COST OF FUN-PARK VISIT SHOWS DECLINE.

Byline: Mike Schneider Associated Press 

Go ahead and get that second cone of cotton candy at the amusement park this summer. You can afford it.

The average price for a family of four to visit a U.S. amusement park decreased by $1.58 this year to $141.32, according to an annual survey by the trade publication Amusement Business.

Increases in admission charges were offset by decreases in children's prices and the cost of souvenir T-shirts.

The Nashville, Tenn.-based Amusement Business, which compiles information from the same 25 parks each year, considers the cost of admission for two adults and two children, parking, food and two child-size souvenir T-shirts. The average price saw the first decline since the publication began keeping tabs five years ago.

``When you look at the whole scope of things, (the cost) didn't decrease as much as it just stopped its magnificent gains,'' said Tim O'Brien, Amusement Business' southeast editor, who compiled the survey. ``They are stabilizing a bit.''

A large part of the decline was attributed to Six Flags' decision to admit children under 48 inches for half-price at its 16 amusement, water and animals parks.

The goal is to develop brand loyalty at a young age by a demographic group whose purchasing power is growing, said Brent Gooden, a spokesman for the Premier Parks-owned Six Flags chain.

``These youngsters will grow up, and as teen-agers they'll want to ride the latest ride,'' Gooden said. ``And these teen-agers will be parents someday.''

Cedar Fair, which owns Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, and Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Mo., also had tried discounting children's admission to great success several years ago.

``It's a wonderful marketing ploy, and it saves people money,'' O'Brien said. ``What they lose in money, they pick up in goodwill and marketing value. You're going to be more inclined to take your kids back to them later in the summer.''

Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., experienced the largest cost increase at $21.50. The park, which according to the survey costs $161.50 for a family of four, added a new looping roller coaster as well as a gospel music hall of fame and museum this year.

``If you're adding a major new ride, that is taken into consideration when looking at admission prices,'' said Ellen Liston, Dollywood's spokeswoman.

Food prices shot up with the average costs of a hot dog and hamburger increasing 14 cents to $2.46 and $2.99 respectively. An average order of fries went up 13 cents to $1.79, and soft drinks went up eight cents to an average of $1.75.

The average cost of a T-shirt at the parks decreased $2.14 to $9.74, though.

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CHART: Theme park thrills

The average cost for a family of four to visit a U.S amusement park has decreased by $1.58 this year to $141.32. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to spend at some of the most expensive theme parks this summer.

SOURCE: Amusement Business

Associated Press