Any Floridian will tell you it’s just good sense to prepare yourself for rain when planning a day at a theme park. We here in the Sunshine State are all too familiar with those afternoon showers that come along during the later spring and summer months.

Growing up in a large family, theme park visits were a BIG deal for me and my siblings. Theme parks were (and are) the ultimate vacation destination. My family would save for months — sometimes years — for these trips so that we could maximize our stay at a theme park resort. Staying close to the parks felt so special to us, almost like the hotel was our new home, even if it was for just a few days. It meant more time for thrills for us kids, and a resort experience for my parents.