A theme park expert has explained how you can skip the long queues during the school holidays.

Some of the most popular theme parks, including Alton Towers, Drayton Manor, and Legoland, reopened this month after winter closures, with Thorpe Park throwing its doors wide on March 27. As they welcome back thrill seekers ahead of the Easter half-term, followed by the summer holidays, it's set to be their busiest period.

Theme parks have long been a great way to keep the kids entertained and offer a fun-packed day out, with an array of rides and attractions to suit the whole family. But whether you're itching to ride The Smiler at Alton Towersor The Dragon at Legoland, it's easy to be caught in the unwanted queues that everyone would rather avoid, particularly during weekends and school holidays.

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But that shouldn't deter you from visiting your favourite theme park. In a bid to help you dodge the boring queues, the CEO of AttractionTickets.com, Oliver Brendon, has shared his top five insider hacks for beating the queues, so you can really make the most of your day out.

1. Ride first thing or in the evening

Oliver advised: "To make the most of a day at the theme park, a little planning is essential. I’d find a list of the most popular rides and identify the ones you really want to ride. Order them from most to least important, and head to the ride at the top of your list as soon as the gates open - regardless of where it is in the park.

"As you move down the list, you might find queues are getting longer and longer. If that’s the case, take a pause and come back to ride those rides in the evening. As the day stretches into the late afternoon and evening, lots of people leave to head home, so you might find queues aren’t as long the closer you get to park closing time."

2. Start at the back

"Most visitors follow the park map exactly as it’s laid out, which means everyone heads to the same rides first", the expert explained. "When you arrive, walk straight to the furthest point of the park and work your way backwards. You’ll often find dramatically shorter queues at the start of your day, as the majority of guests are still near the entrance. This means you’ll be able to tick off major rides before queues build mid-morning."

3. Visit in the rain

Oliver shared: "If you live within driving distance of a park, flexibility really is your secret weapon. Keep an eye on the weather forecast. What’s predicted to be a rainy day can often turn into sunshine, meaning you’re in a prime position for an impromptu theme park visit on a super quiet day. People will often avoid forecasted rainy days, so that surprise sunshine can be great for locals to experience the park without the crowds. It’s also worth noting that light rain rarely affects most major rides, so even if there is a little sprinkling, the park is likely to run as normal."

4. Use single rider queues

"If you do happen to be visiting on a busy day, there is a simple hack that will get you onto the ride quicker," Oliver explained. "If you’re visiting as a couple, with older children, or in a group that doesn’t mind riding separately, single rider queues are an absolute game changer. Many of the most popular roller coasters and headline attractions offer single rider lines designed to fill empty seats. Because you’re helping the ride operate at full capacity, the wait time is often significantly shorter than the main queue."

5. Choose your seat wisely

The expert also suggested: "Whilst not necessarily a queue-jumping trick, where you sit can completely change your ride experience for the better. If you have the option, it’s always a good idea to pick your seat based on what you want to prioritise. For example, for adrenaline lovers riding rollercoasters, the back row usually delivers the biggest thrills, as you’ll have fast-feeling drops and more airtime. If you prefer the ride to feel a little less stomach-churning, the front row tends to offer a smoother ride, plus the benefit of unbeatable views.

"Don’t be afraid to tell ride operators about seating preferences. They won’t always be guaranteed, but staff will often try to accommodate you where possible."

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