There is no place children would rather be than traveling to a theme park. Due to their popularity (in other words, crowds!), families should visit in the fall or winter months. In fact, if you can avoid school breaks and major holidays, you’ll enjoy less crowding. Is It Packed?—a website that tracks theme park attendance—gives families a better idea of busy dates to avoid.

Disney, for example, does many things well—and their app is no exception. “My Disney Experience” is a great time-saving, theme park guide planning app that shows ride wait times, character meet-and-greets and book dining reservations. Whether you go to Disney or any of the other great theme parks around the country, download their app and explore its features before you arrive. It may save you valuable time and give you some new ideas as well.

Some theme parks take dinner reservations up to 30 days in advance, while Walt Disney World accepts reservations 180 days out! While six months in advance seems silly to book a dinner reservation, for many theme parks it’s not. Make sure you book your dinner reservation(s) far in advance. You can start by exploring what’s available online, through the park’s app or by calling ahead. When it comes time to visit a theme park, you’ll be glad you did.

Make sure you check the height requirements of your favorite rides prior to arrival and plan accordingly. Typically, all theme park guides will have this information listed on their website. You don’t want to be there when your children find out they’re not tall enough to ride the roller coaster they’d been talking (and dreaming) about for days!

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, follow The Pixie Traveler. Her name is Lex, and she does an incredible job of sharing tips and behind-the-scenes footage from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center and more. Plus, she finds the best Disney swag to wear!

Since long wait times can be hard on little ones, bring a bottle of bubbles to entertain small children while you stand in lines. If you think bubbles would annoy those around you, think again. People would rather have a little soap in their face than a screaming child in their ear. Most theme parks sell them on-site, but you can easily bring your own bubbles with you.

Whether you’re planning a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando or one of the Dells Water Parks in Wisconsin, try to plan for an extra day to explore the local sights. Some of your family’s fondest memories could come from visiting local-area hot spots, uncommon attractions or unique restaurants. Expand your trip (and your overall experience) by arranging a day of adventure outside of the park.

Plan your morning route and where you will be eating dinner and then leave the rest up to chance! While you do want to plan ahead to ensure you see what you want to see, don’t overcommit your schedule or you’ll miss the spontaneous, unplanned moments that lead to some of the best memories for you and your family.

Sit back and enjoy your children’s faces as they see costumed characters for the first time or watch fireworks light up the night sky. Experiencing the joy that a theme park provides is well worth the planning, research, investment and time it takes to make this vacation a dream come true.