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Theme park deals, discounts and promo codes for August 2009

By Robert Niles
Published: August 5, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Sorry for being a week late this month, but the roadtrip has thrown my schedule off a bit. But normally, on the final Thursday of each month I post the best current discounts that I've found on tickets to the most popular theme parks in the United States. This month, you're getting 'em today.

Feel free to post any additional discounts or promo codes that you know of, in the comments. (I'll update this listing as you post better deals.) Park PR people, please post your deals in the comments, or e-mail me.

Two pieces of general advice:

  • If your employer, school or credit union sells discounted movie and local attraction tickets, they might sell discounted theme park tickets, as well, even to out-of-town parks. Always check with them to see if you can find a better deal than those listed here.
  • Six Flags, Cedar Fair (Cedar Point, Knott's, Canada's Wonderland, etc.) and some Busch/SeaWorld annual passes can be used at other parks in the chain. If you'll be traveling, you might find cheaper deals buying those passes through parks other than the one closest to you.

Disney

Walt Disney World continues to offer its dining plan for free for visitors who book a five-day vacation through the Disney website.

In addition, Disney World is offering to extend annual passholders three extra months free with a 12-month renewal.

  • Disney World's special offers page

    Disneyland continues two nights free with a three-night hotel purchase, as well as two days free with a three-day theme park ticket purchase.

  • Disneyland's special offers page

    Both Disney World and Disneyland continue to offer free admission on your birthday, too.

    Universal

    The following deals continue to be available via Universal Orlando's website:

  • $99 7-day, 2-park ticket
  • Buy 4 nights hotel, get two 2-park unlimited admission tickets.
  • Layoff protection plan; deposits refunded if you lose your job before your trip.

    In addition, Universal Orlando is offering a $150 discount guide for food and merchandise with any theme park ticket purchase via the Universal website.

    At Universal Studios Hollywood, the best deal for local residents is a $60 unlimited admission pass that is good for six months. For tourists, USH is offering two days for the price of one, when bought online. Both offers are available via Universal's website.

    AAA offers a one-day Universal Hollywood ticket for $52.99. (The AAA deals for Universal Orlando are no better than the $99 7-day pass available on the Universal website.)

    SeaWorld

    SeaWorld Orlando offers adult one-day tickets at the kids' price, $64.95, with a second day free.

    SeaWorld San Diego offers the same deal, priced at $55. If you use the promo code SWCAAASmr09 you can get the same price on adult tickets and kids tickets for $27.50.

    Busch Gardens

    At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, adults can buy a one-day ticket for the kids' price of $49.95, or a Fun Card that provides admission for the rest of the year for $59.95. See the BGW website for links and additional offers.

    Busch Gardens Tampa also offers adults at the kids price, which is $59.95 for the Tampa park, but you also get a second day free.

    Six Flags

    Six Flags offered $15 tickets through its Twitter account last month, and has suggested additional short-term sales might be available to its Twitter followers in the future.

    If you have a Flip video camera, you can bring it to a park on Sundays before Sept. 6 and you'll get a free Flash Pass. Details.

    Readers' Opinions

    From Joshua Counsil on August 6, 2009 at 6:51 AM
    These offers must be working. I bought Universal tickets yesterday and Disney tickets last month, knowing that they have increased the prices in August for the past several years.
    From 67.100.68.203 on August 6, 2009 at 10:18 AM
    Buying your Universal Orlando 7 day tickets are actually cheaper through AAA... I was able to purchase two 7 day from AAA for $204 whereas putting these tickets in the UniOrlando Cart they come to $217.28. The savings will only add on for more tickets.
    From 161.44.193.180 on August 6, 2009 at 10:55 AM
    For anyone who like my family has always gone to WDW in the past and who is interested in trying the other orlando parks, I recommend the 99.95 per-person Universal/IOA pass (7 days unlimited park hopping) plus the 89.95 Seaworld/BuschGardens pass (14 days unlimited hopping). When I priced these earlier this summer it worked out to be significantly cheaper per person than the WDW 7-day (NON park hopping) pass. With the combined USF/IOA/SWO/BGT passes our family is saving something like $200 compared to WDW, and we can hop as much as we want between any of the 4 parks (having to pay 2 times for parking however unless hopping between USF/IOA). Bottom line is, we're skipping Dis and walking on the dark side this year, and saving money to boot.

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