Ride without rumblings from the family

NEW YORK -- As a season's pass-holder to a chain of amusement parks, I can't pretend to be objective about the subject. Although I personally get nauseous on the teacup rides -- never mind the serious stuff -- I have learned to enjoy our frequent visits, if only because there is no outing my children love more. They beg to go; they hate to leave; they don't even mind waiting in line.

But visiting an amusement park can be stressful, especially for grown-ups who pay for everything and carry everything (including tired children). Fortunately there's a lot you can do to reduce problems and save money.

Comfort is key. Check the forecast; dress appropriately; use sunscreen. Wear shoes that won't fall off on rides where your feet hang down. My kids don't mind getting wet on the soaking rides, but for myself I bring a 99-cent plastic rain cape that folds up small and flat.

Park food is expensive. To avoid buying $3 sodas every hour, make the kids tank up at water fountains. Freeze a disposable bottle of water beforehand and take cool sips as it melts throughout the day. At lunch, it may be cheaper to buy the extra-large size of some food items and share, rather than individual servings for each member of the family.

Waiting in line for popular rides can literally take hours. Posted signs usually state how long the wait is. Some theme parks have systems like Disney's FastPass and Universal Express, which issue timed tickets for popular rides, allowing you to arrive at a certain time and wait just 15 or 20 minutes instead of hours. Some parks charge extra for timed tickets; others don't.

Another technique for avoiding long lines: Get to the gate before the park opens, have your route plotted, be among the first in the door and make a beeline for that famous coaster before the crowds arrive. Ride lines may also be shorter during daily parades.

And in the strange-but-true category: "When you have a choice between more than one line for a ride or concession stand, take the one on the left; most people instinctively move to the right," according to Nancy Dunnan, editor of the TravelSmart newsletter.

Fodor's "1,001 Smart Travel Tips" recommends visiting theme parks after it rains. "You'll find you'll have the place to yourself," the book says. Some rides will close intermittently, especially if there is thunder and lightning, but indoor attractions will be unaffected. Pack a hand towel to wipe off wet seats; wear a plastic rain cape. On the other hand, amusement parks as a rule do not make refunds, so if the rides are closed for hours, you lose out. A season's pass makes the risk affordable.

Visiting water parks is an art unto itself. Leather and cloth wallets are easily lost and ruined in water parks, so a watertight plastic pouch, suspended from a string around your neck, is a must. Here you will store your car key, cash and credit card.

It's amazing how often guests drag bags full of items into waterparks, only to store them the entire day in an expensive locker. To avoid that: Wear your bathing suit and light flip-flops. As soon as you're off the hot concrete and onto the cooler surfaces most waterparks have underfoot, store your footwear, sunscreen and towel in an old bag you can leave unattended -- along with everyone else's -- outside each ride or pool.

Theme park admission for a family can easily run into the hundreds of dollars, so look for discounts. If your visit involves an overnight stay, check out package deals through travel Web sites.