And if that wasn't enough, just as the kidney stone pain went away... I came down with strep throat!
Needless to say... it's been a tough week.
So, I'm turning things over to you, the TPI reader. Here's the assignment: Use the comment feature to submit your single best travel tip that's helped make a recent theme park vacation more enjoyable, unique or a better value. (Don't repeat one that's been submitted already, either.)
I'll start: If you are traveling by air with small kids, take their shoes off the moment you get them on board the aircraft. Why? There are few more annoying things to endure in air travel that having the back of your seat kicked throughout the flight.
With the shoes off, your children won't kick that seatback in front of them more than once. In sock feet, kicking hard plastic is a *lot* less fun. (And even if they do do it, the passenger in the seat likely won't feel the impact of a sock foot as much as a shod one.) You won't have to scold the kids to behave, you'll earn good will and karma from folks sitting around you, and the kids will be more comfortable during the flight with their shoes off anyway.
Okay, your turn!
Get everybody a fanny pack to wear in which you can put in the following things.
A Water Bottle
Connect a Golf Towel to the outside (for whiping off sweat)
Autogrpah Book (young)
OR
Cammeras (old)
Maps of the Parks
Little Trinkets
Fastpasses
Rain Ponchos
You get the idea, it works really well and everybody is "responsible" for their own things but its still structured enough that kids won't lose things! Definatly worth it in any theme park!
Burn easily?
Get Bullfrog Sunscreen Spray! I burn SO easily and this seems to be the best out there for me since I have not gotten burned in a park for the longest time!
Also, the misconception with theme park trips (particularly Disney) is that magical things will happen and everything will come together. The truth is, you need to educate yourself about the park and its attractions and shows. Plus, websites like Theme Park Insider can give great tips on the "hidden jewels" at the parks--things your average guest wouldn't normally notice. Have fun, but try not to let your brain turn off in the process.
If you are staying at a paticular theme park's resort (aka Disney), you can also stay late! If you have older kids that can make it into the night, classic Magic Kingdom rides at night rock!
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
You are really into Halloween and getting scared right? Your kids arent! Events like Halloween Horror Nights and Howl O Scream are meant for adults, or at the very least teenagers. Though your child may be able to handle the big coasters or bigger rides, use this question as a guideline. "Can they sit through a scary movie without hiding their eyes?" If the answer is no, then its a safe bet that your kid will be terrified when you are trying to enjoy the event...if not, then they will NOT be sleeping in their own beds anytime soon.
A lot of people get upset at that bit of testing, but really, thats what these haunts are, living breathing horror films.
Instead of haunts, try finding family events that you all can have fun at, or just plan a scary movie night with classics like the Universal Monsters collection, or even Abbot and Costello meet the Wolfman. Its really all about spending time with the family, and all about fun. A scare child is no fun.