vacation thinking the new pair will be a vast improvement over their old worn in sneakers. These visitors usually end up limping through the last hours of the day and sporting visible bandages around their heels by the end of the trip.
If your current shoes aren’t up to long days of walking, invest in new shoes several weeks before your departure and wear them often. You want your shoes nice and broken in before you arrive so you don’t discover that they rub along your heel wrong while you’re in the middle of an hour-long queue. An easy alternative to buying and breaking in new shoes is to simply get new inserts to add some padding to kicks you already know and love.
2. Make room for photos
Whether you’re using a digital camera or a smartphone for your vacation pictures, make sure the device is good and empty before you arrive. You may think having room for an extra 50 photos will be enough, but it’s probably not. There’s no sense in carting along old pictures that will just take up space on these devices. Empty them ahead of time so you have lots of room for the new stuff.
While you’re at it, tucking a spare memory card into your bag isn’t a bad idea, either. If you’re using a digital camera but you’re not taking a laptop or other device that will let you move the pictures, it’s always a good idea to take some extra storage space along with you.
3. Examine your sun protection
Sunblock expires after about three years, but families who don’t slather it on regularly may not use up a whole bottle in that time span. Double check all your sunscreen before you leave. If you can’t find an expiration date, play it safe and buy a new bottle. If you’re not used to standing outside all day, the sun can be particularly brutal.
Make sure you take an adequate supply of sunblock to last your entire trip. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, you should use about half of an 8 oz bottle in a long day at the beach. If you’re planning an extended summer vacation, you’re going to need a lot of this stuff. You should reapply every two hours, even if the product is waterproof and sweatproof.
If you’re hesitant to slather on a greasy lotion that could mess up your makeup, look for sunscreen that’s formulated just for the face. Some products are even slightly tinted so they can double as a light layer of foundation, evening out a flushed skin tone during a long day in the sun. Don’t forget sun protection for your lips as well.
4. Develop a plan
There’s no excuse for showing up at a theme park with absolutely no idea of what you want to do. With a minimum amount of digging, you can find dozens if not hundreds of reputable guide books, web sites, and apps that will help you plan your vacation. Take some time and really explore your options before you arrive. Make a list of the must-see attractions you want to visit in each park. Check out the pricing, menus, and ratings for various restaurants and make reservations for special meals (Editor’s note: our extensive park guides can help with this).
Depending on your destination, you may even have the option to reserve queue-jumping passes ahead of time. While you’re bound to run into unexpected delays or surprisingly short wait times that you can’t pass up, it’s a good idea to have at least a general idea of what you want see, do, eat, and buy so you can make the most of your time and money on vacation.
5. Measure children’s heights
Height restrictions are a fact of life in theme parks. You can’t get around them, so you may as well prepare for them. Measure your children without shoes before you leave so you have a general idea of how tall they are. Measuring them barefoot should give you a little leeway when it comes time to stand up to the real height stick, but even so you should be conservative with your measurements.
If your child is just 40 inches, don’t make a big deal of attractions with a 40-inch height restriction. The final determination will always take place just outside the ride and may depend on an employee’s difficult judgment call. If your child is several inches beyond the height restriction, however, you’re safe to build up some excitement for the bigger rides.
First time visitors may even benefit from a few weeks to get used to the idea of riding a roller coaster before they brave the real thing. You can often watch ride-through videos online to get a better idea of what certain attractions do, if you have nervous family members who need a little help coming around to the idea of riding.
6. Fill a first aid kit
While first aid is readily available in most theme parks, it’s still nice to have a few necessities on hand yourself. Consider the unique conditions you’ll face in a theme park and plan accordingly. Roller coasters and loud shows can easily give you a headache. Bumpy rides, greasy foods, and hot weather can leave you feeling nauseous. Head off predictable problems with preventative medications for motion sickness or heartburn if you know you’re prone to these conditions.
Aloe and vitamin E will do wonders for tender skin after a long day in the sun. Heating or cooling pads can help with sore muscles and bandages can save painful feet if you didn’t heed the warning about shoes and wore a troublesome pair anyway.
While it’s great to leave room for spontaneity and new discoveries, these important tasks will help you stay comfortable on your trip and make the most of every minute.
