I guess as a Mom, I often learn the hard way. Such is true from our many theme park adventures and recent Disney Cruise.
Just as the soldiers in the trenches during a gun battle with bullets whizzing by over head, you become quite grateful for the smallest of items that can essentially save you. You also mourn for the items you forgot, simply left behind or hadn’t thought of at all. If you had only known...
I am still a M.I.T (Mom in training) regarding family survival tactics for theme parks, but I have managed to learn a few things on these often harrowing but exciting adventures. They are as follows:
1) It is helpful to dress your kids in the same colors or outfits. You’d be amazed how difficult it becomes to pick your child out from a sea of children similar in age and height-all running in different directions!
2) Purchase kids ID tags or make a laminated one at home with your name and cell phone information and have them wear it on a lanyard.
3) Bring extra plastic bags for trash and any surprises! (Need I say more?)
4) Bring your own extra cups or sippy cups for splitting the gigantic $5 drinks among the kids. And of course-bring Ziploc bags or plastic storage containers to do the same for popcorn and other snacks
5) Most parks allow you to bring in snacks and water! By doing so, you can save your waistlines and your wallet!
6) If you’re going to Disney or on a Disney Cruise, there is a way to get goodies for less! On these trips, I shop the Disney.com outlet and make goodie bags complete with a t-shirt, stuffed animal, etc ahead of time for our daughters! On the first evening of the trip, we present the bags to them! They’re happy-and we save lots of time, money and potential whining!
7) While we are on the subject of Disney…It is brutally hot here in Florida during the summer months! If you want to avoid sun burn and the long lines, try to visit from November through March. Early December is a perfect way to enjoy some amazing weather and to avoid crowds…I have also been told that Super Bowl weekend is a perfect time to visit with no crowds!(And yes, even during these months, use the sunscreen!)
8) While we try to pack some sandwiches and snacks to feed our daughters prior to getting to the parks…I wish someone had suggested that I do the same for the trip home! When your feet are tired, wallet is empty and patience lost-some sandwiches and chips are perfect for empty tummies on the way home! (And pack some pajamas for the kids for the drive home! They will pass out and you surely don’t want to wake them!)
9) I know, I know, I know…this one is an easy one. Bring a change of clothes for the kids and yourself! I have been soaked by water, dropped drinks, mischievous mustard, ketchup and by dirty hands!
10) Bring your own First Aid kits with lots of band-aids! You will need them!
Hopefully, a few of these tips will spare you some bullets in the trenches! And maybe, just maybe, you won’t look quite as exhausted or as patience ridden as some of the parents exiting the park that day! (For fun, take note of parent’s facial expressions and body language coming into the park-and exiting. It is quite interesting!)
So, these tips are going into my own survival book---following the chapter on “Doing More with Less…Sleep!
And please, I would appreciate your tips for theme park survival! I need all the help I can get while in the trenches…
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2 comments:
I really enjoyed reading your post... bringing extra plastic bags for surprises, haha that's true and funny.
I don't know if there's still something I can add to your list, maybe bring some needles and yarn just in case there's a need in stitching. :-)
Kate Spencer of savemymarriage.com
my solution to all the traveling with children problems...
no vacations. not until they are grown and can stay home by themselves while their dad and i tour the world. that's a good solution, right? ok...here through blogcatalog...
happy holidays to you and yours!
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