How to Prepare for and Enjoy an Amusement Park

Co-authored by Seth Hall

Last Updated: July 12, 2024 Approved

Many people love amusement parks. If you're planning an amusement park visit, planning ahead can be helpful to ensure that you and everyone in your group has a great time. This wikiHow will not only help you figure out how to plan an amusement park visit, but it will also teach you how to have a great time while you're there.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Planning Your Visit

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Have you gone to this park before? If not, research beforehand. Make sure that there are attractions that you and anyone else visiting the amusement park with you will like. If there isn't, consider a different amusement park.
Make sure you know how much tickets cost and consider buying them beforehand. Some amusement parks may even offer discounts for purchasing tickets online or ahead of time in general.

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Usually, an amusement park's hours can be found on their website. Make a note of this, so you don't end up arriving too early or too late.
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Consider staying on-site or nearby if you're visiting the amusement park for more than one day. This way, you'll likely have an easier time traveling to the park.
- Sometimes, on-site hotels may offer a shuttle service or other park benefits that are meant for hotel guests. If you're planning to stay on-site, research ahead of time to see if your hotel offers something like this.
While it may seem tempting, riding rides in whatever order you feel like can mean you travel from one end of the park to the other many more times than is necessary, and your feet will be very sore as a result. To avoid this, get a park map and use it. Ride things in order, or at least ride everything you want to go on in one specific area of the park before moving on to another.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Deciding What to Wear

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Consider the weather. Around a week before your trip, search online for "Weather in _____(the name of the city where the amusement park is located)". This should give you a pretty good idea of what to expect weather-wise and help you plan your outfit.
- It's a good idea to consider bringing a sweatshirt with you regardless of the forecasted weather, especially if you'll be at the amusement park later in the day, in case it gets colder.
Since you'll likely be doing a lot of walking, flip flops aren't the best idea to wear to an amusement park. Instead, choose comfortable shoes/sneakers that are easy to walk around in.
In many cases, you won't be allowed to wear your hat on rides (particularly rollercoasters), though it can provide you with some protection from the sun. You may also be able to buy one in the amusement park if you so choose.
Hair past shoulder length can easily get tangled on a windy ride. Braids are recommended, as they stay closer to the head and don't have loose hair like ponytails.
Many coasters can be rough, and you don’t want holes poked into the back of your head. Also, some earrings may get stuck in your hair or attire. However, if you really want to wear earrings, wear non-dangling ones such as studs or pearls.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Choosing What to Bring

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These can be helpful for carrying around everything you'll need for your time in the amusement park.
Especially in the summertime. Most of the ride lines will subject you to the elements, whatever they are.
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Bring snacks and water with you. Especially if you plan on spending the whole day in the park, having some snacks and water on hand can be helpful, since these may be expensive inside the park.
- Check the rules and regulations ahead of time, since many amusement parks have rules regarding bringing outside food and beverages into the park. If outside food and beverages are not allowed inside the park, see if you are allowed to keep these in your vehicle, so you can exit the park and then re-enter once you're finished with your snacks and water.
Think ahead to the cost of amusement park tickets, where you'll eat, and any souvenirs you or your group might want to purchase.
If you have nausea but otherwise enjoy park rides, there should be nausea-relieving pills at your local drugstore or pharmacy. Take these beforehand. Unless you're sure that you won't be nauseous, it's best to have these with you.
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Take rain ponchos with you. These can be expensive in the park^{[1]
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Research source}, and they are helpful in the event that it rains.
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Avoid overpacking. You'll likely be carrying most of what you bring around in the backpack or string bag mentioned earlier, so try and avoid overpacking so that you aren't carrying around too much.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Enjoying Your Time in the Park

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Weekends tend to be the busiest at amusement parks. If possible, try and visit during the week, particularly the middle of the week, which tends to not be as crowded.
If you want to catch the shortest ride wait times and escape the heat of the day, get to the park as early as possible. And people do arrive earlier so they can dash to their favorite rides as soon as possible.
Take a break from the coasters every once in a while, perhaps throwing in a train or gondola ride (these can also serve as great ways of getting around the park that don’t wear out your sneakers).
Don't force yourself or a friend to go on a certain ride, especially if you or your friend does not fit the criteria for the ride. If you are too short, weigh too much, have medical conditions or are pregnant, be careful about what rides you decide to go on.
This way, you won't have to carry around a giant stuffed animal or a lot of bags for the whole day.

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What is ideal for a teenager to pack to visit an amusement and water park?

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Pack: Plastic bag for the phone, sunscreen, hat, water, money/credit. Maybe a jacket, comfortable pair of shoes and light snacks. A chapstick and comb might be helpful too.

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What should I pack in my pack?

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Sunscreen and sunglasses (if it's a sunny day), a snack if you don't want to spend a lot on food, your phone, wallet/purse, and a water bottle. Don't buy water at the parks, it's expensive! Take one with you and fill it up at the drinking fountains. Optional things would be a waterproof cover if you plan on going on water rides, or on a rainy day, a plastic sandwich bag to put your phone and valuables in if you go on water rides, and a camera if your phone doesn't have a decent one. If you plan on taking a disposable camera, don't buy one at the theme park, as they'll be very expensive.

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What should I wear and pack for a cold day?

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Wear a coat, beanie, and scarf. If it's really cold, bring gloves as well. Just make sure all of your accessories are secure while you're going on rides so your hat doesn't go flying, etc.

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Tips

Always have a meeting point if you get separated from your group or decide to split up temporarily to do different attractions. This meeting point could be a certain picnic table, another area, or even a specific ride.

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Stay together with friends or family members. While it's okay if your group wants to do separate attractions, try and stay with at least one of your other group members.

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Try to get each member of your group to wear a certain thing, especially if it's large. For example, have all of the family wear neon-green colored clothes. This will make it easier to find each other.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Pack light when possible — carrying heavy bags around large parks leads to tired feet. Prioritize what you need, and consider a small string backpack rather than purse. Leave non-essentials in your car.
If you have small children, assign someone as the designated stroller-watcher when going on rides. That allows you to hang bags and jackets on it so you aren't overloaded carrying everything.
If acrophobic, ease into coasters slowly starting with milder rides first. Overcoming fears takes small steps — have friends encourage but not pressure. Start in front seats if possible.
Apply waterproof sunscreen liberally and reapply often, especially if going on water rides later where you’ll get soaked. Lotion helps avoid painful sunburns ruining your day.
Stay hydrated–walking miles in summer heat will dehydrate you quickly. Pack water bottles and refill them for free at drinking fountains. Drinks inside the park can be costly.
Arrive just before opening time to catch shorter lines. Sometimes early admission can even waive parking fees temporarily. Ride your favorites right away before crowds pick up.

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Warnings

If you are a senior, take it easy and avoid going on the faster rides.

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Always obey park regulations and signs. If you have had a heart attack before or have a medical condition that makes things such as flashing lights and fast movement dangerous to you, avoid relevant rides.

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If you are pregnant, avoid most rides. Only go on slow, safe rides like Teacup rides.

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Make sure that your restraint is fully secured on all rides and that you feel safe. If you don't, inform a ride attendant immediately.

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If you are overweight, ride restraints may not properly fit or hold you. Don't take any risks.

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Never go into an off-limits area. These are usually places where rides swing and move, and people can get injured or killed from being in such a place while the ride is operating. Even if you think it's safe, fences and signs are there for a reason. Forget your lost hat and stay out.

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Always fasten your restraints properly before any ride begins. Similar to what was mentioned earlier, if you have trouble, inform a ride attendant immediately.

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Be sure that you keep a close eye on any children in your group.

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Never bring cameras on rides to record point-of-view videos. This is against the policies of most amusement parks, and if you drop your camera it could injure someone.

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