I’m kind of embarrassed to admit it.
After three-and-a-half years of living in Virginia at two different major installations–Virginia Beach and Quantico–John and I… never actually explored the amusement parks that Virginia has to offer. We had every plan to. We drove by King’s Dominion every time we drove down or up 95 when we lived in the Norfolk area. We spent some staycations at Yorktown and at Williamsburg. We enjoyed checking out Charlottesville and Washington, DC. We loved living in Fredericksburg. And we had every intention to check out Busch Gardens or Massanutten or King’s Dominion.
After two PCSes in Virginia and plenty of time there, when we packed our bags finally, we still had yet to check off any of the amusement parks in the state. Honestly, I still wish we had. It would have been a lot of fun had we made the time for it.
If you’re stationed in or near Virginia, here’s a list of amusement parks that have military discounts available:
Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA
Memories and money-saving discounts await active-duty military members at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. To cash in on these offers, you must log in with your Troop ID via ID.me on Busch Garden’s website; these deals aren’t offered at the ticket booth. Once you’re logged in and verified, grab a military pass. This gives active duty service members and their dependants unlimited park visits and free parking, plus admission to Christmas Town at the holidays.
Through the Waves of Honor program, active-duty service members and three dependents are eligible to receive one complimentary admission annually to Busch Gardens and up to six discounted tickets. (If you prefer, this perk can use at SeaWorld or Sesame Place instead.) Veterans are also eligible for the discounted ticket offer.
Water Country USA, Williamsburg, VA
Great news! Water Country USA is covered by Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s military pass and its perks for unlimited visits and free general parking!
As a member of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, the Waves of Honor program at Water Country USA allows active-duty service members to purchase up to six discounted tickets. Veterans registered through ID.me can also purchase discounted tickets for Water Country USA. (Complimentary tickets are not eligible for this park.)
Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA
Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg offers the Howling Heroes discount to active, retired, and veteran military members. By using the online promo code HEROES and presenting a valid ID at check-in, service members can get up to 30% off suite rental in the lodge. And bonus: water park passes are included in the lodging price!
Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA
Free alert! On Memorial Day weekend and during the July 4th weekend’s Star Spangled Celebration, Kings Dominion gives free admission to active and retired military holding valid IDs. During the rest of the season, active and retired military with valid valid IDs can buy up to six discounted single day general admission park passes.
Massanutten Resort, Massanutten, VA
The military discounts are as endless at Massanutten Resort as activities there! With a valid ID for anyone using the discount, active, inactive, and retired military are entitled to:
- 10% off on lodging (Use promo code MILITARY10 to book online.)
- 20% off on greens & cart for 9 or 18 holes
- 20% off all-day general admission to the indoor/outdoor water park, plus free entry to the water park for Heroes on the Hill day for all active, non-active, veteran, and dependents.
- 20% off 4 and 8 hour ski and snowboard lift tickets, plus free slope use on Heroes on the Hill day for active, non-active, veteran, and dependents
- $15 Wednesday & Thursday tubing
- 20% off a session at the ice skating rink (excluding skate and helmet rental)
Ocean Breeze Waterpark, Virginia Beach, VA
At Ocean Breeze Waterpark, service members with a valid military ID can receive $15 off a regular all-day admission ticket. These can be purchased online and printed at home, or purchased at the box office with a coupon printed from the website.
Splashdown Waterpark, Manassas, VA
If you’re near Manassas, head on over to Splashdown Waterpark. Service members with a valid military ID can get$2 off each family member’s admission to the park.
