Are you planning a trip to Disney World, Universal Studios, Cedar Point, Six Flags Great America or some of the other great amusement parks this summer? While an amusement park can be great time for people of all ages, the crowds and long lines can make a fun trip less enjoyable, especially if you have young children with you. But with the right planning, you can make your theme park adventure more enjoyable and less stressful.
To ensure you get the most enjoyment out of your trip, keep these useful tips in mind.
- Plan your trip before you go. Visit the amusement park’s website for ticket prices, park hours, rides and attractions, age and height requirements for rides, ride maintenance closures, and a park map. Also check out any park tips and reviews. However, be realistic with your expectations of what you can accomplish during your visit. And remain flexible since bad weather, unexpected closures, etc., may change your plans. By planning ahead as best you can, you’ll enjoy your visit better.
- Avoid peak times. Theme parks are almost always more crowded on weekends and during weeks with a holiday. So you best bet is to plan your visit for Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during the summer when there’s less people and shorter lines.
- Wear comfortable clothes. If it’s going to be hot, dress in light-weight clothing like cotton. It will keep you cooler and will dry quickly if you get wet on water rides. Also remember to bring a hat or visor.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes that fit well. Don’t wear shoes that are too tight since they may cause blisters or calluses. Don’t wear flip-flops or sandals. They can be thin and flimsy while providing little to no arch support for your feet. (However, you may want to bring flip-flops to wear when you’re on water rides to keep your walking shoes dry.) Also don’t wear heels since they can put a lot of pressure on your toes and balls of your feet, causing foot pain. If you suffer from any foot conditions, like corns, bunions or plantar fasciitis, you may want to consider wearing custom orthotics, like ezWalker® Performance Insoles, in your shoes. ezWalker® insoles are ultra thin and ¾ in length, so they easily fit into any footwear. ezWalker® insoles are customized to each of your feet, providing you with the exact biomechanical support your feet need.
Pack light but plan for emergencies. Remember to take sunscreen; sunglasses; wet wipes; and a mini first aid kit with anti-septic cream, bandages, pain medication, alcohol swabs, cotton balls and moleskin. Take plastic, zip-lock bags to store your camera, cell phones and wallet when you’re on water rides. If it might rain, take an umbrella or rain ponchos. Also if you have small children, take extra clothing. Consider using a stroller or wagon to carry small children, food, drinks and bags.- Take your cell phones. If your group becomes separated, cell phones can come in handy to find each other. Also, write the cell number in permanent marker on children’s clothes, tags you attach to their clothing, or even their arms, so park staff can call you should your children become lost. Just remember to fully charge your cell phone before you arrive at the amusement park.
- Remember where you park. Take a photo of the parking sign closest to your car with your cell phone’s camera.
- Arrive early to the amusement park. Early morning is a good time to ride the popular rides since the lines will be shorter compared to the afternoon. If the park has a line-pass option for certain rides, you can obtain your tickets before most of the crowd arrives. Also, consider starting your day at the back of park since most people tend to ride the attractions closest to the entrance upon arriving.
- Wear sunscreen. And don’t forget to apply it to your face and neck.
- Bring small toys, books or games to keep the small children amused while waiting in line.
- Keep cool and drink plenty of water. Cool down by going into air-conditioned restaurants or shops. Or bring small fans or stray bottles with water to keep cool. Drink water throughout your visit to stay hydrated.
- Enjoy your stay and don’t overdo it. The whole point of your visit is to have fun, so don’t rush. Remember, you don’t have to do it all. If your feet and legs get sore, take a break.
By following these tips, hopefully, you’ll be able to keep your amusement park visit enjoyable for all. And remember, don’t let foot pain ruin your fun time, order your ezWalker® Performance Insoles today.
Because … when your feet feel good, you feel good.
