Every holiday that you take as a family has its own stresses and worries, but none more so than a theme park holiday.
Not only are you trying to have an incredible time with your little ones and make beautiful memories, but you are also constantly trying to keep everyone safe, energised and together as much as possible.
Although you should never be scared off by huge parks such as Disneyland or Universal Studios, there are a few things that you should keep in mind in preparation for your holiday.
Below, we have conjured up our ultimate top 5 tips for going on a theme park holiday with young children. Hopefully, these pieces of advice will ensure that you will have a stress-free, fun and magical experience to last a lifetime:
Plan ahead
As theme parks are typically sprawling and overwhelming at first, it is crucial for you to prepare before you travel. We would recommend researching your chosen theme park as much as possible, including the attractions that your kids will most likely want to test out, and any special events that might be happening during your stay. In terms of rides, you can save yourself some stress by checking out any of their height and age restrictions in advance, so that your little ones don’t end up suffering any disappointment on the day. Also, purchasing tickets online ahead of time can be a lifesaver to help you avoid those lengthy queues.
Pack all the essentials
When it comes to packing, you’re going to need to pack smart! Theme parks can be an exhausting holiday, especially for youngsters, and so you will need to bring as much comforts from home as possible. Naturally, if you are flying to somewhere sunny like Florida, having suncream, sunhats and sunglasses are essential to avoid any damage from the heat. Additionally, don’t hesitate to pack comfortable clothes and shoes (trust us, you will be doing a lot of walking). Lastly, theme parks can be incredibly expensive when it comes to food and drinks, so make sure you stock up on water bottles and snacks for those necessary breaks.
Explain to your little ones
Although your little ones will undoubtedly be buzzing with excitement for their upcoming adventure, they also need to do their own preparations for the trip ahead. Before you jet off, sit down with them and explain what you will be getting up to during your holiday. Make sure they understand that they won’t be able to roam the park freely, and that there might be a lot of waiting around at times. It is also important that they know what to do if the worst case scenario occurs, and they end up getting separated from you. If that ever happens, teach your young ones that they should find one of the theme park’s employees to ask for help. With these tips, your kids should be all set to safely enjoy the best holiday of their lives!
Plan for rest
Theme park days are often jam-packed with activities, and so regardless of what age you are, there will come a point where you will need to have a little rest. So, during your schedule for each day, make sure you include multiple breaks to sit down and relax. Of course, if your little ones are still in the toddler age bracket, you will need to factor in naps, too! If you want an accessible and comfortable place to have a quiet rest, it might be a good idea to look into accommodation as close to the theme park as possible, as this will make it convenient for you to nip back and forth.
Be flexible
Lastly, although you should never try to overplan your holidays (you are supposed to be relaxing, after all), you will need to note that some things might not go according to schedule. Whether that be event cancellations, longer naps or lengthy queues, you will likely have to adjust your plan at some point - but that’s okay! Above all else, the main thing that you should try to do throughout your holiday is to enjoy yourself, and to take in this experience with your loved ones as much as you can.
