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[historybowler]

Hello! Long time reader, first time poster.

My family and I are potentially going down to SDC this week to take advantage of the early morning ride hours that come with Season Pass Appreciation Days. My nieces are 9,7,and 3, so no Outlaw Run/Wildfire for us. Are there other rides that get really busy during that hour? Are there other tips for how to best take advantage of that hour? Thanks ahead of time!

[Dewayne]

Depends on their height. They 9 yr old may be able to ride Thunderation, giant barn swing, and fire in the hole. Anything that looks like a coaster, usually gets a line pretty quick. Also do the train and flooded mine. It may be too early in the morning for water rides. Maybe the cave, if you would rather do that. Anyone that is a season pass holder gets to ride for 1 whole hour, without the 1 day ticket holders or anyone else, if you get to the chain by about 8:30. Most small, flat rides rarely have any long line.  Mainly ride anything they might like, which they can ride. If both of you parents want to ride but kids may not be able to, remember you can swap places after 1 parents gets off.

[historybowler]

Thanks for the tip. I was thinking about having them ride the roller coasters first during the hour. Quick follow-up question: Do you have to be there at 8:30 to participate?

[pintrader]

8:30 is the starting time and they will not let you in before.   There should be someone standing at the chains to let you through when you show them your season pass.  They will let you through anytime between 8:30 and the regular opening time of 9:30.

[Dewayne]

Yes its from 8:30 to 9:30. Im not sure if theyll open the turnstyles 1 hour early or if they just let us go down after they open the turnstyles though.

[DianaGail]

Your 9 year old will be able to ride everything unless they are super short.  Your 7 year old will be able to ride almost everything.  Your three year old, unless extremely tall, won't be able to ride any coaster besides the kiddie coaster.  Be ready to ride everything with your three year old as they can't ride anything but the ladybugs by themselves and must be accompanied by someone 13 years or older.  If you want to do coasters, definitely do those first.  Ride the balloons early.  Visit the measuring station so there aren't any questions and you won't have to measure at every ride.

[historybowler]

Thanks to everybody for the tips!

[Madtwins]

The cave and train won't start early they stay on their regular schedule, but everything else was running this morning.  The little coaster in the grand expo might be one to try early, even a small line can take a long time on that ride.

[historybowler]

I figured that the train wouldn't open early, but it is cool that everything (especially the water rides) will be open early. Thanks!

[Madtwins]

And lost river of the ozarks will let you ride over and over without getting off if no one is waiting in line

[HumphreyHawk]

Unless there hearts are set on riding a specific coaster or large ride.....I would take them straight to either Grand Exposition or Firemans Landing first thing.  They can knock off 5-10 rides in each area pretty quickly without the waiting.  Then you can take them to either the coasters or water rides as the gates open for the rest of the crowd while lines are still reasonable.  If you try to tackle those two areas on a busy day from 11-5 you could be stuck there for hours trying to do the same rides.

I usually have 3-5 kids all 12 and under with me most trips.....another tip....if the kids know the park and the rides....ask each one the 1-2 things they want to do at the park.  I usually tell them that I'll try to make sure they will do those 1 or two things but also make sure they know they probably won't get to do everything.  I've found that really helps during the day with expectations and the nagging/whining/meltdowns.  I'll usually make my early day plans around knocking them out before lunch.

Don't miss the train and flooded mine for them.....but I wouldn't recommend going to them first thing in the morning....even on the busiest of busy days they both are usually fairly easy to get on.  Might have a crowded wait for a train.....and flooded mine's line moves quickly even when it's backed up.  I'd focus on the kids areas and water rides/coasters first thing to avoid the heaviest lines later.