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If you don’t plan and track your amusement park budget properly, you're setting yourself up for failure.
When we developed our strategy pack for amusement park owners, we saw a lot of park owners struggling with finances and planning.
They were disorganized, had no grasp of cash flow, and were drowning in financial troubles despite having substantial visitor numbers.
Don’t let this be you—stand out and succeed.
We’ve created a small, free tool to help you get started: our Budget Tracker and Planner. Let’s turn your amusement park's finances around and set you on the path to success!
Get the budget tracker tailored for amusement parks
Most amusement park owners don't know how to plan and track their budget. This spreadsheet will help you.
Example of a full budget for amusement parks
Here is an example of a (very) detailed budget for an amusement park, to give you some inspiration
1. Rent and Utilities
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | Lease for amusement park land | $10,000 | $120,000 |
| Electricity | Power consumption for rides and facilities | $5,000 | $60,000 |
| Water | Water usage for attractions and restrooms | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Gas | Gas for heating and certain rides | $500 | $6,000 |
| Internet & Phone | Internet service and business phone | $300 | $3,600 |
| Waste Removal | Garbage and recycling services | $500 | $6,000 |
| Pest Control | Monthly pest control services | $200 | $2,400 |
| Insurance | Property and liability insurance | $2,000 | $24,000 |
2. Salaries & Wages
| Position | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost per Employee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Manager | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $60,000 |
| Ride Operators | 10 | $2,500 | $25,000 | $300,000 |
| Maintenance Staff | 5 | $3,000 | $15,000 | $180,000 |
| Security Personnel | 4 | $2,500 | $10,000 | $120,000 |
| Food & Beverage Staff | 6 | $2,000 | $12,000 | $144,000 |
| Customer Service | 3 | $2,500 | $7,500 | $90,000 |
3. Ride & Attraction Costs
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ride Maintenance | Regular maintenance and safety checks | $8,000 | $96,000 |
| New Attractions | Investment in new rides and attractions | $10,000 | $120,000 |
| Safety Equipment | Helmets, harnesses, etc. | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Cleaning Supplies | Detergents, sanitizers, etc. | $500 | $6,000 |
| Uniforms | Staff uniforms and costumes | $1,000 | $12,000 |
4. Marketing & Advertising
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Advertising | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Social Media Management | Managing social media accounts | $800 | $9,600 |
| Print Advertising | Flyers, posters, newspaper ads | $500 | $6,000 |
| Website Maintenance | Hosting, domain, updates | $200 | $2,400 |
| Email Marketing | Email campaigns and newsletters | $300 | $3,600 |
| Promotional Events | Special events and promotions | $500 | $6,000 |
5. Miscellaneous Expenses
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | Regular maintenance of park equipment | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Licenses & Permits | Operational permits, safety certifications, etc. | $300 | $3,600 |
| POS System | Point of Sale software and hardware | $500 | $6,000 |
| Contingency Fund | Emergency repairs and unexpected costs | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Office Supplies | Stationery, pens, printer ink, etc. | $200 | $2,400 |
| Staff Training | Training programs and materials | $500 | $6,000 |
Some amusement parks make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best amusement parks in the world. Replicate them now!
What are the biggest expenses for an amusement park?
Watch out for these budget busters. Here are five major costs every amusement park owner needs to consider, along with some tips on how to manage them wisely.
- Ride and attraction maintenanceThese can take a significant portion of your budget. You're dealing with complex machinery that requires regular upkeep and occasional repairs. To keep these costs in check, schedule routine maintenance, negotiate service contracts, and invest in high-quality parts. It's easy to overspend by neglecting maintenance, leading to costly emergency repairs.
- Staff at your amusement parkYour staff is essential for operations, but wages, benefits, and training can be costly. This expense is always high because you need a sufficient number of employees to ensure safety and provide excellent customer service. Optimize labor costs by efficient scheduling, cross-training staff, and monitoring productivity. However, avoid underpaying or overworking your staff, as this can lead to high turnover and poor service.
- Rent and utilities of your parkPrime locations come with high rent, but they can attract more visitors. Utilities like electricity, water, and gas are essential but can add up quickly. To optimize these costs, negotiate favorable lease terms and invest in energy-efficient systems and lighting. Overspending often happens when you choose a location that's too large or too extravagant for your needs.
- MarketingYou need to attract visitors to your amusement park, but advertising can be expensive, whether it's online ads, social media campaigns, or traditional media. Optimize this expense by focusing on cost-effective methods like the ones we provide in our pack. Overspending can occur if you invest in flashy campaigns without a clear return on investment.
- Park equipment and maintenance costsThis includes everything from rides and games to food stands and seating areas. These are expensive because quality equipment and regular maintenance are crucial for smooth operations and visitor satisfaction. Optimize by investing in durable, energy-efficient equipment and maintaining it regularly to avoid costly breakdowns. You can overspend by going for the latest high-tech gadgets you don’t really need.
How to spend less with your amusement park?
Here are practical tips to help you, as an amusement park owner, optimize your budget and manage expenses more effectively.
| Expense | Tips to Optimize |
|---|---|
| Ride Maintenance | Schedule regular maintenance checks and partner with reliable service providers to prevent costly breakdowns. |
| Staffing Costs | Utilize scheduling software to optimize staff hours and reduce overtime, especially during off-peak seasons. |
| Utilities | Install energy-efficient lighting and water-saving fixtures throughout the park. |
| Marketing | Run social media contests for your amusement park and collaborate with local influencers for free exposure. |
| Cleaning Supplies | Train staff on efficient use of cleaning supplies to reduce waste and costs. |
| Equipment Maintenance | Set up a maintenance log for regular checks and servicing of all park equipment. |
| Rent/Mortgage | Negotiate lease terms during renewal or consider moving to a less expensive location if feasible. |
| Insurance | Regularly review insurance policies to ensure they meet current needs and compare rates annually. |
| Concessions | Use cost-effective, eco-friendly packaging and offer discounts for customers bringing their own containers. |
| Uniforms | Purchase high-quality, durable uniforms that can withstand frequent use and offer staff a stipend for maintenance. |
| POS System | Choose a POS system that offers essential features with low transaction fees and integrates with other systems. |
| Staff Training | Conduct regular in-house training sessions and use free online resources to keep staff updated on best practices. |
| Waste Management | Implement a waste tracking system to minimize waste and recycle where possible. |
| Technology | Invest in multi-functional equipment and utilize park management software for ticketing and reservations. |
| Signage | Use digital signage to reduce printing costs and easily update information. |
| Licensing and Permits | Stay up-to-date with local regulations to avoid fines and costly renewals. |
| Transportation | Plan shuttle routes to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel costs. |
| Office Supplies | Purchase supplies in bulk and go paperless where possible with digital systems. |
| Inventory Management | Use inventory management software to track stock levels and reduce spoilage. |
| Pest Control | Schedule monthly pest control services and maintain cleanliness standards to prevent infestations. |
| Music and Entertainment | Use a streaming service for background music and host local performers during off-peak times. |
| Guest Services | Invest in durable, easy-to-clean guest service kiosks and offer digital maps and guides. |
Copy the tactics of the best amusement parks in the world!
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Expenses that are just useless for an amusement park
Yes, some expenses for your amusement park are just unnecessary. They don't contribute to increasing revenue or enhancing the visitor experience.
| Amusement Park Expense | Reason It's Useless |
|---|---|
| Over-the-Top Decorations | Extravagant decorations don't necessarily attract more visitors and can be a drain on the budget. |
| Premium Food Brands | Unless you are targeting a high-end market, most visitors are satisfied with standard food options. |
| Excessive Ride Options | Having too many rides increases maintenance costs and can lead to underutilization. |
| High-End Ride Equipment | Top-of-the-line ride equipment is not always necessary and can be cost-prohibitive. |
| Paper Advertising | Traditional paper ads often have a lower return on investment. Don’t include them in the marketing strategy of your amusement park. |
| Multiple Uniform Styles | Having various uniform styles increases costs without adding significant value to the visitor experience. |
| Excessive Staff | Overstaffing leads to higher labor costs without necessarily improving service quality. |
| Premium Subscription Services | Expensive subscriptions for music or magazines often go unnoticed by visitors. |
| Exclusive Merchandise | Using rare merchandise can inflate costs and complicate supply chains. |
| Costly Benches and Seating | High-end seating is not always appreciated by visitors and can be a significant expense. |
| Custom Printed Tickets | Personalized tickets are a minor detail that most visitors overlook, and they can be expensive. |
| Unnecessary Software | Paying for software with features you don’t use is a waste of resources. |
| Premium Water Brands | Most visitors are content with filtered tap water, making expensive bottled water unnecessary. |
| Extra Maintenance Vehicles | Maintaining a larger fleet than needed increases operational costs. |
| Excessive Membership Fees | Paying for multiple industry memberships often yields little benefit. |
| Overly Frequent Renovations | Constantly updating decor and layout can be costly and disrupt operations. |
| Expensive Park Centerpieces | Elaborate centerpieces are often ignored by visitors and add to the cost. |
| High-End Souvenirs | Luxury souvenirs are prone to damage and expensive to replace, often going unnoticed by visitors. |
| Excessive Staff Meetings | Too many meetings can reduce productivity and increase labor costs. |
| Expensive Brochure Designs | Frequently redesigning brochures is costly and often unnecessary. |
| Unused Promotional Materials | Ordering more promotional items than needed leads to waste and unnecessary expense. Get our marketing budget planner template. |
| Paid Directory Listings | Many free listing options are available, making paid listings often redundant. |
| High-End Catering Equipment | Specialized catering equipment is often unnecessary and adds to costs without a proportional benefit. |
Stop working with a tight budget for your amusement park!
Managing a budget for an amusement park when funds are tight can feel like a roller coaster ride with no end in sight. It's like being trapped in a maze where any unexpected expense can throw you off track.
This constant pressure makes it nearly impossible to invest in new attractions or improvements, leaving you always scrambling to cover costs. It's a life filled with stress and sleepless nights.
Yes, you can continue down this path, cutting corners and barely keeping the park running. But there's another part of the equation you might be overlooking. Instead of just trying to cut costs, you can focus on growing your revenue. More income means more flexibility and more funds to enhance the park experience.
And no, you don't necessarily have to spend money to grow. There are plenty of zero-cost initiatives and strategies that can help you increase your revenue by 10%, 20%, or more. We've detailed all of these strategies in our guides, after studying dozens of amusement parks just like yours. Get them now!
Make your amusement park more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best amusement parks in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
