This article by Heather Sweeney originally appeared on Military.com, the premier resource for the military and veteran community. Get more travel deals from MOAA's travel discounts page.
Amusement parks are a fun way for families to spend time together while on vacation. But tickets aren't cheap, especially for larger families.
Many military families take advantage of the military discounts available for the Disney parks, but may not be aware of the discounts available for other popular amusement parks.
Big Surf Waterpark
Big Surf Waterpark in Tempe, Arizona offers a military discount to active duty service members on general admission. Pay $19.95 on tickets at the gate instead of $34 and spend the day enjoying the wave pool, rides and slides.
Cedar Point
Military members get free admission to Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores Waterpark every Monday from May 13 to September 2, 2019. All active, retired or honorably discharged military members are eligible, plus up to six Cedar Point tickets can be purchased for immediate family members at the military discount rate.
Colonial Williamsburg
Active duty receive one complimentary admission ticket per year (and as many as three direct dependents). If you don't use this deal, you can receive 50% off the purchase of up to five Annual Passes. Retired military and veterans qualify for 50% discount on Single-day tickets or on Annual Passes for up to three direct dependents. Click here for more details.
Diggerland
All active, retired, and veteran military members and their families (spouse, children, grandparents, etc.) are eligible to receive discounted admission to Diggerland USA Amusement Park in West Berlin, NJ. Admission ticket with military discount costs $28.95 per person.
Dollywood
Dollywood in Tennessee offers a 30% discount on one-day admission tickets for active or retired military, disabled veterans, reservists, spouses, and dependents. Tickets can be purchased only at the front gate of Dollywood.
Dutch Wonderland
Dutch Wonderland offers admission at a special discount of $10 off during the summer season to active and retired military personnel. Ticket is valid any one day during the 2019 summer season.
Gilroy Gardens
Active duty military personnel and guests may purchase a $30 General Admission on all public operating days at Gilroy Gardens in Gilroy, California. Discounted General Admission tickets may also be purchased at many California Military Bases.
Great Wolf Lodge
The Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor water park with locations throughout the country, offers a discount to military families through their Howling Heroes program.
Hersheypark
Hersheypark offers military discounts valid for Regular Summer Operating Season, Hersheypark in the Dark, and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. Check with your local military base for discounted admission tickets.
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana offers a military discount every day. Show your ID at the ticket booth for $38.99 General Admission tickets. Discount may be used on up to 6 tickets per visit.
Kentucky Kingdom
Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville offers a military discount of $39.95 plus tax at the gate (regular price is $54.95). This offer is valid for one entry during the 2019 season, and you can purchase up to 4 tickets per ID.
Kings Dominion
Active and retired military can purchase discounted single day general admission tickets to Kings Dominion in Virginia. Kings Dominion also offers seasonal discounts. During their Memorial Weekend Salute: Honoring Our Heroes and Star Spangled Celebration events, admission is free for active and retired military.
Kings Island
Kings Island in Ohio offers discounts off the regular Front Gate admission price to active and retired members of the miliary and veterans. The discount offer is also valid for up to six family members. (The discount price may vary throughout the season.)
Knoebel's Amusement Resort
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for military discounts at Knoebel's Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania any day during the season. Active duty and Reservists get a $40 book of ride tickets, and veterans get a $20 book of ride tickets. Available once per season.
Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California has roller coasters, family rides, water rides, games and arcades and live entertainment. Show your ID to purchase Knott's Berry Farm Regular admission tickets for only $52. You can also visit your local base to find deals.
LEGOLAND
LEGOLAND Florida offers service members complimentary admission to LEGOLAND Florida Resort & Water Park. You can also save 10% on 1 and 2 day tickets with valid military ID at the gate.
At LEGOLAND California Resort, active duty military can receive discounts on one-day admission tickets as well as resort hopper tickets.
For both parks, you can also get discounts if you plan ahead and purchase the tickets through your MWR/ITT offices on base.
Magic Springs Theme and Water Park
Magic Springs offers a military discount with ID of $29.99 plus tax. Family members are $35.99 plus tax.
Morgan's Wonderland
Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas offers $6 off entry for military personnel and their families. You must show your military ID at the park.
Pacific Park
Located on the Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park has rides, games, ocean front specialty food outlets and seaside shopping. All active duty military personnel and immediate family members accompanying them get a 10% discount.
Santa's Village Azoosment Park
At Santa's Village Azoosment Park outside of Chicago in East Dundee, Illinois enjoy rides like the Viking Sea Dragon, catch a show and visit with Santa. Active duty military and direct dependents get free admission, and veterans get a discounted admission.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resort
Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resort in New Braunfels, Texas offers military rates through ITT/MWR offices at military installations. This discount is not available at the park so make sure you plan ahead.
Sea World Parks
Through the SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment program "Waves of Honor," military members can receive one complimentary admission per year to either SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, or Sesame Place. Register online because the offer is not available at the parks.
You can also purchase tickets at Shades of Green, an Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) in Orlando, Florida, which is a 15 to 30 minute drive from SeaWorld. (Shades of Green is also a great place to stay if you're looking for affordable hotels in the area.)
Six Flags
Most military bases offer discounted admission tickets to Six Flags parks so check with your nearest MWR/ITT office. There are no military discounts available at the park ticket offices. Parks include Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
Stone Mountain Park
Members of the military and their immediate family can purchase an All-Attractions Pass at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia for $24.95 plus tax.
Universal Studios
Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida offers an exclusive military vacation package. This includes 3-night hotel accommodations, 3-Park 4-Day Park-to-Park Ticket, early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and access to select live entertainment venues at Universal CityWalk.
Purchase discounted tickets at your MWR/ITT office or Shades of Green.
Universal Studios Hollywood offers a discount off general admission tickets for active duty and retired military, DoD personnel, National Guard, Reservists and their dependents. You can pre-purchase tickets at your MWR/ITT office or you can order than on the phone.
Wet'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park
Wet'n Wild Emerald Pointe, the Carolinas' Largest Water Park offers a military discount at the main gate on any operating day. You'll get $7 off each all-day adult general admission ticket.
Wild River Country
Wild River Country, a 26-acre park in North Little Rock, Arkansas has thirteen attractions, party decks, three pavilions and a volley ball court. The water park offers military personnel $5 off one-day admission tickets.
Worlds of Fun
Worlds of Fun, located northeast of downtown Kansas City, offers a military discount off the front gate admission price to military members and their families. You can also get discounted tickets at local military installations, such as Offutt Air Force Base and Fort Leavenworth.
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