[in(s)ane]

Dear people-who-know-these-things:

We're looking at flying up in April with another family for 4/nights/days and taking our 4 year olds to the parks. I think we've got flights/accommodation sorted and we'll either hire a van or book a 5 day transfer pass.

Where is the best place to buy tickets/passes?

We've two adults and a 4yo, our friends are the same plus one infant.

I've never booked a holiday before ever (duty-trips to family don't count!) so would love any advice.

We're planning on spending mornings at the park, then arvos hanging out at 5* hotel in aircon or pool.

[orangepeanut]

If you are a member of an auto club (RACV/NRMA/RAA etc) you can get discounted tickets through their websites, as long as you can print them out. For the parks you mentioned you will have to pay for the 4 year old as child prices are from 3-13.

You can get a VIP pass which is unlimited entry for approx $99 per person.

They parks all open at 10am

Hope that helps

[PrincessPeach]

http://themeparks.com.au/

The VIP passes are the best value for money if you intend to visit more than 1 park & cover seaworld, wet 'n' wild & movie world.

Dreamworld & white water world & Q1 have their own separate one.

[tle]

We've just come back from the Gold Coast. I did a search and got my tickets online. I paid $99 each and had a buy 3 get one free deal so it worked out about $75 each. That was for unlimited entry to Sea World, Movie World and Wet & wild until 30 June 2013. I think it was from a site called "my fun" or something like that.

[Justaduck]

The VIP ones are even cheaper than the $99 now, I think maybe $75 even before the buy 3 get 1 free discount?

www.myfun.com.au

[jakc_]

My advice would be to first check you childs height to the park ride rules..nothing more dissapointing than going to a theme park and not be able to go on any rides! The theme parks all have websites with height restrictions

[in(s)ane]

The VIP passes are all $99, only the 'Locals VIP' seem to be cheaper.

Jakc_ - thanks so much for the heads up (see what I did there). Not a concern for my DS as he is tall, will be scared of rides and only interested in wiggles, but my BFF's DS might not be tall enough. I'll let her know.

[jakc_]

Dreamworld is for the wiggles fans however that is not a part of the 3 world pass (movie world, seaworld and wet n wild)....but those also have little kids ride areas...I'm sure you'll have fun where ever you go! (ps, seaworld has it's own resort)

[mummabubba]

Just a note - if you are travelling with another family then i HIGHLY reccomend hiring a house instead of staying in a hotel. Try Stayz.com.au. My favourite houses (huge 4 or 5 bed) are normally around Sanctuary Cove, Broadbeach or Mermaid Waters. Also try Annies beach holidays.com.au

[in(s)ane]

Thanks Mummabubba but we are really looking forward to room service

DS also has anxiety, so we'll be spending a relatively short time at the parks and more quiet time in air con than perhaps most young families.