The Most Affordable Theme Parks To Visit This Summer

Image: Hershey Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania (Photo via Hershey Park)
Image: Hershey Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania (Photo via Hershey Park)
Rich Thomaselli
by Rich Thomaselli
Last updated: 9:55 AM ET, Tue May 30, 2023

You don’t want to disappoint the kids for summer. But the economy and rising prices present challenges.

While you may not be able to go to Walt Disney World based on skyrocketing ticket prices that vary from day to day, there are many other options for affordable theme and water parks. And you don’t even have to do the research.

Forbes Advisor recently analyzed data on the cost of admission, lodging, food and parking for the 38 most popular parks nationwide. Among their findings:

  • One park that sits right in the middle of a hotbed is a great deal. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix is the most affordable water park. One-day admission costs visitors only $34.99 and median nightly lodging is $255.67 (for a vacation rental that fits 4-8 guests).
  • Hershey Park in Pennsylvania is not only a chocolate lover’s dream, but inexpensive to visit with a one-day admission cost of just $56.99 and median nightly lodging of $189.67 in the park’s vicinity.
  • Two of the top five water parks are located in Florida and two of the top five theme parks are located in Ohio.
  • Water parks tend to be more affordable than theme parks, accounting for eight of the top 10 most affordable parks on the list. The average cost for one-day admission to the water parks is roughly $54, compared to $111 for the theme parks.
  • Universal Studios Hollywood is the least affordable park overall. One-day admission at the park costs a whopping $149 per person (sixth-highest study-wide) and families can expect to spend about $510 for a vacation rental nearby.

Now you can stay wet, cool and it can be affordable.

Topics From This Article to Explore

Get To Know Us Better

Agent At Home

Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

Subscribe For Free

Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me
Agent At Home

Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

Subscribe For Free

Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me

Become A Travel Expert

Upcoming Event
Destination Leisure Travel ExpoOctober 11-12 2-5PM ETDestination Leisure Travel Expo
Upcoming Event
Culinary & Wellness Travel ExpoNovember 15-16 2-5PM ETCulinary & Wellness Travel Expo
Watch Now!
Porter Airlines WebinarSEP 28 2PM ETJoin Porter's webinar and learn how we are turning the idea of economy air travel "upside down".
Upcoming Event
Destination Leisure Travel ExpoOctober 11-12 2-5PM ETDestination Leisure Travel Expo
Upcoming Event
Culinary & Wellness Travel ExpoNovember 15-16 2-5PM ETCulinary & Wellness Travel Expo
Watch Now!
Porter Airlines WebinarSEP 28 2PM ETJoin Porter's webinar and learn how we are turning the idea of economy air travel "upside down".