Theme Parks on a Budget
How to save money, time and your sanity
by Arricca Elin Sansone
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Your kids love them; your wallet doesn't. A visit to a theme park gets expensive in a hurry. Americans spend an average of $810 per trip, and that's without transportation costs, according to the Travel Industry Association. Before you give up on Mickey, Shamu or the coolest roller coasters around, check out these moneysaving must-dos.
Admission Tickets
Plan ahead
"Buy your tickets before you go to the park," says Mary Waring, founder of MouseSavers.com, which offers a compilation of Disney and theme park discounts and tips. "Just showing up at the gate means you’ll pay top dollar."
Check with the convention and visitors bureau
Do an Internet search to find the official travel website of the city you’re visiting, then look for coupons, package deals or other special promotions (be sure to check expiration dates).
Use group discounts
Ask your company's employee benefits department about corporate discounts, which vary considerably. AAA yield savings of about 10 percent on theme parks, while active-duty and retired military members should check with their installation's Morale, Welfare and Recreation Office for discounts. Wholesale clubs also offer various deals, such as tickets for several attractions in a city for one reduced price.
Accommodations
Rent a house
"For our last Disney vacation, we rented a four-bedroom home with pool, just minutes from the gate," says Vicki Inman. "We stayed for a week and saved hundreds because we split the rent with another family. Plus we had a washer, dryer and kitchen."
Do your homework
Hotel search engines find multiple lodging sites at once for the best price. Before booking, go to the hotel’s website, too. Be persistent: A recent search for a popular hotel near Cedar Point showed a $130 standard rate on the hotel website, $128 through one of the leading online travel sites and $117 with the AAA discount.
Call hotels directly
"They're often willing to meet or beat an Internet price — even from their own site — if you book directly," says Sehlinger. "Plus, you won't pay the fees that some sites charge." When calling, ask about promotions and discounts available during your visit.
Meals
Pack a picnic
"We get a hotel room that has a fridge and stock up on breakfast and lunch items," says Jamie Lorance of Gilbert, Arizona. Or pick up an inexpensive disposable cooler so you can tailgate at the park. Booking a hotel that offers free breakfast can also save you.
Be a couponer
The official visitors bureau sites may have printable coupons for local restaurants. You can also purchase an entertainment coupon book or search eateries online that offer deals.
Load up on snacks
"When our four children were small, we always kept lots of portable snacks handy throughout the day," recalls Yana Berlin from San Diego. "Granola bars, individual packs of nuts, and dried fruits are filling and kept everyone satisfied until we could eat an affordable meal outside the park."
For more information visit www.womansday.com.
