Tips for Playing Pokémon Go at Theme Parks

Are you planing a trip to your favorite amusement park this weekend but also wanting to play Pokémon Go? Don’t want to miss a opportunity to catch that rare one? Don’t worry, Coaster Nation is here to help!

Pokémon Go is a brand new app available on your smart phone app store or marketplace. The game allows players to capture, battle, and train virtual creatures, called Pokémon, who appear on device screens as though in the real world. The app gives users an opportunity to step out into the world of augmented reality using their GPS to track and catch Pokémon using in game Pokéballs.

Once a player has a collection of Pokémon, they can then locate a gym, which can be found at various real world landmarks. There, players battle it out using their collection of Pokémon to decide which team will take control of the gym.

If your Pokémon loses, you can then locate a pokéstop at a real world location (commonly churches, cemeteries, post offices, or historic landmarks) to try and collect potions to heal your Pokémon. Players also have the chance to collect more pokéballs to use to capture even more Pokémon.

Pokemon Go is the first of many augmented reality games that encourages gamers to get off the couch and to explore their towns / cities in order to progress in the game. We’re already hearing rumors of a new Universal augmented reality game branded to non other than… Harry Potter.

The game is free-to-play, although it supports in-app purchases of additional gameplay items. An optional companion Bluetooth wearable device, the Pokémon Go Plus, is planned for future release and will alert users when Pokémon are nearby.

A great place to play the game is at your local amusement park. Pokémon is plentiful at the parks, especially since so many lures get tossed out! Parks usually have dozens of Pokéstops and gyms, which you will have access to once you pay for your admission ticket of course. There’s millions and millions of people playing Pokemon Go, and park hosted events are spreading like wildfire. Nearly every major amusement park has gotten involved at some level to host Pokémon events.

To help you plan out your Pokémon adventure at the parks, here’s some tips that will make your day easier!

PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT

• Make sure your battery is charged – before you leave the house, make sure your battery has a fresh charge. No battery life means no Pokémon.
• Update the app – many updates will soon be popping up for the game. Make sure you are up to date before you leave. You don’t want your game to bug out half way through the day.
• Study the park layout – don’t just look online for where pokéstops are, make sure you know the important places in the park such as the location of First Aid, Lockers, and a meeting spot for if you have a group.
• Pack plenty of sunscreen – catching Pokémon will be hard the next day if you are too sore to move.
• Bring an external batter pack – the app will burn through your phones battery rather quickly. Make sure you come prepared. (If you’re at Disney, be sure to check into getting a fuel rod)

AT THE PARK

• Find the pokéstops – make sure to visit every pokéstop to collect pokéballs and potions. You will need these to continue your day!
• Watch for lures – when you see a shower of pink flowers petals on the map, that means someone has dropped a lure to draw in more pokémon to that area. Head to that location to join in on the action.
• Take over a gym – What is bigger bragging rights than saying you took the Cinderella Castle gym for Team Mystic!
• Keep checking your map – Different locations in the park could be home to different types of Pokémon. You may even find more water Pokémon near rivers and lakes, so keep on checking!
• Share what you capture – Share with your friends what you capture on your social pages. Don’t forget to tag Coaster Nation too so we can check it out! *wink*
• Enjoy the park – With all the excitement of capturing Pokémon, don’t forget that you just paid to enter amusement park, so be sure to take in some rides and enjoy a show or two!

SAFETY FIRST

• Watch where you walk – this shouldn’t have to be said, but no matter if you’re at a park, or in your town, always watch where you are walking and be aware of your surroundings. It’s rude to bump into people and it hurts when you bump into objects.
• Stay out of restricted areas – Whether it be a rare Pokémon behind that gate that says “employees only” or a gym behind the fence that says “restricted area” you must stay out. Parks are taking trespassing very seriously by ejecting them from the parks for trespassing.
• Keep your phones off the rides – Parks have cameras all over the rides, so if you’re catching a Weedle going up that lift hill, they will catch you and you better believe security will be waiting at the exit. Not to mention if you drop your phone on the ride and it hits someone you will be held liable.
• Stay Hydrated – Right now it is the middle of summer in the U.S. and temperatures are reaching triple digits in some states. Be sure to bring along a water bottle or ask for a free cup of ice water while at the parks. Capturing Pokémon can get difficult if you end up in first aid!

And the most important tip of all.. Remember to have fun and stay safe! Don’t forget to share photos of your favorite Pokémon finds with us by using the hashtag #CoasterNation on social media!

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