How to best prepare for a visit to Gardaland, season by season and attraction by attraction: tips also gathered from a survey with over 500 responses from our fans.
Dressing the right way really makes the difference between a comfortable day and one spent regretting the wrong shoes or a backpack too bulky to carry and having to leave at the lockers. In this guide you’ll find practical tips on what to wear (and what to avoid) in every time of year, what to bring depending on the type of attraction, and what’s better left at home or in a locker.
Tips that work in every season
- Always bring a change of clothes, useful if you get wet on the rides (you can also keep it in the car)
- A small, non-bulky backpack: no large bags, trolleys or suitcases, they’ll need to be stored before the rides
- Dress kids comfortably in sporty clothes, with closed shoes and quick-drying outfits
- Avoid valuables, they could be left unattended
- Better to avoid packed lunches if the food could spoil
- Always bring a water bottle filled from home: inside the park you can refill it for free at the water fountains without having to buy bottled water
- If you’re going on the water rides, keep your phone and wallet in a waterproof pouch or leave them at the lockers before boarding
๐ธ Low season (March-June, mid-September-October)
Recommended: comfortable long or short pants, a sweatshirt that’s easy to take off, light sneakers, a light windbreaker, a spare t-shirt.
Avoid: tight jeans, heels, caps, shirts, elegant or heavy clothes that dry slowly.
โ๏ธ Summer (June-September)
Recommended: comfortable shorts, a light t-shirt, a sweatshirt for the evening (useful if you stay for Gardaland Night is Magic, with the park open until late), light shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a water bottle filled from home.
Avoid: tight jeans, heavy shoes, elegant clothes, caps, flip-flops (banned on many rides), overly open tank tops, heels, skirts.
๐ Halloween and Oktoberfest (October-November)
Recommended: long pants, a sweatshirt, a jacket that’s easy to take off, sneakers, sunglasses.
Not recommended: shirts, heavy jackets, winter shoes, heavy clothes โ better to dress in light layers.
During this period the park transforms for Gardaland Magic Halloween, with horror walkthroughs and evening Halloween Parties, and for the return of Oktoberfest: dress in layers, so you can take one off when the sun warms up or the queues in the sun get longer.
โ๏ธ Magic Winter (December-January)
Recommended: long, warm pants, a warm t-shirt and sweatshirt, a winter jacket, a scarf, gloves, a hat.
Not recommended: light clothes and open shoes.
Many areas of the park stay outdoors even during the lights and Christmas markets: dress in layers, so you can warm up in the indoor dining spots without overheating as soon as you step back out.
๐ข What to wear based on the type of attraction
Besides the season, the TYPE of attraction you want to ride also matters: here’s the quick checklist, attraction by attraction.
Water rides: Fuga da Atlantide, Jungle Rapids, Colorado Boat
Wear: quick-drying clothes, closed non-slip shoes (avoid flip-flops, often banned on the faster water rides), a change of clothes ready in the car or in a locker.
Bring with you: a waterproof bag for your phone and wallet, or leave everything at the lockers before boarding (mandatory on several water rides).
Avoid: backpacks, bags, unfastened caps: they risk flying off or getting wet.
๐ข Thrill rides: Oblivion, Raptor, Blue Tornado, Space Vertigo, Shaman
Wear: comfortable, fitted clothes, closed and fastened shoes. Avoid scarves, foulards, unsecured hats and flashy jewelry.
Bring with you: as little as possible in your pockets. Phones, glasses and loose items must be left in the free or paid lockers near the ride’s entrance: on many thrill rides it’s mandatory.
Note: prescription glasses, if worn, must be secured with a strap or removed following staff instructions.
๐ฅฐ Family and kids’ attractions: Fantasy Kingdom, Peppa Pig Land, Jumanji The Labyrinth
Wear: comfortable walking shoes (you walk a lot between one area and another), light clothes that are easy to take off for kids in case it gets hot.
Bring with you: a small backpack for kids’ spare clothes, wipes and a water bottle: in the family areas it’s easier to keep your backpack with you compared to the thrill rides.
๐ Quick checklist: what to always leave at the lockers
- Bulky backpacks, bags and trolleys before high-intensity rides
- Uninsurable valuables (better not to bring them at all)
- Unfastened hats and scarves on roller coasters and towers
- Flip-flops and open sandals on water rides and high-speed attractions
For details on lockers, prices and where the storage points are located near each area of the park, check out our guide bag and backpack storage at the attractions. For height rules and any contraindications attraction by attraction, see instead attraction safety restrictions. And before choosing your next ride, take a look at the live wait times.
For more practical tips before your visit โ opening hours, parking, where to eat and much more โ take a look at our collection of visit guides.