Save On Admissions To Amusement Parks

Only a few more weeks until Memorial Day, and what better way to celebrate the weekend than by riding the roller coasters at an amusement park until you're sick? Just make sure the high cost of admissions doesn't make you ill before you set foot on a ride.

With a little planning, you can save money on hefty ticket fees to places like Six Flags, Cedar Point and Universal Studios. Here's how:

Buy tickets online:
Forget about buying them at the gate. You'll face higher prices and miss the discounts that many amusement park Web sites offer.

Scour the Web for deals:
In addition to the official theme park Web sites, try unofficial sites that offer promotions and discounts: ThemeParkInsider.com, AmusementPark.com, TheMouseForLess.com and MouseSavers.com.

Check your memberships:
If you belong to AAA, AARP, a warehouse club or even an alumni association, you're probably eligible for discounts. Members of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, for example, can get a "Good Any Day" ticket to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, for $31.50 (regularly $39.95).

Find local deals:
If you live near a theme park, you might be eligible for certain savings. Disneyland, for example, offers cheaper tickets to people who live in Southern California. Your employer may offer discounted tickets to its workers, as well. College students: Find out if discounted tickets are available at your student union.

By Marshall Loeb