Life has this funny habit of handing you a thousand reasons to wait. Wait until the weather is better. Wait until work slows down. Wait until you’re less tired, less busy, less broke, less overwhelmed. Wait until the kids are older, until your friend is free, until the stars line up and your favourite ride is magically not in maintenance, but here’s the truth I’ve learned, as a traveler, as a creator, as someone who has spent countless hours wandering through Efteling, Europa-Park, Disneyland Paris, and every park in between: There is no perfect moment. 

There is only the moment you decide to go. Theme parks and travel are not something you wait your way into. They’re something you step into. And that first step is always the hardest. So if you’re dreaming of finally planning that park trip solo, with friends, with family, or just for yourself  here are the most common reasons people hesitate… and why none of them should stop you.

1. “Shouldn’t I be doing something more… responsible?”

The infamous “settle down” question comes in many forms.
“Shouldn’t you save that money?”
“Shouldn’t you stay home this weekend?”
“Shouldn’t you wait until you have someone to go with?”

But the happiest people I meet in theme parks  the ones eating stroopwafels on the Pardoes Promenade or queuing joyfully for their hundredth ride on Silver Star  aren’t waiting for life to give them permission. They chose joy. They chose adventure. They chose time with the people they love, or time with themselves. And honestly? Sitting on a bench in Efteling with a hot Chocomel as Symbolica glitters behind me is often one of the happiest moments of my week. It may not be “responsible,” but it’s deeply, beautifully human.

2. “Is it weird to go alone?”

Short answer: no.
Long answer: also no, but with snacks. Lots of snacks.

I used to think theme parks were something you had to do with others  like you needed a built-in queue buddy at all times. But the first time I walked solo through Efteling at sunrise, something shifted. I noticed details I always missed. I took the rides I wanted, at the pace I wanted. I talked to other fans, cast members, ride ops, people in line. I felt… free.

Solo theme park days are not lonely. They are liberating.

Start with a park that feels welcoming and houses your favourite rides, Efteling, Toverland or Phantasialand for example. Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t go sooner.

3. “Is it safe?”

There will always be someone ready to send you a scary news headline.
“There was a breakdown.”
“A fight in a park somewhere.”
“A TikTok about pickpockets.”

But those same people forget that most of us feel safer in a queue for Droomvlucht than walking to our car at night. Theme parks are designed environments. They’re staffed, monitored, maintained, and filled with families, fans, grandparents, couples, groups, and people who are just there to have a magical day.

Stay aware like you do at home. Follow basic common sense. Choose parks with great reputations if you're nervous. And remember: millions of people visit theme parks every single day — safely.

4. “I can’t afford it.”

This one is real — and I get it. But visiting a park doesn’t have to be a luxury trip. It can be intentional, smart, budget-friendly.

A few tips I learned over years of doing this:

• Go outside peak season (January, March, mid-September, November).

• Bring your own snacks.

• Stay off-property unless resort perks really benefit you.

• Use early-bird tickets, search for deals.

You don’t need a huge budget. You need a plan and the willingness to go. If you need more tips, I've got you covered. Just click here.

5. “My family thinks it’s silly.”

Theme parks are still weirdly “niche” to people who don’t go.

They don’t see the artistry of a dark ride.
They don’t understand the craftsmanship of Europa-Park’s storytelling.
They don’t know how healing it is to wander through Fairytale Forest with no agenda.

And that’s okay.

You’re not living their life.
You’re living yours.

Years from now, you won’t remember the sensible weekends you stayed home.
You’ll remember the laughter on a roller coaster, the smell of waffles and the music of Aquanura. 

6. “I’ll just wait until someone joins me.”

Most people don’t share the exact same schedule, budget, or passion for parks. If you wait for the perfect companion, the perfect moment, the perfect alignment of days off…You may wait forever.

Go anyway and you’ll discover something magical:
Theme park people find each other mostly in Theme Parks. Do the thing you love and find your people. In queues, on benches, in fan communities, on forums and on YouTube channels like ours (Dutch Theme Park Network). Once you take that first step, you’re suddenly not alone at all.

The real truth?

The best theme park trips in my life happened once I stopped waiting for “right.”
Right weather.
Right timing.
Right company.
Right version of myself.

There is no right time.
There is only now.

You deserve magic today, not “someday.”

So book the ticket.
Plan the trip.
Take that first step out your front door.

And if you're ever looking for guides, tips, itineraries, or a friendly community cheering you on — you’re in the right place. Dutch Theme Park Network is here to help you on your way. Just find us on socials.