We have been covering the details on the Six Flags Read to Succeed program for the past 3 years.

– 2013-14 Six Flags Read to Succeed

– 2012-13 Six Flags Read to Succeed

– 2011-12 Six Flags Read to Succeed

Last year the program was especially painful, since you had to go through an extensive registration process to even find out anything about the program. Then, we received countless complaints with problems accessing the system. Unfortunately, we have nothing to do with the program other than relaying the information, so we had to direct people to contact Six Flags directly with problems. The 2013-14 program was a major hassle for everyone, so lets hope the 2014-15 program is more successful.

First you will need to register for the 2014-15 Six Flags Read to Succeed program.

The email we received from Six Flags said the registration process should take five minutes, which would be a major improvement of that used last year.

Just like last year, we chose to register as under the Homeschool program because the application was substantially easier and the system already had our generic information from last year. Once again, you could not see any of the pertinent details of this years program without registering, which is a major complaint of ours. Why make people register for something without giving them so insight into what the program entails?

Just like in years past, students are required to read a total of 6 hours in order to receive a free ticket. The nice thing is that the program is now entirely online, including submitting the forms. In years past you had to mail them in.

The following Six Flags properties will participate this year:

• Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington)
• Six Flags Over Georgia (Atlanta)
• Six Flags St. Louis (St. Louis)
• Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson, NJ)
• Six Flags Magic Mountain (Los Angeles)
• Six Flags Great America (Chicago)
• Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio, TX)
• Six Flags America (Washington DC/Baltimore)
• Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (San Francisco/Sacramento)
• Six Flags New England (Springfield, MA)
• Great Escape (Lake George, NY)

Please note: Six Flags Mexico, La Ronde, Hurricane Harbor Arlington, Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles, Hurricane Harbor New Jersey and White Water are not part of the Read to Succeed program in 2015.

Tickets are emailed following program completion. Tickets will also be subject to blackout dates in the 2015 schedule.

Here are the program details for Homeschoolers and public/private school students.

The program ends March 2, 2015.

Save Money, Travel More!

Source: InACents

Our family was recently given the chance to visit the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Only a short two hour drive from Cleveland, the road trip made for a nice weekend getaway. We elected to surprise our kids and not tell them about this adventure. Our family elected to make a long weekend out of this trip when we knew our two older kids had off school on this past Friday. It was also nice not telling our kids what they were doing, and when they assumed they were going to school and loaded into the car, we told them about our change in plans.

The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is comprised of three levels with a variety of rooms.

The first level of the museum featured the following areas:

– One section of the main floor is entirely dedicated to crafts featuring modeling clay, painting, screen printing.
– Another section was the attic with optical type illusions.
– The garage was a large circus tent type room featuring all kinds of mechanical exhibits.
– Bounce was a cool temporary display with assorted activities around bouncy balls and marbles.

The second floor was known as a toddler area, with smaller activities for those around two and under, though all three of our boys enjoyed the area.

The third level was the most baffling to me, as was an entire waterplay theme. Water tables, fountains, pipe systems. I particularly found it amusing that the water level was at the top of the building and not the bottom because if there is a leak, water of course flows downhill.

Our boys really enjoyed their visit at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. We spent several hours in the museum, and our oldest even said he learned a thing or two from the exhibits.

By far my favorite part of the museum was a wooden mirror. As you walked in front of the exhibit, the small wooden tiles tilted. Upon closer inspection, there was a small little camera in the center that picked up the image and then the tiles were programed to move in sync with the video. Amazing and creative!

Loading

The coolest "mirror" I've ever seen, made of small wooden blocks that tilt as you move. #FamilyTravel #Pittsburgh #PA

View on Instagram

Save Money, Travel More!

Source: InACents

Note: Our family was provided with complimentary tickets to visit the museum. All opinions are those of the author.

Cedar Point sister parks Kings Island (Ohio) and Valley Fair (Minnesota) are offering a 24 hour sale today only on tickets to their respective parks.

Kings Island
$29.99 for a ticket valid July 14-24, 2014

You will not want to miss this summer’s newest attraction, Banshee, the world’s longest inverted roller coaster. Or ride my personal favorite, the Beast!

Valley Fair
$29.99 for a ticket valid July 14-27, 2014

Enjoy the new family friendly Route 76 area or step on board one of eight roller coasters.

Additional Money Save Tips

As a seasoned visitor to Cedar Point, our family knows a thing or two when it comes to saving some money for a family of five when visiting the parks. Fortunately, Cedar Fair, the sister company to Cedar Point, Kings Island, Valley Fair, and many other parks, added some great dining benefits that are worth considering.

• Souvenir Drink Cups- Staying hydrated throughout your visit is super important. With the hustle and bustle of going ride to ride, drinking can also be overlooked. Guests who purchase their souvenir drink cups (cheapest option is to buy them online for $9.99) can refill them all day long. If it is your first visit with the cup, refills are free all day. Otherwise, if you are a returning visitor, simply pay $0.99 per refill, or reactivate the cup for approximately $5 for the day.

  Our family keeps our cup full all day, ensuring happy kids and hydrated parents.

• Meal Plans- For a family visiting the parks, the all-day meal plans are a tremendous value. The Kings Island plan costs $29.99 and the Valley Fair all-day meal plan costs $25.99. The plans give you various entrees and sides around the park once every 90 minutes.

  Fortunately for families, they can share meals. Since our kids are still small, we are able to get a meal, and typically let the kids eat first. Then 90 minutes later we get another meal for my wife and I to share. This ensures no one overeats, but stays full throughout the day. When individual meals cost around $15+ each, eat just two times in the park and you come out ahead.

• Bring sun screen from home and apply often.

Remember, this ticket promotion ends today at midnight. So plan ahead and save a bundle for your family.

Save Money, Travel More!

Source: Kings Island Email