How to Stay Energized at a Theme Park

Tickets to most theme parks don't come cheap, so its important to get the best value out of them. But theme parks are also famous for their mid-day meltdowns. They happen to everyone, young and old. You know the feeling, it's mid-afternoon, the sun is beating down on you, and you're simply exhausted. This can cause family tiffs, tantrums from kids, and really ruin the fun. But you can avoid these mid-day meltdowns and keep the fun going all day by following a few easy tips. Take this seasoned advice from a theme park junkie.

1.) Stay hydrated. Avoid soda and pop all day long, even if they come free with a meal. When you're at a theme park, you're walking everywhere. The weather is usually hot, which means you're sweating and losing fluids. It's incredibly important to stay hydrated. Doing this can not only keep up your energy, but can also prevent nausea and fainting spells, both of which I've seen my fair share of and had my fair share of over the years. You know how runners and walkers in races grab cups of water all throughout their race? Think of a day at the theme park as the same thing, drink water even when you don't feel thirsty in order to prevent dehydration and headaches.

2.) Eat well and eat often. Grab carrot sticks, celery sticks, apples, oranges, sandwiches, salads, or whatever you can that isn't fried of full of sugar. (Disney parks are famous for their fruit stands where you can even purchase fresh pineapple, which is full of natural sugar if the kids want a treat.) One of the biggest culprits for mid-day theme park meltdowns is the sugar crash. Avoid this at all costs and you'll experience fewer tantrums...from spouses and kids alike.

3.) Take breaks from sun exposure. When you're outdoors all day or most of the day, being in the sun becomes second-nature and you may not realize how much extra exposure you're really getting. But it can sap your energy very quickly. So find shady lines to stand in, have lunch indoors, grab a quick ten minute break at a picnic table or bench in the shade, or stroll through a gift shop from time to time. Getting out of the heat and sun can really help you keep your energy up. Oh, and don't you dare forget sunscreen. A sunburn is a really rotten way to ruin the fun of a day at a theme park, and they can happen quickly. So be careful and re-apply often.

4.) Sit down in lines. You may feel self-conscious about this, but don't worry about it. Think about how much time you spend standing on your feet. You can cut that in half just by leaning on the railings or sitting down periodically in lines for rides. Grabbing any extra moments of rest can add up over the course of the day, helping you to stay fresh until the closing fireworks show at the park of your choice!

5.) Don't do all of the big rides right away and wear yourself out. Time your rides. Do a couple of coasters first then go for a nice cool dark ride. See a show, have a snack, then go stand in line for another coaster. By the time you're starting to feel drowsy from digesting your snack, the adrenaline rush of the coaster will serve as your unofficial alarm clock and refill your energy stores. Just beware any big meals before a coaster. We all know how that can end...

6.) Split up. If you're with a big group, break off into smaller groups for a while and agree to meet back at a certain place and time. Even if you're with your family, you can split up into two groups, one parent to each. It can be overwhelming being in crowds all day and having to socialize with such a large group of people. Splitting up in the mid-afternoon and going off with just one or two other people can be a great way to relax a little and avoid a grouchy spell. You could even go off by yourself for a little while and do some shopping if you need some down time. Even a half-hour can rejuvenate you. This is also a good technique if there's disagreement about what to do next in the park. You can do both, just split up into groups.

7.) If you are staying at a nearby hotel, or a hotel on resort property, leave the park and go back to your room in the afternoon. Especially if you have children. Go home, take a nap, go swimming, and relax for a little while. Then come back to the park rested and ready to enjoy the rest of the evening's activities without having to worry or stress about needing to go back to the hotel by a certain time. It's vacation after all, bedtime can be flexible!

8.) The best bit of advice I can give you for avoiding a mid-day meltdown is to make the conscious decision to relax at the beginning of your day. It's harder for adults to detach from real life for a day than it is for kids, and sometimes it's the adults who throw the hissy fits. We're not accustomed to leaving our desks and computers behind. So at the beginning of the day, make a plan to just get away from it all.

Say to yourself, "I'm not going to worry about work or personal problems today". Doing this can sort of retrain your brain and prepare you to live in the moment, which can really be tough for some people. But going to a theme park is a great chance to let loose and have a cathartic experience, so do make every effort to enjoy it and the good out of an entire day off!