Top 5 Things to Remember to Bring to the Parks

We've been there.  We know how it is.  You're hurrying to the parks and you need to be sure you have everything you need to ensure you have a magical day.  Don't worry, we're here to help.  Here is a list of the top five things you'll need to remember if you want a fun-filled day at the parks.

Colorful Ghost Costumes

5) Poncho
We will leave this one to personal preference, but this advice does come twofold.


Florida is well-known for its five-minute downpours.  For those who are not well-versed at reading the skies, it typically rains in Florida when there are thick dark clouds, scattered light clouds, or no clouds at all.  It would behoove anyone wanting to schedule their day to view a weather report before heading to the parks.  It would be wise to plan indoor attractions (most notably, air-conditioned dark rides) around when the weather looks unfavorable. You do however have the option to brave the elements and wear a poncho.  Of course, outdoor attractions do have specific weather operations that they must adhere to.  Most large coasters, for example, will close if lightning is spotted within a certain radius of the coaster.  If no lightning is spotted, you can ride in the pouring rain.  Just note that if it is pouring rain, you might feel like a bear robbing the mother of all beehives. 


Ponchos are also good for water rides.  Water rides, especially highly themed and story driven water rides, are fantastic theme park attractions.  But many people miss out on them because they do not want to get wet.  A great remedy for this is, of course, a poncho.  If you are with a large group, get matching ponchos so other guests think you are a visiting marching band or possibly a cheerleading squad.  Don't forget to take off your poncho while walking down the exit ramp of the water ride of choice to flaunt your superior intellect.

"Let Me Eat Your Crackers!"

4) Emergency Fanny Pack (see also Cargo Pants)
Fanny packs are great.  They are as high on the convenience scale as cell phone clips and Snuggies (and incidentally, just as high on the coolness scale).  Constantly reaching for a pocket or backpack to retrieve snacks or other desirables can strain the back.  It is much easier to reach for the waist to retrieve your belongings.  You can hold your head high as you stand in the Bag Line toting a pack too small to carry a water bottle.  Remember, you hold a status similar to owning the thinnest generation of iPhone.  People will envy you.


Cargo pants are great as well.  While you don't get the attention you would in the Bag Line, you can hold many of your necessary items in the large pockets.  After walking around for hours, it's always nice to reach down to a pocket and open a refreshing bottle of soda.

"You can make phone calls with this thing!"

3) Cell Phone
Ever since the emergence of cell phones in the late 1950's, the resources available to theme park attendees has been limitless.  Before cell phones, if Little Johnny got lost in the park, he would have to find his way back to a designated meeting spot that his parents assigned for such an occasion.  Little Johnny would have to wait there and hope his parents had time between attractions to look for him.  All of that changed with cell phones.  Now, Little Johnny can reach for his phone and tell Pa to pick him up at Captain EO.  


If you have a smartphone, a great big beautiful library of apps is available for you to use.  There is a large variety of apps covering many theme park related topics.  Some apps will tell you all of the park's information, including hours, events, and show times.  Some apps contain park maps to help navigate users through the park interactively.  Some apps show current wait times for attractions.  Some apps use live satellite feeds of the parks, detect a mass of same-color clothing, and map routes to avoid long lines by apparent touring groups.  Technology is a wonderful thing.

Try not to walk into this place with a credit card.

2) Money
According to a unanimous population surveyed recently, theme parks are expensive.  It's driven some to take extra jobs, fish for change at shopping mall fountains, and write articles during the evening hours (My resume can be found here).


Believe it or not, there are people that go as many as six months without ever visiting a theme park.  We asked TicketBot to crunch some numbers to calculate the average cost of visiting a theme park.  Including ticket cost for average trip duration, transportation, accommodations, parking, food, souvenirs, and other various costs, it costs about $75,082,132,644.91 for a family for four to visit the parks.


If you want to visit the parks on a budget, that is very possible.  Staying offsite is a great way to save some money, and you'll get the magic of arriving to the resorts every day of your vacation.  If we can offer one caveat, try not to go too cheap.  However, if you are really trying to pinch pennies, at least try to convince your children that the hotel is "themed" around Tower of Terror.

"I think we made a wrong turn..."

1) Brain
If this doesn't apply to you, please continue reading.  This is not meant to insult, but to provide real advice for your vacation.  Besides, we don't literally mean to bring your brain.  How can you leave your brain behind?  Science has not perfected brain transfer, yet.  Unless you are the result of a successful external-brain operation in addition to being a theme park enthusiast.  In that case, that's pretty cool.  Apply to be a Cast Member at Haunted Mansion, or maybe at Halloween Horror Nights.  Bring your brain.


Books are good.  Websites are good too.  Telephones are good as well.  You can use all three of these things to learn about theme parks.  All of the parks' information can be found, and it would be beneficial to learn the essentials.  The parks are magical, this much is true.  However, the magic is dependent on the guest.  Sound general advice would be to think of any adjective that could describe a theme park and plan accordingly.  Theme parks are big: wear comfortable shoes.  Theme parks are hot: dress comfortably.  Theme parks are crowded: Be patient and create a game plan.


Other items:

• If you are in Busch Gardens Tampa, SeaWorld Orlando or Disney's Animal Kingdom, the animal is likely real, unless it is a dinosaur, a yeti, or made of fiberglass.  Typically, audio-animatronics do not eat, run, and conduct business in front of guests.
• Usually, the 1:00 parade begins at 1:00.  The exception to this rule is if every parade float is broken.
• The people just behind you in line have been waiting almost as long as you have.  The people in front of you have been waiting longer.  Because of guest demand, theme park attractions use advanced technology, and as a result, a subject to breakdowns.
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is at Universal Studios Florida.  Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
• If your child does not do well with scary movies, do not drag them on a ride called Tower of Terror.
• Men in Black: Alien Attack was never Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a theme park land inside the Islands of Adventure theme park at Universal Orlando Resort.  There is no Harry Potter theme park anywhere in the world.
• Pirates of the Caribbean is in the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World.  It is not anywhere else in Orlando.  If you're looking for a different Pirates of the Caribbean, try California.

If you have any other questions, you can contact pretty much any theme park fan.  This is our hobby.  We're also available on Twitter at @thedailyticket and by email at thedailyticket@gmail.com and would be happy to answer your questions as best as we can.  Have a magical vacation!