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THEME PARK ADVENTURE GUIDE
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From getting up early to asking for help, follow these ten key principles for a truly magical adventure. And when you use us to book your next vacation, we'll be sure to provide more details and answer any questions you might have. Get your free quote today!

ONE

GET UP EARLY

Yes, you do have to get up early. And not just “when the park opens” early. Plan to get to the park gates around an hour before the park opens every day. There is a little wiggle room here for longer adventures, where rest days are often necessary. On most trips and most days, the benefits of arriving early can not be overstated.

Disney's Port Orleans Resort: French Quarter building
Rope Drop, first people in the park, view of the Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom

TWO

DO ROPE DROP RIGHT

You arrived early, now what do you do? Managing a rope drop can actually be quite challenging. There are large crowds all trying to get to the same place. Pushing and bumping definitely will happen. Be kind and look out for others, but stand your ground when necessary and walk FAST.

THREE

KNOW WHERE TO GO SECOND

Nearly as important as going to the right attraction first, is following that up with a solid plan for the rest of your morning. Once you get off that first major attraction, take a little time to enjoy whatever awesomeness it was that you just experienced and then be on your way. In some parks the next best choice is the ride next door. However, sometimes, you may need to traverse the park for your next ride.

Hogwarts Castle at Hogsmead in Universal Islands of Adventure
Storm Troopers lined up in the queue for Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disney's Hollywood Studios

FOUR

UNDERSTAND THE "PASS" SYSTEM

It can often be confusing as to how each "pass" system works and how much they cost. And more importantly, is it worth it? But if you use it right, these passes can make or break your in park experience. 

FIVE

LEVERAGE THE "PASS" SYSTEM

Once you understand how the system works, it's important to use it to its fullest potential. For example, at all the parks, never use a pass first thing in the morning when there is no wait. If you have a pass, ride in the standby line first thing in the morning and then wait for the lines to get longer to use your pass and ride it a second time. We can pretty much guarantee that if you are rope dropping a ride, you will want to do it again!

Oversized toys playing in Toy Story land around the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Ferris Wheel on Pixar Pier at Disney Califonia Adventure

SIX

USE THE APP

From checking wait times, to viewing park maps and showtimes, to using the Genie+ system at Disney, the Disney World, Disneyland, and Universal Orlando apps are must haves! Check it out before you go to familiarize yourself with it. It will be your most important ally on the days of your visit.

SEVEN

GET SOME REST AND VARIETY

Since getting up early is so important, it is also super essential to find times for rest every day. Trying to go to a park from sun-up to sun-down is a recipe for disaster. We recommend heading back to your hotel after lunch every day to grab a nap or spend time by the pool. It's these breaks that will allow for you to enjoy all of the early mornings and have truly fun and relaxing evenings without getting burned out.

Stormalong Bay pool at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida

EIGHT

BE PREPARED TO ADAPT

Every day at Disney and Universal is different, so it's impossible to set a perfect plan for your entire day. You can follow the tips for where to go and in what order, but making wise decisions in the park can make or break your visit. Study up on park hours and show times. Take a look at park maps so that you can easily get around. Read about quick service food options and have a few spots in mind that you would like to try.

NINE

PACK WHAT YOU NEED

Getting the right content in your bag for a day in the park is the first rule of visiting a Disney or Universal theme park. Bring too much and you will have a sore back all day. Bring too little and you’ll end up having to purchase overpriced bandaids, snacks or water bottles. We recommend cleaning out the bag each night and ensuring you have just what you need for the next day. 

Space Ship at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disney's Hollywood Studios
View of side of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom in Disney World

TEN

ASK FOR HELP!

Our final rule of engagement for theme park adventures is to ASK. FOR. HELP! Every time we have set foot into a guest services building we could not have asked for a better experience. From closed rides, to changed plans, to even misunderstood rules, guest services has always been friendly and often able to solve our problems. Also, if you, or someone in your party, has a medical condition or different ability, you can also get a medical pass to help manage waiting in line or other challenges you may face while in the parks.

NEED MORE HELP?
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When you book your next vacation with us we'll be sure to provide more details and answer any questions you might have. Get your free quote today! Already booked? We have services available for you! You can check them out here. Or, just want to talk to somebody? Set-up an Adventure Consultation with one of our agents or shoot us an email at hello@magicaladventureco.com and we will help point you in the right direction. 

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