This March is shaping up to be one of the most exciting months in the theme park calendar. With the highly anticipated opening of Disneyland Paris’ World of Frozen and the seasonal reopening of UK theme parks including Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, thrill-seekers are gearing up for their first big day out of 2026.
But, before families rush through the gates, one theme park expert is revealing the ultimate insider hacks to help guests beat the queues and make the most of their trip.
Oliver Brendon, CEO of AttractionTickets.comand long-time theme park expert, has shared his top five theme park hacks to help visitors maximise their enjoyment this spring.
1. Ride the Most Popular Attractions First or in the Evening
“To make the most of a day at the theme park, a little planning is essential. I’d find a list of the most popular rides and identify the ones you really want to ride. Order them from most to least important, and head to the ride at the top of your list as soon as the gates open – regardless of where it is in the park.
As you move down the list, you might find queues are getting longer and longer. If that’s the case, take a pause and come back to ride those rides in the evening. As the day stretches into the late afternoon and evening, lots of people leave to head home, so you might find queues aren’t as long the closer you get to park closing time.”
2. Walk the Route Backwards
“Most visitors follow the park map exactly as it’s laid out, which means everyone heads to the same rides first. When you arrive, walk straight to the furthest point of the park and work your way backwards. You’ll often find dramatically shorter queues at the start of your day, as the majority of guests are still near the entrance. This means you’ll be able to tick off major rides before queues build mid-morning.”
3. Be Spontaneous with the Weather
“If you live within driving distance of a park, flexibility really is your secret weapon. Keep an eye on the weather forecast. What’s predicted to be a rainy day can often turn into sunshine, meaning you’re in a prime position for an impromptu theme park visit on a super quiet day. People will often avoid forecasted rainy days so that surprise sunshine can be great for locals to experience the park without the crowds. It’s also worth noting that light rain rarely affects most major rides so, even if there is a little sprinkling, the park is likely to run as normal.”
4. Use Single Rider Queues (If You Don’t Mind Splitting Up)
“If you do happen to be visiting on a busy day, there is a simple hack that will get you onto the ride quicker. If you’re visiting as a couple, with older children, or in a group that doesn’t mind riding separately, single rider queues are an absolute game changer. Many of the most popular rollercoasters and headline attractions offer single rider lines designed to fill empty seats. Because you’re helping the ride operate at full capacity, the wait time is often significantly shorter than the main queue.”
5. Choose Your Seats Strategically
“Whilst not necessarily a queue jumping trick, where you sit can completely change your ride experience for the better. If you have the option, it’s always a good idea to pick your seat based on what you want to prioritise. For example, for adrenaline lovers riding rollercoasters, the back row usually delivers the biggest thrills, as you’ll have fast-feeling drops and more air-time. If you prefer the ride to feel a little-less stomach-churning, the front row tends to offer a smoother ride, plus the benefit of unbeatable views.
Don’t be afraid to tell ride operators about seating preferences. They won’t always be guaranteed, but staff will often try to accommodate you where possible.”
