Best Budget Theme Parks
- Filed Under:
- Family
By Terry Ward
As much of the American rite of passage that it is, hauling the whole gang to one of the country’s best-known theme parks (think Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens and the like) can be a bank-breaking experience.
By the time you factor in parking fees, admission tickets, in-park meals and the obligatory souvenirs and park photos, the old college fund might very well be at risk.
The good news is that the U.S.A. is one country with no shortage of entertainment options. And, happily, all price ranges apply.
As long as you’re willing to think outside of the amusement park box, saving money on screams and giggles is a cinch.
Instead of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, try GATORLAND
Leave the hippos and lions to the Disney savanna, and set your sights on local Florida wildlife instead. A private, family-run business since 1949, Gatorland is home to hundreds of alligators and crocodiles, reptiles and birds. Catch the Gator Jumparoo show, with trainers enticing massive alligators to leap several feet out of the water to snag food from their hands. And for a real Sunshine State treat, there’s Gator Wrestlin’, with Florida Cracker-style wranglers mounting the reptiles’ backs to point out their finer features to the audience.
Price Comparison:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
Adults $67 per person, $56 for kids ages 3-9Gatorland:
Adults $19.95 per person and kids $12.95 per person
Instead of SeaWorld, try MARINELAND
So there’s no Shamu, but dolphin lovers won’t be disappointed at this North Florida marine park near the historic city of St. Augustine. Marineland opened in 1938 as the world’s first ‘oceanarium.’ You won’t find any big Hollywood-esque whale riding productions on tap, but if you’re interested in observing bottlenose dolphins interacting with humans in a laid-back setting, this is the spot. At the Dolphin Conservation Center, guests can take part in interactive dolphin experiences that put them face to face with the mammals in the water. If you’d rather stay dry, you can observe the action from a distance for just a few bucks.
Price Comparison:
SeaWorld:
$64.95 per person, $53.95 for kids ages 3-9 ($279 per person for dolphin swim experience at sister park Discovery Cove)Marineland:
$5 per person; $2.50 for kids 12 and under ($165 per person for dolphin swim experience)
Instead of Wet ‘n Wild, try WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS
Hey, if it was good enough for Elvis Presley, shouldn’t it be good enough for you and your crew? The King himself caught one of the legendary mermaid shows at this iconic Florida park. Watch the finned beauties perform in the natural spring area through underwater glass walls, then take the plunge yourself in Florida’s only spring-fed water park. The waterslides at Buccaneer Bay don’t have quite the fear factor of what you’d find at Wet ‘n Wild, but that doesn’t make the fun any less cool (the water temperature is a constant 72 degrees, to be precise). You can tube down a lazy river, too.
Price Comparison:
Wet ‘n Wild:
$36.95 per person; $30.95 for kids ages 3-9Weeki Wachee Springs:
$22.95 person; $15.95 for kids ages 3-10
Instead of Busch Gardens, try CYPRESS GARDENS ADVENTURE PARK
A Florida classic, Cypress Gardens was famous in its early years (it’s been around since 1936) for the waterskiing shows. Under new ownership since 2004, the park experience has been amped up with a handful of good roller coasters, an updated water ski show and an animal park home to hundreds of critters, including a jaguar, Nile crocodiles and an alligator that starred in the old Tarzan movies.
Price Comparison:
Busch Gardens:
$61.95 per person; $51.95 for kids ages 3-9Cypress Gardens:
$44.95 per person, $39.95 for kids ages 3-9
Instead of Islands of Adventure, try KINGS DOMINION
Looking to get in some serious roller coaster scares without giving your budget a fright, too? Located 75 miles south of Washington, DC, this park boasts big time fun for adults and kids alike. Among the best thrill rides here are the Hypersonic XLC –the only compressed air coaster in America, with zero gravity airtime and free fall thrills – and the Drop Zone, which hurls you 72 mph straight down in North America’s largest drop ride.
Price Comparison:
Universal’s Islands of Adventure:
$67 per person; $56 for kids ages 3-9Kings Dominion:
$39.95 per person; $24.95 for kids ages 3-9
Instead of Disney’s Magic Kingdom, try DUTCH WONDERLAND
Situated in Pennsylvania Dutch Country –within easy striking distance of Philadelphia, New York and Washington, DC – this fantasy park for kids features more than 30 rides for pint-sized patrons. And what Dutch Wonderland lacks in famous rodent characters, it more than makes up for in fun. There are kid-sized coasters, a waterpark, mini golf, giant slides, bumper cars, a high dive show, wandering princesses and more. Just don’t mention the “M” word and they’re sure not to miss the famous mouse.