I don’t know about your child, but my child has no problem waiting in line. Anything. Even if the pot of gold at the end of the proverbial theme park rainbow is the ride they so desperately wanted to ride, they never ride it. Really I want to join a slow and boring procession and get to the front of the line. Or, if so, you might want to brace yourself by asking, “How much longer?” or “Very boo boo lead” about 1100 times. We operate theme parks frequently and are still figuring out what works best. But if you’re a parent preparing to embark on your family’s first big theme park adventure (or trying not to repeat the mistakes of your last trip), there’s no doubt that the dreaded line wail is weighing heavily on your mind.
Of course, long lines are a reality of visiting popular theme parks, and not every ride has the budget for Lightning Lane or Express Pass. So we spoke to travel experts and theme park experts to help you make the most of your time on your next trip. The question I posed was: What are your top tips for surviving long lines at theme parks with kids? You might have guessed some of their suggestions, but here are some lesser-known key points you’ll want to try.
Pack for the queue
“Prepare a ‘line endurance kit’ for your trip to a theme park. Make sure you have a high-capacity power bank so your phone or tablet doesn’t die mid-game, bring nutritious snacks to avoid energy dips, and keep pocket-sized distractions like cards or trivia mini-games.” — Joe Cronin, travel expert and president of Citizens International Insurance
“Sometimes we pack a ‘line survival kit’ that includes a small portable fan, an umbrella, a fidget toy, snacks, water, and a rubber necker (this is our favorite version of a scavenger hunt!).” Eva Wilson, travel expert at Travel Taste Discover
“I like to fill park bags with small things for the kids to play with, like Water Wow! (Melissa and Doug) books, Crayola Color Wonder pages and markers, and Mad Libs.” — Amanda Reid, travel expert and agent with White Gloves Travel Company.
“Keep kids engaged with easy and portable activities: bubbles (always a hit even when other kids are lining up), face-making sticker sets, the I Spy game (‘find something orange’), singing Disney songs, or having kids lead a round of ‘guess that character.’ ” Jennifer Pham, Blogger, Travel Mom, Supports Diapers to Destinations
Incentivize with food
“One mistake families make is waiting until everyone is hungry. Grumpy kids make the line seem twice as long. Get your snacks early and often.” — Francis Hellyer, CEO of Tickadoo, a global AI-powered travel and experiences platform
“I’m the mother of a 5-year-old boy. He’s a big eater and complains when he’s hungry. I recently went to Six Flags Magic Mountain with one of my friends. I was babysitting that day, and of course there were long lines outside for every ride. The merry-go-round. Before getting in line for the ride, I took them to the restroom. When I finished, I told them I’d bring some snacks and eat them while I waited, since it wasn’t too heavy or filling.” That made them look forward to being in the waiting line more than the actual ride. It took 10 minutes to finish the snacks, but by the time they finished it was our turn, so it was a success. ” — wilson
“Snacks as entertainment: Something as simple as a bag of goldfish crackers can add an additional 15 to 20 minutes to your wait time.” — fam
Download the park app
“At the Disney Parks, download the Disney Play app before your trip. Check out fun Disney trivia, games, and fun interactive experiences while waiting in line for rides like Toy Story Mania, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Space Mountain. At Universal Parks, the app has a ‘Play’ section with trivia and games, and you can even take photos in some areas of the park. Park apps can also help you save time outside the ride lines. Mobile ordering at most quick service restaurants allows you to avoid standing up. Many merchandise points have queues and mobile checkout. Saving time in these lines will allow you to enjoy the ride more. ” Lauren King, Key to the World Travel Advisor and Founder of The Palmetto Mom
“Use the park app to change plans based on wait times. Don’t just ‘just go through the motions.’ You’ll end up zigzagging, which will drain both your kids’ energy and patience.” — wilson
Perform pre-departure reconnaissance
“One tip I have is to research the park in advance. Specifically, look for trends in the times and times of the year for the busiest lines. It’s also a good idea to try to visit the theme park on the least busy days and times of the year. Knowing the specific times when certain rides tend to be the longest or shortest rides can help you plan for the day. It’s not foolproof, but it can help.” Steve Schwab, travel expert and CEO of vacation rental company Casago
“It’s important to know which attractions are the most popular and have the longest wait times. As a travel advisor, I regularly refer to Thrill-Data.com to see trends in wait times when planning my clients’ trips.” lead
Stop boring to-dos
“I sometimes get to be first in line when I take the time to put my daughter’s hair up or braided or apply sunscreen. This saves me time when I get to the park early in the morning.” — Theresa B. Travelin’, Travel Agent Specializing in Disney and Universal Destinations
Turn waiting into a game
“You can also turn this free time into a unique bonding activity by doing a ‘Create the Next Line’ storytelling relay or devising a mini-scavenger hunt that teaches kids to find specific items, colors, and shapes around them.” Mr. Kron’s
“I asked the kids (in the bumper car line) to look at who was already in the car, choose their favorite, and count how many times they hit other cars. The one with the highest count wins. Kids are competitive. Let them compete with each other and see how they show interest in even the most boring activities.” — wilson
“To help make long waits bearable, we play ‘I Spy’ as a family in the ride lines and use the Play Disney Parks app to play games and play trivia together. Many of the Disney ride lines have things you can see and touch, which is really helpful. We also ask cast members if there are any ‘Hidden Mickeys’ of note. My girls love finding them.” lead
“Games I like to use to keep kids entertained while standing in line are 20 Questions (some are park or ride themed), Clap Rhymes, and I Spy. It’s pretty old, but it works. Some parks, like Disney, have gaming apps that offer games based on the line they’re standing in. If your child can read, Heads Note that you will need a portable charger for mobile gaming as it can drain your phone’s battery quickly. Teresa
“Kids’ app games like Heads Up, Among Us, and Out of the Loop are great options to keep the family satisfied while waiting in line.” — king
stay comfortable
“Don’t ignore the basics. Pack a refillable water bottle and make sure everyone wears comfortable shoes to stay hydrated and comfortable throughout the day.” — Mr. Kron’s
“Let’s call it a day. Instead of waiting in ride lines all day, take advantage of a character meet-and-greet, sit in an air-conditioned theater and watch a show, or sit down and eat a quick meal or snack to avoid anyone going ‘hangry.’ ” king
Choose your queues wisely
“Choose a row with access to shade or air conditioning during the peak of the afternoon heat. This seemingly trivial decision can significantly improve your physical comfort and save energy for the rest of your stay.” — Mr. Kron’s
“Most theme parks have beautiful, interactive waiting lines. Think of Disney’s The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train as an example. In that case, have kids look for small details in the artwork and other interactive elements. That builds anticipation for the ride.” wilson
take advantage of timing
“The single biggest hack is to arrive early and go straight to the most popular rides (aka ‘rope drops’). Families who hit the headliner in the first hour will not have to wait for hours later in the day. ” — Hellyer
“If you don’t play all of the most popular rides in the morning, consider coming back later in the evening. Many families leave the park at noon, so wait times will be shorter. If you’re willing to skip the evening entertainment (like fireworks or parades), you’ll also have shorter wait times in line for the most popular attractions.” king
Splurge smartly
“As a travel advisor specializing in Disney vacations, I have noticed that most of my clients choose to pay for the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, which has the most attractions in the Walt Disney World parks. At least the Magic King Because Dam Day has the largest selection of attractions of any Walt Disney World park. When planning a vacation, I work with each customer to prioritize rides and advise where they can save money, skip the line, and skip the splurge.” — lead
“When planning your trip, consider staying on-site to take advantage of early park hours for resort guests. Disney and Universal both open 30 to 60 minutes before the advertised park opening for resort guests. Resort hotels at theme parks , we offer rooms in a variety of price ranges. Work with a travel advisor who is knowledgeable about the parks to help you choose the best hotel for your family. Advantageous early morning hours often benefit you and your child, with shorter wait times and free transportation to the parks.” — king
Embrace the power of skipping
“For those traveling to Disney, it’s important to understand that you can’t do everything. If you try, you’ll probably be completely exhausted and reconsider whether you’re going to Disney in the first place. Prioritize which rides are most important to your group, and decide what you’re willing to let go of to make that priority come true.” lead
Develop a stroller strategy for toddlers
“We always bring one with us so we can take a nap on the go or charge between rides.” — fam
Utilize “Soft Add-ons”
“If Express Passes aren’t in your budget, consider ‘soft add-ons’ like single-rider routes. They travel much faster and for older kids can be a great way to double the number of rides without doubling the wait time.” — Heller
“If your kids are too young to join the rides, ask about rider swaps at many theme parks. This feature allows one parent to take the kids who don’t ride the rides to another location while the other parent goes through the line with the kids who want to ride. The other parent can then check in and cut in the line instead of waiting in a full line the next time they go through.” king
give yourself grace
“I’ve been in a situation like this before at a theme park. My kid threw a full-blown tantrum in public at a theme park, and now every time I take him to a theme park, I feel like I’m walking on eggshells. But if you’re a parent like me, I want you to cut yourself some slack first. No parent or child enjoys waiting in line for an hour for a short ride. But we can make that whole experience.” few It’s tragic for everyone. ” — wilson
