REVIEWS OF HOTEL EXECUTIVE CLUB LOUNGES, KIDS CLUBS AND MORE.
If you are planning a family trip to a major theme park during the school holidays, you may be wondering whether the crowds will be too much to enjoy the experience. Well, your suspicions are probably right.
Major theme parks are usually much busier during school breaks. This is when millions of families are able to travel, so parks see some of their highest visitor numbers of the year.
However, busy doesn't necessarily mean you should avoid going. With the right planning, you can still have a fantastic day, even during peak season.
Parents often have limited flexibility because children are in school for most of the year, so Summer holidays, Easter holidays, Christmas and New Year, half-term breaks, public holidays, and long weekends tend to be the most busy time for family travel, especially for popular theme parks.
Parks such as Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan, Europa-Park, PortAventura World, Efteling, Tivoli Gardens, and such can have wait times of over an hour, especially for the most popular rides.
Busy parks don't just mean longer queues. During school holidays, you may also experience longer waits for popular rides, busier restaurants, more crowded walkways, longer queues for food and drinks, more people at shows and parades, and higher demand for hotel rooms.
The best thing, though, is that most parks are often well prepared for peak seasons and increase staffing, entertainment, and operating hours to accommodate larger crowds.
Usually, the weekends are busier than weekdays. If your schedule allows, visit on a weekday. Chances are you will experience slightly smaller crowds than visiting on a Saturday or Sunday.
However, note that during the main summer holidays, weekdays can still be very busy because schools are already closed.
One of the easiest ways to enjoy more attractions is to arrive before the park opens. Oftentimes, this means shorter queues for popular rides, cooler morning temperatures, less crowded streets, and more time to explore before peak crowds arrive.
Most major theme parks have official mobile apps that show useful information, such as live queue times, interactive maps, show schedules, restaurant locations, ride closures, character meet-and-greet times, and more.
Checking the app often can help you avoid the longest queues and plan your schedule more efficiently.
Many visitors arrive mid-morning and leave after dinner. This means the first few hours after opening and the last few hours before closing are the best times to enjoy more activities.
If the park stays open late during summer, evening visits can also be more comfortable because temperatures are usually lower.
Not necessarily. For many families, school breaks are the only practical time to travel. While you will likely encounter larger crowds, good planning can make a significant difference. By arriving early, using the park app, and booking in advance, you can still enjoy a great trip.
We are a family of 4 - mother, father and two children. Our aim is to travel the world and review all travel opportunities to help other families.
If you want the latest information on the best Hotel Executive Club Lounges, Hotel Kids Clubs and other travel information, be sure to sign up for our free newsletter full of tips and great travel ideas.
