Look at the weather before you leave and dress properly. Comfortable footwear like sneakers is essential; in summer, sandals with straps are good for comfort and relief from the heat. Flip flops are not practical footwear because they can get lost on rides. Some people may go against this policy, but be aware it is at their own risk.
Lockers are available to store any personal belongings, so if you're unsure if you'll need a jacket you might as well bring one---you can always stow it in a locker if you don't want to carry it around. If you're visiting a park with water rides, consider bringing a bathing suit but make sure that you have proper cover-ups and/or a change of clothes handy. You may want to save the water rides for one part of the day so you can change and store your wet clothes in a locker. Note that bathing suits are not considered proper attire outside of waterpark areas.
Amusement parks are notorious for high-priced food and beverages. The night before you leave for Six Flags, prepare a cooler to leave in your car. Drinks, homemade sandwiches and snacks are a great way to enjoy a healthy lunch while at Six Flags. You must get your hand stamped upon leaving in order to re-enter the park. Make a note of where you parked; there are cartoon-themed pictures on poles to help you. Outside refreshments are not allowed into the park, so dispose properly of your trash before re-entering.
The worst part of visiting an amusement park is waiting on endless lines. There are a few things you can do to beat the crowds. Try to visit during the week (weekends are busiest) and avoid times of the year (summer, holidays) when all the kids are out of school. Look at an online map for the Six Flags you're visiting and map out a plan for hitting the most popular rides---schedule these for early in the morning or late in the evening, and save the busiest afternoon hours for lunch, games or the less-popular rides.
Six Flags promotes a Flash Pass that allows passholders to skip to the front of the line on many rides. These are pricey---you pay a premium on top of the standard park admission fee---but may be worth it if your list of preferred rides includes all of the most popular ones.
Most people think of visiting amusement parks as a summer activity, but some Six Flags parks have great winter or Halloween events. Many transform into Winter Wonderlands, with light shows and holiday excitement. Fright Fest is a great October event that has ghouls, clowns, zombies and other scary beings walking around.
Many parks host concerts and shows. The Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, for example, has been hosting concerts from all types of musical genres for years at its North Star Stadium. Admission is usually free to those who buy park tickets, but depending on the performer, sometimes there is an extra cover charge.
Admission coupons and discounts can be found at stores or online sites. Coca-Cola often promotes Six Flags by printing Buy One, Get One Free offers on their cans, and that is a great money-saver. Special offers---like early line admission and deals on memorabilia, food and beverages---are given to those who buy season passes.
If the weather becomes testy, rides will still be open as long as there is no lightning or thunder. However, the park does not offer refunds for total rain-outs, so if there's a great chance of sustained rainstorms or thunderstorms, you may want to save your trip for a sunnier day. If you do get caught in inclement weather, try to wait it out in gift shops, restaurants and video arcades.
