Theme park days out tips/hacks/snacks

[Acunningruse]

I am determined to be organised for our holiday this year which involves 3 days at a theme park abroad, rather than shoving stuff in a carrier bag, forgetting spare clothes for kids so they moan when they get wet after log flume etc...

So far on my list I have:

• change of clothes per DC inc pants
• small microfibre towel for drying off after rides
• 2 x large water bottles for refilling
• coin purse for change for rides (if any arent included)
• cooling spray (will be august)
• sun cream
• plasters in case of cuts or blisters
• baby wipes and tissues
• mobile power bank

Snacks are a bit trickier as we will have travelled overnight to get there so nothing which needs refrigerating. Im thinking:

• cereal bars
• pringles
• raisins
• dried apple rings
• chocolate filled pancakes/crepes

Any tips and suggestions welcome!

Bump for the evening crowd

Insect repellant.

How old are the kids?

Which theme park?

Something to do in queues - books, top trumps, fidget toy, anything. Mine cause havoc if bored.

Electronic tag (only half joking). Or at least decide a meeting point/strategy if lost.

Food wise - something fresh might be appreciated on a hot day eg apples/grapes.

Just waitinv for someone to come on & suggest hot dogs in a flask 😖

Which theme park? Some in Italy have splash parks for example so you may want swimwear for kids.

Spare sunhats
Bite cream

I’d bring a variety of fruit and cut up veg sticks, and sandwich’s will be fine overnight.

Can you not just nip to a supermarket before the theme park?

Thanks for replies- definitely insect repellent as I am prone to getting bitten!

It's Efteling in the Netherlands. DC are 6 and 10 so not little but still not at that age of just merrily going with the flow so some prep needed.

I'm not sure nipping to a supermarket will work- we will be really tight for time as only 2 days there so want to make the most of it and schlepping kids to the shop always takes an age.

Hot dogs in a flask?

Erm, you aren't going to want to carry too much around so I would go lighter on food and just eat in a restaurant in the evening

Waterproof ponchos. We always use these on the water rides and they are great if it rains - even in August!

What about fruit pots? We have just been to festival and these were really refreshing.

I don't like to take a lot. If you have to take change of clothes I'd research where the lockers are and leave a bag with a plan to come back. I wear light easy today clothing and strap on teva like sandals for water ride day, dc wear crocs.

Obviously you have to take water and suncream But I just take a really small bag for my phone which is waterproof and crosses over my body and DH takes a backpack with a couple of water bottles that we refill. We don't load up on loads of snacks and just buy food around the park.

Hot dogs in a flask is Last year. This year its Ice Lollies in the flask!

Sorry that should say easy to dry clothing

Freeze your drinks so you have cold drinks throughout the day. ITake fruit, cereal bars, bread sticks. If you have a cool bag and put frozen drinks in there you'll have cold drinks throughout the day and it will keep any food cool. I'd pack some cheese in the cool bag as well.

Plastic carrier bag to keep damp stuff in

I wouldn't take chocolate crepes if it's likely to be hot 💩 maybe mini soreen or plain brioche

Peanut butter on rice cakes.
Energy balls
Apples
Water melon
Popcorn
Refillable water bottles
Sun cream

Wet a face cloth each, roll each one up separately and pop into a little plastic bag. Freeze them. Before you leave pack them round any food you are taking. When it’s time to eat they will still be cold and are lovely for hot stick hands and faces.

Re: supermarket - one adult goes in alone with list, the other waits outside with the kids. There’s an Albert Heijn two minutes from the ferry port in Hook Van Holland.

Headache tablets for you.

Peperami don't need to be refrigerated (honest).

You can’t take fresh fruit from the UK into Europe.

Can’t take meat into Europe.

Get your children height measured and tagged at guest services if possible and it stops them measuring at each ride.

We do take power banks. Most theme parks have apps and maps online. Plus you want to keep in touch.

Really think on your strategy. I find I can't understand what's what in rides until I get there but I like to have an idea of how I'm going to attack the park, what are my essentials, what's the worst waits and my plan for dealing with.

I want to go to efteling. It's great for your dc ages. Have a great time.