After visiting many parks, experiencing both bad and glorious days, I’ve put together a series of tips to help you make the most of your day at a theme park.
There would be so much more to say, but these are my 12 universal rules which, if followed to the letter, will help you avoid a bunch of small inconveniences nobody wants to deal with:
- not being able to ride your favorite attraction
- always finding long lines for everything
- spending 2 hours just to have lunch
- being unprepared for the park’s reservation systems
These are just some of the recurring issues many of you have shared with me. That’s why I’ve created this list that you MUST follow to avoid unpleasant days.
- Arrive early! Even 1 hour before opening time. This will allow you to park calmly (maybe even close to the park entrance), go through security checks, use the restroom, buy tickets if you haven’t done it online (in this article I talk about how to save on tickets), and secure the best spot to enjoy the opening show—if there is one.
- Take advantage of early entry opportunities that some Resort hotels offer to their guests.
- Check the opening times of the park’s different areas: for example, Gardaland doesn’t open all its zones at the same time, but in stages. So, there’s no point in rushing to an area that won’t open until two hours later. But if used wisely, these staggered openings can work to your advantage!
- Always download the park’s app. It will let you check showtimes, wait times, reserve your turn on rides, book restaurants, and order food to-go.
- At least the day before, make a list of the attractions and shows you absolutely want to experience. That way, you can focus on your priorities before the dopamine rush scrambles your brain.
- If you arrive mid-morning, try visiting the park in the reverse order of what you originally planned—this alone can help you avoid long lines.
- Set a smartphone alarm for 11:30 AM. When it rings, stop whatever you’re doing and head to lunch. This small trick can save you up to an hour. If you eat at 12:30 or later, you’ll likely waste a lot more time.
- If you want to fully enjoy parades or shows, grab a spot at least 30 minutes in advance.
- If you’re not interested in parades, use that time to ride attractions that usually have long wait times. You might even walk right on—try it and see!
- Make use of the last few minutes before park closing to ride attractions. It’s a bit crazy, but it works!
- Don’t load yourself up like you’re heading into the jungle. Avoid backpacks, especially in Italian parks where they’re often not allowed on rides and there are rarely temporary lockers near boarding stations. You’d have to leave them at the entrance, vulnerable to anyone walking by. It’s a different story in foreign parks, where you’ll usually find lockers or even be allowed to take them on board.
- Use single rider lines where available. Sure, you might miss out on some of the queue theming magic, but you’ll save a ton of time. Try it and see!
If you’ve got tips to share, feel free to comment on this post—I’ll keep updating the list over time.
Next time you visit a theme park using these 12 rules, let me know how your day went, if they were useful, and which part of your experience improved the most.
