Don't hit the wall
7 tips to keep your day at the park from ending badly
Hello theme park friends! Today’s topic comes from very real experience.
Our last trip to Disneyland was during an epic heat wave, with temps over 100 degrees every day. Many times we verged on a complete, literal, meltdown. And we definitely saw a few things.
I have really never had a theme park trip that didn’t involve pushing physical limits in one way or another. After all, that is part of the reason we go - for experiences outside our typical life. But there is no reason to push to the point of no return.
A lot of challenges can be minimized with some planning and awareness. Here are 7 ways you can keep from completely hitting the wall during your theme park day.
Know your limits
Think about your tolerance level for noise, motion, heat, rain, and long-distance walking. It’s a good idea to have an idea where your limits are before you go. Communicate this to your traveling companions - it’s OK to split up if need be.
Walking is probably the number one thing that takes guests down, because a couple of theme park days can easily cover the distance of a marathon. I have posts on my website to help you plan for this:
Wear appropriate footwear
Nothing is sadder than the afternoon flip-flop trudge. The scraping sound as the feet barely slide along the pavement. The pained expression of the wearer. It makes me wince just thinking about it right now.
Let’s face it, if you’re walking a marathon, you need to wear shoes made for a marathon. Save the flip flops for the pool, and wear your best running shoes in the park.
Need new shoes? Get them a few months before your trip and get some miles on them. ‘Cause blisters are no joke when you’ve got four more days in the park.
Get a drink
Hydration is of course important for keeping up your energy, but it’s also a good excuse to stop for a minute. You’ll be burning lots of calories, so go ahead & get that milkshake, or even a beer!
Both Disney and Universal offer free ice water at any location that serves fountain drinks. So don’t be shy about asking, especially on hot days.
Have a snack
As far as I’m concerned, snacking is a huge part of the theme park experience. It’s also a good way to fuel up during the day, and force a stop now & then.
You’re on Disney time, so of course you can have ice cream at 10am!
Slow down
This is probably the hardest one for me. There is so much to see and do! (And eat, and drink, and take pictures of).
Seriously, everything will go better if it’s done at a reasonable pace. One of the best ways to keep that pace under control is to make a plan. Do your best to leave some slack in there, so you can enjoy the park and not burn out too soon.
Bring the right gear
The day starts out fresh and full of possibilities. Then you step outside into a wall of heat, humidity, and humanity.
Be ready for environmental challenges by bringing the right comfort gear. Basics like sunscreen, a hat, and a water bottle are always a good idea.
If you know it’s going to be uncomfortably hot, bring a fan too. Just a simple folding fan can do wonders, or get a powered fan for around your neck.
And if you’ll be in Orlando in summertime, always have a poncho in your backpack!
Here’s a link to my Orlando summer gear guide, on my website GoInformed.net.
Make a lunch reservation
The best way to guarantee a hard-stop in the middle of your day is to make a lunch reservation. There are lots of fun options in the Disney and Universal parks, and, especially at Disney, advance reservations are a must.
A complete meal in a quiet, air-conditioned restaurant will recharge those batteries for sure.
Couldn’t get a reservation? Try using Disney’s walk-up waitlist instead.
Take an afternoon break
When it’s 100 degrees and the park is overcrowded, that’s the perfect time for you to head to the pool. Go back to the park later for all the evening ambience and fun.
Taking a break like this is easiest if you stay close to the parks. At Disney, this is known as “the bubble”. Here’s why you should consider it:
What are your tactics to stay strong all day at the parks?
Let us know in the comments.
Slowing down honestly can't be overstated! So many wonderful moments and experiences get overlooked when rushing from E-ticket to E-ticket.