Avoid Overpaying for Admission at Amusement Parks This Summer With These Deals!

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The official start of summer is just a couple of weeks away!  And some of y’all might be planning ahead for day trips or weekend getaways to amusement parks.

If you’re traveling as a family, admission costs can add up quickly!  But luckily there are lots of ways to save money on entrance fees at destinations like Legoland and Six Flags!

Theme Park Deals
Everything Is Awesome When You Save Money on Admission to Amusement Parks, Like Legoland!

I’ll share theme park deals to help you save on your summer adventures!

Save Money With These Theme Park Deals

The best way to get the best theme park deals is to plan ahead.  Often times, you can save by purchasing tickets online instead of at the gate.  Or if you purchase multi-day or annual passes.

Here’s a look at easy ways to get discounted tickets at theme parks throughout the US.

1.   Busch Gardens

Link:   Busch Gardens – Williamsburg, Virginia

Link:   Busch Gardens – Tampa Bay

Tickets for one general admission ticket at Busch Gardens parks can cost between $55 and $90 per adult and when you purchase them online.  But you can save with these with these deals:
Theme Park Deals
Save $20 Off 1-Day Tickets to Busch Gardens Williamsburg!

2.   Cedar Point

Link:   Cedar Point – Sandusky, Ohio

Tickets to Cedar Point currently cost ~$49 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!

3.   Hersheypark

Link:   Hersheypark – Hershey, Pennsylvania

Regular admission tickets to Hersheypark cost up to ~$65 online for summer admission.  As a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup fan, team member Keith has fond memories of visiting the park as a kid!

Purchasing your ticket online is usually cheaper and faster than buying tickets at the park!  Here are are some other ways to save:

  • $8 Off Your Order – Use promo code 20170 to get $8 off your online order, or $7 off if you’re buying tickets at the gate.
  • Local businesses – Nearby fast food restaurants, ice cream shops, etc. often sell discounted tickets
  • Giant Food Stores – Save $3 on 1-day admission when you purchase tickets at participating stores (discounts may vary)
  • Preview Plan – Show your ticket at the main entrance 2.5 hours before closing and add over 2 hours to your stay!
  • Military – Show this ticket at the ticketing services building with your military ID to receive $20 off regular admission or $4 off junior and senior admission.  One discount coupon may be used to purchase up to 8 tickets.
  • Sunset Tickets – Save over 50% when you visit later in the day!  Arrive after 4:00 pm when the park closes at 8:00 pm, or 5:00 pm when the park closes at 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm.
Theme Park Deals
Chocolate Lovers Can Indulge at Hersheypark and Go on Fun Rides, Like the Chocolate World Factory Tour!

4.   Kings Island

Link:   Kings Island – Mason, Ohio

Until August 25, 2017, a single day ticket to Kings Island costs ~$45 online.

5.   Legoland Theme Parks

Link:   Legoland – Carlsbad, California

Link:   Legoland – Winter Haven, Florida

Booking early online, 1-day tickets cost ~$93 to Legoland Florida, and ~$96 for Legoland Californa.

  • Costco – Members can purchase 3-day tickets for ~$99 to Legoland California.  Tickets should be sent to your email address within an hour, and are good through December 31, 2017.
  • Free Admission for California Classroom Teachers – Saturdays and Sundays from September 1, 2017, to November 19, 2017, and December 16, 2017, to December 17, 2017.  California teachers K-12 will get in free, while bringing family and friends for $48 each.
  • Military – Active members of the military get free entry at Legoland Florida and can purchase discounted 1-day tickets to Legoland California for ~$63.
  • Visa Signature cardholders – 20% off 1-day tickets to Legoland Florida.  If your card qualifies, you’ll see the word “Signature” under the Visa logo.

6.   Six Flags

Link:   Six Flags

Six Flags has many locations in the US, including:

California Georgia Illinois Maryland Massachusetts Missouri New Jersey New York Texas
Theme Park Deals
Folks Love the Thrilling Upside-Down Roller Coasters at Six Flags!

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

7.   Universal

Link:   Universal Orlando Resort

Link:   Universal Studios Hollywood

A 1-day pass to Universal Orlando can cost $124 for adults and $119 for children (ages 3 to 9) at the gate.   

And you’ll pay $120 for adults and $114 for children (ages 3 to 9) at the gate at Universal Studios Hollywood!

Here are ways to save:

Team member Jasmin has found Undercover Tourist has great deals on multi-day tickets.  And folks with AMEX cards might be able to save more when there’s an active AMEX Offer, like there has been in the past.

Theme Park Deals
Universal Studios Orlando Is Cheaper Than Disney World and They Have Lots of Fun Water Rides!

Pay With a Card That Earns You a Bonus!

Don’t forget to purchase your theme park tickets with a card that earns you bonus miles & points or cash back.

You can earn 2X Citi ThankYou points on entertainment expenses (includes amusement parks) with the Citi Prestige® Card and Citi ThankYou® Premier Card cards.

Or earn bonus rewards with these cards:

  • Citi® Double Cash Card – 1% cash back on purchases and 1% back on payments
  • Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card – 2X miles on all purchases
  • Chase Freedom Unlimited  1.5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on all purchases
The information for the Capital One Venture, and Chase Freedom Unlimited 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

You can find theme park deals by planning ahead and taking advantage of discounts for ticket purchases.

Get savings by using certain credit cards, purchasing tickets at local stores, or through travel groups like AAA.

And if your summer plan includes a trip to Disney World, don’t forget to check out my post with all the ways to save money at Disney World!

Do you have any secret ways to get discounts at theme 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! :)

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