13 Secrets amusement parks won't tell you
has compiled a list of 13 secrets amusement parks won't tell you. See what they are before your next visit to the park in this slideshow.
The best way to beat lines
If you want to beat the lines for the best rides, make sure you get to the park at least an hour early so you can walk in the minute that it opens.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: BArchBot
Once you're inside head straight for the roller coasters and other popular rides. At the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, every minute you arrive after the park opens means two extra minutes of waiting in line.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Magnus Manske
You do not have the privacy you think you do in dark rides
Although the attraction may be pitch black inside, every inch of the ride is monitored by security cameras.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: James Ellsworth
Don't do anything that you would not want anyone to see, not only will the person in the control tower see you, but they may also call over their friends to watch.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: BoogaFrito
We don't know if theme parks are getting safer
There is no single federal agency that is responsible for collecting data on theme park-related injuries so we do not have a clear picture of whether theme parks are getting safer or more dangerous.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Stevage
A study in 2013 revealed that more than 93,000 children were treated in emergency rooms for amusement park-related injuries between 1990 and 2010.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Greg Goebel
Sometimes we play "guest bingo" during long shifts
To win "guest bingo" you have to find specific types of guests that match a description.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Lyght
Examples of "guest bingo" could include a family dressed all alike, someone wearing a cowboy hat and other similar things.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Doug Kline
A single spider can shut down an entire ride
Rides can be closed for a number of reasons from the obvious stormy weather to the usual safety checks.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Kumaravel
Rides have also been closed for less obvious reasons such as small bugs tripping ride's sensors triggering shutdowns.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Calzz
Character costumes have fans, but they still get hot
Amusement park mascots are only available during specific time periods because it can become very hot inside the costumes.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Raymond Brown
When the characters in costumes are told it's time to go by their handlers it's good to respect this because they are being ushered away for heat safety issues.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: bob194156
If you're stuck on ride tracks, there's a good chance it's because of a scared child
Ride operators are not allowed to let a ride leave the station if there is a crying child on the ride.
PHOTO: PBSKids.org
There is a risk that the crying child could try and hop off the ride at the last minute, so the ride is stopped and the crying child is dealt with before the ride may resume.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: robert Scoble
Music in the park changes throughout the day
In the morning, you want to energize patrons and get them deep into the park so fast marching band music is played.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: compujeramey
In the evening, we want the guests to stay at the park and shop while they are leaving, so a slower waltz music is played to encourage the guests to linger.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: mrkathika
Never buy your ticket at the gate
Almost every amusement park will offer some form of discount when purchasing park tickets from their website prior to your visit.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Mbrstooge
Be sure to check the parks official website and see what deals and discounts they will be offering before your trip.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Alfred A.
Take a chance and come to the park when the weather is uncertain
Many people understandably will skip on a trip to the amusement park when the weather forecast is questionable.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Chris Rand
You should take a chance with the weather and come on these days. Attendance is typically lower and your wait times will be shorter.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Qyd
Take a photo of your parked car before entering the park
Before you enter the park make sure to take a photo of your parked car so you will have an easier time remembering where it is.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Vlastula
You have no idea how much time amusement park employees spend helping guests locate their cars when they are trying to leave.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Jarodalien
Disneyland is home to feral cats
Each night after the crowds have left Disneyland for the night, more than 100 feral cats descend upon the park.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Optigan13
The cats are fed, vaccinated, and neutered by Disney because they help keep the rodent population under control.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: fortherock
Take these simple suggestions to avoid trips to the first aid station
Drink lots of water and be sure to wear sunscreen and avoid overexposure to the heat.
PHOTO: Pixabay: 193584
The sun and heat cause more injuries at theme parks than all other possible injury causes combined. Be smart and protect yourself for your day at the park.
PHOTO: Pixabay: alinemais
has compiled a list of 13 secrets amusement parks won't tell you. See what they are before your next visit to the park in this slideshow.
The best way to beat lines
If you want to beat the lines for the best rides, make sure you get to the park at least an hour early so you can walk in the minute that it opens.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: BArchBot
Once you're inside head straight for the roller coasters and other popular rides. At the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, every minute you arrive after the park opens means two extra minutes of waiting in line.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Magnus Manske
You do not have the privacy you think you do in dark rides
Although the attraction may be pitch black inside, every inch of the ride is monitored by security cameras.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: James Ellsworth
Don't do anything that you would not want anyone to see, not only will the person in the control tower see you, but they may also call over their friends to watch.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: BoogaFrito
We don't know if theme parks are getting safer
There is no single federal agency that is responsible for collecting data on theme park-related injuries so we do not have a clear picture of whether theme parks are getting safer or more dangerous.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Stevage
A study in 2013 revealed that more than 93,000 children were treated in emergency rooms for amusement park-related injuries between 1990 and 2010.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Greg Goebel
Sometimes we play "guest bingo" during long shifts
To win "guest bingo" you have to find specific types of guests that match a description.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Lyght
Examples of "guest bingo" could include a family dressed all alike, someone wearing a cowboy hat and other similar things.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Doug Kline
A single spider can shut down an entire ride
Rides can be closed for a number of reasons from the obvious stormy weather to the usual safety checks.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Kumaravel
Rides have also been closed for less obvious reasons such as small bugs tripping ride's sensors triggering shutdowns.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Calzz
Character costumes have fans, but they still get hot
Amusement park mascots are only available during specific time periods because it can become very hot inside the costumes.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Raymond Brown
When the characters in costumes are told it's time to go by their handlers it's good to respect this because they are being ushered away for heat safety issues.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: bob194156
If you're stuck on ride tracks, there's a good chance it's because of a scared child
Ride operators are not allowed to let a ride leave the station if there is a crying child on the ride.
PHOTO: PBSKids.org
There is a risk that the crying child could try and hop off the ride at the last minute, so the ride is stopped and the crying child is dealt with before the ride may resume.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: robert Scoble
Music in the park changes throughout the day
In the morning, you want to energize patrons and get them deep into the park so fast marching band music is played.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: compujeramey
In the evening, we want the guests to stay at the park and shop while they are leaving, so a slower waltz music is played to encourage the guests to linger.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: mrkathika
Never buy your ticket at the gate
Almost every amusement park will offer some form of discount when purchasing park tickets from their website prior to your visit.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Mbrstooge
Be sure to check the parks official website and see what deals and discounts they will be offering before your trip.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Alfred A.
Take a chance and come to the park when the weather is uncertain
Many people understandably will skip on a trip to the amusement park when the weather forecast is questionable.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Chris Rand
You should take a chance with the weather and come on these days. Attendance is typically lower and your wait times will be shorter.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Qyd
Take a photo of your parked car before entering the park
Before you enter the park make sure to take a photo of your parked car so you will have an easier time remembering where it is.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Vlastula
You have no idea how much time amusement park employees spend helping guests locate their cars when they are trying to leave.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Jarodalien
Disneyland is home to feral cats
Each night after the crowds have left Disneyland for the night, more than 100 feral cats descend upon the park.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Optigan13
The cats are fed, vaccinated, and neutered by Disney because they help keep the rodent population under control.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: fortherock
Take these simple suggestions to avoid trips to the first aid station
Drink lots of water and be sure to wear sunscreen and avoid overexposure to the heat.
PHOTO: Pixabay: 193584
The sun and heat cause more injuries at theme parks than all other possible injury causes combined. Be smart and protect yourself for your day at the park.
PHOTO: Pixabay: alinemais
has compiled a list of 13 secrets amusement parks won't tell you. See what they are before your next visit to the park in this slideshow.
The best way to beat lines
If you want to beat the lines for the best rides, make sure you get to the park at least an hour early so you can walk in the minute that it opens.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: BArchBot
Once you're inside head straight for the roller coasters and other popular rides. At the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, every minute you arrive after the park opens means two extra minutes of waiting in line.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Magnus Manske
You do not have the privacy you think you do in dark rides
Although the attraction may be pitch black inside, every inch of the ride is monitored by security cameras.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: James Ellsworth
Don't do anything that you would not want anyone to see, not only will the person in the control tower see you, but they may also call over their friends to watch.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: BoogaFrito
We don't know if theme parks are getting safer
There is no single federal agency that is responsible for collecting data on theme park-related injuries so we do not have a clear picture of whether theme parks are getting safer or more dangerous.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Stevage
A study in 2013 revealed that more than 93,000 children were treated in emergency rooms for amusement park-related injuries between 1990 and 2010.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Greg Goebel
Sometimes we play "guest bingo" during long shifts
To win "guest bingo" you have to find specific types of guests that match a description.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Lyght
Examples of "guest bingo" could include a family dressed all alike, someone wearing a cowboy hat and other similar things.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Doug Kline
A single spider can shut down an entire ride
Rides can be closed for a number of reasons from the obvious stormy weather to the usual safety checks.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Kumaravel
Rides have also been closed for less obvious reasons such as small bugs tripping ride's sensors triggering shutdowns.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Calzz
Character costumes have fans, but they still get hot
Amusement park mascots are only available during specific time periods because it can become very hot inside the costumes.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: Raymond Brown
When the characters in costumes are told it's time to go by their handlers it's good to respect this because they are being ushered away for heat safety issues.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: bob194156
If you're stuck on ride tracks, there's a good chance it's because of a scared child
Ride operators are not allowed to let a ride leave the station if there is a crying child on the ride.
PHOTO: PBSKids.org
There is a risk that the crying child could try and hop off the ride at the last minute, so the ride is stopped and the crying child is dealt with before the ride may resume.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: robert Scoble
Music in the park changes throughout the day
In the morning, you want to energize patrons and get them deep into the park so fast marching band music is played.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: compujeramey
In the evening, we want the guests to stay at the park and shop while they are leaving, so a slower waltz music is played to encourage the guests to linger.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: mrkathika
Never buy your ticket at the gate
Almost every amusement park will offer some form of discount when purchasing park tickets from their website prior to your visit.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Mbrstooge
Be sure to check the parks official website and see what deals and discounts they will be offering before your trip.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Alfred A.
Take a chance and come to the park when the weather is uncertain
Many people understandably will skip on a trip to the amusement park when the weather forecast is questionable.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Chris Rand
You should take a chance with the weather and come on these days. Attendance is typically lower and your wait times will be shorter.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Qyd
Take a photo of your parked car before entering the park
Before you enter the park make sure to take a photo of your parked car so you will have an easier time remembering where it is.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Vlastula
You have no idea how much time amusement park employees spend helping guests locate their cars when they are trying to leave.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Jarodalien
Disneyland is home to feral cats
Each night after the crowds have left Disneyland for the night, more than 100 feral cats descend upon the park.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons: Optigan13
The cats are fed, vaccinated, and neutered by Disney because they help keep the rodent population under control.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons: fortherock
Take these simple suggestions to avoid trips to the first aid station
Drink lots of water and be sure to wear sunscreen and avoid overexposure to the heat.
PHOTO: Pixabay: 193584
The sun and heat cause more injuries at theme parks than all other possible injury causes combined. Be smart and protect yourself for your day at the park.
PHOTO: Pixabay: alinemais
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Reader's Digest has compiled a list of 13 secrets amusement parks won't tell you. See what they are before your next visit to the park in this slideshow.