I don’t know about you, but I always like to find shortcuts to help my day run a bit smoother. And this most definitely includes any time I visit Silverwood and Boulder Beach! So here are my top tips from someone who is a park regular.
Plan to arrive in the parking lot 45 minutes to 1 hour before the park opens. I know that might seem like a little overboard, but here’s why…the parking lot tends to fill up rather quickly, so if you get there much later, you’ll end up having to park way out in Wonderland, which is the last thing your family will want to do after a long, tiring day…walk for forever to get back to your car. Plus, once you get a close parking spot, you can then just take your time to unpack the car, load up your stroller or wagon, gather everything you’ll need, make your way through security, snap those iconic front gate pictures, and then not have to stand in line to scan your tickets with the rest of the crowds. (Fun Fact: You can enter the park before the official opening time, get a spot on the train as your 1st ride of the day, and beat the initial big rush of crowds.)
Before you come to the parks, go online to look at the listed height requirements for the attractions in both Silverwood and Boulder Beach so you have an idea beforehand which ones each member of your family will be able to ride. Please pay special attention to the parent-to-child ratio as it varies from ride to ride. (For example, sometimes one adult can accompany 2 kids, and sometimes it is only one at a time.) This will also allow your family to line out which attractions are the highest priorities to make sure to do. If need be, it will be easier to decide if splitting up into separate groups would make the most sense based on who will do which rides and activities.
Consider what your food and snack budget is for your family’s day at the parks. While I will admit that it is pretty convenient to just plan to purchase everything there all day so you don’t have to worry about packing your own food items from home, it can unfortunately add up quickly and become expensive. If you do plan to bring stuff, remember that any type of alcohol or glass containers are not allowed. And likewise, if you are going to plan to purchase food from either Silverwood or Boulder Beach, don’t forget that both parks are 100% cashless so a credit or debit card will be needed to pay.
This one may seem obvious but think thru the essentials you’ll need depending on what’s on your agenda for the day and make sure those are on your packing list. My go-to’s are reusable water bottles, small fan or squirt bottle to keep cool, jacket or sweatshirt in case it gets chilly, and souvenir cup to refill throughout the day. On the flip side, if you’re planning to enjoy time at Boulder Beach, make sure to bring swimsuits, cover-ups, towels, waterproof phone case, sunscreen and sun hat. Also note that there are all sizes of life jackets available to use free of charge, but they are on a first-come, first-serve basis but if it’s a super busy day, you might be out of luck. So, if your littles will for sure need them, it would be best to bring your own from home. Just make sure they have the coastguard approved stamp on them.
I hope this list was helpful as you prepare to take your family on a trip to North Idaho’s “happiest place on earth”. Please comment below to share if you have a must you always do before coming to the parks.
MEET THE CONDUCTOR
My name is Emma! I love a good iced coffee, and love Jesus even more. While I’m currently rocking the city life in Post Falls, Idaho, my dream is to one day raise my own family on a little homestead. In this season, you’ll find me spending my days pouring into the lives of the sweet kiddos I nanny, running my home business making non-toxic playdough, enjoying lots of quality time with friends, loving on the precious little ones I’m currently fostering, or sharing my passion for all things holistic living. If y’all want to follow the daily adventures of my crazy, exciting, blessed life, you can do so here!
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