Avoid Lines at the Theme Park: Rent Out the Whole Place

Yahoo Travel
Updated
image

Quassy Amusement Park’s award-winning Wooden Warrior can be all yours for the day. No lines, no waiting. (Photo: Quassy Amusement Park)

A FastPass may help you cut down waiting times at Disney World, but it’s nowhere near as effective as simply renting out the park. That’s right, many theme parks around the country offer private event rentals — including Universal Studios Florida and Disney World.

At Orlando’s Universal Studios, the Meetings and Events team can give your party exclusive access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where you won’t have to share Diagon Alley with anyone. If you prefer Krusty burgers to butter beer, you can take over Springfield instead.

image

Book a private party at Diagon Alley and you won’t have to deal with crowds at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes or Quality Quidditch Supplies. (Photo: Universal Studios)

Related: The Best Amusement Park in Every State

In the Disney hemisphere, you can choose from bash locations at Epcot (pick a country, any country), Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Tower of Terror, anyone?), Animal Kingdom (plan your own private safari), and more.

All of these special events costs more than wishes upon a star, of course. You’ll pay a set fee for the venue and possibly a food-and-beverage minimum, and you’ll have to dish out more cash if you want to keep any rides running.

Related: Secrets and Tips from Disney Moms (Plus a Dad)

image

You can rent out the Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for your next party. Nothing says ‘good times’ like dropping your guests down 13 floors in an out-of-control elevator. (Photo: Disney)

But for the rest of us, there are more affordable options. Slightly. According to USA Today, you can buy out lakeside Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, Connecticut (one of our picks for the best parks in every state) and spend the day riding its Wooden Warrior roller coaster for just $25 per person. Over at Lagoon (also on our list of best parks) near Salt Lake City, you can enjoy private time on all of its nine coasters after-hours, including the brand-new Cannibal, for just $44.50 a person…with a minimum of 3,000 people.

Related: How to Save Big at Disney

And in a place where it sounds like all wishes come true — Santa Claus, Indiana — there’s Holiday World. After the summer season ends on Labor Day, this dual amusement park/water park will open its gates to your party for a full day. The only catch? You have to guarantee a minimum purchase of 8,000 tickets and meals. Maybe if you’re good this year, Santa can deliver enough dough to make that happen.

WATCH: Dodging Bullets In Illegal Mexican Border Crossing Amusement Park Experience

Let Yahoo Travel inspire you every day. Hang out with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Check out our original adventure travel series A Broad Abroad.