Friday, July 25, 2014
According to a recent TripAdvisor survey, more than half of Americans plan to visit an amusement park this summer, with more than a quarter spending over $1,000 on the visit. Families can keep costs down by making the visit budget-friendly. Here are five ways to save on amusement park admission:
1. Plan (and purchase) in advance. Rather than purchasing day-of tickets, consider purchasing tickets online. Some parks offer discounted rates if purchased ahead of time, which can save a significant amount on the ticket cost combined. It's also worth checking park websites for flash sales and other discounts. Purchasing tickets as part of a combined package with other attractions can also save on individual costs.
2. Look beyond park-specific promotions. Coupon sites like RetailMeNot and flash sale sites like Groupon and LivingSocial often post a collection of deals and discounts to amusement parks. Membership groups like AAA and AARP also offer discounts to theme parks, and some credit cards provide special promotions to cardholders.
3. Don't overlook multi-day passes. For families spending more than one day in the area, or who live within close distance to an amusement park, purchasing a season- or multi-day pass can help save hundreds. Season passes can also provide additional bonuses like exclusive ride times and free or discounted parking.
4. Spend the night. Many parks partner with nearby hotels to extend special offerings to hotel guests, such as discount tickets, complimentary breakfast or early park entry. Some packages also include transportation to and from the park to help families save on the cost of parking.
5. Time your visit wisely. Some parks offer discount tickets after a certain hour in the day. If you don't mind a shortened visit, or don't have time to spend an entire day at the park, check to see if there are half-day or evening tickets at a discounted rate. Visitors may save as much as half-off by taking advantage of off-peak deals.
Source: Family Vacation Critic
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