The Auto Club has 7 Tips to Theme Park Success, which are tried and true ways to really enjoy a theme park:

• Be an early bird. Theme parks are most crowded after noon. Most have “Early Bird Deals” that lets you into the park early. Often, you get a breakfast and time with cast members. To save even more time, see if you can obtain your tickets online or through the mail ahead of time so you can go straight into the park.

• Dress for success. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and bring layers of clothing. Bulky jackets or sweaters can be stored in lockers until they’re needed. Also, pack a light rain poncho or windbreaker if you want to go on the water rides but don’t want to get soaked.

• Use time-savers. Disneyland and Disney World’s FastPasses are a great way to avoid long lines at some popular rides. Some rides also feature “single rider” lines to quickly fill up empty seats on attractions. Some theme parks also take ride reservations, which are great. Don’t “overbook” yourself though.

• Fuel your adventure. Bringing a light snack — granola, mixed nuts, fruit or chocolate — is a convenient way of tiding you over until your next meal while keeping you on the go. Be careful about bringing drinks in; many parks will not let you carry cans and bottles inside.

• Don’t do what the Joneses do. Eat lunch before 11:30 or after 1:30; likewise, dinner before 4:30 or after 6:30. Ride popular attractions when others are lining up to watch a parade (unless you want to see it, too).

• Be age-appropriate. Be sure to factor in nap time if necessary. A nearby hotel room is a great option for naps for younger children or grandparents. If teens want to explore the park away from the adults, create regular check-ins. And make sure everyone knows what to do if they get lost. We have friends who use walkie talkies in the park with smaller kids - and cell phones for the older ones.

• Good timing helps. Theme parks will be crowded throughout the summer, but some days are better than others. Tuesdays through Thursdays are likely to be the least crowded days, as long as they’re not holidays. Also, check the theme park’s web site the day before you plan to be there to verify hours of operation, and in some cases, prepare you for ride closures. Information about parade and show times will often be listed to help you plan in advance.

We’ll add one more - sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. There’s nothing worse than getting a sunburn on the first day of a 3 day Theme Park trip. Cover up, so you can enjoy the entire trip.