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25/05/2026
Planning a Gold Coast theme park holiday with kids can feel exciting and slightly overwhelming at the same time - especially when you’re trying to fit in multiple parks, keep everyone entertained and still enjoy some time to relax.
Between choosing which parks to visit, deciding how many days you’ll need and figuring out where to stay, there’s often a lot more to plan than families expect.
The good news is that with a little preparation, a Gold Coast family holiday can be far less stressful and much more enjoyable for both kids and parents.
Whether you’re visiting for a quick getaway or planning a longer family escape, this guide covers everything you need to know before booking your trip - from the best theme parks for different age groups to practical tips that can help make your holiday run more smoothly.
Movie World Gold Coast | Image taken by Paradise Resort
One of the best things about planning a Gold Coast holiday is that there’s no shortage of theme parks to choose from - but with different parks suited to different ages and interests, it’s worth thinking about what type of experience will work best for your family before you book.
For families with younger children, Sea World is often one of the easiest parks to navigate. With a mix of marine animals, family rides and interactive attractions, it’s a good option for families wanting a slower-paced day that still keeps the kids entertained.
Warner Bros. Movie World tends to be popular with families travelling with older kids and teenagers, especially those chasing rollercoasters and bigger rides. There are still plenty of attractions for younger children, but many families choose to spend a full day here to make the most of everything the park offers.
Wet'n'Wild is usually a favourite during the warmer months, particularly for families wanting a more relaxed park day. Between the waterslides, wave pools and splash areas, it’s easy to spend hours there without feeling like you need to follow a strict plan or schedule.
Families planning a longer stay may also want to include Paradise Country, which offers a completely different experience from the larger theme parks. With farm animals, live shows and hands-on activities, it can be a nice slower-paced day in between bigger park visits.
One of the biggest mistakes families make is trying to fit every park into a short trip. If you’re travelling with younger children especially, allowing extra time for rest days, pool time or slower mornings can make the holiday feel much more enjoyable for everyone.
That’s why many families now choose longer stays on the Gold Coast - giving themselves more flexibility to enjoy the parks without feeling rushed from one attraction to the next.
Paradise Country | Image taken by Paradise Resort
Where you stay can make a huge difference to how the whole trip feels - especially when you’re travelling with kids.
After long days at the parks, most families don’t want to spend their evenings driving around looking for dinner or trying to find ways to keep the kids entertained. That’s why choosing a resort designed specifically for families can make the holiday feel far more relaxing from the start.
At Paradise Resort Gold Coast, everything is built around making family holidays easier. From the waterpark and pools to daily kids activities, entertainment and family-friendly dining, there’s always something happening without parents needing to overplan every part of the day.
It’s also why Paradise Resort has been voted Australia’s Best Family Resort for 15 years in a row!
For many families, having activities and entertainment onsite ends up becoming just as important as the theme parks themselves. Kids can swim, play and make friends back at the resort, while parents finally get the chance to slow down a little too.
Location also plays a big part when planning a Gold Coast holiday. Staying within easy driving distance of Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild and Paradise Country makes it much easier to balance busy park days with downtime in between.
And honestly, some of the best parts of a family holiday are usually the moments in between the big attractions - afternoon pool time, dinner together after a long day out or simply having somewhere the whole family genuinely enjoys spending time.
Paradise Resort Gold Coast
One of the most common questions families ask when planning a Gold Coast holiday is how long they should stay - and the answer usually depends on how much you’re hoping to fit into the trip.
While it’s possible to visit a couple of parks over a long weekend, many families find that shorter trips can end up feeling rushed, especially when travelling with younger children.
Theme park days are big days. Between the walking, queues, excitement and Queensland heat, kids can tire quickly, which is why trying to squeeze multiple parks into back-to-back days doesn’t always go to plan.
For families wanting a more relaxed holiday, staying five to seven nights often gives you far more flexibility. It allows time to mix theme park days with slower mornings, pool time, family dinners and downtime at the resort without feeling like every day needs to be packed with activities.
Longer stays also give families more breathing room if the weather changes or plans shift during the trip.
Another thing many parents underestimate is how much kids enjoy the resort itself. Between pools, waterslides, kids activities and entertainment, many families end up wanting dedicated resort days alongside their park visits.
If you’re planning to visit multiple parks like Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild and Paradise Country, allowing extra time can make the entire experience feel much more enjoyable for everyone.
At the end of the day, the best Gold Coast holidays are usually the ones that leave room to slow down a little.
Paradise Resort Gold Coast
A little preparation before a theme park day can make a big difference once you’re there - especially when travelling with kids.
The Gold Coast weather can change quickly throughout the day, so it’s always worth packing for a mix of sunshine, water rides and plenty of walking.
Comfortable shoes are probably the biggest essential. Between the rides, shows and attractions, most families end up walking far more than expected, and tired feet can quickly turn into tired kids by the afternoon.
To make park days easier, most families recommend packing:
One thing many parents don’t think about until they arrive is how helpful it is to have a slower morning before heading to the parks. Having breakfast onsite and getting organised without rushing out the door can make the whole day feel easier from the beginning.
And while it’s tempting to pack everything “just in case,” most families quickly realise that keeping things simple usually works best. A small day bag with the essentials is often all you really need.
Movie World Gold Coast | Image taken by Paradise Resort
Theme park days are exciting, but they can also be long, busy and a little overwhelming for younger kids if you try to do too much at once.
One of the easiest ways to make the day more enjoyable is to slow the pace down a little. Most families quickly realise they don’t need to race from ride to ride to have a great time.
Arriving early can help you get a few popular rides done before the parks become busier, but it’s also worth building in breaks throughout the day - especially during warmer weather.
A few things parents often find helpful during theme park days:
For families travelling with younger children, heading back to the resort for pool time or a quieter afternoon can sometimes work better than spending the entire day at the parks.
And honestly, some of the best moments usually happen outside the rides themselves - meeting characters, watching the kids react to something new or simply having fun together without worrying too much about sticking to a schedule.
Sea World Gold Coast | Image taken by Paradise Resort
Planning a Gold Coast holiday with kids doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. Once you’ve decided which parks you want to visit and how long you’d like to stay, the biggest difference usually comes down to giving yourself enough time to actually enjoy the trip.
Many families make the mistake of trying to squeeze too much into a short stay, but the best holidays are usually the ones with a bit more flexibility built in - slower mornings, pool time between park days and the chance to relax without feeling like you need to stick to a packed schedule.
That’s why longer family stays on the Gold Coast have become so popular. Instead of rushing from one attraction to the next, families can enjoy a better balance of theme parks, downtime and time together.
Staying somewhere designed specifically for families also makes a huge difference. Having dining, entertainment, pools and kids activities all in one place can take a lot of stress out of the holiday, especially after long days at the parks.
For families wanting to make planning even easier, Paradise Resort Gold Coast’s The Ultimate Theme Park Playcation packages bundle together accommodation, daily meals, Kids Club sessions, resort activity credits and bonus Village Roadshow Theme Parks entry.
Depending on the package you choose, families can enjoy access to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild and Paradise Country, while still having plenty of time to relax back at the resort.
And honestly, those quieter moments often end up becoming the highlights of the trip - simply having uninterrupted time together away from the usual routine.
If you’re planning your next Gold Coast family getaway, explore The Ultimate Theme Park Playcation packages and start building the kind of holiday everyone actually enjoys!
Village Road Show & Paradise Resort
