The US Republican Party's convention is due to resume its main agenda now that Hurricane Gustav's threat has passed.
The gathering in St Paul, Minnesota, will see John McCain nominated as the Republicans' presidential candidate.
President George W Bush is due to speak via video-link from the White House on Mr McCain's service and leadership.
The main talking point so far has been the announcement by Mr McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, that her unmarried teenage daughter is pregnant.
According to excerpts of Mr Bush's speech released in advance, the president will describe Mr McCain as a president ready to make the tough decisions needed "in a dangerous world".
"John McCain's life has prepared him to make those choices. He is ready to lead this nation," Mr Bush will say.
He will also speak of Mr McCain's life as "a story of service above self" and emphasise the "independence and character" he showed in backing the administration's "surge" strategy of pouring more forces into Iraq.
Former Senator Fred Thompson, who ran against Mr McCain in the party's primaries, will talk about Mr McCain's commitment to reforming Washington and call upon Americans to "step up, stand up and put 'country first' with John McCain."
Gustav appeal
Most of the first day's political events were suspended out of respect for communities affected by Gustav.
Instead, Mr McCain's wife, Cindy, and First Lady Laura Bush made calls to support those under threat.
McCain on Palin's announcement
Mrs Bush told delegates that such events transcended party politics and reminded people that they were Americans first.
"Events in the Gulf Coast region have changed the focus of our attention and the first priority is to ensure the safety and the well being of those living in the Gulf Coast region," she said.
Gustav was downgraded to a tropical storm after making landfall on Monday west of New Orleans, where hundreds of thousands of people had been evacuated.
The hurricane came three years after Hurricane Katrina struck, killing more than 1,800 people and resulting in huge damage to the city and its surrounding area. President Bush was strongly criticised over his handling of the crisis.
Palin talking point
The BBC's Adam Brookes in St Paul says the Republican Party convention is now getting down to work after the uncertainty brought on by Hurricane Gustav.
Tuesday's events will focus on Mr McCain, a concentrated piece of political image building with a keynote speech from Joe Lieberman, the Democrat-turned-independent senator, who has decided to support the party's candidate, our correspondent says.
Sarah Palin's announcement has so far overshadowed the convention
Wife's role in the show
Republican Convention diary
Teenage pregnancy in spotlight
President Bush will also address the convention via a live video feed from Washington. He cancelled his planned opening night speech amid concerns that overt political campaigning would play badly with voters at a time of potential crisis.
But many Republicans will be glad he is not here in St Paul in person, our correspondent says, and much of this week will be about defining Mr McCain as very different to his unpopular predecessor.
Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska who was presented as Mr McCain's choice for running mate on Friday and is facing an ethics investigation back in her home state, made the announcement of her unmarried daughter's pregnancy on Monday.
She said Bristol, 17, planned to have the baby and would be getting married.
Mrs Palin, who is opposed to abortion, said her daughter would "have the love and support of our entire family" and appealed for privacy for the young couple.
The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that Bristol's boyfriend, named as 18-year-old Levi Johnston, would be joining the Palin family at the convention in Minnesota.
The AP quotes Mr Johnston's mother, Sherry, as saying he had been put under no pressure to marry and that the pair had been planning to wed before they knew she was pregnant.
Our correspondent says Mrs Palin's selection as vice-presidential candidate has caused great excitement among social conservatives and evangelical Christians here.
But across the broader Republican Party there seems to be some unease - she is an unknown quantity, and when she is finally brought out on to the convention stage on Wednesday, many McCain supporters will be crossing their fingers and hoping she performs, he adds.
The 72-year-old Arizona senator is expected to formally accept his candidacy in a prime-time speech on Thursday evening.
The speech is deemed to be among the most important events of the campaign for his chances of winning the White House in November.
Meanwhile on Monday, police in St Paul used pepper spray as they arrested more than 100 protesters, some of whom threw bottles and broke windows. Many of those involved in the violence identified themselves to the Associated Press as anarchists.
Several thousand anti-war marchers had earlier demanded the return of US troops from Iraq.
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SmartMoney Home: Personal Finance: Deal of the Day: 8 Ways to Hit an Amusement Park on the Cheap
Deal of the Day
8 Ways to Hit an Amusement Park on the Cheap
By Kelli B. Grant |Kelli B. Grant Archive |Published: May 30, 2008
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1316333480http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=6118723
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CONSUMERS SICK OF riding this year's bumpy economic rollercoaster can find great deals to the real thing at amusement parks nationwide.
Concern that high gas prices and a weakened economy may keep people home this summer has prompted parks to slash admission prices and offer more promotions than in years past. Six Flags (SIX: 1.95, +0.01, +0.51%) dropped gate prices by $10 at many of its parks, citing the need to stay competitive in challenging economic times. "We want to be that affordable option for families," says spokeswoman Sandra Daniels.
Although the industry is anticipating slight declines in attendance this year, don't mistake the deals as a sign of desperation. "There's typically so much discounting going on at parks that few people actually pay the gate price," says John Gerner, managing director of Leisure Business Advisors LLC, a Richmond, Va.-based consulting group. Promotions are more about positioning the park to draw in visitors who had more grandiose vacation plans that fell through. "If it's too expensive to travel a long distance, they know people will visit parks closer to home," points out Paul Ruben, editor of Park World, an industry publication. Destination park companies like Walt Disney (DIS: 33.65, -0.28, -0.82%), on the other hand, have the advantage of international draw from travelers buoyed by the weak dollar.
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Cheaper gate prices are a good start, but savvy consumers can cut admission costs even more. Here's how:
Visit on weekdays
Saturdays are parks' busiest days, so many offer discounts for weekday attendees, says David Mandt, a spokesman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, a trade group. AAA triples its regular $4 discount on Six Flags theme parks tickets to $12 on Wednesdays, while Wet 'n Wild knocks $30 off the price of its season pass (regularly $80) if you want weekday access only.
Buy online
Ticket prices are often 35% cheaper, plus you'll save time waiting in line. Online-only promotions are also more plentiful this year — because the date-specific tickets let parks estimate headcount, they can cut overhead on slow days, says Robert Niles, editor of ThemeParkInsider.com. Cedar Fair's (FUN: 21.40, -0.20, -0.92%) flagship Cedar Park launched an online specials section this year, with bargains like an "Amusement Stimulus Package" of four adult tickets for $132 (a $40 discount off the gate price) and a "Pay Once, Visit Twice" deal that gets you an additional day in the park this season for just $10 (a $32 discount). Both offers are available through June 15.
Scale back
With lots to see and do — and long lines for everything — aiming to visit multiple parks in one day is overly ambitious for many people, says Danielle Courtnay, a spokeswoman for the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Save with a single park pass for short visits. At Walt Disney World, it's $45 cheaper than a one-day Park Hopper, while Universal Studios charges $8 less.
Pay with plastic
Discounted theme park admission is a common credit-card perk. Check with both your card brand and issuing bank for specials. Through Aug. 31, for example, American Express (AXP: 44.68, +0.02, +0.04%) offers $10 off at SeaWorld, Aquatica or Busch Gardens, plus a $10 rebate when you buy through its Going Once site.
Go late
Arrive at the park once the afternoon rush has dispersed, and you can easily save 20% or more with so-called twilight entry passes, says Mandt. Knott's Berry Farm cuts its $50 ticket price in half after 4 p.m., which gives you four to seven hours in the park. Disneyland charges $43 instead of $56 starting at 4 p.m. or six hours before closing, whichever is earlier.
Watch what you eat
Look for coupons on the groceries you buy, and at the restaurants you frequent, urges Ruben. McDonald's (MCD: 59.94, -0.01, -0.01%) stores in Tennessee, for example, hand out coupons for $1 Wednesday admittance to Chattanooga's Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park (regularly $5). Or bring any Pepsi (PBG: 29.24, -1.47, -4.78%) product to Kennywood Amusement Park in Pittsburgh to save $5 on adult admission ($32).
Consider a season pass
Passes typically pay for themselves in just two visits, and offer additional value through freebies and special access, says Niles. Six Flags Great Adventure's $100 season pass includes free passes for a friend on 32 specific dates, free access to 15 other Six Flags parks nationwide and $300 of in-park coupons. The $100 VIP season pass at King's Dominion provides first-in-line ride access, early entry to the attached water park, half-price deals for friends and free, specially-designated parking.
Check your wallet
Employers, banks, professional organizations and clubs may offer discounts or specially-priced tickets. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers employees $34 tickets to Carowinds (regularly $45), and a $20 discount at Six Flags Over Georgia ($40). Even your driver's license may be helpful in securing a deal. Walt Disney World offers Florida residents discounts on both daily tickets and annual passes. A three-day park hopper would be about $148 — $100 cheaper than out-of-state visitors pay.
Also See:
9 Ways to Save on Gas This Summer
How to Cut Food Costs
13 Simple Ways to Cut Your Electric Bill
Deal of the Day Archive
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SmartMoney Home: Personal Finance: Deal of the Day: 8 Ways to Hit an Amusement Park on the Cheap
Deal of the Day
8 Ways to Hit an Amusement Park on the Cheap
By Kelli B. Grant |Kelli B. Grant Archive |Published: May 30, 2008
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1316333480http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=6118723
First Name:
Last Name:
Address:
City:
State • Zip:
Email:
12 ISSUES FOR $12.00 – 71% OFF!
24 ISSUES FOR $18.00 – 79% OFF!
36 ISSUES FOR $24.00 – Best Deal!
Read/Post Comments
Add this column to your News Alerts
PrintSendBuzz up!Buzz up this story
on Yahoo!
CONSUMERS SICK OF riding this year's bumpy economic rollercoaster can find great deals to the real thing at amusement parks nationwide.
Concern that high gas prices and a weakened economy may keep people home this summer has prompted parks to slash admission prices and offer more promotions than in years past. Six Flags (SIX: 1.95, +0.01, +0.51%) dropped gate prices by $10 at many of its parks, citing the need to stay competitive in challenging economic times. "We want to be that affordable option for families," says spokeswoman Sandra Daniels.
Although the industry is anticipating slight declines in attendance this year, don't mistake the deals as a sign of desperation. "There's typically so much discounting going on at parks that few people actually pay the gate price," says John Gerner, managing director of Leisure Business Advisors LLC, a Richmond, Va.-based consulting group. Promotions are more about positioning the park to draw in visitors who had more grandiose vacation plans that fell through. "If it's too expensive to travel a long distance, they know people will visit parks closer to home," points out Paul Ruben, editor of Park World, an industry publication. Destination park companies like Walt Disney (DIS: 33.65, -0.28, -0.82%), on the other hand, have the advantage of international draw from travelers buoyed by the weak dollar.
MORE ON PERSONAL FINANCE FROM SMARTMONEY.COM
Best Places to Seek Student Loans
A Review of the Mini Car, the ForTwo
Preventing High Oil Prices From Blowing Your Budget
Cheaper gate prices are a good start, but savvy consumers can cut admission costs even more. Here's how:
Visit on weekdays
Saturdays are parks' busiest days, so many offer discounts for weekday attendees, says David Mandt, a spokesman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, a trade group. AAA triples its regular $4 discount on Six Flags theme parks tickets to $12 on Wednesdays, while Wet 'n Wild knocks $30 off the price of its season pass (regularly $80) if you want weekday access only.
Buy online
Ticket prices are often 35% cheaper, plus you'll save time waiting in line. Online-only promotions are also more plentiful this year — because the date-specific tickets let parks estimate headcount, they can cut overhead on slow days, says Robert Niles, editor of ThemeParkInsider.com. Cedar Fair's (FUN: 21.40, -0.20, -0.92%) flagship Cedar Park launched an online specials section this year, with bargains like an "Amusement Stimulus Package" of four adult tickets for $132 (a $40 discount off the gate price) and a "Pay Once, Visit Twice" deal that gets you an additional day in the park this season for just $10 (a $32 discount). Both offers are available through June 15.
Scale back
With lots to see and do — and long lines for everything — aiming to visit multiple parks in one day is overly ambitious for many people, says Danielle Courtnay, a spokeswoman for the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Save with a single park pass for short visits. At Walt Disney World, it's $45 cheaper than a one-day Park Hopper, while Universal Studios charges $8 less.
Pay with plastic
Discounted theme park admission is a common credit-card perk. Check with both your card brand and issuing bank for specials. Through Aug. 31, for example, American Express (AXP: 44.68, +0.02, +0.04%) offers $10 off at SeaWorld, Aquatica or Busch Gardens, plus a $10 rebate when you buy through its Going Once site.
Go late
Arrive at the park once the afternoon rush has dispersed, and you can easily save 20% or more with so-called twilight entry passes, says Mandt. Knott's Berry Farm cuts its $50 ticket price in half after 4 p.m., which gives you four to seven hours in the park. Disneyland charges $43 instead of $56 starting at 4 p.m. or six hours before closing, whichever is earlier.
Watch what you eat
Look for coupons on the groceries you buy, and at the restaurants you frequent, urges Ruben. McDonald's (MCD: 59.94, -0.01, -0.01%) stores in Tennessee, for example, hand out coupons for $1 Wednesday admittance to Chattanooga's Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park (regularly $5). Or bring any Pepsi (PBG: 29.24, -1.47, -4.78%) product to Kennywood Amusement Park in Pittsburgh to save $5 on adult admission ($32).
Consider a season pass
Passes typically pay for themselves in just two visits, and offer additional value through freebies and special access, says Niles. Six Flags Great Adventure's $100 season pass includes free passes for a friend on 32 specific dates, free access to 15 other Six Flags parks nationwide and $300 of in-park coupons. The $100 VIP season pass at King's Dominion provides first-in-line ride access, early entry to the attached water park, half-price deals for friends and free, specially-designated parking.
Check your wallet
Employers, banks, professional organizations and clubs may offer discounts or specially-priced tickets. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers employees $34 tickets to Carowinds (regularly $45), and a $20 discount at Six Flags Over Georgia ($40). Even your driver's license may be helpful in securing a deal. Walt Disney World offers Florida residents discounts on both daily tickets and annual passes. A three-day park hopper would be about $148 — $100 cheaper than out-of-state visitors pay.
Also See:
9 Ways to Save on Gas This Summer
How to Cut Food Costs
13 Simple Ways to Cut Your Electric Bill
Deal of the Day Archive
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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