Theme park downtime can be fun and engaging if you know how to manage it well. Whether it’s between rides or when waiting in line, there are a few fun things you can do to pass the time as a family or group. All it takes is some creativity and a willingness to have some fun, and the time will pass pretty quickly. So, from playing classic card games in line to seeing if you can spot all the hidden Mickeys at Disney parks, here are some suggestions to keep up the fun.
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Hop on the Web for a Puzzle
Because you have a smartphone, you can access great games at any time as long as you have a connection, and you can even download some offline games too. These can be excellent boredom-breakers when you have some time to kill, such as standing in line at a theme park. From simple crossword apps to online MMOS, there’s nothing you can’t find on the web. However, puzzle games especially are great because you can keep your brain in gear!
Fun Theme Park Downtime with Classic Car Games
Wait times are pretty long at some of the most popular theme parks, with EPCOT being roughly 30 minutes, and even higher when it’s busy. So you need something to pass the time, and simple car games can be great fun as a group and help the time just fly by when waiting:
- The most obvious game to play while waiting would be the vehicle OG, I Spy.
- 20 Questions is another classic that can be fun when waiting around for a ride.
- For a creative approach, a game of Fortunately, Unfortunately can be a barrel of laughs.
Quiz Each Other on Theme Park Trivia
There’s usually a lot of history around theme parks all over the world. Some date back over a hundred years, so there are many stories to tell. Even individual rides can have a rich history, such as the famous Ghost Train of Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the UK. Of course, there are also urban legends about huge parks like Disney World. Between rides and waiting in line is a great time to test each other’s trivia knowledge about the parks, with a small reward, of course.
Log Onto Disney Park Apps
The theme park experience is more than just the rides these days. Many major parks also have companion apps that can offer fun ways to engage more with the park you visit. For example, Disney has an app full of fun things to do that allow you to interact with the park. These apps can be a great way to pass the time while waiting in line or moving between areas. With so much to do, the children won’t even notice they have been waiting for a ride all along!
Have Toys Ready for Better Theme Park Downtime
A UK survey found that 27% of families visit a theme park at least once per year. This is usually in summer, and younger kids can get annoyed when waiting, even if it’s relatively short. Having things like Star Wars: The Mandalorian gifts from Amazon ready can be a great way to take their minds off waiting. But of course, most children will be happy to wait with some entertainment.
All the bubbles
It doesn’t take much to entertain younger children, and most theme parks sell cheap items that the kids will love. One of the most dazzling for babies and toddlers is the simple bubble tube.
Sketching tablets
Children who are a little older might want something more substantial than bubbles. Boogie Board Sketch Pals is a small doodle board designed for children to sketch away the time.
Something from the gift shop
Gift shops are everywhere in large theme parks, and they are designed to appeal to all ages. Children and teens will love picking something they can gaze at or play with from the store.
Passing time while waiting in line often results in feeling yourself getting older. However, there are some easy ways to ensure the kids don’t get as ratty as they usually do while waiting. Simple items like bubbles, doodle pads, and a themed gift can be enough to keep them quiet.
Break Out the Mini Board Games
It’s so easy to hand a child a tablet or smartphone and let them stare at a screen for a while. However, the most memorable, fun, and engaging family activities are the ones where everyone plays together. Of course, you can play multiplayer games on a smartphone, but it really isn’t the same. Playing a board game together feels more like quality time as it requires personal interaction and social elements, and you can buy mini versions of just about anything.
Plan a Photo Scavenger Hunt
There’s so much to see and do in a theme park that you can even miss most of it. Companies like Disney put so much effort into theming the parks that you need to visit a few times to experience all they have to offer. But with everyone having a phone camera these days, you can come up with a photo scavenger hunt when moving between areas or when waiting for a ride. A theme will keep things interesting, such as taking the most pictures of popular characters.
Use Theme Park Downtime to Look for Hidden Mickeys
While there is no official number, guests have estimated that there are over 1,000 hidden Mickeys at Disney World. But what are they? There are references to Mickey Mouse all over Disney parks, usually represented as three circles that look like the iconic head and ears:
- There are many deliberate hidden Mickeys in queue lines for guests to pass the time.
- Some areas have hidden Mickeys on floor tiles, ceiling fixtures, and natural elements.
- Themed areas like EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios have them too.
Placate Hunger with Some Snacks
You know what they say about scorned women and all that, but what about hungry kids? Hungry children can be an absolute nightmare to deal with, so don’t take the chance. When moving between areas or waiting in line, break out some healthy snacks with plenty of protein to stave off hunger until dinner, and have water or juice at hand too. A hot and hungry toddler won’t just complain; they will take down the entire line! So, handy snacks are pretty much a must-have!
Summary
A quick hop onto the web for a puzzle game can be enough to kill the boredom of theme park downtime or when waiting in lines. If you have younger children, then some toys can help take their minds off the wait, and you really should have some snacks, lest you incur toddler wrath.