The Waiting Game

by Marlon Fernandes

There are few things more annoying on vacation than waiting in line for rides in theme parks. It often feels like you're waiting for most of your trip and it can definitely test your patience. 

Here are a couple of tips to help you skip the long lines or make the waiting in line a little more bearable.

First and foremost: Don’t blame the park employees! I know they may be an easy target to point the blame at when you're frustrated but 99.9% of the time it’s not their fault and doing so won’t make the line go any faster.

Many theme parks have options to help reduce wait times, especially on those popular rides that everyone is trying to get on. Disney has the Genie+ Service; Universal has Express Pass, and Seaworld has Quick Queue, just to name a few. While most of these options do require an additional fee, it might be worth the extra cost if avoiding long lines is a priority. So do a little research and see if those options are worth the extra expense for your next trip.

Get to the parks a little earlier or stay a little later - Not everyone rushes to the park for rope drop or stays until the very end of the night for the fireworks so lines tend to be shorter during the first few hours after the parks open and the last few hours before parks close.

Avoid peak times of year, if possible - Spring Break, Winter Break, Summer vacation and long holiday weekends are usually when the theme parks are the most crowded. If you can, avoid booking your vacation around those times.

Single Rider Lines - Many parks have the option of single-rider lines for popular attractions. If you don't mind being split up from your group, you may be able to forgo the long line and get through faster.

Take Advantage of Park Apps - Park apps are a great way to see wait times, show schedules, and more. If you see there is a short wait time on the ride you want to go on, take advantage of it before the wait time goes up. 

Use Mobile Ordering - Long lines are not only found at rides, but also at quick service dining locations. Using mobile ordering via the park apps can be a huge time saver. Pick up times can sometimes become limited, so if you think you will be dining at busy hours (for example, lunch from noon to one o’clock), place your order earlier in the day and schedule it for the time you’ll want to arrive. This time-saver can get you to your next ride or show that much sooner.

Enjoy the Queue - Most attractions make the queue area part of the experience and help build up the excitement and anticipation for the actual ride. Many now include pre-ride movies, interactive elements, easter eggs, and more.

Practice Patience - Unfortunately, waiting in line is just part of the theme park experience. So stay positive and focus on the fun and excitement you'll have once you reach the front of the line.

Dealing with long lines at theme parks can be challenging, but don't let it ruin your fun on vacation. Prepare yourself mentally and logistically for the worst case scenario in order to set you up for the best trip ever!