Spring break must be right around the corner given the number of commercials I’ve seen for various theme parks.
Traveling to major amusement parks doesn’t come cheap, especially if you are planning to visit with your entire family. Admission, coupled with parking, meals, and souvenirs can easily cost you hundreds of dollars. Fortunately, there are ways to save on wholesome theme park fun without breaking the bank.
For starters, consider looking for package deals. Places like Disney and Universal Studios often offer discount tickets to guests bundling airfare, hotel and park admission. In other cases, using a reputable travel agent can score you free or deeply discounted park tickets if you purchase a travel package with the agent’s company.
Another simple way to save on admission is to visit the theme park’s official website. The nation’s largest amusement parks typically feature a tab on their home page which leads you to discounts and other money-saving opportunities. Offers can include two-day admission for the price of one, deals on meals, percentage off on season passes or discounts on passes that allow you to avoid standing in long lines.
Regardless of which theme park you are planning to visit, it’s always a good idea to comparison shop. Also, when you find a decent deal, snap it up immediately. It doesn’t pay to wait, especially if you are planning to take your trip during a busy time of year. If you can be flexible with your travel dates, you can save more by visiting the park in the off-season when crowds are smaller and discounts are larger.
Finally, scour the web for local deals. For example, if you live near a major theme park, you can often use your proof of residency to secure amazing deals on tickets. Another option is to invest in a CityPass. In southern California, the pass allows you to visit multiple local theme parks for less than $50 a day, including Universal Studios, Disneyland, California Adventure, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo.