Hang on tight! In honor of National Rollercoaster Day, we asked content creator Megan Moves (she/her) for the best tips and tricks on how to save money on your next trip to the theme park. And if you’ve seen Megan’s TikToks, then you know she’s an aficionado of amusement parks. “I started creating content three years ago after moving down to Florida,” she says. “After becoming a Disney World annual passholder, I started learning super useful info that I wanted to share with others. Now, I visit a new theme park every month and share what I learn, like how to visit places on a budget, ride the most rides, and the best snacks to eat!”

Let’s roll(ercoaster) into those tips. 🎢

How can we save $$$ at almost any amusement park year-round?
I have many ways to save money at theme parks! My top three are:

1. Don’t spend money on water. Bring a personal water bottle or ask a quick service restaurant for a glass of iced water. If you’re not sure if an amusement park allows certain items, make sure to check their website beforehand. (But yes, Disney allows reusable water bottles.)

2. Get to the park early. It can be tempting to sleep in, but the early bird really does get the worm. Arriving around an hour before the park opens can maximize your time on rides when wait times are low, and ultimately give you the best bang for your buck—especially when dynamic pricing is involved with ticket prices.

3. Wear comfortable shoes! Your feet are literally what’s going to carry you throughout your day at the park, so make sure you choose shoes you’ve already broken in and know will not cause blisters. Plus, one pair of high-quality kicks that’ll last you years is much more cost-effective than buying cheap sneaks every few months.

Do you have some advice for those heading to a theme park this summer?
When going to amusement parks in the summer, take advantage of the water parks if there are any where you’re visiting. This is a great way to cool off and enjoy another amenity the park has to offer. Also, make sure you’re wearing sunscreen at all times! There’s nothing worse than getting burnt on your first day of vacation. Oh, and don’t forget sunglasses.

And finally, what are your absolute must-haves for the parks?
My go-to pair of park shoes are Crocs wedges and KURU sneakers. I like using FuelRods as my portable chargers because most places have swap out stations. And I love Cirkull bottles because they encourage you to drink more H2O while masking unpleasant tastes if the theme park’s water provided isn’t the best.