EPIC FAMILY: The Ultimate Theme Park Survival Guide
4 April, 2024
Planning a family day out to a theme park this year? Great idea! With the perfect combination of super-fast rollercoasters and family-friendly rides and a fun-filled atmosphere, there’s no better sort of place for kids and adults to let loose and enjoy themselves.
With that in mind, we’ve put together some essential tips and tricks to make sure everyone in your family – from toddlers and teenagers to parents and grandparents – enjoys their visit.
Step 1: Have a plan
Above all, planning in advance can make a world of difference when it comes to getting the most out of your trip to a theme park. This way, you know what to expect and can ensure you get there in plenty of time. What’s more, if you book tickets for Oakwood Theme Park 3+ days in advance, you can save when booking online thanks to our Day Pass offering.
Consider what day you want to visit and how this impacts the kind of planning you need to do. For instance, is it the weekend, bank holiday or school holidays? If so, plan ahead and make sure you have plenty of time to travel without impacting your day out as there may be extra traffic to contend with.
Similarly, it’s important to check what time the theme park opens on your chosen day! This can vary through the season, so if you’re hoping to get there early, it helps to know when the gates are open. You might also want to double check if there’s a themed or special event taking place on the day of your visit.
Spare a thought for your route to the theme park as well – check for roadworks or diversions on your way to avoid as much traffic as possible!
Step 2: Pack the right things
Making sure you’re prepared with the right clothes and other items can ensure you have the best possible experience. After all, no one wants to be caught short without suncream, spare clothes or even a rain coat (after all this is Wales!).
Wear appropriate clothes and footwear, taking into account whether you might be going on any water rides – in which case you’ll probably want to pack a spare outfit! We’ve got the perfect guide for everything you need to take to a theme park here.
Step 3: Arriving at the park
Once you arrive, it’s helpful to either refer to the online park map (we advise downloading this as signal in the park can be patchy!) or spot one of our maps located around the park. This is your ultimate tool to find your way around and know where each ride is, which can help you to plan your day accordingly.
Here at Oakwood Theme Park it’s also important that you stop by the Whistlestop Shop to get officially measured for the rides, as you’ll get a wristband that denotes which rides you’re tall enough for! This helps to make your day much clearer when it comes to choosing rides.
The park map has everything you need to know, including meeting points, recycling points, toilet facilities (including disabled toilets) and first aid points.
Step 4: Have fun!
Once you’ve done all your planning, found your bearings and got your wristband, it’s time for the best bit – having fun! Consider which rides are an absolute must and which ones you’re happy to pass, and plan a loose route around the park to make sure you get the chance to go on everything you like the look of.
You might want to start at the back of the park and make your way back through, as most people will naturally start from the front – you might just miss out on a few queues this way, if you’re lucky.
At Oakwood Theme Park there’s something for everyone, so plan your day so that everyone does something they can really enjoy. From the tamer rides in Neverland to the big hitter rollercoasters, the whole family has the chance to get involved.
Step 5: Time to go home
When it’s time to go, it’s important to make sure you’ve got everything that you came with! Leave feeling satisfied and filled with adrenaline and good memories, knowing you’ve gone on every ride and experienced every thrill.
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Also, to make sure you avoid any frustrating traffic on the way home, keep your eye on any traffic updates as closing time draws closer.
Remember – don’t feel sad that it’s over, because with your Oakwood Theme Park season pass you can come back anytime you like!