Resources for the Budget-Conscious Thrill Seeker

From fast thrills and water rides to carousels and child's play, theme parks offer something for everyone. They provide a perfect option for busy families, allowing them to stay for a day of fun in the sun or a weekend of bliss without the struggles of taking extended time off work. In fact, according to a recent Hitwise study, U.S. Internet users search for theme parks close to home. The top attractions searched for were Disneyland, Six Flags, Cedar Point, Disney World, Hershey Park, Universal Studios, Dollywood and Kings Island."

Unfortunately, the increasing costs of theme park admissions can provide a serious loophole. A single-day regular theme park ticket averages about $51.93, not including the cost of parking, souvenirs and meals. When you are talking about a family of four, this can get very costly.

Luckily, there are plenty of resources that will help you save some cash on the next visit of your choice theme park.

Check out Amusement Park Web sites

-Many theme parks will offer specials for ordering online. For example, Six Flags Theme Park's Web site (www.sixflags.com) currently offers season passes, savings on regular-priced tickets for families of four and a Big Six Pass, which offers six adult tickets for a little more than one regular-priced day pass.