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This month's top tips for theme park visitors

By Robert Niles
Published: October 22, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Here are some of the more popular tips for visiting theme parks that readers have submitted to our tips page. Click the links following each tip to cast your "yes" or "no" vote on whether you think it's good advice for other theme park visitors.

Disneyland: If you want a Dole Whip, go inside the Tiki Room waiting area and order from that side. There's almost never a wait. Link

All parks: Want to avoid the big crowds? Try going when the kids are in school on a weekday if you're able to. Families tend to come on weekend and when the kids are out of school. Link

All parks: Drink plenty of fluids on a hot day! The last thing you want is to become dehydrated. Try to stay in the shade as much as possible as well. Link

All parks: Freeze water bottles the night before and they will offer cold water for a few hours as they melt. Link

Universal Orlando: Show your AAA card whenever you buy food or merchandise. Even though a sign may not be displayed, it's an automatic 10% discount. Link

Disney parks: Disney raises ticket prices every August. If you are planning a trip for the back half of the year, buy before Aug to lock in the lower rate. Link

Holiday World: Ride the coasters after 1:00 PM. Lines are almost non existent on most days at that time. Link

Walt Disney World: If you want to rent a stroller and arrive after noon, just hang out by the stroller return and buy one for a few bucks off someone returning it. Much cheaper that way. Link

Remember, you if have some great advice you don't see on the tips page, scroll down to the bottom and click the button to submit your own tip!

Update: This is an open thread for any breaking news, or anything else anyone wants to discuss, in the comments.

Readers' Opinions

From Scott B on October 23, 2009 at 10:47 AM
I agree with visiting when the kids go back to school. We recently went to Walt Disney World the second week of September. We figured parents pull their kids from school for vacation, but not many do so early in the school year.

Man alive, I had never seen it so empty in my whole life. Well, you know....empty for Disney World. It was my wife, our two year old daughter and myself (oh and plus the in-laws). We all had such a great time. Almost every ride in Fantasyland was a five minute wait. And that was only because it takes about five minutes to walk through the queue (especially with a toddler). I walked onto every ride. I even got to ride some rides I wasn't planning on riding just because there was no wait (like Splash Mountain).

I also think the staying hydrated issue cannot be stressed enough. Especially if you are a Bostonian like myself and are walking around Orlando in 95 degree humid air. Dehydration can overcome you quickly at a themepark because you may be distracted and unaware of it. Which is why we tried to drink and drink often.

From 86.46.111.100 on October 24, 2009 at 4:40 AM
also quiet in September as people fear the hurricane season in Orlando
From M. Ryan Traylor on October 24, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Can we remove the tip about Dole Whip? Don't want too many people to know about that know one. ;)

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