Money-Saving Secrets Theme Parks Don't Want You to Know -

Theme parks can get expensive – quick. If you’re planning a visit soon, check out these money-saving tricks before you go!

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Living in Florida, I have visited my fair share of theme parks.

From lodging to souvenirs, here’s some tips and tricks to save you money on your next theme park visit.

Lodging

Theme parks often offer added benefits to visitors who stay at their properties.

While early park admission or a convenient shuttle transport can be enticing, these “perks” are rarely a bargain.

Staying off property not only can save you tons of money on the hotel itself but most hotels near theme parks offer free shuttles that will save you money on parking as well.

Just be sure to verify the transportation options offered prior to booking a room. You may sign up for hotel rewards programs such as the Wyndham Rewards or the Choice Hotels programs to save even more money on lodging.

Staying on property is one of the most expensive things you can do.

However, if you do, try to go for a suite, or a large room, and split the cost with friends or another family unit.

Theme Park Tickets

When it comes to theme park tickets, parks will often advertise off-the-gate discounts for online purchases.

However, buying directly from the park’s website may not always be the best option.

If your company offers an employee discount program such as TicketsAtWork or something similar, be sure to check if the program offers any discounts to the parks you’d like to visit.

Discounted tickets may also be obtained through Viator, although they are not available year-round.

If not available, Viator is still a great option for other vacation venues outside of the parks.

You may also save by purchasing “bundled” tickets (just make sure you are actually getting a deal by adding up how much each separate item would be).

Whichever avenue you use to buy park tickets, note that buying in advance is the way to go. Some parks may offer a discount for buying tickets several days before your planned visit.

Lastly, many parks may try to entice you to upgrade your ticket to an annual or seasonal pass. Reps will tell you the passes basically pay for themselves the next time (or couple of times) you visit.

While that may be true, remember that this will only save you money if you were already going to go again anyway.

If you have to go out of your way to organize an unplanned (and “un-budgeted”) vacation just to use the park pass again, then there’s no savings in that at all.

Speaking of budgets, download my free Quick Start Guide to making a budget that delivers real financial results.

Dining

Dining with a family of any size at a theme park can cost you an arm and a leg. However, most theme parks allow you to bring your own food.

You can try easy to make recipes like sandwiches or cold salads; just be sure to check the theme park restrictions prior to packing up that lunch.

If the theme park has a zoo component, such as Animal Kingdom or Busch Gardens, they will probably limit any plastic objects to keep the animals safe.

If that’s the case for the park you’re visiting, remove any plastic cutlery or straws (remember to check those Capri Sun pouches!).

Additionally, since parks know you’ll need to stay hydrated (especially in those summer months), water bottles or drinks will cost you about five dollars each if you buy them inside the park.

Although most parks restrict outside drinks, they don’t restrict empty water bottles. Pack an empty water bottle for each person in your party.

Then, fill them up for free throughout the day in the many water fountains you’ll find at the park.

Thinking of getting a dining or meal plan? Make sure it’s a good deal for you and your family. If you tend to skip desserts or don’t normally drink soda, such a plan will probably not save you any money.

Be sure to read the fine print and understand what is included in the plan before you buy.

Parking

Parking at the theme park can run you up to $25 just for regular parking.

Even more if you want preferred parking!

You can save by staying at an off-site property within a reasonable walking distance of the park.

You can also try staying at a property that offers a free shuttle service.

If those are not an option, take an Uber.

Last time I visited Orlando I stayed about 10 minutes away from Universal Studios.

The total cost for an Uber was $11 round-trip versus the $25 that I would’ve spent parking at Universal directly.

Not only that, but I got dropped off at the Guest drop off area!

That’s sooo much closer than parking at Jaws 653, and I saved myself the hassle of trying to find the car after walking all day.

Souvenirs

No visit to a theme park is complete until you purchase one of the shiny souvenirs.. with the theme park logo on it.. for each child, right?

To save some money on mementos that are probably going to break within the next month or never get used again outside of the park (wizard wands, anyone?), try visiting a local gift shop before going to the parks.

There’s plenty of good gift shops, often almost right outside of the theme parks. They will sell pretty much the same thing for half the price minus the theme park logo.

Better yet, visit the local pharmacy or Walmart to get anything you could get at a theme park, at a fraction of the cost.

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Payment Method

Nowadays most theme parks, “in the spirit of technology”, will allow you to link up your credit card or other payment method to a wristband or some other kind of portable device.

However, did you know that by doing this you end up spending more than you would have if you had paid with cash? (If you didn’t know this, the theme parks certainly did).

According to Psychology Today, the fact that it’s so simple to make a purchase when a wearable device with just the wave of your hand, makes you not even think about it twice. That is, until the credit card bill shows up the following month.

Naturally, this encourages you to spend more than if you were paying with hard-earned, tangible, cash.

Next time you visit a theme park, skip the wristband and pay with cash.

This will force you to be conscious of how much you’re spending. If not by counting the money, you will at least notice your wallet getting lighter!

One of my favorite things about living in Florida is the theme parks. By applying these simple tips, I’ve been able to go quite regularly to my favorite parks without having to go broke in the process.

Before your next theme park visit, create a plan. Then, stick to the plan, and most importantly, have an awesome time!

Which is your favorite theme park to visit and why? Let us know by leaving a comment below!