In these tough economic times, budgeting for a theme park trip, or even a theme-park-oriented vacation can be hard on the wallet. Here are some tips on saving.

In most theme parks, whether it’s Disney or Six Flags, there are peak seasons and value seasons.

Peak season is exactly when you expect it to be: when the kids are out of school.

Value season, when you can find hotels up to half off, usually takes place in early November, early December, and then the months of January and February.

Look for packaged vacations that can include your airfare, hotel, theme park admission, and even dining options. For Disney, you can find them on Disney’s site and on independent sites like Mousesavers.com.

There’s one going on in the value season where it costs you about $82 a day per person that includes three nights at a hotel and four theme park admission tickets.

Check out the theme park’s website to find cross promotions with other nearby parks. For example, in Williamsburg, Virginia, a low season dealt means that for one flat fee, you can get into six different sites, including Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens.

Bottom line? Think like a contrarian traveler and travel when everybody else … isn’t.

Check out Orlando Beyond the Theme Parks or check out the World’s Wackiest Theme Parks.

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