Best Time to Visit + Saving Money

[The Herbster]

Hello to all from the UK.

 

I am planning a trip with 5 of my nephews(!) next year during their UK school holidays (July and August). We are planning to visit Cedar Point (+Soak City), Geauga Lake, SF Great Adventure, Hershey Park and Paramount Kings Dominion. I'll be hiring a minivan from JFK. We are on a tight budget. Two questions:

 

(1) Which 2 weeks in those two months are the parks the least busiest (or when do the US children return to school)? :?

 

(2) Any tips on saving money, such as on entrance fees, parking and local accomodation(?coupons, discounts..)?

 

Cheers!!!

[CoasterFanatic]

http://www.whentoride.com

 

When that fails, just look at their operating calendar. Usually shorter operating hours mean smaller crowds .... most of the time.

[SharkTums]

July and August are going to be the busiest months of the year. I would vote for the last two weeks of August if I were you just because by that point most of the schools in the south are back in session so at least you won't have those tourists as well!

 

Much closer to your visit date post again and we'll be able to tell you what sorts of coupons are currently available. (Ususally soda cans, grocery stores, etc.)

[CoasterCrazy]

I always go on coaster trips during mid May-mid June. Like Elissa said, you should visit the parks during the last two weeks of August.

 

At Hershey Park you can use your ticket as a preview ticket the night before you go to the park. Since you are going to PKD I would recommend going to BGW if you have enough time, BGW is about an hour away from PKD. At PKD make sure you ride Hyper Sonic XLC early in the day because it has slow operations. At Cedar Point (+Soak City) I recommend that you stay at the hotel breakers express because you get in the park 30 min early to ride MF and TTD.

[USRoadTripper]

I'm not sure what the restrictions may be, but if you are able to purchase a AAA membership, it will pay for itself in just the tickets. You should be able to get discounted tickets to most if not all of those parks, and it can get you hotels discounts too. Only catch would be that you would probably have to visit the AAA offices in person to get the tickets.

Also asking here for specific hotel recommendations might yeild better prices than looking online since we might know some smaller and/or independant hotels.

If you want to wing it with the hotels, you can pick up hotel discount guides in most gas stations and fast food places right off the highway. The hotels may not be the greatest quality, but these traveller guides will sometimes have the best prices you can find on hotels like Knights Inn, Days Inn, Super 8 and such.

 

-Julie

[CoasterFanatic]

^ Julie is right. If you travel without reservations, "travel guides" like the ones found in most Denny's entrances can offer some great rates. Also, if you are travelling without reservations, don't be afraid to bargain with the hotel clerk. This will work at a lot more often that not.

 

// Deadheads used to live out of the "Travel Guide"

[The Herbster]

Thanks team.

 

We've taken your advice and penciled in the last two weeks before labour day for our trip. I'll look at whentoride.com to decide upon the final sequence of the parks.

 

I assume AAA is the American Automobile Association - any ideas on how I (a British Citizen with no permanent US address) can join?

 

Also does staying at the Breakers express for CP give one a concession for the entrance fee?

 

Herbster

[CoasterFanatic]

^ Staying at the Breakers, Breakers Express, Sandcastle, Campground, or any other CP property gives you early access to the park.

 

Be sure to ask at the gate what is open so you know where to run.