Theme park vacations are on just about every child’s wish list for things to do over the summer. Unfortunately, trips to America’s biggest parks can be costly, very costly. When the dollars and cents are crunched, many families simply cannot afford to go. There are things parents can do, however, to keep the pricing in line with their budgets as they make their children’s dreams come true.
To get the most mileage out of your wallet on a theme park vacation, take a few tips from those who live in such areas. Some of the best ideas for saving money include:
Pick a park you can drive to – Flying will instantly add hundreds and hundreds of dollars to the budget. If you can drive to a theme park in a day or two, this can save you a big chunk of change.
Stay outside of the resort area proper – Since you will have your own car, this move can be very wise. In some areas, hotels in the resort area are several hundred a night. Go ten miles down the road, however, and the prices for decent accommodations can drop drastically.
Seek out ticket discounts – Hotels, auto clubs and other groups offer major discounts to big theme parks. Look around for good offers and even consider multi-day passes. In some cases, it is actually cheaper to buy a year-round pass. Be picky on this front and do shop around.
Avoid eating in the parks – When possible, get back in the car and drive to a cheaper destination to eat meals. The price of grabbing burgers and fries for a family of four in a theme park can top two meals for everyone at a different venue. If you must eat in the parks, consider the meal plans some offer. These, too, can save you a sizeable amount of money.
Theme park trips are costly, but they do not have to be out of reach. When a few tricks are employed, your kids can have their adventure and your wallet can be protected in the process.
July 18, 2009
