Paramounts Kings Dominion Money-Saving Tips & Discount Ticket Secrets

And if it is the right park for you, how can you make your visit even better? How can you get discount tickets saving you $10-$25, plus valuable coupon codes? Look below!

Let's start with whether a visit to Paramounts Kings Dominion is right for you. Recently, many people have complained that the park can be dirty. That the food is way overpriced.

Others have claimed that its workers are rude, and that it's not family-friendly (i.e., people wearing crass t-shirts and spouting even crasser language). Others rave about the park, its cleanliness and fantastic rides.

What's the truth? It depends. Recognize that even the best theme park can get dirty on occasion, and that some people show appallingly poor taste in their language and fashion choices. (Although you'd probably run into similar individuals at your local mall.)

High-octane roller coaster lovers are probably more willing to overlook such "trash."

But if you're not one of them (not trash--a roller coaster lover), and you have a young family, Busch Gardens Williamsburg might be the more family-friendly choice for you.

One thing I will say is that the prices increases in recent years have been much steeper at Kings Dominion than they have been at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I was really shocked. A family of four buying front gate admission tickets at KD had to pay almost $30 more last year just to get in.

That's why my discount ticket info is so crucial, so keep reading below.

But first, here's a really cool YouTube video of the park's coaster, Volcano, taken from a front row seat. It's awesome! (Click, wait a sec, then click again.)

Getting Discount Tickets & Coupon Codes

BUT, I've also found a few ways you can save even more.

Get a HUGE discount for a little extra effort!

Here's what you do: Go to Virginia Beach and stop in one of the three Vacation Market locations along Atlantic Avenue (the strip one block in from the beachfront). Buy a one-day single admission ticket there. It'll cost you @$50 instead of $56.99...PLUS you won't have to pay tax. So you'll save about $8 per ticket.

Note: They also offer $10 off Busch Gardens Williamsburg tickets, as well as discounts on many other local attractions, including Colonial Williamsburg and Water Country USA.

Virginia Beach Vacation Market is open 7 days a week, and has three Atlantic Avenue locations: 16th, 25th, and 31st Streets. They also offer discounts to restaurants and hotels in Virginia.

2) Try a local Parks & Rec Center - Most Virginia Parks & Rec Departments sell Paramounts Kings Dominion discount tickets. For years, the best deal was found at the Richmond's Landmark Theater. BUT after making a year of increasingly making their website totally confusing and incomprehensible they've taken things a step further by deleting all discount ticket info from their site. Darn. Another victim of budget cuts. Too bad.

Still, other local Parks & Rec centers continue to offer discount tickets good for certain summer days (called "P&R" Days). Try Prince George County (call 804-733-2646 for details), Henrico County (http://www.co.henrico.va.us/departments/rec/theme-park-tickets/), and Albemarle County.

For example, Albemarle County is selling Kings Dominion P&R tickets for $29 (ages 3+). The catch? They're only good July 2 through August 6th. But wow, what a deal! Call 434-296-5844 for details.

Check out local hotels

Local hotels sometimes offer Kings Dominion package deals which can save you money.

The Embassy Suites in Richmond, the Virginia Crossings Resort in Glen Allen, and the Days Inn in Ruther Glen are three hotels which have offered park packages in the past (the first two are a bit of a drive from the park, but the Days Inn is only 5 miles away).

When booking a local hotel, do your research.

For example, we've heard a slew of poor reviews about how dirty the Best Western Kings Quarters is...not worth the money, shady characters, etc. (We'll be adding hotel reviews later. Until then, check at sites like www.tripadvisor.com for recommendations.)

Now for the latest Coupon Codes!

According to my research, these are the latest coupon codes people often have success with:

HOOPSCU
UNISERV
swimdays
ncae

Note: These coupon codes are subject to change at any time, but if they work, they can save you $16-$25 per ticket! To get them, go to www.kingsdominion.com. Click on "Tickets" and then on the drop down bar, select "corporate partner" and enter the coupon code.

Season Pass Deals...And Which Ones Offer Free Parking

For the best season pass prices at Paramounts Kings Dominion, click here.

Other Money-Saving Ideas and Tips

• Food - Three words: Bring your own (when possible). The food in Paramounts Kings Dominion is very expensive, especially for the quality (or lack thereof).

  So, eat a huge breakfast and/or bring a backpack of snacks (no chocolate--it'll melt). Keep in mind that the park says that "no food or drink is allowed in the park" (their way to try to force you to buy food there).

  So make sure you, er, make them invisible. (I use a small backpack-sized purse that holds a bottle of water and a few snacks inconspicuously.)

  Another option is to bring a picnic lunch in a cooler and leave it in the car for later. Get your hand stamped and you can take a break in the middle of the day to go out to your car and eat.

  Another alternative: get your hand stamped and leave the park for lunch in nearby Ashland.




• Water - Drink lots and bring your own. Bottled water is equally expensive in the park, so bring your own in a backpack. Plan on three bottles per person at the height of the summer. Or, just bring one and fill it up at water fountains.



• Slather up with sunscreen and bug spray before you go -- You'll need both, and IF you can buy some in the park, you'll pay top dollar for it.



• Wear appropriate clothing -- Wear a hat and bring a light sweatshirt or jacket if you plan to stay during the cooler evening hours. Lockers are available to store them during the day. You may want to bring a pair of dry socks in case you get wet on the rides.



• Bring your own stroller -- While you may be able to rent one in Paramounts Kings Dominion, why not put the rental fee (@$10 or so) to better use?



• Take advantage of ParentSwap -- The park allows one parent of small children to wait in line while the other tends the kiddie. When you get to a certain point, the second one joins the line (with the kiddie) and all three ride!

  To get a Parent Swap Pass (which you must have to do this), you must visit Guest Services. Parent Swap may not be available on all rides and is not applicable in WaterWorks.