The best way to tackle amusement parks in the summer is by travelling light, which is definitely easier said than done.
Arguably the furthest from minimal, changing my own habits for a day was quite the challenge.
Swapping my daily travel backpack for a fabric cross-body helped to ease pressure off the neck and shoulders, simultaneously enabling tanning on the backside. Downsizing the essentials - such as carrying individual wet wipes intead of a family pack - was another strategy.
Arguably the furthest from minimal, changing my own habits for a day was quite the challenge.
Swapping my daily travel backpack for a fabric cross-body helped to ease pressure off the neck and shoulders, simultaneously enabling tanning on the backside. Downsizing the essentials - such as carrying individual wet wipes intead of a family pack - was another strategy.
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For your purposes and mine, I have compiled a list for quicker planning. The following items have assumed a status of utmost importance, collectively constituting the Wonderland Survival Kit:
1) Water Bottle
The average adult requires eight glasses of water per day, which roughly equates to 2 L. When on the go, it's easy to overlook regular fluid consumption, so carrying a small reusable bottle is a good reminder to staying hydrated. Moreover, plastic water bottles are likely to be marked up 200% in the park. Take advantage of the numerous fountains and refill for free instead.
2) Wet wipes
This one shouldn't come as a surprise. Amusement parks are popular summer go-to destinations for people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and origins. Synonymous with such high quantities of traffic are grimy entertainment facilities, plastic seats tainted with butt sweat and handlebars made greasy from the anxiety of roller coaster riders. So wipe those hands, because brow dabs and poutine pokes happen subconsciously.
1) Water Bottle
The average adult requires eight glasses of water per day, which roughly equates to 2 L. When on the go, it's easy to overlook regular fluid consumption, so carrying a small reusable bottle is a good reminder to staying hydrated. Moreover, plastic water bottles are likely to be marked up 200% in the park. Take advantage of the numerous fountains and refill for free instead.
2) Wet wipes
This one shouldn't come as a surprise. Amusement parks are popular summer go-to destinations for people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and origins. Synonymous with such high quantities of traffic are grimy entertainment facilities, plastic seats tainted with butt sweat and handlebars made greasy from the anxiety of roller coaster riders. So wipe those hands, because brow dabs and poutine pokes happen subconsciously.
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3) Handheld fan (optional)
Humidity can easily bring out the grossest of us. This is an optional inclusion, but don't say I didn't provide a preventative measure against melting makeup (and sweat patches). Long lineups under direct sunlight are inevitable. To combat this, a light, portable fan is more than sufficient in keeping B.O. at bay.
4) Non-perishable edibles
Rules forbidding outside food are commonly imposed in amusement parks, with the exception of medication and specialty items. However, whenever possible (read: not against the rules), I'd recommend bringing a handful of non-perishable snacks. Low-sugar granola bars, pumpkin seeds, and trail mix are great examples of dry food that promote the slow release of energy.
Humidity can easily bring out the grossest of us. This is an optional inclusion, but don't say I didn't provide a preventative measure against melting makeup (and sweat patches). Long lineups under direct sunlight are inevitable. To combat this, a light, portable fan is more than sufficient in keeping B.O. at bay.
4) Non-perishable edibles
Rules forbidding outside food are commonly imposed in amusement parks, with the exception of medication and specialty items. However, whenever possible (read: not against the rules), I'd recommend bringing a handful of non-perishable snacks. Low-sugar granola bars, pumpkin seeds, and trail mix are great examples of dry food that promote the slow release of energy.
5) Sunglasses and sunscreen
Again no-brainers amidst the sweltering season, keep these two handy for the ceaseless afternoon lineups to protect oneself from the elements. A little Vitamin E never hurt anyone, but the effects of sun damage can be both acute and chronic.
6) Tissue
For runny noses, inexplicable sources of dampness, and bathrooms devoid of TP, have a pocket pack of Kleenex within reach.
A duo of travel-sized hand cream and lip balm also prevented one from being affected adversely by the disgustingly drying commercial(industrial?) liquid soap installed in the mirrorless washrooms. And, last but not least, keep your wallet in a zippered pocket. Having cash handy also enables one to participate in roller coaster pachinko on a whim.
Because, that's precisely what I did.
Again no-brainers amidst the sweltering season, keep these two handy for the ceaseless afternoon lineups to protect oneself from the elements. A little Vitamin E never hurt anyone, but the effects of sun damage can be both acute and chronic.
6) Tissue
For runny noses, inexplicable sources of dampness, and bathrooms devoid of TP, have a pocket pack of Kleenex within reach.
A duo of travel-sized hand cream and lip balm also prevented one from being affected adversely by the disgustingly drying commercial(industrial?) liquid soap installed in the mirrorless washrooms. And, last but not least, keep your wallet in a zippered pocket. Having cash handy also enables one to participate in roller coaster pachinko on a whim.
Because, that's precisely what I did.
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Strategically positioned by the two most popular roller coasters were ten-dollar pachinko games, though, if my memory still serves me correctly, they had only been five dollars a drop previously. Players would drop a white puck at the top of the structure; the puck would trickle down to one of the many slots at the bottom, each corresponding to a different ride in the park. A Fast Lane pass (for two riders) for whichever ride the puck landed was the prize.
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