How to Plan a Vacation to an Amusement Park

Amusement parks are more than rides, more than characters, more than funnel cakes. No two amusement parks are alike. Each offers a different collection of attractions, rides, shows, events and food options. When you spend your summer vacation touring amusement parks, you'll see many facets of the U.S. presented in a fun, flavorful way. Follow these steps to start planning your trip.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A pencil or pen and paper
• An Internet connection
• A telephone
• A credit card
• A road map or atlas

1. Consider your budget to decide how much you can afford to spend on your hotel stay, transportation, admission to the parks and meals.

2. Make a list of the states you want to visit most.

3. Browse the list of amusement parks, by state, at the Theme Park City Web site (see Resources below).

4. Map your road trip to give yourself at least a full day at each amusement park.

5. Search Hotels.com (see Web site below) for hotels, motels and inns that meet your criteria for price, location and amenities. Don’t discount the option of camping along the way to save you money.

6. Pack your suitcases. Remember to bring lots of sunscreen and light clothing.

7. Print out your itinerary to bring along with you.

Tips & Warnings

• If you’re traveling with children, make sure the amusement parks you visit have age-appropriate rides and events.
• Don’t forget to stop your mail and plan for your pets to stay with friends, family or a kennel.