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What should I consider when planning
a day at the Park?
What should I plan if I don’t think my party can
make it for a whole day at the Park?
What can I do before I leave on vacation to help
my child make it through a day at the Theme Park?
What should we do as soon as we get inside the Park?
How can I keep my child more comfortable at the Park?
How can the adults enjoy the big rides if they have
an infant in their group?
How should we approach the Park’s characters?
How can I help my child get the most out of meeting
their favorite character?
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What should I consider when
planning a day at the Park?
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Make a plan before you go and involve your
children in the planning process.
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Some of the Parks are so large you may not
be able to see everything even if you have more than one day
at the Park.
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Some rides are so awesome you may want to
try to ride them more than once.
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Since you may have different ideas than
your children about what will be the best rides, planning ahead
will give you time to make compromises so everyone enjoys their
time at the park.
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Some rides have height restrictions and
other health warnings for items such as bad backs or heart trouble.
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Motion sickness and scare factors also need
to be considered when planning your Park rides.
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It is better to plan in advance that you’ll
have to skip a ride, than to build up a ride as a must see only
to find a restriction that keeps some from going on the ride.
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Remember that your children may find plenty
of enjoyment in the simple pleasures the Park has to offer.
Small ones may have lots in interest in the fountains, parades
and the characters.
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What should I plan if I don’t
think my party can make it for a whole day at the Park?
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Plan an afternoon break and return in the
evening when it will be probably be cooler and less crowded. You’ll
all be rested up and can enjoy the park’s nighttime activities.
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What can I do before I leave
on vacation to help my child make it through a day at the Theme
Park?
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Make sure your children have well fitted
supportive comfortable shoes to bring.
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Buy the shoes in advance and give them time
to break them in, so they are comfortable.
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Bring a second pair for your children to
switch into.
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Begin an exercise program several weeks
before you leave. Start your children on short walks around
the neighborhood or at the mall if it’s cold. This will help
them prepare for all the walking at the Park.
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What should we do as soon as
we get inside the Park?
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Check out the Park’s tip board as soon as
you get inside the Park for information on parade routes, times,
character appearances and other helpful information on rides
such as wait times, hours open, scare factor warnings, height,
age and health restrictions. This will provide extra, day specific
information to help you make the most of your time there.
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As soon as you have a map and are all still
together, find a central meeting place for everyone in case
you get separated. Remember some of the large easily identifiable
landmarks cover large areas. Be specific about which side of
the area you will meet on, such as on the side facing another
landmark. Pick a landmark that everyone knows how to find, maybe
something tall that can be seen throughout the Park.
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How can I keep my child more
comfortable at the Park?
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Check to see about availability and cost
of renting a stroller from the Park. Many have them available
and even if your child hasn’t used one in a while, remember
that there will probably be much more walking and standing than
in their usual schedule.
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Cover your child in a strong sunscreen.
You’ll be exposed to the sun much of the day. If you want a
tan, build it slowly. A burn will ruin your whole trip.
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Consider giving your child a fanny pack
so they can carry some of their own items. You can also give
them a small toy to give them something to play with while they
are in line.
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Go at your child’s pace. Their little legs
don’t move as fast as yours and you don’t want to tire them
out too quickly.
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You and your children will be tempted with
tasty treats all day long, try to keep these to a minimum. Rich
foods are harder to digest, and will stress the body even more
with the walking and standing all day. Fill your hot and tired
child’s stomach with lots of ice cream, put them on a few rides,
and you’ll find out why it’s a good idea to bring a second pair
of shoes.
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Take an afternoon break and allow everyone
to cool off and rest. Mix some indoor air-conditioned and water
rides in to cool everyone off. Don’t save the water ride for
the very last or you’ll have a soggy ride home.
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Give your child lots of water to drink throughout
the day. It will be much more helpful for them to deal with
the heat and stress of the day than sugar drinks.
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Be careful not to push your children to
ride on rides the say they are not ready for yet. It may only
cause them to become even more cautious about trying the bigger
rides.
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How can the adults enjoy the
big rides if they have an infant in their group?
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Use the baby swap if you can. Certain Parks
and rides allow one adult to wait outside the ride with the child
while the other parent rides the ride. Then they switch, this
way both adults get a chance to take advantage of the adult rides.
You’ll want to check with the park employees at each ride to see
if this is allowed and how it works for that particular ride.
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How should we approach the Park’s
characters?
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Park characters in costume usually have
very limited vision and can turn and knock down your child without
ever seeing them. Guide your child so the character will see
them.
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Make sure to watch that your child is careful
with the character. The characters don’t make a lot of money
and even a tight hug or a poke to get noticed can be painful
to the character.
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How can I help my child get
the most out of meeting their favorite character?
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The Parks provide opportunities for the
picture of a lifetime, your little one standing next to their
favorite furry character. Your child may rush the TV every time
they see their furry friend, but it may be different in person.
The big version of the furry friend can be scary for a small
child.
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Spend your time in line talking to you child
about their furry friend and reassure them it is safe, especially
if they see another child dragged off in tears.
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If your child is shy, you might want to
approach the character first and be the first to touch the character
to help your child feel more secure.
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Section: GOING TO RESTAURANTS
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