Our regional theme park survivors’ guide helps visitors get the most out of their day in the sun.
By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Logan Peters and his buddy, James Lee, have it figured out. They’ll be at the entrance of Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind., at opening time and head for The Raven roller coaster to take a couple of rides. Then they’ll go over to The Legend coaster, with maybe a stop or two at the Liberty Launch thriller. After all that stomach churning, the two teens say they’ll probably rest a bit in air-conditioned luxury at Kringle’s Kafe with a cheeseburger, fries and cookie ($3.50). Afterwards, they’ll saunter over to Splashin’ Safari for an afternoon in the water wonderland.

A leisurely float is a popular pasttime at Six Flags’ Hurricane Harbor. Six Flags photo In title: An airborne ride gives the sensation of flying at Celebration City. Celebration City photo

“You have to have a plan,” says Peters, 16, of Bloomington, Ind., “or you might spend more time waiting in line or being too tired at the end of the day to enjoy everything. After you’ve been here once, you kind of learn the best way to do things.”
Good advice from an amusement park veteran.

“What you can do,” says Lee, 17, also of Bloomington, “is get a map before you go to Holiday World and learn where everything is then you won’t waste time trying to figure it all out. You can find out a lot of stuff on their Web site.”

What other tips might be learned from folks who love theme parks, as well as those who work there? A look at theme parks in the Midwest yielded a survival guide to get the most out of a special day.

Start the day off right

One of the “biggest all-time secrets” at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo., is to come early, says Lisa Rau, director of public relations.

“We are advertised as opening at 9 or 9:30 but our big home-style, all-you-can-eat breakfast opens at 8 a.m., and then you can meander around the square until the rest of the park opens,” Rau says.

Families can enjoy the breakfast ($8.50 for adults, $6 for children) at Molly’s Mill while waiting for the main park to open.

“If you come early, there is no traffic and you feel as though Silver Dollar City itself is waking up,” Rau says. “It’s one of the finest times to be here. The musicians are greeting one another, the craftsmen are warming up. You get to see the camaraderie.”

The Homestead on the Square is an often-overlooked attraction, according to Rau.

“It is an operating homestead of the 1880s and you get to be part of a family showing what life was like back then. It’s human nature to want to get inside and go straight to the rides, so many people don’t stop to enjoy the homestead. If you get here early before the rides open, then you can talk to the homestead family, watch them go about their daily chores, see the animals. You can have a good time before the rides even open.”

At Celebration City in Branson, save energy for the nightly laser and fireworks spectacular. Starting at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting, Ignite the Night has colorful lasers, sizzling water illusions, power-packed fireworks and rock music.

“Some people leave early and miss that because they want to beat the traffic,” Rau says. “Believe me, it is worth staying for. You can sit on the lawn and see a multimillion-dollar production on a mountainside. It’s a really good way to end your day at Celebration City.”

Pick a least-visited day

At Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Ill., and Six Flags in St. Louis, the clue is to visit on least-crowded days.

“If you can, come on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the first two weeks in June,” says Brooke Gabbert, public relations manager for Six Flags Great America. April, May and September are also the least busy months for a visit.

“You can save time and skip the line with a Flash Pass,” Gabbert says. The pass holds your place in line electronically so you spend more time having fun and less time waiting for the most popular attractions. Prices for the pass vary depending on level of service and number of riders. Regular Flash Passes are priced from $20.

“When it’s almost time for your turn to ride, an alert is sent to your Flash Pass device,” Gabbert says. “You are waiting as long as everyone else is for your turn but you are not standing in line. You can do something else in the park.”

Another Six Flags tip, Gabbert says, is to “start your day at attractions farthest from the main entrance.” Many park visitors are so excited that they begin boarding the rides closest to the front gate. Then they end up moving from ride to ride as a group towards the back of the park. “Also ride your favorite rides when the park first opens or after 5 p.m.”

Eat at least-busy times

People are conditioned to eat lunch around noon and dinner at about 6 p.m. but timing meals for offbeat hours will help avoid lines. It’s also a good idea to stop several times a day and eat smaller meals instead of waiting for a big lunch or dinner. That way, excited children and their parents get a chance to rest–often in air conditioning–and little stomachs aren’t crammed full for the next go round of rides.

Many theme parks are now finding that guests enjoy overnight stays at onsite or nearby accommodations. At Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Mo., the new Worlds of Fun Village has cabins, cottages and RV spots adjacent to Worlds of Fun amusement park and Oceans of Fun water park.

“Families visit Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun from across the region to have a great time together,” says Frank Wilburn, vice president and general manager. “At Worlds of Fun Village, our goal is to make lodging a part of that good time too.”

Guests at Worlds of Fun Village spend their days at Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun enjoying roller coasters, thrill rides and water slides, then walk across to their cabin, cottage or RV right on property. It is also a convenient spot to take breaks throughout the day from all the action at the parks.

Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari have a similar arrangement with its Lake Rudolph Campgrounds that offer rental cabins and RVs, as well as campground and RV sites. Located next to Holiday World, the campground also provides free shuttle buses throughout the day to the theme park. A second-day Holiday World admission costs $20 if you buy it as you leave the park.

Look for freebies

Holiday World also offers free soft drinks, free sunscreen, free parking and free inner tubes in Splashin’ Safari.

“We’ve made a commitment not to nickel-and-dime our guests,” says Will Koch, park president and general manager. “We’re a family park and we want families to be able to afford to come here.”

The free soft drinks cut down on expenses spent at Holiday World says Kelly Rose of Hope, Ind. “When you get something to eat, you don’t have to spend an extra $2 or $3 to get a drink. And the kids don’t have to hurry up and finish a drink to get on a ride. Or ask you to hold it and carry it around the park.”

A longtime theme park fan, Rose says she is looking forward to two favorite things at Holiday World.
“We’re going to eat at the Plymouth Rock Café and have turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing and baked apples. Since the drinks are free, our whole family can eat a nice sit-down dinner for less than $30.”

Then Rose says she will watch local performers share favorite gospel tunes at Hoosier Celebration Theater. “They sing old songs and modern contemporary ones,” she says. “It’s a good way to relax and get ready to go back on the roller coasters.”

Jackie Sheckler Finch is a contributor from Bloomington, Ind.