Theme Parks

Traveling carnivals have been around for several centuries. Stationary amusement parks have been around for several decades. Theme parks are relatively new to the amusement park portion of the entertainment industry.

I think we all have the late Walt Disney to thank. He had an amazing insight into what comprised entertainment, particularly entertainment for children and for families with children. Mr. Disney first gave us Mickey Mouse, and then he gave us a whole host of make-believe characters that tickled our fancy. Then he gave the world Disneyland and Disney World, which are built around the Disney cartoon and storybook characters that we all love. There are a lot of imitations, but none of them even come close to measuring up to the original.

Theme parks are wonderful vacation destinations for families with children as well as for just adults who are still young at heart. While theme parks are wonderful, they are definitely not cheap.

There's a lot of advice out there about cutting costs so that a family can enjoy a theme park destination on a budget. Some of this advice is: eat before you go, because in-park food is expensive; and take your own water, because in-park soft drinks are expensive. You're advised to leave and eat your meals at eateries outside the theme park. You can eat for a fraction of the cost.

Theme parks provide an entire day or even an entire week of fun and entertainment for the entire family. Often one charge is made that provides admission to all park rides and shows. Some theme parks charge a low admission price but then charge for admittance to rides and shows within the park.

Prices are generally cheaper during "off" seasons for the areas where the theme park is located. For example, it costs less to go to Florida and visit Disney World during hurricane season, when fewer people visit and the weather is much warmer.