Summertime visits to theme parks are an American institution and provide memorable multigenerational experiences for all ages
Making memories and enjoying the experience during a theme park reunion no matter what age or part of the country you reside is easy with these insights. Before you start planning, consider the following questions and tips about how to make the most out of your multigenerational group theme park adventure.
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Why Have a Theme Park Reunion?
Flight of the Hippogriff at Universal Studios Orlando excites both young and young at heart during a theme park reunion.
Amusement parks don’t need much in the way of an introduction. From Coney Island on the East Coast to Disneyland on the West Coast – and with Cedar Point, Kings Island, and a bunch of Six Flags in between, not to mention dozens of other venues – chances are there’s a park not too far from your crew. Plus, you’ll almost always find that the park’s location is handy to an interstate highway or other major roadway, and the businesses that sprout up around it include lodging, stores and restaurants for a one-stop-reunion-shop outside of an all-inclusive resort.
Theme park reunions provide many family-friendly features and activities but, of course, most people are drawn to the premier rides. Nearly every theme park will have a water ride (or several) and some of the larger water parks will also have an indoor or outdoor roller coaster, ropes course or zip lines. Outdoor theme parks may also feature educational opportunities like animal shows or encounters, science- or history themed areas and special exhibits.
It’s important to remember that not everyone is a fan of roller coasters and thrill rides. What if your group contains a good percentage of these folks? Are theme parks still a good option? Yes! Here’s why. They’re designed for multiple interests that include rides for entire families, for small children, for the average thrill-seeker and for the hardcore enthusiast. Gentler rides like carousels and midway-style games cater to those looking for something a little less impactful, while shops, shows, and quieter spaces are ideal for attendees with less energy or stamina.
Large adventure parks often have on-site dining options whether it be a sit-down restaurant or snack concessions. Most times, groups will find multiple food options at theme parks that cater to both younger picky eaters and adults alike. If this isn’t feasible, the great thing about theme parks is that dining and lodging alternatives are usually close by.
Non-Ride Activities to Enjoy at a Theme Park
There are so many more family-friendly activities other than roller coasters and water slides available to groups celebrating a theme park reunion. Depending on your park of choice, possible non-ride activities could include:
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A Blues Brothers show offers nostalgic entertainment for adults while remaining enjoyable for younger group members.
A virtual adventure: Sometimes, you can have fun without leaving your seat. Several large parks offer visitors a chance to sample virtual reality by strapping on a headset and sitting in a moveable, interactive chair. Disneyland brings the Star Wars franchise to life; Busch Gardens Williamsburg takes you on an Irish fantasy adventure, and other parks offer their own twists on this genre.
- Traveling the world: Among the bigger parks, like Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Disney’s Epcot, you can often find areas that represent a small part of another country. For example, in Busch Gardens, you can stroll through micro-villages representing France, Italy, Germany, England, Scotland, and Ireland; at Epcot, Japan, Morocco, Canada, Mexico, and Norway are on the list as well. Each area is designed to evoke something of that country, with traditional architectures, streetscapes, and activities.
- Seeing a show: Most theme parks offer live music shows; the biggest ones also provide full-on stage shows and extravaganzas. Plus, if you stick around until after sunset, you’ve a pretty good chance of seeing a fireworks display.
- Embarking on a foodie tour: If you’re going to one of the mega-parks mentioned above, visiting each “nation” and exploring its food is a recognized activity. Even in smaller parks, there’s usually a wide variety of eats available, including different restaurants and lots of food carts and trucks. Traditional American midway favorites like corn dogs and funnel cakes are now sharing space with tacos, seafood, sushi, barbeque and other delicious options.
Group Advantages Built into Theme Parks
- Group rates: Nearly all theme parks offer group rates, and most of the larger ones also offer specific packages for families or groups.
- All-inclusive can be an option: Some, like Disney World, offer deals that include onsite lodging and food. If you’re looking to simplify your reunion planning, having the edibles and the rooming search taken off your hands is a major time-saver.
- Freedom and individuality are built in: While every reunion needs some all-group activities, most guests will want some time to themselves as well. Hosting your reunion in or near a theme park means you don’t have to plan too many activities or worry about guests getting bored; they’ll have enough at the park to keep themselves occupied.
Theme Park Reunion Tips & Tricks
While planning a theme park reunion does lighten the load on the planning committee somewhat, there are still a few things to keep in mind:
Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay Runamukka Reef provides aquatic fun for the whole family on a theme park reunion.
- Reserve a space big enough to hold the whole group. This may mean reserving a meeting room or event room at your lodging, or you may designate one suite as group HQ. Either way, make sure there’s a central place to meet and hang out. Despite their size, it can be hard for theme parks to provide designated group space on the spur of the moment!
- Schedule group time. That long list of activities means that most guests are going to be busy. That’s awesome, but don’t forget that the whole point of a reunion is to reunite as a group. So be sure to schedule in dinner, breakfast, or game night – whatever works to connect your whole group.
- Make group dining reservations in advance. Yes, amusement parks cater to large crowds. But there’s no guarantee that any one restaurant will have enough open tables to seat your whole group, or that your group will be seated together. Solve this problem by making reservations well in advance.
- Have a key person. Instead of each family or person fending for themselves, have one person in the group designated as the liaison for all lodging and parkrelated issues; if you have a large group, have additional people overseeing transportation and dining arrangements, too.
- Get rooms on the same floor. This makes impromptu gatherings much easier.
- Plan well in advance. Otherwise, you might find it hard to stay, eat, or gather in the same places.
- Splurge on reunion gear. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd at a theme park, so consider whether buying reunion t-shirts and/or hats is an option for your group. You may also consider creating your own family reunion memorabilia or personalized wearable articles. It’ll sure make spotting long-lost friends a lot easier and quicker.
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