Posted on: Thursday, 22 May 2008, 00:00 CDT
By JULIA SCOTT
There are plenty of summer spots where you can entertain your brood and barely spend a penny — the beach, a nearby park or Grandma’s house.
But let’s face it, a lot of kids want to spend their summer meeting cartoon characters and riding roller coasters until they lose their lunch.
Along with Disneyland, summer hot spots include Legoland, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm and Magic Mountain at Six Flags California.
The cost of admission might seem staggering at first glance, but do not give up, said Eileen Ogintz, who writes a syndicated column and Web site TakingTheKids.com.
“Vacations are really important,” Ogintz said. “They really are some of the best times we have with our kids.”
Trim costs by shaving a day off your vacation or finding discounted tickets to the many theme parks and attractions across Southern California.
All it takes is an Internet connection and a little time.
Browse the Web site of the place you want to visit. Often ticket prices are cheaper online than at the gate. Tickets to Magic Mountain in Valencia are $27 online compared with $60 at the park. Internet prices might rise after Memorial Day, but they will still be cheaper than at the gate.
Visit the Web site of the city you plan to visit. They are touristy but often have links to bargains. SanDiego.org, a site run by the private nonprofit San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau, has a tab just for hotel deals.
Buy Disneyland tickets through Costco. A four-day pass to the main park or Disney’s California Adventure is $139 for Southern California residents. It must be used by the same person but does not have to be used on consecutive days. Buy it online at Costco.com. Click on Gifts & Tickets.

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