Theme park savings

Don’t get taken for a ride this summer

The best way to save money at theme parks this summer is simple: don’t go.

Peak season means peak pricing. That means admission discounts can be hard to find and nearby hotels jack up rates. Add in the always-inflated prices of food, souvenirs and parking, and you’re buying a pretty expensive day out. At the mega-parks operated by Disney and Universal, a family of four can easily spend $1,000 per day.

If you’re determined to go, here’s how to manage costs.

1 Beware of fairy tale

prices Look out for scam artists offering discounted tickets and “unused” passes for sale to those desperate for a bargain. Often what they’re selling is fake. Even if the passes are legit, they may be unusable since some parks now use biometrics — specifically, finger scans — to link passes to the original buyers.

Robert Niles, editor of ThemeParkInsider.com, advises against buying from strangers, whether it’s on the street in front of the park or through eBay, Craigslist, social media or any other sites that connect private parties.

Better places to find a discount include: AAA, warehouse clubs, the park’s social media sites or by buying vacation packages that include hotel rooms, tickets and sometimes flights. Or buy tickets through the park’s website to save a few bucks and avoid yet another line.

2 Know when to splurge Disney has the free FastPass system, but other parks charge — sometimes quite a lot — for line-cutting privileges. At Universal Studios in Orlando, the Universal Express Unlimited pass can cost up to $160 per person on peak days. Plus, parks typically limit the number of skip-the-line passes and can run out quickly when crowds swell.

Consider other tactics: avoid the busiest days; be there when the gates open; visit the most popular attractions first; use apps that estimate wait times; or stay late as crowds often start to thin an hour before closing.

3 Snack attack A common frugal hack is to keep a cooler in your car or hotel room and retreat there for a picnic lunch. If that doesn’t appeal to you, research the park’s outside-food policies in advance.

Make sure to start with a hearty, high-protein breakfast before you enter the park to stave off the munchies. Lunch is typically cheaper than dinner at sit-down restaurants, so have your big meal earlier and plan on a snack later.