As soon as our little ones can walk we are excited to take them to their first theme park! Watching their faces exploring and seeing the park for the first time is an amazing experience to use parents. Never mind that the child won’t remember the visit later in life. Should they not have an amazing day just because they may not remember it? No way!
Read over the tips below and get ready to book your little one’s first theme park visit!
I. Where to Go:
Avoid theme parks that serve alcohol. Generally, children are an afterthought at these parks. That doesn’t mean the park won’t offer anything for your child, it just means the park is not 100% dedicated to children and isn’t likely a great choice for a toddler visitor.
Always ask “Will the park be interesting to my child(ren)?” Do they offer visits from their favorite characters? Interactive and exploration opportunities? How much does the park offer your child?
Always check height and ride-along requirements for rides when selecting a park.
Read park reviews from bloggers with toddlers and small children before you make your final decision.
II. Before You Go:
Always, always, always plan your visit! Know what portion of the park you want to visit first and what portion of the park you are willing to let go if you run out of time.
Many theme parks offer trip planning guides online and suggestions for families with young children. This information has been carefully thought out and prepared by the people who know the park best – USE IT!
Again, read tips from bloggers who have reviewed the park with children of the same age group. They are likely to know the best place to dine, to best walking loop for your little one to enjoy a nap, if the nursing center is worth the trek, and what shows your child will enjoy best (every great theme park offers shows, right?)
III. What to Pack:
- Sunscreen & Sun Gear (hats, glasses, etc.)
- Flip Flops for Everyone
- Diaper Bag – fully stocked
- Camera (maybe not the “good” one)
- Small Towel
- Lunch, Snacks, & Drinks (if your park allows, check for young children exceptions)
- Light Sheet or Picnic Blanket
- Sanitizer Wipes or Gel
- Extra Set of Clothing for Little Accidents
- Stroller Toys
- Feeding Supplies/Bottles/Nursing Cover
- Two Large Refillable Water Bottles
IV. Always Bring Your Big Stroller:
Almost everyone has a bulky stroller they don’t use as often as the small umbrella in the trunk of their car. This is the time to pull it out of the garage! The storage it offers is very important to theme park survival. Don’t leave home without it – even if you know your tiny tot will want to run the entire day!
Never rely on renting a stroller from the park unless you reserve it in advance. The one, and only, time we failed to do this was disastrous! Not only did they not have the double stroller we needed, but they didn’t have ANY strollers available! We barely survived the entire morning before going back to our hotel.
V. Hotel Selection:
Speaking of hotels. Try to stay in a hotel that offers a shuttle to the park as a free service. This means, no parking fees!
Another great reason to stay nearby and enjoy the shuttle: the standard exit from a theme park can take an excess of forty-five minutes. That forty-five minutes can last a lifetime to tired parents and their sleeping toddler! Grabbing a few seats on the shuttle that retrieves you directly from the park entrance is much easier than walking across a large parking lot, locating your car, cooling it off, and getting everyone settled. I’m exhausted just writing all of that!
VI. Quick Access Passes:
Purchase quick access passes to avoid waiting in lines with your little ones. Children cannot sit in line for thirty minutes, or longer. Make everyone around you happy, splurge on the ride passes.
VII. About Those Water Rides:
So many parks now offer water rides as an extra way to cool off in the warmer months. They are fantastic, but your sneakers will not be thanking you as they are squishing away. Before you hop on that ride to cool off, toss flops or sandals on everyone.
If you know you will be enjoying your fair share of water rides, wear waterproof clothing. Board shorts and sunscreen tops dry very quickly and will make changes unnecessary. This will also allow you to enjoy these rides at your will with little planning.
VIII. Be Flexible:
Don’t try to get every inch of the park seen in one day. Trying to do too much with your little one(s) will make your day miserable. If they want to spend an hour in one area they are enjoying instead of moving on to the next task, let them. If they are happy, you’ll be happy.
IX. What to Eat:
Be sure the dining experience you select is appropriate for your child(ren). Fancy park restaurants are not the way to go. The best meal your family will enjoy within a park is a Dinner-show or Character Visit Meals. These dinners are more affordable, enjoyable, and memorable for your little one. Please note that you may need to plan and pay for your dinner reservation along with your advance park tickets.
Example: We once paid for our family of five guest to have dinner with Shamu at SeaWorld Orlando. The food was amazing and the experience was wonderful. During a later trip we opted to take our young children to the Sharks Underwater Grill. Our food was not great and the kids didn’t touch their meal. The dinner cost more than double our Shamu meal did and we didn’t enjoy it.
Tip: If you have chosen a dinner experience, leave the park early so your little one can rest and return for your dinner reservation. When we dined with Shamu we left the park after lunch and returned for dinner. Everyone was well rested, clean and showered, and ready for a wonderful evening.
X. Nap Time:
I recommend purchasing more than one day at the park you select so you can return to your hotel for afternoon naps. If your itinerary doesn’t allow for this, look for well shaded, quiet walking loops for your little one to take stroller nap.
Parents need to rest too! Once your little one is asleep and you are able to stop the stroller ride, you should take a break. Find a park bench or green-space to stretch out and relax. Take off your sneakers and slide on your flip flops for a few minutes. This will give you the opportunity to review your park map, chat with your partner, or peek at the wonderful pictures you took earlier in the day.
Enjoying a theme park vacation with your child(ren) will be a breeze if you remember to pack accordingly and prepare your trip in advance. Never head to a park unprepared.
