How to plan a theme park trip with another family
Little ones who need a nap, teens who want every coaster, grandparents who want a bench. A group theme park trip is a puzzle, but it's a fun one once everyone's plan fits in the same day.
Photo by Alejandro García Cordero on Unsplash
step by step
Survey thrill levels, pace and heights
Before you plan a single park day, ask each family about thrill levels, pace, must-do rides and every kid's height. Height requirements decide more of the day than anything else.
In the planner The Group Survey covers thrill levels, pace, must-dos and kids' heights.
Put everyone on one list
List every person with their height and their ticket. It makes it obvious which rides the whole group can do together.
In the planner Who's Coming keeps heights and tickets together.
Plan park days with a midday break and a rest day
The best group park days start early, break in the middle of the day for naps and the pool, and head back in the evening. On a longer trip, add a full rest day.
In the planner The Park Day Planner has midday breaks and a rest day built in.
Split up, then meet up
You don't have to stay together all day. Let the coaster crowd go one way and the little ones another, and pick a meetup spot and time for lunch or a show.
In the planner Park Days has room for each day's must-do and meetup plan.
Track dining reservations and cancel-by dates
Check when reservations open for your park, set a reminder, and write down each cancel-by date so you don't get charged for a meal you skip.
In the planner The Dining Reservations tracker has a cancel-by column.
Split the shared costs
The rental house, group dinners and extras like a fireworks cruise should be split fairly by household.
In the planner The Google Sheets cost splitter splits by household and tells each family who to pay.
The planner for this trip
Every step above has a page or tab waiting for it. Each one opens with a Start Here page, so you can type right in or print it. Instant download on Etsy.
Questions I get asked
How do you do a theme park with another family?
Survey everyone's thrill levels and kids' heights first, plan days with a midday break, split up for rides that don't suit everyone, and set meetup spots.
How do two families split costs on vacation?
Split shared costs like the house and group meals by household, and each family covers its own tickets and personal extras.
Should you take a break in the middle of a park day?
Yes, especially with young kids or grandparents. Go early, rest midday at the hotel or pool, and come back in the evening.
More group trip guides
Packing next? Build a packing list for your destination, travel month and kids' ages.
Rather hand the whole thing off?
I'm Kristina, and planning group trips is what I do.
Linen & Luggage is for planning it yourself. When you'd rather not, my travel company, KM Luxe Travel, plans the whole trip: the right hotel or villa, the flow of the days, and the little details, often with perks like breakfast and upgrades when available.