Preparing For Theme Park Season: Essentials To Bring With You

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Thrill rides, favorite characters and junk food of every type call from within the gates of amusement parks around the world. With vacation season approaching, theme parks will soon be full of families looking for a few days entertainment—and lasting memories.

If your family is one of the many that is planning to make the journey to a park, prepare for a less stressful and more comfortable experience by packing a few essentials for the trip. There’s nothing worse than getting through the line only to realize that you’ve forgotten the tickets or the camera. Having a few essentials on hand can prevent minor bumps in the road, possibly turning the trip into an entire fiasco.

Before you start packing your bag, call the park ahead of time and find out if lockers are available for rental. You don’t want to find yourself schlepping an extra 20 pounds all day long in the hot sun or find yourself sitting out on rides because someone has to watch the bag.

Here is a list of theme park essentials.

Tickets—especially if you purchased your tickets as part of a package or off a discount site. Make sure you have tickets on hand or be prepared to pay full price at the window—which means standing in yet another line. If you have VIP passes, remember to bring those as well.

Camera. Bring something lightweight and sturdy. Be sure to also pack at least one extra memory card. You don’t want run out of card space and miss out on an amazing picture.

Waterproof zipped bags. Particularly of importance if there’s a chance of rain, or if you are likely to get on a water ride. Waterproof bags will protect valuables, like phones and cameras, that can be damaged if exposed to great quantities of water.

Bottled water. Many theme parks are located in warmer regions of the country, and with summer approaching, heat and humidity can become overwhelming. Bring your own bottled water to save on costs and to ensure that your family stays hydrated throughout the day. Carry only a few bottles as you can refill the bottles at soda fountains or drinking fountains.

Sunblock/sunglasses/hats. Protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays with sunscreen, regardless of whether the day is sunny or overcast. Be sure to apply the sunblock at least 15 minutes prior to standing in line, under the blazing sun. Bring an extra bottle of sunscreen to re-apply as instructed.

Small first aid kit. A few basics, like bandages and antibiotic ointment, anti-diarrhea medication and motion sickness pills (those rides can sometimes sneak up even the strongest of stomachs) and every parent’s necessity—pain relievers—should go into a small waterproof package. As blisters, cuts and that last hot dog catch up to you and your family, you can quickly treat these ailments without having to put an end to the day.

Hand sanitizer/wipes. Keep bacteria and viruses at bay with hand sanitizers. Your family will be exploring and coming in contact with multiple surfaces that have been touched by millions of people before you, and then using those same hands to eat. Stay clean between bathroom breaks by using hand sanitizers and wipes. Store the wipes in a plastic bag, instead of carrying the entire hard case around with you.

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Other things to consider:

–Check the weather prior to the trip. If there is a chance of rain, pack lightweight rain ponchos—they may come in handy on water rides anyway.

–If you are an AAA member, your card can reward you with discounts on food and merchandise while inside the park. If you drove, you should have the card on hand, regardless.

–Snacks. For some families, part of the fun is eating the junk food that theme parks offer. For others, paying the exorbitant prices is unthinkable. Regardless of which camp you fall into, bringing a few small, individually packaged snacks is a great way to stave off hunger-induced anger and whining.

–Cash & Driver’s License/ID. While most places will accept credit cards, some vendors will only accept cash..

–Change of clothes. If you will be exposed to water rides, or you are visiting a water park, a change of dry clothes in the car will make the trip home much more pleasant.

– Book a hotel. If you plan on visiting the park for several days, you will want to have a comfortable place to stay for yourself and your family. Book your hotel room in advance in order for a comfortable night’s sleep and a complimentary breakfast.

By preparing a little bag of essential items in advance, you can avert crises before they begin. Pack the basics and you will spend more time enjoying the experience and making memories, and less time worrying about mishaps.

Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer from Los Angeles. Her writing covers everything from health, marketing, tech and travel. She regularly takes her kids to theme parks around Southern California (they love Legoland best!) as well as to a Destin Florida rental for some beach-side fun , so she knows how important it is to be prepared!