Every year, millions of Americans weigh their travel options when considering a fun trip for the entire family – and many love theme parks.

Do you love Ohio theme parks but hate the high prices and long line-ups? Do you plan a family vacation every year to Six Flags, but are tired of fighting the crowds and constantly opening your wallet? If so, keep reading for a basic guide that will help you suRVive the ups and downs of Ohio’s roller coaster parks.

Can Your Kids Handle It?

There’s no age rule for determining whether your child is ready for a theme park vacation. Remember though, the younger the kids, the slower the pace and more flexible you’ll have to be.

On the plus side, if your little one spends most of the day in a stroller, there’s less chance that he’ll get lost or overtired. Bigger kids, on the other hand, will allow you to move through the park faster, and they may get more enjoyment out of the whole theme park experience.

Have a Realistic Budget

A frugal five-night vacation for a family of four near Ohio theme parks will run about $2,000 – plus transportation. Roughly one-third will be for tickets, a third for food, and the rest for lodging and incidentals. But there are ways to cut back.

Start saving by avoiding the pricey junk food stands and by toting plenty of healthy snacks, such as juice boxes, dry cereal and fruit, string cheese, and granola bars. Next, don’t buy items like sunscreen and film at park kiosks – the prices are generally higher than they’d be elsewhere.

Avoid the Crowds

You can avoid the crowds by going early on a weekday. Another great tip is that when the park opens and people enter the gates, most veer to the right once they enter and work their way around and toward the back of the park. If you walk in the opposite direction, you’ll avoid some of the early morning crowds.

An alternative crowd-avoidance tactic is to make a beeline straight to the back and spend your day working your way toward the front while the masses make their way to the back.

Avoid Lines

Most parks in Ohio allow you to purchase your tickets online in advance, meaning you can avoid the massive ticket lines at the start of the day.

Good Theme Parks

Probably the most popular out of all the Ohio theme parks is Cedar Point. It’s the biggest amusement park in the world and home to some of the highest and longest roller coasters too. Other parks in the area include Six Flags, SeaWorld, King’s Island and numerous others.