Taking the Kids™
Surviving Theme Park Madness
The kids are counting down the days until they can hit that new roller coaster.
But you’re dreading the trip to Theme Park Land - the lines, the crowds and the money you’ll spend. Buck up! You’re going to have as much fun as the kids and you’re going to bring home the goofy pictures to prove it. Here’s how:
- POWER-UP THE COMPUTER so that you and the kids can take a virtual tour before you leave home. You won’t be so overwhelmed when you walk into the park.
- GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE to hit one of his or her must-see attractions each day. Let the youngest choose the first day, the eldest the next, the blued-eyed member of the family the third day.
- EXTRA ADULTS are always a plus so that no one grown up is responsible for a group of youngsters or teens.
- DON’T BE AFRAID TO DIVIDE the group if the kids vary in age and have different agendas. Just make sure you stay in touch via cell phone or walkie-talkie and always have established a time and place to meet.
- AVOID LINES by taking advantage of the new technologies that allow you to swipe your ticket and get a time to return to the ride rather than wait in line. You’ve got to be organized, though, to get the pass for the attraction you most want to ride as soon as you get to the park. Stay at a Universal Studios Orlando hotel and you can skip the lines altogether simply by showing your room key!
- COASTER PHOBIA can strike at any age, even after waiting in a long line to ride one. Don’t force the issue. Theme parks are supposed to be fun. The last thing you want to do is make someone in the family feel badly because they don’t want to ride an upside down coaster or go into a haunted house. You can always return when they’re ready.
- MEETING THE CHARACTERS may be exactly what your kids want to do most. The best bet at Walt Disney World is to reserve a table at a breakfast or lunch where the characters will appear. That way, they come to your table, rather than you scrambling to find them. But be forewarned that the youngest ones in your family may be overwhelmed and frightened by the giant fuzzy creatures, even beautiful costumed princesses. There will always be another time…and another character.
- YOU NEVER KNOW when the kids are going to demand something to eat. Carry water bottles, juice boxes and some healthy snacks (crackers, power bars, pretzels, fruit) so that you don’t have to wait on line when they’re hungry or feed the kids a steady diet of fast food. You’ll save money too.
- MAKE SURE the kids know what to do if they get lost. They should only talk to someone clearly working at the park who will call a security officer. Put a card with your cell phone number and where you are staying in their pocket.
- QUIT WHEN YOU’RE AHEAD and return to the hotel for a swim or a nap. You don’t have to hit every attraction. At some places, it’s impossible. When the kids get tired and cranky, leave. You can always return to the park after everyone’s had a break.
- AVOID SOUVENIR CRAZIES by discussing how much they may spend before you go. Can they supplement with earnings or birthday money? Can they buy one big souvenir and two little ones? Wait until the end of the day and if possible, the end of the trip to hit the shops.
- SLOW DOWN and remember, this is supposed to be fun.
By: Eileen Ogintz
