{"id":71586,"date":"2023-02-20T18:03:20","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T18:03:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?post_type=check&p=71586"},"modified":"2023-02-20T18:09:25","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T18:09:25","slug":"theme-park-genius","status":"publish","type":"check","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/","title":{"rendered":"Theme Park Genius"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Elizabeth Rhodes<\/a> knows exactly how you should spend your time at almost any theme park you visit. After all, as the Special Projects Editor on the digital team of Travel + Leisure<\/a>, it\u2019s part of her job to tour theme parks, visit openings, and explain to a worldwide audience how to have a vacation well spent. But, she\u2019s got a few more tips up her sleeve that she\u2019s willing to share just with us. Here, Rhodes answers a few of our most pressing questions to get the inside scoop on how to experience any theme park like a pro. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Is it worth downloading the theme park's app before visiting?<\/strong><\/strong><\/kbd><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Absolutely. The app can be the single most important tool for a fun and stress-free theme park vacation. These days, most theme parks offer an app that includes a map, attraction wait times, and show times, and some even allow you to make dining reservations or order food for pick-up \u2014 meaning you spend more time on rides and less time in line.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Don’t just use your phone for pics. Theme park apps can make your visit even better.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Any tips and tricks for bringing young kids?<\/strong><\/strong><\/kbd><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A theme park vacation is perfect for young kids (and the young at heart), but long days spent in lines waiting to meet characters and ride favorite attractions can be tiring for children and grown-ups alike. Bring a small toy or download an app that will entertain younger kids while they wait. Take a break in the middle of the day to go back to the hotel for a nap or a swim in the pool. Pack favorite snacks and a water bottle in your bag so you’re prepared if hunger strikes. And to avoid disappointment, be sure to compare your kid’s height against the ride requirements before you go so they don’t get their heart set on one out-of-reach attraction.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How far in advance should you plan a theme park vacation<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/strong><\/kbd><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re visiting a major park for the first time, I recommend planning at least three months in advance. Your options for park ticket, hotel, and dining reservations are most plentiful when you book as far in advance as possible, and the exact time frame for each of these reservations varies by resort, so do your research to find when reservations open for your destination. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll have fewer options to choose from and may end up paying a lot more than you would have if you planned well in advance.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Any time of year you'd avoid?<\/strong><\/strong><\/kbd><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer. Even though it’s easier for families with school-aged children, the combination of heavy crowds and hot weather is not ideal when you’re planning to spend most of the day outside at the park. If you have to visit during the summer, avoid holiday weekends and aim for the very beginning or end of summer. I personally love visiting in late January through early March or late September through early November.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What's one thing worth splurging for at any theme park?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/kbd>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think there are two things that are worth the splurge at any theme park: an on-property hotel room and skip-the-line passes. If the theme park resort has an on-site hotel, I always try to stay there because of the convenience and added value. Sure, they might be more expensive than the chain hotel down the street, but theme park hotels often offer exclusive perks \u2014 like extra hours in the theme parks, free transportation, and more \u2014 and fun, family-focused theming that make it worth the price. And if some type of skip-the-line passes are available, I think they’re worth the splurge, especially if you visit during the busiest seasons.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Worth the splurge: Skip-the-line passes are a great investment, especially in peak season.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And remember...<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/kbd>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With so many things to keep in mind, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when planning a theme park vacation. No matter your age (you’re never too old to have a great time at a theme park!), these trips are always fun, and this extra bit of planning can make them all the more magical. Oh, and wear comfortable shoes! <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Experience your favorite park like a pro <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":71606,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[2370,2369],"class_list":["post-71586","check","type-check","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-3-minute-expert","category-the-check-in","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTheme Park Genius | Expedia Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Theme Park Genius | Expedia Travel Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Experience your favorite park like a pro\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Expedia Travel Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-02-20T18:09:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/KZAPI10053-12-1024x819.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"819\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/\",\"name\":\"Theme Park Genius | Expedia Travel Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/KZAPI10053-12.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-02-20T18:03:20+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-02-20T18:09:25+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/KZAPI10053-12.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/KZAPI10053-12.png\",\"width\":2375,\"height\":1900},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Explore\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Company\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/company\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"The Check-In\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/company\/the-check-in\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Theme Park Genius\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/\",\"name\":\"Expedia Travel Blog\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Theme Park Genius | Expedia Travel Blog","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Theme Park Genius | Expedia Travel Blog","og_description":"Experience your favorite park like a pro","og_url":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/","og_site_name":"Expedia Travel Blog","article_modified_time":"2023-02-20T18:09:25+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":819,"url":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/KZAPI10053-12-1024x819.png","type":"image\/png"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/","url":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/","name":"Theme Park Genius | Expedia Travel Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/KZAPI10053-12.png","datePublished":"2023-02-20T18:03:20+00:00","dateModified":"2023-02-20T18:09:25+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/KZAPI10053-12.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/KZAPI10053-12.png","width":2375,"height":1900},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/check\/theme-park-genius\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Explore","item":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Company","item":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/company\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Check-In","item":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/company\/the-check-in\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Theme Park Genius"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/","name":"Expedia Travel Blog","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/check\/71586"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/check"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/check"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}