16 May

10 Ways to Save Money at Amusement Parks

Amusement parks are a constant source of argument between children and parents every summer. Kids want to go enjoy the rides and games either locally or during vacations. Parents feel like the overpriced food, long lines and pricey tickets make amusement parks a last-choice stop for summer fun. What’s the happy medium here? Well, amusement parks are admittedly part of a fun childhood so giving in and going to one isn’t a bad idea. However, you should do this in a way that saves money so that you as a parent don’t regret your decision to give in on this one this year.

Here are ten ways to save money at amusement parks this summer:

1. Let the kids go alone. If you have teenagers (or younger kids with a responsible older sibling) then you can safely send them to enjoy the amusement park alone. This means that you won’t spend any money on an adult ticket that you don’t really want to use anyway. Since you’ll be sending your kids in with a set amount of money and no way to beg any more off of you, you’ll be able to really budget the spending that goes on during their day of fun at the amusement park.
2. Eat before and after, not while you are there. Food and drinks at amusement parks are outrageously priced. Often these places won’t let you bring in your own packed food so picnicking on the cheap isn’t an option. That’s why you should eat immediately before you go to the park and plan to eat when you leave. That way you avoid spending money on food while you’re there. Some amusement parks let you enter and exit as many times as you want throughout the day so leaving mid-way through the day to find cheap local food is another option.
3. Visit the amusement park on a weekday. Many amusement parks have lower rates on weekdays than they do on weekends. Plus the lines are usually shorter for each of the rides since fewer people go to theme parks on weekdays. This is true even in the summer. Consider that when planning your outing.
4. Ask about discounts. There are numerous discounts available for people who are purchasing tickets at the counter of an amusement park. Membership in certain organizations, reduced fees for children under a certain age or seniors over a certain age and even discounts for parents who are not going to ride the rides are frequent options for reducing the cost of visiting an amusement park. Discounts for locals and even discounts for employees of certain businesses are other things to ask about.
5. Get your tickets in advance. Although discounts are available at the ticket counter, you’ll usually find that you can get even better rates on tickets if you buy them in advance. Look online, shop around and make sure to use discount codes to get the lowest possible price on your tickets to the park.
6. Go to one amusement park for one day only. The cost of amusement parks really adds up when you start to look into package deals. For example, you may get a package that offers 2 or 3 days at the park for  a low cost. It’s still higher than the cost of just going for one day plus you’ll have to pay food and maybe even hotel room rental for those extra days. Likewise, some parks offer discounts to a second park if you visit both; that’s two parks that you’re paying to visit though. Part of the summer’s compromise should be that the family only goes to one amusement park and only for a single day. The only exception here is if you find a really great deal that gives you a second day at the park for free.
7. Go for only half a day. You can actually even choose to visit an amusement park in just the last half of the day and will usually save money. Most theme parks have cheaper tickets if you enter just a few hours before closing. You still get to have fun with the family but you don’t have to spend all day at the park and you won’t spend nearly as much money.
8. Skip the souvenirs. You don’t need the special hat, the t-shirt, the toys, the postcards or the souvenir photos that are available at amusement parks. Your children don’t need them either. This is a part of the amusement park experience that they can skip out on. Take pictures with your own camera and leave the rest behind.
9. Avoid the games. Many amusement parks have carnival games that you have to pay extra money to play. These are the games where you spend some money in order to try to win a silly prize that nobody in the house really wants anyway. It can be tempting to let the kids talk you into playing these games but the cost adds up quickly. Stick with doing the things at the amusement park that you can do for just the cost of admission.
10. Get a group together. One of the best ways to reduce your own cost of going to an amusement park is to get a whole group to go together. The kids will have more fun with their friends there anyway and many amusement parks offer great deals to large groups.

And of course you want to use your common sense when spending money at the amusement park. Think twice before making any purchases so that you don’t get swept away by the experience. Budget for the day and only take the amount of money you’ve budgeted. Be smart and have a good time!

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