We are an independent publisher. Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. To support our work, we are paid for providing advertising services. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Next” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. The compensation we receive and other factors, such as your location, may impact what ads and links appear on our site, and how, where, and in what order ads and links appear. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, our site does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We strive to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, but some information may not be current. So, your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms on this site. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (“advertiser listing”); and general information about credit card products (“editorial content”). Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Apply Now” button or “Learn More” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. When you click on that hyperlink or button, you may be directed to the credit card issuer’s website where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. Each advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its ad offer details, but we attempt to verify those offer details. We have partnerships with advertisers such as Brex, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo and Discover. We also include editorial content to educate consumers about financial products and services. Some of that content may also contain ads, including links to advertisers’ sites, and we may be paid on those ads or links.

For more information, please see How we make money.

Easy Discounts at Amusement Parks for Summer 2016

  • Million Mile Secrets

    • Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

    Update:   One or more card offers in this post are no longer available.  Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.

    I showed you my tricks for getting to Disney World without breaking the bank.  But it’s also easy to save money at lots of other popular theme parks around the US!

    Scream in Terror at the Rollercoasters, Not Your Credit Card Balance

    A key to saving money is to prepare ahead of time.  And that’s especially true for saving money at amusement parks!  I’ll tell you what you need to know before heading out the door.

    You can usually get big savings when you purchase tickets online instead of at the gate, organize a large group, and check 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, Universal, Cedar Point, and more!

    1.   Busch Gardens

    Link:   Busch Gardens – Williamsburg, Virginia

    Link:   Busch Gardens – Tampa Bay

    Tickets for 1 general admission ticket 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!
    Gone Are the Days When I NEVER Had To Pay for Admission to an Amusement Park

    Ways to Save

    2.   Cedar Point

    Link:   Cedar Point – Sandusky, Ohio

    Tickets to Cedar Point currently cost ~$48 online per person for a day.  Buying your tickets online is usually cheaper than the price you’ll pay at the gate.  Here are other ways you can get your tickets for less!
    Earn Points or Cash Back by Using the Right Card When Buying Tickets to Cedar Point

    Ways to Save

    3.   Hersheypark

    Link:   Hersheypark – Hershey, Pennsylvania

    Regular admission tickets to Hersheypark cost up to ~$65 online for summer admission.  Buying online is almost always cheaper and faster than buying tickets at the park!

    Hersheypark Has More Than 70 Rides and Attractions

    Ways to Save

    4.   Kings Island

    Link:   Kings Island – Mason, Ohio

    Until August 21, 2016, a single day ticket to Kings Island costs ~$39 online.

    King’s Island Owns Some Record-Breaking Roller Coasters, Like the World’s Longest Wooden Roller Coaster, and Longest Inverted Roller Coaster

    Ways to Save

    5.   Legoland Theme Parks

    Link:   Legoland – Carlsbad, California

    Link:   Legoland – Winter Haven, Florida

    Booking early online, tickets cost ~$71 to Legoland Florida, and ~$93 for Legoland Californa.

    LEGOLAND Is NOT Just for Kids!

    Ways to Save

    6.   Six Flags

    Link:   Six Flags

    Six Flags has LOTS of locations in the US, including:

    California Georgia Illinois Maryland Massachusetts Missouri New Jersey New York Texas

    Tickets into the park can cost ~$50 online depending on which location you visit.

    There Are Plenty of Ways to Keep Cool This Summer at Six Flags

    Ways to Save

    Special Group Discounts

    7.   Universal

    Link:   Universal Orlando Resort

    Link:   Universal Studios Hollywood

    A 1-day pass to Universal Orlando can cost ~$119 for adults and ~$114 for children (ages 3 to 9) at the gate.   

    And you’ll pay $115 for adults and $109 for children (ages 3 to 9) at the gate at Universal Studios Hollywood!

    Tickets to Universal Studios Aren’t Cheap!

    And unfortunately, Universal parks don’t often give discounts on tickets to the general public.

    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

    General Tips for Paying Less at Amusement Parks

    Here are other ways you may be able to save:

    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:

    The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by Million Mile Secrets. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

    Bottom Line

    If you’re planning a trip to an amusement park summer, there are plenty of ways to save on tickets.  There are discounts for using certain credit cards, purchasing at local supermarkets, or your profession (US military, California schoolteacher) might get you a deal!

    Even an act of kindness can get you into some parks for cheap (or free!), like donating blood or adopting a pet!  And of course, groups like AAA offer discounted tickets to theme parks.

    And make sure to read my separate post for saving money at Disney World!

    Do you have more tips for scoring discounts at amusement parks this summer?

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)