Halfway between Cleveland and Toledo on a mile-long stretch of sandy Lake Erie beachfront lies Cedar Point, a sprawling amusement park with 71 thrilling rides, lots of great things to eat and an adjacent water park. But with tickets for the amusement park costing $80 at the gate, a day of fun can be hard to swing for families on a budget.

If the price is keeping you from making a trip to the park, here’s how to get discount Cedar Point tickets.

1. Purchase in advance online

If you buy a single-day admission on Cedar Point’s website, you can instantly save a bundle: Online, one-day passes cost about $50 — considerably better than the $80 you would pay as a walk-up.

Even if you stop by on a whim, you should buy Cedar Park discount tickets on the park’s website before strolling up to the entrance. It’s worth it.

2. Buy a season pass

Want to come back to Cedar Park again and again all summer long? The Summer 2023 Season Pass is an excellent value.

For $105 you get unlimited visits through Labor Day, plus free parking, which normally starts at $25 per day.

They throw in a few exclusive discounts and perks for season pass holders, too, including the park’s Bring a Friend deal — one of the best Cedar Point discounts — which lets you buy tickets for up to six friends to join you at the park for $30 each.

Several types of season passes are available: The Cedar Point Gold pass costs $140 and includes unlimited admission to the waterpark, Cedar Point Shores, plus a chance to register a child ages 3-5 for the Pre-K Pass, giving them free admission with you all season long.

The Platinum and Prestige passes pile on more perks. These are some of the best Cedar Park discount tickets.

3. Buy a two-day pass

After two visits, the season pass pays for itself. But what if you expect to make exactly two visits? The two-day pass is your best value.

For $90, you can come to the park any two days of your choosing, all summer. The days don’t have to be consecutive. But you can’t give your second day to someone else. The same two-day pass holder has to use the pass both times.

4. Bundle up

Are you the kind of person who gets a lot of value out of all-you-can-eat deals? Then, the park’s Funday Bundle will be especially valuable for you.

For $70, you get all-day dining on top of park admission and free parking.

If you don’t want to eat that much between stomach-roiling thrill rides, consider the 2023 Frontier Festival Bundle, which gets you admission, parking and a tasting card good for three tastings, for $60.

Find this discount Cedar Point bundle on the park’s website under the Specials tab.

5. Use your AAA membership to visit Monday through Thursday

AAA members in some states can knock an additional $5 off the admission price by buying tickets through the auto club’s Cedar Point web page where one-day admission Monday through Thursday costs $45.

6. Check discount sites like Groupon

Groupon deals come and go, but when they come up for Cedar Point tickets, the savings are significant. For example, a now-expired deal offered 50% off the single-day admission gate price.

That deal isn't currently available, but you check Groupon a couple of times before your Cedar Point trip to catch any new offers.

7. Visit after 4 p.m.

If a full day of coasters and fair food is more than you can handle, the After 4 p.m. Ticket is for you.

You’ll be able to stay and play until at least 8 p.m. on most weeknights and sometimes 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. on weekends and the Fourth of July.

Check park hours here before you buy to know how many hours of fun you’re getting for your money.

8. Check store websites

Word on the street is that sometimes, if you’re lucky, you can find discounted Cedar Point tickets for sale at local grocery and drug stores like Giant Eagle, Drug Mart, Costo and Kroger. Costco members can check the chain’s web page for Sandusky, Ohio, for periodic discounts.

Peek at all these retailers’ websites before you pay full price.

9. Use your military cred

​​Active and retired military members can get a special rate when booking through Cedar Point’s website, usually $5 off. Start here if you’re retired from the service or currently serving.

If you want to save at Cedar Point

Never pay the walk-up rate. Always start at the Cedar Point website to see how much you can save by buying in advance. Then check AAA, Costco and other retailer websites for discounts.

If you know you can visit three times or more, opt for the season pass. And if you can visit after 4 p.m., check the park hours to see how long into the night you’ll be able to play.