Michelle Parkerton | 

30+ Tips and Tricks To Save Money at Dutch Wonderland's Winter Wonderland

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If you have little kids and are looking for something fun for your family to do, the Dutch Wonderland amusement park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania has been a favorite tourist spot for families for years. For reference, Dutch Wonderland is a three-hour drive from New York City and about one and a half hours away from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The park caters to toddlers and young kids aged two to four, but there are attractions that even older kids (think: preteens) will enjoy. Of course, like any other amusement park, a day at Dutch Wonderland can add up. While you may make loads of memories, a day at the park can also cost you loads of money. Hopefully, some of these tips and tricks I’m about to tell you about will help you enjoy a day at Dutch Wonderland without breaking the bank. Keep reading for all the info on Dutch Wonderland discount tickets to Dutch Wonderland coupons and promo codes.

I’ll show you how to get discounted tickets, snacks, and drinks on the cheap, and the perks that come with getting Dutch Wonderland season passes. You’ll also learn about workarounds with stroller rentals and bringing your own food and drinks from home. So dive in for everything you need to know about visiting Dutch Wonderland in Pennsylvania on a budget.

Tip: If you’re looking for tips that are applicable to all amusement parks, check out our ways to save big on your summer amusement park trip.

 

1. Get an instant coupon at Dutch Wonderland — get up to 20% off when you buy an Any Day Ticket online.

A child giving a high five to a Dutch Wonderland Mascot.

Buying one-day tickets to Dutch Wonderland will run you $64.99 at the park’s gate for guests ages three to 64 and $54.99 for senior citizens aged 65 and older. But the earlier you buy, the more you can save. By purchasing 2023 tickets now during their winter holiday sale, you can get $20 off and pay just $44.99.

Tickets to their Winter Wonderland, open during winter hours — select dates between Nov. 19 and Jan. 1 — are just $29.99. The park is open most weekdays and some weekends in the winter, including New Year’s Eve, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 

2. Create your own Dutch Wonderland discount tickets — save up to 45% by committing to a specific date ahead of time.

A mom and daughter riding a ride together at Dutch Wonderland

One-day admission to Dutch Wonderland will cost you $64.99 when purchased in person at the gate. But you can save up to 45% by selecting your date ahead of time and purchasing your tickets online.

By planning ahead, you can buy your tickets for as low as $49.99, depending on the date you select.

 

3. Dutch Wonderland tickets for children under two years old are free.

A mom and her children riding a train at the Dutch Wonderland park.

All day, every day, children under the age of two are free, so you don’t need an admission ticket for your toddler. This includes access to Duke’s Lagoon waterpark, which is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

 

4. Get a free admission during Dutch Wonderland’s BOGO Free sale.

A screenshot of Dutch Wonderland's Every Day ticket sale offerings.

 

We’ve seen them offer sales where you can buy one full-priced, single-day adult ticket and get a second adult ticket free that you can use through the end of summer. Two adult tickets would normally cost you $119.98 to go to Dutch Wonderland, but with this BOGO free deal, the sale price is just $59.99! That’s just $29.99 per ticket.

These tickets are nonrefundable, so if you’re hoping to squeeze in a trip to Dutch Wonderland in the early part of the fall, this is the time to do it!

An additional processing fee and Amusement Tax will be applied at checkout, so in the end, this deal will actually cost you $133.88. Still not bad!

 

5. When looking for Dutch Wonderland discount tickets, save up to 55% per ticket when you go with a group of 20 people or more.

A group of people riding a rollercoaster at Dutch Wonderland.

Dutch Wonderland offers an amazing discount for groups with a minimum of 20 people. Call up your friends, your extended family, or a church group and you’ll qualify for the group discount if you have at least 20 people.

Group tickets cost as little as $34.99 daily and I found some that go as low as $32.99 on Saturdays and Sundays in September. With a savings of $32 off the regular-priced gate ticket, that’s more than half price!

 

6. Military members can save up to 25% on Dutch Wonderland tickets.

A small American flag being held up in front of a Dutch Wonderland entrance.

Admission at Dutch Wonderland for military members can go as low as $39.99, depending on the date selected online, saving you up to $25 per ticket.

This special discount is offered to active and retired military personnel, as well as all guests in their party. When purchasing your tickets online, you’ll have to prove your status through ID.me to get this deal.

 

 

7. First responders can also get a Dutch Wonderland discount ticket.

A graphic showing the Dutch Wonderland mascot Duke popping out of a calendar next to a box advertising 25% off of tickets for First Responders.

Like the Military Discount, Dutch Wonderland also has a discount for first responders. Depending on the date you select when buying your tickets online, first responders can get tickets for as low as $39.99, which is a savings of $25 off the regular-priced admission.

This discount is offered to first responders and the guests in their party. When purchasing your tickets online, you’ll have to prove your status through ID.me to get this deal.

 

8. Get an extra three hours free at Dutch Wonderland with every ticket purchased!

A little girl riding a ride at Dutch Wonderland with her arms up in the air.

Believe it or not, you can go to Dutch Wonderland for three hours for free the night before you plan to use your full-day ticket. With the park’s preview program, any full-day ticket (regardless of where it’s purchased) can be used the day before for the last three hours that the park is open.

The catch with this is that you need to get your ticket stamped when you enter the park for your preview, and you must return the next day, or your all-day ticket will be voided. Also, this deal only applies to One-Day tickets. And you’ll still have to pay for parking on your preview day.

This park preview works during the Halloween Happy Hauntings event in October and the Dutch Winter Wonderland event during the holidays, too. But for those special events, the park preview begins an hour and a half before the park closes.

Because the preview hours are at the end of the park’s operating day, Dutch Wonderland is usually less crowded during this time. So while you only get three hours to explore, the lines for the rides tend to be shorter and you can get a few good rides in before the park closes! It’s also a great way to get a lay of the land and figure out your course of action for the next day!

 

9. Save money at the park’s food stands by packing snacks at home.

A little girl getting an ice cream cone from a stand at Dutch Wonderland.

Dutch Wonderland has several places across the park where you can buy snacks, drinks, lunch, and dinner. But you can save a few bucks by bringing in some of your own food!

Dutch Wonderland will allow one water bottle per person to be brought into the park, and the food stands will refill your bottle with ice and tap water for free. There are also free water filling stations located throughout the park. Also, you can also pack some small snacks — like granola bars, goldfish, or pretzels — at home that you can bring with you in a small, insulated lunch bag. This is a big help if you’re spending the day at the park with a picky eater or a toddler who likes to snack all day long!

Unfortunately, you aren’t going to be able to tote along a cooler full of sandwiches and drinks for the whole family to eat inside the park. But you can still save money by skipping the concession stands and packing a picnic lunch at home. Since your admission ticket allows you to exit and reenter the park, you can walk out around lunchtime and eat at the park’s pretty picnic pavilion just outside the main gate!

 

10. Buying a Dutch Wonderland Season Pass online is like having up to 238% off Dutch Wonderland coupons.

A screenshot of the deal pricing for Dutch Wonderland's season pass tickets.

Dutch Wonderland offers four levels of season passes, from the basic Bronze Pass which includes unlimited admission to the Platinum premium package with access to all kinds of exclusive events, free souvenir cups, and more.

Dutch Wonderland hasn’t yet released the rates for the 2023 summer season. But based on the 2022 season, purchasing the basic Bronze Pass online costs less than $100. At just $99.99, the pass was more than paid off after a second trip to the park.

The Platinum Pass has the most perks — including up to 20% off on tickets for friends and free parking — and costs $219.99 a person for the 2022 season. If you go to the park at least four times during the season, your pass pays for itself, based on the $64.99 one-day admission!

Dutch Wonderland season passes include access to the Exploration Island dinosaur-themed area and Duke’s Lagoon water area during the summer season, as well as the seasonal Happy Hauntings Halloween event and the Dutch Winter Wonderland holiday event.

 

11. Dutch Wonderland Season Passes include free park tickets for friends.

Two friends wearing Dutch Wonderland merchandise having fun at the park.

On select Bring-A-Buddy Days, each Silver, Gold, or Platinum Season Pass holder can bring in one friend for free. Each season pass will give you one free “buddy” ticket per date. In 2022, there were five different Bring-A-Buddy Days, which meant that each season pass holder got five bonus tickets for friends to enjoy!

Certain season pass levels also include up to two free Bring-A-Friend summer tickets and up to 25% off additional Bring-A-Friend bonus tickets.

The Bring-A-Buddy pass is only good on specific dates and cannot be doubled up with Bring-A-Friend bonus tickets. Both the pass holder and the buddy must be present at the gate to redeem the buddy pass.

 

12. A Dutch Wonderland season pass can get you free admission to other amusement parks.

The entrance to the Crocodile Cove ride inside Lake Compounce.

If you have a Platinum level season pass for Dutch Wonderland, then you have unlimited admission all summer long to 14 amusement parks! The 2022 Platinum Season Pass at Dutch Wonderland allows pass holders to visit any of the U.S. Palace Entertainment parks, like Adventureland in Iowa, Lake Compounce in New England, and Kennywood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Before you head off on a road trip, though, be sure to read the fine print on your Platinum Pass. Perks like free parking and locker rentals, Bring-A-Friend bonus tickets, and free refills with your souvenir cup are only good at your home park.

 

 

13. Does Dutch Wonderland offer discounted tickets through stores?

Giant foods, store front with large yellow direction arrow pointing towards the store.

Not anymore. Dutch Wonderland used to offer discounted tickets when purchased through local Pennsylvania grocery stores like Weiss and Giant. But in 2022, the amusement park didn’t offer those grocery-store discounts.

 

14. Are there online coupon codes for Dutch Wonderland discount tickets?

Two women sitting at a table looking at a laptop.

In the past, Groupon has offered reduced rates for Dutch Wonderland tickets. There’s no deal currently on Groupon.com for the park, but it’s worth checking out closer to next season to see if discounted tickets will be available.

Online sites like Ultimate Coupons and Don’t Pay Full have promo codes available for Dutch Wonderland, but when I clicked the button to get the deal on both sites, I was redirected back to the Dutch Wonderland website — where the most current promotion is the 2-for-1 BOGO free flash sale.

 

15. Get discounted Dutch Wonderland tickets when you stay at the park’s partnered lodgings.

A person holding up Dutch Wonderland tickets in front of the Cartoon Network Hotel in Lancaster Pennsylvania

If you are looking to make an overnight stay out of your trip to Dutch Wonderland, consider making a reservation at the Old Mill Stream Campground or the Cartoon Network Hotel, since both offer guests discounted tickets.

The Old Mill Stream Campground is located right next door to the theme park, and guests can purchase One-Day admission tickets at the campground’s Country Store. For the 2022 season, tickets purchased through the campground were $41 plus tax, according to one guest in the Dutch Wonderland Fan Club Facebook group.

Guests at the Cartoon Network Hotel, also located near the park, can purchase Dutch Wonderland tickets at a discounted price. The special admission price for Cartoon Network Hotel guests even includes early entrance and access to select rides before the park opens. If you’re staying at the Cartoon Network Hotel, you can purchase admission tickets at the front desk for $39.99 each — and the tickets are valid for two days!

 

16. Can you get discounted tickets through AAA for Dutch Wonderland?

A person looking at a laptop displaying the AAA offer for discounted amusement park tickets.

Dutch Wonderland used to offer discounted tickets for AAA members, but that no longer seems to be the case. When I searched the AAA website for Dutch Wonderland tickets at a reduced price, the only Lancaster theme park that came up with discounted tickets was Sesame Place.

 

17. If you live locally, you can get discount Dutch Wonderland tickets at 23% off through your town’s recreation department.

A pile of tickets for different things including Dutch Wonderland, purchased at a discount through the Eastern York Recreation Authority.

From May through December, the Lancaster Recreation Commission sells discounted Dutch Wonderland at a 23% discount. The regular price of one-day admission tickets is $64.99, but Lancaster Recreation offered tickets for $49.99 — a $15 savings.

The Eastern York Recreation Authority also offers discounted tickets for Dutch Wonderland at $49 for a savings of $15.99.

 

18. Save on parking at Dutch Wonderland with a season pass!

A Dutch Wonderland empty parking lot in front of the castle entrance.

It’ll cost you $20 for general parking at Dutch Wonderland or $25 for Preferred Parking, which is closer to the main gate. But for Gold and Platinum Pass holders, the fee is waived for general parking, and you can park for free all season long! And if preferred parking is available, Platinum Pass holders can park there for free, too.

 

19. Save 10 – 20% on food and retail at Dutch Wonderland with certain season passes.

A mom and kids sitting at a picnic table to eat at Dutch Wonderland park.

It really pays to have a season pass if you’ll be spending more than two days at Dutch Wonderland because pass holders get discounts at the food concessions and in the retail stores as well! There are some exclusions (always read the fine print!), but Silver Pass holders can get 10% off at select food stands and the Dutch Wonderland stores, and Gold and Platinum Pass holders can get 20% off.

Plus, Gold and Platinum Pass holders get a souvenir cup that they can refill for free at the Dutch Wonderland soda fountains all season long.

 

20. Revisit Dutch Wonderland at Halloween and Christmas for free with your season pass.

Two children in Halloween costumes running down a path at Dutch Wonderland amusement park

While Dutch Wonderland is a popular amusement park for visitors during the summer months, it also puts on a spook-tacular Halloween display in the fall. From late September through the end of October, you can visit the park on Saturdays and Sundays for the Happy Hauntings event, where the park is transformed with fall-themed rides, entertainment, and treats. There’s even a Trick-Or-Treat Trail! And around mid-November through the end of the year, Dutch Wonderland is transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland. You can visit them on Saturdays, Sundays, and select weekdays to stroll through the park all lit up with thousands of twinkling lights, check out the themed rides and attractions, and even see Santa Claus!

Tickets for the Happy Hauntings and Dutch Winter Wonderland events tend to be less expensive since the park is only open midafternoon until 9 p.m. on those dates. I found that tickets were as low as $10.99 per person for Dutch Winter Wonderland in 2018, and in 2021, the park ran a promotional offer for 40% off if you bought your tickets ahead of time.

While the 2022 dates for Happy Hauntings and Dutch Winter Wonderland haven’t been released yet, you can follow the park’s Facebook page for updates — and hopefully, snag discount tickets again this year once they are released.

But … if you had a Gold or Platinum Season Pass for the summer, then you can visit the park during the Happy Hauntings and Dutch Winter Wonderland events as many times as you’d like for free! And both those levels, as well as the Silver Pass level, enable you to purchase additional tickets at a 25% discount for the seasonal events. It’s just another one of the perks of being a season pass holder at this fun, family-friendly amusement park!

 

 

21. Be mindful of what you spend because Dutch Wonderland no longer accepts cash payments.

A person putting a credit card into a credit card reader at checkout

Since Dutch Wonderland became a cashless park in 2022, it can be very easy to lose track of how much you’re spending on food, drinks, games, and souvenirs in the park when all of your transactions are happening through a swipe of a debit card or mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

If you are headed to Dutch Wonderland with a firm budget in mind for the day’s spending, consider bringing that amount of cash with you and transferring it over to a card at the park. There are several Cash-to-Card kiosks located throughout the park, so you can load up to $500 onto a card, free of charge. And if you still have money left on the card at the end of your visit, you can use the card anywhere outside of the park where MasterCard is accepted.

 

22. You might get a free return ticket for Dutch Wonderland if you go on a rainy day.

A family grouped under an umbrella on a rainy day at an amusement park.

If a little rain doesn’t bother you, then don’t let the clouds keep you away from Dutch Wonderland! The park offers its guests a rain guarantee if rides are closed for inclement weather. If it rains continuously for more than one hour during your visit and you decide to leave the park while the rides are shut down because of the weather, you can get a rain ticket from Guest Services to return to the park another time.

Rain tickets must be issued on the day of your initial visit and will expire at the end of the current season. To get the one-day return ticket, you have to present your ticket stub or online order confirmation number, so be sure to have those handy if the weather is questionable on the day of your visit.

 

23. Save money by skipping the stroller rental.

Mothers pushing strollers while visiting an amusement park.

Dutch Wonderland takes up 48 acres, which can be a lot for little legs to walk around (FYI — Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is 107 acres). If you think that you are going to need a stroller for your toddler, you can either bring your own or rent one of theirs.

Between park admission, the parking fee, buying food and drinks, and the souvenirs that your kids are undoubtedly going to want, I recommend saving a few bucks by bringing your own stroller for the day rather than renting one from the park.

 

24. Avoid long lines by visiting Dutch Wonderland midweek.

A long line of people waiting for a train ride at Dutch Wonderland.

Dutch Wonderland is definitely less crowded on a Tuesday or Wednesday than it is on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. So if you can swing it between work and school schedules, you’ll definitely save precious time in lines by going mid-week.

 

25. Save on drinks by springing for the refillable cup.

A screenshot of an advertisement for Dutch Wonderland's souvenir cups.

Like many other amusement parks, Dutch Wonderland sells a souvenir cup that you can refill all day long while you’re at the park. The cup will cost you $24.99 upfront to purchase, and there’s a $2 discount per cup if you’re buying three or more. Then you can use the cup for any fountain drink (but not slushies) all day long. If you plan on visiting the park more than one time during the season, this hack is definitely worth the money!

 

26. One of Dutch Wonderland’s best deals is the refillable popcorn bucket.

A person holding up a Dutch Wonderland souvenir popcorn bucket.

Love popcorn? Then snack away with Dutch Wonderland’s refillable popcorn bucket. Pay $6.99 for a giant bucket when you first arrive, and you can get unlimited refills all day long for just $0.99 a refill. It’s definitely one of the best deals at Dutch Wonderland!

 

27. Save money by skipping the locker rentals.

A mom and her child sitting on a curb near some water, the mom wearing a backpack.

For $12 a day, you can rent a locker at Dutch Wonderland to store personal items you don’t want to carry around the park. There are several locker locations throughout the park, like near the stroller rental area and by the changing rooms at the waterpark. Some season passes even come with free locker rentals.

But is a locker rental really necessary? Not always. If you’re just planning to do the “dry” side of the park, you probably won’t be lugging around a lot with you all day long, since you won’t need a change of clothes or beach towels. If you can fit all of your belongings in a backpack, most of the rides will allow you to take a backpack with you. If you have a stroller, many guests just leave their diaper bags and backpacks in the stroller while they go on rides. Sure, it’s a risk with your personal property, but most families visiting Dutch Wonderland on a budget tend to do the same! Just be sure to stick your credit cards and ID in your pocket before going on the ride!

 

28. You don’t need to rent a cabana at the waterpark if it’s not super crowded.

A family relaxing at a cabana near the water park in Dutch Wonderland.

Duke’s Lagoon water zone has plenty of tables and umbrellas that are free to use. You can’t reserve them ahead of time, though, so these are first come, first served. On hot days, these tables fill up fast, so plan to get to Duke’s Lagoon early if you want to snag one.

Dutch Wonderland does offer cabanas that you can rent at Duke’s Lagoon, however, if you and your family want a private space as a home base while you’re there. The cabana rentals come with two lounge chairs, a table and four chairs, two water toys, two beach towels, and six bottles of water. Waiters are always walking around the area, so you can have food and drinks delivered right to your cabana for an additional fee. Cabana rentals are $200 on weekdays and $250 on weekends, and the gazebo rentals further away, near the creek, are $175 on weekdays and $225 on weekends.

 

 

29. Hit up the family rides first as soon as you get there and skip the long lines.

The monorail ride at Dutch Wonderland going along the rails.

The “kiddie rides” at Dutch Wonderland rarely have a long wait. But the roller coasters and rides that the whole family can go on together are another story. The lines for the gondola, antique cars, and monorail are always the longest, so start your day with those popular attractions. Then start making your way around the rides that are exclusively for the little kids.

 

30. Have a blog or successful social media page? Apply to the Influencer Ambassador Program and get free tickets.

A person's hand holding a cell phone displaying the Dutch Wonderland website's page about their influencer program.

Partners of Dutch Wonderland’s Influencer Ambassador Program get at least six free tickets and free parking in exchange for promoting their day at the park on social media and writing a blog post about it within a week. You’ll also get a discount code to offer to your followers. You do have to apply for this program, however, and the deadline for applications for the 2022 season ended on July 31. But that means that you still have time to build up your online presence and apply next season.

 

31. Follow Dutch Wonderland Fan Group on Facebook for tips from frequent visitors.

A girl and her family riding a swing ride at Dutch Wonderland.

The public group Dutch Wonderland Fan Group on Facebook can be a wealth of information for parents. Posters are always sharing their own tips and tricks, and offering live updates of ride closures, restaurant closures, and wait times for rides.

 

32. Follow the official Dutch Wonderland Facebook page for ticket sales, promotions, and free tickets.

A close up on the Dutch Wonderland mascot, Duke.

The park is always posting about ticket deals, new food stands, schedule changes, and more. There’s usually a post around Black Friday for sales prices on Season Passes, and from time to time, they even give away free tickets. So be sure to follow Dutch Wonderland on Facebook for the latest updates.

 

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