#3 Top Budget Stretchers

Check back everyday this week because I am giving away my Top 5 Budget Stretching Ideas for traveling families!

#3 Amusement Park Annual Pass
There are two great ways to maximize the benefits of an amusement park annual pass.  Here are great tips on using both methods.

Double Up
If your favorite destination is an amusement park, it often pays to buy an annual pass, even if you plan on visiting only once a year. Just make your yearly visits 11 months apart. You can see how this works using Disneyland as an example.

First, make sure the pass expiration date is based on when you purchase, not on calendar year.  A 3-day park hopper pass regularly sells for $208 for kids and $224 for adults.  But you can snag their Deluxe Annual Passport for just $379.  If you visit in June and then the next year in May before your passport expires, you'll save $37 per child and $69 per adult.  Plus the passport saves you 10% at park restaurants and gets you discounts at Disney hotels.

Annual passes for many parks, such as Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Legoland, are just dollars more than a one or two day pass.  These parks also offer food discounts, free parking, guest discounts and monthly payment plans.

Park Hop
The second way to maximize an amusement park annual pass is to find one that allows you to park hop.  My favorite is the Six Flags Annual Pass (www.sixflags.com).  For as little as $49 you can buy an annual pass at any Six Flags park and you'll receive free admission to any of their 13 theme parks in the US and Canada. Purchase 4 passes to their Great Escape Fun Park before October 30 and receive free parking for next year.

Keep in mind the Six Flags passes are based on calendar year and 2012 passes are available now.  You have to activate your pass at the park where you purchased it.  So, to maximize use, make sure you purchase from a park that is open year-round.

Busch Gardens (buschgardens.com) offers a similar pass, called the Platinum Pass, that offers admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld San Diego, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Sesame Place, Aquatica, Adventure Island, and Water Country U.S.A.