Amusement parks can provide a great outing for friends and family, but it’s easy to forget that they can also be a painfully expensive experience, especially for the budget-conscious. However, a little planning and preparation can help bring down the costs of park visits and make for an enjoyable time without breaking the bank.

Look before leaving home

Before anything, check out the park’s website to find out the dates and hours the park will be open, which dates are blacked out (depending on the type of pass you’re using), and what promotions are offered (deals on annual passes, groups discounts, internet-only offers, etc.). You should also be able to find out parking prices and which areas of the park might not be currently open. This should give you an idea of what your costs will be and if it’s worth it to you and your group to make the trip.

Consider an annual pass

If you think you might attend a particular park more than once during the year, it might be a wise investment to get the annual/multi-visit pass. In some parks, annual passes are currently the same price as a daily pass. In this case, get the annual pass anyway, since the park often includes coupon books or other extras for the annual membership.

Clip coupons

Amusement park coupons appear everywhere from Sunday newspaper ads to soda cans. Save them as soon as you see them, even if you don’t plan to visit that specific park just yet. It’s better to have the coupons on hand just in case you need them later.

Pack a lunch

Pack a cooler and avoid the overinflated food prices inside the park. Most places won’t allow you to bring in outside food and drinks, but they’ll allow you re-entry (make sure you get your hand stamped if needed) so take advantage of this and have a frugal picnic in the car at a fraction of the price of what’s being charged inside.

Arrive early

Try to arrive before the park officially opens. This way, you’ll get a spot closer to the entrance, and you’ll start the day off as early as possible to avoid the long lines that can develop quickly for some rides (as long as you hit those first). While this won’t necessarily save you money, it will help you get more value for the ticket price.

Shop at the end

Avoid impulse shopping. Give yourself some time to think about whether you’ll really get value from what you think you need to buy right then and there. At the end of the day, almost everything you wanted will still be available (souvenirs, sweets, and even photos taken on various rides). Once you’re ready to head out, choose the items you truly want (and are willing to carry back to the car) and make sure they’re not items you can buy anywhere else easily–and at a lower price.

Car concerns

When traveling in a group, try to take as few vehicles as possible. This will reduce not only fuel costs but parking fees as well. I’d recommend parking in the cheapest lot possible, since it’s often not much farther away than “premium” parking lots, and there’s usually some type of shuttle to bring you to the park anyway. And if you’re considering an annual pass, you might want to consider an annual parking pass as well if they provide a decent discount or benefit.

Be your own shutterbug

Steer clear of the overpriced photos taken by park staff and bring your own camera. It’s much cheaper to hand your camera to a fellow park patron (or even an employee) to snap a pic of you and your friends, and most places will let you pose with the characters even if you take the photos yourself. Just don’t forget the extra batteries and a large memory card.

Above all, keep in mind that while you can eliminate several of the costs of attending amusement parks, it’s not a crime if you shell out a few bucks here and there for an overpriced treat or memento of your visit. The most important part of your day is that you have fun.

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This article was written by Dave Prine

Dave Prine studied in Germany and fell in love with the people and languages of Europe. He's currently planning a round-the-world trip but keeps getting stuck on which direction to go. In the meantime, you can check out his travel blog and his language blog if you have any recommendations.