How to Save Money Visiting Amusement Parks!

Year after year, many members of the general public and park enthusiasts alike comment about the increasing cost of traveling amusement and theme parks. While visiting any park can cost an arm and a leg, it can also be an extremely affordable source of entertainment. Over the years I have found ways to cut costs when visiting parks and to save money in just about every area.
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[@Kilbaneisking]

My best money saving tips include camping instead of a hotel. If you don't mind tent camping you can get a primitive site (no electricity, wifi ...etc) for significantly cheaper than a hotel room per night. Like 20-40 bucks a night. Most campgrounds (I'm partial to state parks myself) have modern bathrooms and shower houses for use of their guests and aren't located very far from major parks and attractions. Usually I travel with just one friend so a tent, a cooler and a couple duffle bags easily fit in my car. Tip 2, park food is expensive and often times you can find good food establishments literally outside the gates in white a few parks (looking at you Kings Dominion, Carowinds, Kennywood) so I suggest if you don't have a dining pass eat a big meal somewhere before you go to the park for the day. Maybe grab a smaller meal or snack in the park during the day and then hit another out of park establishment ( Wafflehouse, Denny's, mcds, Bk. etc) after you leave the park for the day. Or since you camping get a fire going and roast some hotdogs if you really wanna budget. Also if you have a cooler, fill it with drinks and possibly lunch meat. About halfway through the day take a break, go to your car and eat a couple sandwiches and have a drink or 2. (We sometimes have a beer to help it chill out as well, we're middle aged guys so the body can get sore some days). 100% agree with multiple days pet park and weekdays are a must if you can as they are always less busy than weekends.

[@haunter_1845]

I've saved a lot of money on Ski trips preparing lunch like that. You don't lose much time if you arrive early and get a good parking spot.

[@twistedtimbers]

this is potentially quite niche advice but at kings dominion, you’re mych better off driving an exit or two north or south. the burger king in doswell seems to operate on strange hours and when it is open, it’s insanely busy. ashland and ruther glen off of rt 1 have far more options

[@haunter_1845]

A small water bottle which you can refill for free is a good money saver. Drinks get expensive and staying hydrated at parks is a topic of it's own. If one person in my group has a bag, they are nominated as the loose article handler.

[@AtomiicCoasters]

Dining plan economics is probably the most interesting thing that tends to get overlooked a lot at parks. I spent almost the same amount money for a dining pass that lasted all of 2021 and 2022 (thanks to Wonderland's covid pass extension) than I did for 3 days of food at La Ronde. This year, I had 10 meals across Wonderland, Kings Island, and Cedar Point, which made the all season dining come out to $10 a meal, about half of what it would've been if I bought them all on their own. If you live or work in close proximity to a park as well, it can be a great way to save money outside of just when you're visiting. I met a guy a few years ago who worked across the street from Valleyfair, and he'd go there on his lunch break to use his dining plan and ride Renegade once. It ended up saving him hundreds of dollars not having to buy groceries and prepare lunches for work.

[@southeasternthrills]

A tip for SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa: During the fall both parks run a promotion where you can buy a 2024 Fun Card and get the rest of 2023 free. Also, in January, if you buy a Fun Card, you can get an Adventure Island or Aquatica Fun Card for free.

[@sethradspinner]

You forgot to mention that some parks are near hotels within walking distance. This would save a lot of money because it would eliminate the need to pay for parking. Because of this, I think we should beg cities with theme parks to improve their pedestrian infrastructure.

[@Kathhon]

I would loooove to see you do a video discussing whether you find travelling funfairs to be as safe as, or less safe than, stationary theme parks!! It's something my parents always said, that moving fairs were less stable. Would love to hear you talk about it as someone with more knowledge!+

[@sarah.weaver]

There are tons of videos out there on this. They ARE statistically much much less safe than stationary theme parks

[@beowolf9480]

Some of the best advice I can give that's specific to my home park Lagoon is honestly, bring a cooler, they allow outside food so bring a smaller lunch then have dinner over in their Biergarten, it's a bit more expensive, but it is a proper sit down restaurant and the prices mark that, plus the food is great over there

[@3clipse_watcher476]

While a decent amount of parks are spread out where I live, I’ll definitely be using this video when planning my next visit. Thanks a bunch, man!

[@CoasterCollege]

Thanks for watching!

[@Robbedem]

A lot of these are different for Europe. There aren't large chain amusement parks in Europe (imho a good thing, since this creates more competition and thus cheaper ticket prices!), so season passes are probably not worth it. Unless you plan to go 6 times to the same park in a year. Bringing food and drinks into the park is a big money saver. Lockers are free, so a backpack isn't an issue. Most parks don't need multiple days and staying in a hotel is expensive. Just leave from home and return in the evening. Some parks also have good public transport acces, which can be cheaper than driving, especially if the park ticket has a discount for public transport when bought together.

[@m.hoffman2889]

- overnight outside the resort, or camp in a van if you're really cheap - buy tickets online in advance, look for discount deals - only buy 1 meal (1 dish/snack and 1 drink), don't do fine dining, or look for cheap dining plans (also eat only outside lunchtime to avoid queue) - don't buy merch - avoid backpacks (no paying for lockers), I recommend pants or jacket that have secure (zipper) pockets for wallet & phone - go solo (or split up in small groups in the park), alone you're quicker and chances are higher to do every ride - avoid holidays, weekends, summer and halloween nights (this also avoids fast passes)

[@urbex_coasters]

On #3, wouldn't it be just that most parks are owned by Six Flags with a few from Herschend, Palace, and Seaworld? Then there are a few one offs like Hersheypark, Holiday World, Mt Olympus, ect.

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

This is really great. Thanks for providing these expert tips on how to save some money.

[@leogirl4149]

Nice thing about this: it also applies to other things as well. So if you are planning a vacation, you can always use this (especially if theme parks are involved)

[@CoasterCollege]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

I was surprised with what you said about Knoebels. I've gone on 3 different weekdays, and it was as slammed as any park I've ever been to. Phoenix was routinely over an hour. I just assumed that it must be one of the busiest parks in the country. I've refused to go back because I can get so much more done at Hershey, Kennywood, or Great Adventure.

[@MrMakoFL]

You hit this on the head. Now I pay 💰 $35/mo for a SeaWorld Platinum Pass. Includes, admission to all 11 parks, free parking, and perks you can’t get anywhere else.

[@johnfoltz8183]

Hersheypark has lockers in some places that are free to use up to 2 hours

[@haunter_1845]

They're surprisingly not on the map, but I've used the ones under SooperDooperLooper's load station a bunch of times. I forget where the rest are.

[@Havens.trashpit]

Oh wow I’m early! Great video as always

[@JulieCaptivatedinFl]

great tips!

[@princesskristan]

I remember a few years ago, my bestie and I used to go to Knotts alot, and pretty much all the rides we wanted to go on had little to no wait since we went during the week. And growing up, my dad worked for the city, so we were able to get discount tickets for Disneyland, Knotts, and any other place we wanted to visit

[@Colaholiker]

When it comes to dining, another great way to save money, especially when visiting pars that are not particularly known for their great food, is to try to speed through (works well for small parks) and then go somewhere else to eat. When it comes to your credit card points.. points that can turn into American Airlines tickets sound more like a threat than a benefit. 😂 In my experience, they are the worst out of the big three legacy carriers in the US by a great margin....

[@JulieCaptivatedinFl]

Brews, drinks are expensive. I roll up a couple of minis in my jacket. If it looks like rain, buy a Walmart plastic raincoat for 2 bucks. Parks sell them for 12+. Utilize water fountains to refill water bottles instead of buying multiples at 5 bucks a pop.

[@patricktho6546]

Yeah, just bring drinks and food. Also a rain jacket is imo enough for rainy days, but that might just be the German-thing of having a jacket for every occasion.

[@staringcorgi6475]

Some parks has purchasable refillable bottles

[@dindog22]

I feel like my Cedar Point gold pass is a great deal for cheap fun all summer. 99 bucks includes parking. I wonder how the merger is going to change pass pricing. hope you're having a great time at IAAPA

[@BrownEyePinch]

I guarantee it will

[@SurflinerBoy455]

If your at a cedar fair park and have a drink bottle instead take the paper cup plan to avoid locker uses but for locker policies the worst one is great adventure

[@hellacia8151]

Best money saving tip: don't go to Disney parks. In all seriousness it sucks how many tips don't apply to them - no discounted online tickets, no dining plans, absurd ticket prices, and the fact they're almost always insanely crowded you're forced into buying genie+ for the day

[@katmurray2180]

if you want Disney try Tokyo. Its more affordable and so much better than the us parks

[@andyroman8223]

I typically buy fastlane, as i prioritize marathoning the major coasters over anytging else.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

I agree about minimizing what you bring into the park. I like to also leave the phone in the car. I bring a plastic sleeve with my ID, credit card, season pass, and small car key, all zipped up inside the sleeve, then stored in a zipper pocket when I ride. I'll bring one of my small cameras too. Cell phones are larger than I would prefer, making it awkward to store them on me during the ride. Plus, leaving the cell phone behind is a great way to remove that temptation to get lost in a fake world, forcing me to stay engaged in the real world. I also book my hotels directly with the hotel chain, earning points, which can build up fast, and can then be used for free nights. I also rarely eat inside parks, unless I have an all-season dining plan. I don't go to parks for food. I'd rather be doing rides and shows, so without a dining plan, I'll eat fast food before or after, and go to the car for a midday lunch with food I brought with me.

[@BfaltS1K]

How would you take pictures then

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

@@BfaltS1K I bring in a small camera, takes up less space than a phone, better quality video, and not a distraction like a phone is.

[@QDude24]

Banning any loose articles and then charging for lockers gives me big scam energy, thats luckily not a thing over here in Europe

[@ethanweeter2732]

I think so they cannot get sued if a backpack hits somebody on a ride or other loose itemz

[@QDude24]

@@ethanweeter2732 we have rules like those in place over here as well, but you're not getting scammed by paid lockers

[@BrownEyePinch]

Just stay home and watch KZbin

[@patricktho6546]

8:25 and that's why I like the german approach, of having free shelfes on the station of rollercoasters for the backpacks and stuff or on small coasters with only 1 train you can just lay the backpack on the exit side of the station when boarding. I don't understand, why this is so uncommon in the US and stuff, since the additional boarding time is not a lot, especially when not all trains are in use and you have to wait for blocksections to clear anyways.

[@MrHack4never]

Last time I was in Djurs Sommerland (Denmark), i did the exact same thing but on a log flume (long cun expedition), a suspended coaster (dragekongen) and a launched coaster (piraten) Some places don't have shelves, but if there's already a backpack there it should be fine, just keep it distanced from the ride area And yes, those are all multiple vehicle rides, so you just have to trust that someone else don't take your backpack, accident or not

[@patricktho6546]

@@MrHack4never yeah, probably a european thingy

[@CoasterCollege]

I wish this worked in America but it simply doesn't. If you came over here and really watched a ride with any kind of bin system you would see why.

[@Posirep]

Some do. It depends on the park. Its not even the same within the same chain. Six Flags and Cedar Fair are examples. At some Six Flags Park(New England and Great Adventure) you need lockers but at like Six Flags Great America they have bins(which is funny cuz youd figure the park in Chicago would be more of a securit risk than New England which is in the middle of a rural neighborhood). At Dorney Park or Worlds of Fun they have station bins but that doesnt fly at Cedar Point or King's Island.

[@nrdythugg4102]

If I get the Cedar Fair Season Pass with Dining Plan, do I always have to line up for the food, or can I send a friend to get the food with my season pass?

[@oriolephan]

We get a hand stamp at Hershey and eat lunch that we packed in a cooler.

[@ravenviola7132]

When my mom and I would go to kings island or cedar point our dining plan insisted of bringing packing our own lunch and eating out in the car we would get our hands stamped so we could get back in the park she would pack herself a sandwich and I’d get myself a lunchable one time we ate at a restaurant at kings island i can’t remember the name of it but i know it was by the diamondback and it was an all u can eat buffet and the food was nasty 🤮 it was cold and after that my mom didn’t feel good for the rest of the night and not only that it cost 30 dollars just for the 2 of us that was the last time we ever ate at a restaurant again at an amusement park so if ur really trying to save money then my advice is pack your own lunch

[@kaylawhipple7570]

Is the dining plan a good investment when you're alone?

[@CoasterCollege]

It can be, do the math on how much you will reasonably use it and what that equates to in cost per meal.

[@kaylawhipple7570]

@@CoasterCollege ok thanks

[@BfaltS1K]

Fast pass is worth it just for roller coasters I can’t stand waiting for hours for a 3 minute ride get the fast pass ride it 5 times in the same time you would ride it once without the pass

[@UwePieper]

It‘s not a good money saving tip and the whole point of this video is saving money…

[@BfaltS1K]

@@UwePieper let’s be honest do you really go to the park and think about how to save money if that were the case you wouldn’t go

[@UwePieper]

@@BfaltS1K Depends if you're able to visit at the right time there are no lines. If you plan your visit correctly you can beat the crowds and do stuff without bad lines at the right time. That's part of the video, as well.

[@BasEerdenKeuning]

You pay 20 dollars for parking? It's like 10 euros here in Europe

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

That's about as cheap as it gets here. Most parks are at least $30, some over $40. Very few are as low as $20. Most season passes include free parking, so they use the high parking cost to push season pass sales.

[@BasEerdenKeuning]

@OklahomaCoasterFan yeez. An ill complain when I need to pay 12,5 euro for walibi holland... most season passes include parking here aswell but the season passes are cheap. ~70 euros when on sale. Walibi has seperate parking pas for 40 euros

[@Wondermass]

Is Disney not one of the major parks company?

[@CoasterCollege]

Some of these tips apply to them.

[@CoasterCollege]

@@patrickholland4708 those parks have off seasons, the week before Thanksgiving is dead, the month of January is also very slow.

[@PhoenixRoseYT]

@@CoasterCollege January can be hit or miss specifically at WDW in Orlando. It’s when all the Brazilians go there (since their summer is in our winter) so there can still be decent wait times.

[@BfaltS1K]

Best way to say money is visit them but don’t go inside

[@BikeThrottleOfficial]

You know they had to stipulate a 90 minute minimum or certain clientele would graze all day long 😂

[@reddcube]

Easy way to save money...keeping your phone safely stored during rides. A lost/broken smartphone is expensive to replace/repair. Don't be an idiot, Store your phone.

[@VelocicoasterFanboy]

💵

[@TheOfficialCoasterChannel]

34th!

[@sethradspinner]

You forgot to mention using public transportation if possible because it would reduce weather related ride closures. I learned that climate change causes lightning.