Taking the family to an amusement park on vacation is a wonderful way to make memories that last a lifetime. And with a little advance planning, a visit to an amusement park doesn't have to break the bank.
If you're looking to get the best deal on your next trip to the amusement park, here are some tips to help you save as much money as possible:
Consider Multi-day or Season Passes
Purchasing one regular FunDay pass into Kennywood costs $41.99. The park, which is one of the most fun things to do in Pittsburgh, provides discounted tickets and passes on its website to help visitors on a budget. Currently, Kennywood is offering Holiday deals that are available for future visitors. Four different passes that include special deals and rewards can be purchased on Kennywood's website. If you like to take multiple trips to your favorite amusement park throughout the year, most parks, including Kennywood, offer season passes for you to enjoy unlimited visits at a reasonable price. It's a great way to experience Pittsburgh's best amusement park!
Purchasing multi-day passes at much larger theme parks can also save you money. If you are looking to visit the Walt Disney World parks, consider purchasing an adult five-day ticket for $315, or $63 per day, compared to paying almost $100 per day when purchasing a single-day ticket.
Look for Discounts Through Your Work or Partner Organizations
Before buying theme park tickets, reach out to someone in Human Resources at your company to determine if your employer offers discount prices as an employee perk.
Many local clubs and organizations also offer discount theme park tickets. For example, your local AAA office can save you up to 35% on theme park passes. Other sites such as aRes Travel and Undercover Tourist also offer cheap vacation packages and discount theme park tickets that fit your vacation budget.
Good deals are also found at the supermarket. Amusement parks such as Kennywood and Idlewild & SoakZone partner with local grocery store and food chains to offer cheap theme park tickets. Although not guaranteed everywhere, be sure to check with your local store to see if they offer discounts.
Check Social Media
Another tip to help you find discount theme park tickets is to follow park's social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter. Some companies will use their accounts to share discounts on tickets to their most loyal customers. So before you pay full price, take a look at their social media profiles for any deals. Make sure, however, that you only trust parks' official, verifies social media accounts.
Purchase Tickets in Advance
If you're looking to save money, purchase your tickets in advance rather than at the front gate of the park. The majority of amusement parks offer price cuts on admission tickets if you buy them ahead of time. For example, at Universal Studios Hollywood, purchasing tickets through the park's website can save you at least $10 per ticket compared to buying them at the main entrance.
If you get your theme park tickets ahead of time, you are less likely to make an impulse decision.
Buy Online
In many cases, you can get better theme park deals online than in-person. To satisfy customers looking to pay at a discounted rate, most amusement parks offer cheaper deals through their website. Parks such as Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, offer sales and promo codes online that make saving money easy and fun.
You can also find discount theme park tickets on other platforms. Websites such as RetailMeNot, a leading online coupon promoter, offers promo codes and package deals that can be linked straight to the park's websites.
Save Money on Parking
Most theme parks tend to have a flat rate parking fee with no discounts. These fees are usually separate from your regular ticket admission fee. There are, however, some parks that are accommodating to their driving customers.
For example, Castle Park, located in Riverside, California, offers a parking discount to help visitors save money. The amusement park provides a Single-Day Parking Voucher on its website that lets customers save $4 when they purchase online. When it comes to parking fees, every amusement park is different. Be sure to check your desired park's website for special parking deals in advance.
Don't Waste Money on Food
Kennywood, Idlewild & SoakZone and Sandcastle are just a few that encourage visitors to bring their own food into the park. If you choose a park that allows outside food and are looking to save money, the best advice is to bring your own meals! Pack lightweight food options that are easy to carry in a backpack or rolling cooler, don't make a mess and will sustain you and your family for a day of fun.
