If I have one tip for anybody coming out to visit the theme parks, it’s “do your research!”.  We’ve visited the theme parks in the area numerous times, and even though we know them well, we still spend a few hours before every trip planning.  Some planning now will save time, money, and headaches down the road and guarentee good memories for a lifetime.

So, rather than provide the tips that have worked for us, instead I’ll point you to great websites that will overload you with info.

1. Theme park websites.  Make sure the parks are open the days you want to go!
   1. Disney
   2. Universal
   3. Lego
   4. Seaworld
2. Less crowded days are best.  Plan which days you want to go with the crowd calendar with Undercover Tourist.
3. I buy tickets directly from the theme park websites, but you can also buy discount tickets on Mousesavers.  Do NOT wait until you get to the parks to buy your tickets.  I also stay away from roadside signs that say “cheap tickets”.  Although I hesitate to call them rip offs, at the very least they have always been a waste of time for us.
4. And get the theme park apps for your phone.  My Disney Experience app is a must and you can book your fast passes before you enter the park.  Get it and bring back-up battery power for your phone.  Amazon has some inexpensive choices.

Ok, one last critical tip – don’t go to the Magic Kingdom on Christmas day.  Smarter and better people than I have tried and have never come back. 😉  Just about every parent thinks, “what could be more magical than suprising the kids on Christmas day to wake up and see Mickey?”.  We’ve done the other parks on Christmas day to wonderous success, but take on Magic Kingdom to your own peril.

Good luck and we love to hear your stories.  Our family keeps our own blog of our adventures to the theme parks.