The cost of a visit to Blackpool Pleasure Beach can add up to quite a significant amount, factoring in the price of wristbands, food, merchandise and (for some) accommodation.

If you plan in advance, though, it's possible to save substantial amounts of cash. Here are some essential tips to avoid leaving Blackpool Pleasure Beach with an empty wallet.

Take advantage of special offers and discounts

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is slightly less generous with its special offers than Merlin theme parks such as Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, preferring to offer 2-for-1 and 3-for-2 deals during the off-season and charge full-price at other times. The best deal on offer is for Tesco Clubcard users, who can use their Clubcard Vouchers to buy adult wristbands at a near two-thirds discount. Keep an eye on Theme Park Tourist’s Blackpool Pleasure Beach deals pages for the latest offers.

Don’t buy a wristband unless you really need one

Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s move to introduce an entrance fee was partially aimed at increasing the number of guests that buy all-you-can-ride wristbands. For many guests, these offer the best value. However, if you’re on a short visit, or are accompanying kids and don’t expect to ride many attractions, it can still work out cheaper to buy individual ride tokens. Check our ride reviews in advance to work out whether you’re likely to be in this situation.

Consider a Resort Pass

If you’re on a holiday or short break to Blackpool, it’s likely that you’ll consider visiting the Blackpool Tower, Sea Life Blackpool and Madame Tussauds. If you do, it can cost in to buy a Resort Pass, which includes entry to all of these attractions as well as a one-day unlimited ride wristband for Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Do the maths, though – if you’re only visiting a subset of the attractions, and you can get hold of 2-for-1 vouchers for Merlin attractions (see our deals pages for the latest offers), you may still find it cheaper to buy tickets individually.

Shop around for the best hotel deals

While the on-site Big Blue Hotel is great, it’s not always the cheapest (or best) accommodation available in Blackpool. There are hundreds of competing B&Bs in the town, so check TripAdvisor for those with the best reviews and lowest prices.

Think carefully before buying an Annual Pass

By any measure, Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s Annual Pass options are expensive. You’ll need to visit the park at least 7 times for them to cost in, so consider carefully whether you’re really likely to do so.

Take your own drinks and snacks

Food and drink can be quite expensive at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, although not quite to the same extent as theme parks located in less competitive areas. Bringing a selection of drinks and snacks (or even a packed lunch) with you can help save money, or you can just nip out to one of the many shops and restaurants located nearby.