That cushion is not expected to last. Dwindling airline seats and high gas prices are cutting into the parks' ability to draw crowds as big as they once were, even as shareholders demand more profit each year. Even once you pass through the gates, there's less bang for the buck. Once upon a time, you could buy your ticket and get a full day of entertainment, including shows, rides, parades, and fireworks. Less so now.

Some of the country's most major parks, even ones we thought were doing well, are wasting no time in hoarding their pixie dust. Your amusement park dollar just doesn't get you as much as it did a few months ago. Among the casualties:

Gas prices continue to set records, making potential vacation expenses seem so great, I almost have to forgo all hopes of a summer vacation. On top of that, foreign currencies continue to make a killing against the dollar. Who wants to pay $6 for a Parisian croissant? Not me. But you don't have to completely sacrifice that annual summer trip. There are still great domestic deals to be found, and one industry that's desperately trying to attract summer vacationers is the good ol' amusement park. It's an easy, one stop destination to take the entire family.

Here are some of the best discounts I've found:

BUSCH GARDENS
Whether you visit the African themed Tampa Bay, Fla. location or the European themed Williamsburg, Va. park, there are lots of ways to cut costs. Show your AAA card at the gate for an automatic $5 off up to six tickets. And once you've purchased a ticket, you can return a second time completely free as long as it's within seven days. Active duty military and National Guard members can take up to three dependents to any of the Anheuser-Busch theme parks, including Busch Gardens, Sea World Orlando, San Diego, or San Antonio, Sesame Street Place, Water Country USA and Adventure Island, completely free. All you have to do is pre-register on Hero Salute and show your Department of Defense ID at the park's gate.