I told you my tricks for getting to Disney World without spending a fortune. But you can save money at other popular theme parks around the US too!
Find Out Easy Ways to Bump Down the Price of Expensive Amusement Park Tickets and Even Get In for FREE!
Typically you can save at amusement parks by purchasing tickets online instead of at the gate, organizing a large group, and checking employer and student discounts.
You also may be able to save money by purchasing package tickets or annual passes.
Here’s a look at other easy ways to avoid paying full price at Six Flags (35% off using 1 credit card), Universal, Cedar Point (free tickets), and more!
1. Busch Gardens
Link: Busch Gardens – Tampa, Florida
Link: Busch Gardens – Williamsburg, Virginia
Tickets for a single day at Busch Gardens parks can cost ~$75 per adult and ~$65 per child when you purchase them online. But you don’t have to pay full price!
Roller Coaster Fans Have Many Choices at Busch Gardens, Including Their Newest Coaster, Tempesto, Scheduled to Open This Year
Ways to Save
Save $15 (Busch Gardens Williamsburg) – Just enter promotional code “BGWValPak” to save $15 on up to 6 single-day tickets through September 7, 2015
1 Free Children’s Ticket With 1 Paid Adult Ticket (Busch Gardens Williamsburg) – Use promotional code “BGWPampers” to get 1 kid’s (ages 3 to 9) ticket free with the purchase of 1 adult single-day ticket through September 7, 2015.
Publix supermarkets (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay) - Buy tickets at stores in Florida, Georgia, and other southeastern states. You can save money by paying with a card that earns bonus points or cash back at US grocery stores like the AMEX Blue Cash Preferred.
Adopt a Furry Friend – You can get 2 free tickets to Busch Gardens when you adopt a dog or cat at a participating animal shelter. Please do NOT adopt a pet just to get free tickets to Busch Gardens! Pets are a big responsibility. This is a nice bonus if you already have plans to adopt.
Special Group Discounts
AAA South (Busch Gardens Tampa) – Save $3 at the gate with your card and 10% at the Crown Colony House Restaurant
Florida Residents – Free admission for kids 5 and under when you register for the Preschool Pass through December 31, 2015.
Military – Active duty, active reservists, Coast Guard, and National Guard members can get free tickets for themselves and up to 3 dependents through November 1, 2015, in Williamsburg and through December 31, 2015, in Tampa.
Preschool Kids (3 to 5 years old) – Preschool aged children can get into Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country for free through May 31, 2015. Birth certificate or passport required.
2. Cedar Point
Link: Cedar Point – Sandusky, Ohio
Tickets to Cedar Point currently cost ~$50 online per person for a day. Buying your tickets online is usually cheaper than the price you’ll pay at the gate. Here’s some other ways you can get your tickets for less!
The Rides Might Make You Dizzy, but the Ticket Prices Don’t Have To!
Ways to Save
1 Free Ticket – Get a free ticket to Cedar Point by giving blood this summer in Central Ohio. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS for more details.
Local Meijer grocery stores – Check Meijer stores for tickets. You can earn bonus points or cash back at US grocery stores with cards like the AMEX Everyday Preferred.
Special Group Discounts
Military – Active, retired, and honorably discharged military with a military ID can save $21 regular admission at the gate for themselves, family, and others in their group (up to 6 discounted tickets per service member)
3. Hersheypark
Link: Hersheypark – Hershey, Pennsylvania
Regular admission tickets to Hersheypark cost up to ~$62 online for summer admission. Buying online is almost always cheaper and faster than buying tickets at the park!
Hersheypark Has Over 65 Rides and Attractions
Ways to Save
Coca-Cola cans – Look in a local convenience store because sometimes cans have discounts printed on them
Local businesses - Nearby fast food restaurants, ice cream shops, etc. sometimes have discounted tickets
Make friends – Hersheypark often gives away free tickets to locals. Some might even be willing to share!
4. Kings Island
Link: Kings Island – Mason, Ohio
A single day ticket to Kings Island costs ~$45 on their website.
Take a Ride on the World’s Longest Inverted Roller Coaster at Kings Island
Ways to Save
Meijer – You can buy a 2-park ticket bundle to Kings Island and Cedar Point at certain locations in Columbus, Ohio. Remember to use a card that earns bonus points at supermarkets like the AMEX Premier Rewards Gold card.
Special Group Discounts
Military – Get into Kings Island for free on Military Days, Memorial Day weekend and 4th of July Weekend. And you can purchase tickets for up to 6 immediate family members for ~$30.
5. Legoland Theme Parks
Link: Legoland – Carlsbad, California
Link: Legoland – Winter Haven, Florida
Online tickets can cost $87 for adults and ~$80 for children (3 to 12) and senior (60+) tickets to Legoland theme park (not the smaller Discover Center) locations.
Everything Is Awesome at Legoland
Ways to Save
Save up to $15 – Purchase your ticket online at least 2 days in advance.
Get 20% off tickets - Use promotional code “159902” through December 31, 2015
Costco – Members can save up to ~$34 on single day tickets. Tickets should be delivered to your email address within an hour and are good through December 31, 2015.
Sams Club – Members who book by April 30, 2015, can save up to $21 on 1-day tickets through December 31, 2015.
Special Group Discounts
AAA – Save 10% on tickets for up to 6 guests
Airline Employees – 20% off tickets on up to 6 tickets per visit
Military – Save 23% and get the 2nd day free. The 2nd day free must occur with in 90 days or by December 31, 2015.
6. Six Flags
Link: Six Flags
Six Flags has many locations around the US including:
California
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom – San Francisco, California
Six Flags Magic Mountain – Los Angeles, California
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor -Los Angeles, California
Georgia
Six Flags Over Georgia – Atlanta, Georgia
Six Flags White Water – Atlanta, Georgia
Illinois
Six Flags Great America – Chicago, Illinois
Maryland
Six Flags America – Baltimore, Maryland
Massachusetts
Six Flags New England – Agawam, Massachusetts
Missouri
Six Flags – St. Louis, Missouri
New Jersey
Six Flags Great Adventure – Jackson, New Jersey
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor – Jackson, New Jersey
New York
The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom – Lake George, New York
Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark – Lake George, New York
Texas
Six Flags Fiesta Texas – San Antonio, Texas
Six Flags Over Texas – Arlington, Texas
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor – Arlington, Texas
Tickets into the park can cost ~$50 online depending on which location you visit.
Cool Off This Summer on the Water Slides at Six Flags
Ways to Save
Save 5% – Register your Discover It or Discover More card and you’ll earn 5% cash back on all purchases at Six Flags through December 31, 2015. Purchases using technology such as virtual wallets and mobile payments may NOT qualify.
This SHOULD also work with the Discover it Miles card
Discover35 – This Discover link says you’ll save 35% off the online ticket price from July 12, 2015, to July 31, 2015. There’s a limit of 10 tickets per order.
Save ~$25 off the gate price or ~$1 off the online ticket price – Use the Coca Cola link
Coca-Cola cans – In the past, these have had discounts for $15 to $20 off admission to Six Flags. So it doesn’t hurt to check local convenience stores and supermarkets!
Kroger – These supermarkets sometimes have discounted tickets to Six Flags parks. Use a card, such as AMEX Premier Rewards Gold card, that earns bonus points or cash back at US grocery stores.
Encourage your kids to read – The Six Flags “Read to Succeed” program is open to teachers and schools for free and gives free tickets to kids for 6 hours of reading. The deadline was March 25, 2015, but check back next year!
Special Group Discounts
Military – Save 20% on General Admission tickets with a military ID at Guest Services
AAA – Save $5 when presenting your card at the ticket booth and save 10% on merchandise when you spend $15 or more
7. Universal
Link: Universal Orlando Resort
Link: Universal Studios Hollywood
Tickets to Universal Orlando can cost a whopping ~$109 for adults and ~$103 for children (ages 3 to 9) at the gate!
And you’ll pay $95 for adults and $87 for children (ages 3 to 9) at the gate at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Dance With a Minon at the Despicable Me Minon Mayhem 3D Ride
And unfortunately, Universal parks don’t often give discounts on tickets to the general public.
Buy tickets online (Universal Orlando) – Save $7 on adult tickets and $20 on children’s tickets (ages 3 to 9)
Buy tickets online (Universal Hollywood) – Save $3 on adult tickets and $3 on children’s tickets (ages 3 to 9)
Check MouseSavers – They usually have all the latest deals on tickets to Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood
In the past, Sam’s Club offered discounts to members. Maybe they’ll run the promotion again!
You can save on tickets if you belong to certain groups:
Special Group Discounts
AAA South (Universal Hollywood) – $3 off admission at the gate, adult admission at kids pricing, and save 10% on City Walk dining and merchandise
American Express Cardholders (Universal Orlando) – Access to AMEX lounge (free snacks, drinks, and concierge) when you purchase a Multi-Park ticket or Annual pass with your AMEX card. Show receipt and card at lounge for entry, up to 6 people per card.
American Express Cardholders (Universal Hollywood) – Buy VIP Experience or Front of Line ticket with your AMEX card and get access to the AMEX Lounge for up to 6 people card.
California Colleges (Universal Hollywood) – Get discounted tickets
Florida Residents (Universal Orlando) – Save up to $64 on gate prices
Military – Check with your local base to see if discounted tickets are available
General Tips for Paying Less at Amusement Parks
Here are some other ways you may be able to save:
Ordering tickets online is usually cheaper than waiting until you get to the park
Check with your employer, school, and local churches for discounts
Sometimes local grocery stores offer discounted tickets
Coca-Cola or Pepsi cans and cereal boxes in stores near theme parks sometimes have discounts. Remember to use a card that earns bonus points a supermarkets like the AMEX Blue Cash Preferred.
Check local Subway restaurants. For example, you can get a coupon for $10 off tickets to WaterWorld in Denver, Colorado, in June 2015. If you make a purchase at Subway, remember to pay with a card that earns bonus points at restaurants like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Chase Freedom when dining is a 5X bonus category.
Check with your local AAA office
You can save on tickets by organizing a large group trip
Multi-park packages, annual passes, and dining packages could also save you some money
Remember to Use the Right Card!
The Citi Prestige and Citi ThankYou Premier cards earn 2X Citi ThankYou points on entertainment expenses including amusement parks.
Or use other cards such as:
Barclaycard Arrival Plus - ~2.2% back when you redeem for $25+ travel expenses
Citi Double Cash - 1% cash back on purchases and 1% back on payments
Discover it Miles – Effective 3% cash back on all purchases during the 1st year, because you get 1.5% back on purchases, then your bonus is doubled at the end of your 1st card year
Bottom Line
If you’re planning a trip to an amusement park summer, there are lots of easy ways to save on tickets.
There are discounts for using certain credit cards, coupons on soda cans, and ways to save at local supermarkets.
You can even get into some parks for free by doing good deeds like donating blood or adopting a pet! Groups like AAA and the US Military also offer discounted tickets to theme parks.
And check out my separate post for saving money at Disney World!
Add your tips for easy discounts at amusement parks this summer in the comments!
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