Theme parks are one of the best places to visit with family and friends. It’s like visiting a new world where you get to see different characters like pirates, fairies, princesses, famous movie characters, and so much more, plus you get photo and video opportunities with them. For those with kids at heart, it’s the best place to unwind and relax and take off all the stress that built up over the week.
Visiting a theme park isn’t that cheap though, and it depends on where you’re visiting. For example, in Abu Dhabi, theme park tickets could be as cheap as 300 AED or as expensive as 1000 AED. In Singapore, budget-friendly theme parks range from S$10 to S$38 up. The top USA theme parks on the other hand have tickets ranging from $40 to $200, with a variety of inclusions. Saving up on ticket expenses is ideal since it won’t be your only expense when visiting a theme park – there’s also food, memorabilia, etc.
Below are 11 different ways how to save on your ticket purchase:
1- Ask about group rates or family passes
If you’re visiting with your family, consider family passes. This will sometimes depend on how many you are, but in most theme parks, they don’t count the members. If you’re in one group, you immediately get a group discount. This saves you a lot compared to buying individual tickets for each member.
2- Avoid peak season
Visiting a theme park during peak seasons is expectedly more expensive because it’s the busiest day, and it’s when kids are out of school, so the numbers of visitors are reasonably higher, thus higher price tickets. So consider planning your vacation during off-peak seasons. Tickets are less expensive and parks are not so crowded.
3- Buy in advance online
Buying your tickets in advance will save you money because they’re more expensive when you buy them at the entrance. Also, the prices may differ depending on the month. For example, rates in December are much higher compared to other months, so you’ll save a lot when you buy in advance.
4- Check for bundles
Not all theme parks have these, but be diligent about it, because you’ll be saving lots of money when you find this kind of gem. This may mean ticket bundles, but the better offers are those that include free parking as well as free food, and more.
5- Choose the buy one get one-day free promo
Again, you won’t get this offer anywhere, but if you find it, take advantage of it. There are buy one get one-day free promos out there, so scour the internet or ask about it from authorized agents, if they’re available. Getting free-day access for the second day is not something to pass on.
6- Choose dates with the cheapest rates
Ticket prices fluctuate, so take note of the day you want to visit. Check the calendar of the theme park and choose the dates when the rates are the cheapest. Most likely, it would be on a weekday, since Fridays to Sundays, as well as holidays, usually have higher rates.
7- Compare prices
If you’re visiting a certain city or country, you’ll most likely discover there isn’t just one theme park to visit. So before choosing one over the other, compare prices first. You can easily do this by checking out their websites or talking to their authorized agents. Find out the rates, and whatever else costs you’ll likely incur.
8- Consider your kid’s age
Are you bringing along kids? Consider their age. It’s best to visit theme parks before they turn three because they get free passes. Take advantage of this offer because it allows your kid to experience theme parks early and get the hang of it, and the next time they visit, they won’t be as scared as they were. Some parks would require proof of age, so be prepared for that as well.
9- Go for multi-day passes
Multi-day passes are very cost-effective if you’re planning to stay for a couple of days. On some occasions, you get the second pass for a cheaper price, or you get something extra. These often come with conditions, so make sure you’re aware of them before you purchase. You might be visiting during peak seasons and in some parks, multi-passes may not be valid, so be informed about your purchases.
10- Keep an eye out for special event tickets
Special event tickets are often offered on the theme park’s anniversaries or if have any special occasions. During these times, tickets are cheaper or there are special discounts. Watch out for these as you can save a significant amount from them.
11- Look for special offers and discounts
There are several amusement park offers and discounts to take advantage of. Firstly, there are discounts for Visa card holders. If you use your Visa card to buy a ticket, you’ll get a discount. Secondly, there are student discounts. Students simply need to present their IDs to get a discount. Thirdly, there are discounts for military personnel, whether active or retired. All these are subject to terms and conditions, so be informed as much as possible.