Review the park’s website ahead of time. Take a shuttle to the gate so you aren’t fatigued before even entering the park. Note your car’s location, says theme park veteran Janice Kitamura, 73, of San Luis Obispo, California, who has two grown sons. “Our foolproof way: We take a picture of the row sign.”

To save money at the park, Shannon Dill, 55, of Atlanta, likes to share meals with her husband, teasing that “one entrée at Flame Tree Barbecue in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom will serve ‘a herd.’ ” Another option: Leave the park for a short while for a meal stored in your car. Many parks feature picnic areas near the parking lots, and they will allow you to exit and reenter.

Many theme parks have sit-down restaurants that take reservations. That’s one less line to wait in, and they provide rest and relaxation. “We have found that if you try for the earliest dinner reservation, it is easier to get a table,” Kitamura says.

You can take a break from the park entirely. If you book a hotel that is affiliated with the park—especially those with shuttle buses—you can go back there, then return later. “We get tired when there are large crowds,” Kitamura says, “so we find a quiet spot in a hotel lobby to sit and order a cup of coffee or drink and just recharge.”

If standing for long periods is a problem for people with special needs—and their party—many parks will provide a time frame to return to the ride or even let those groups go through a special entrance. Find and talk to a ride attendant. Another option is to invest in “line-jumping” passes that many parks sell to anyone.

There is a growing trend to include relaxation areas within theme parks. For instance, Dill says, the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland has CenTOONial Park, which was planned as a place for families to relax while the kids play. Animal Kingdom’s Gorilla Falls is another good place to decompress with the family. “The exploration trail takes you through a quiet forest where you can spot wild animals along the way,” Dill notes.

“Not everyone in the family has to do the same thing all the time,” says Robert Niles, the founder and editor of ThemeParkInsider.com. Parents and grandparents, take note: It’s OK to split up sometimes. Adults, take turns with the kids on rides and shows to ensure that you all make it to the end of the day. Niles says, “If you do skip an attraction, take the time to ask the kids about it—what surprised them, how it made them feel.”

8. Use technology to your advantage

Forget surprise and delight. Your best bet is to learn about the park before you go. The good news is that park websites and mobile apps offer tons of information. “I use the apps the theme parks provide to plan the whole day,” Smith says. “I try to map each park so you are not crisscrossing back and forth, wasting precious time and steps.” Disney invites veteran parkgoers to share advice at plandisney.disney.go.com. “It’s like asking friends or neighbors and getting a response you can trust,” says Dill, who is one of those insiders, “even for something as simple as what kind of coffeemaker is in the hotel room.”

It is important to plan for the weather, and specifically sun. A “floppy” hat will protect your ears from rays better than a baseball cap.

Think through the change in temperatures. Will you need a light jacket come evening? Or will you start in layers to peel off as the day warms up?

Large water parks that are connected with theme parks provide changing areas. In some cases, towels might be provided; check in advance.

Guests at some major parks can bring in their own food and nonalcoholic beverages (no glass containers) in a small, soft-sided cooler.

Don’t head out with a wad of bills. Many parks are “cashless.” And be sure to set a budget ahead of time.