When Jeff Shields went searching for theme park thrills for his family — or at least cheaper thrills than a Disney excursion — he didn’t have to look far.

Shields, his wife and their two daughters hit the road last summer and headed to Holiday World&Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus.

Holiday World, the Hendricks County resident found, “is close to home and, expensewise, you can’t beat it.” So, this year, he and his family are going back.

They might have plenty of company. Travel experts and economists agree that cost-conscious families will be looking closer to home this summer when choosing vacation destinations.

And with the thrill-ride season fast approaching, area theme parks — Holiday World, Indiana Beach, Kings Island and Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom — are offering various discounts, freebies and new attractions.

Here’s a look:

The Southern Indiana theme park is combining some creative lures with one big — make that tall — new attraction.

On May 2, the park will unveil its $4.3 million Pilgrims Plunge, the world’s tallest water ride at 131 feet and the second-most-expensive project in the park’s 63-year history.

As additional incentives to visit, the park is also offering free, unlimited soft drinks and sunscreen.

And, new this year, park patrons who donate two cans of food will receive $5 in Holibucks to spend on food or souvenirs in the park.

“This is a direct response to the economic situation,” said Will Koch, Holiday World&Splashin’ Safari president. “We understand there are folks out there having a hard time. Guests help us feed those in the area, and we can turn around and feed them.”

For the first time since 1972, the Monticello boardwalk theme park on Lake Shafer is offering free general admission; the regular cost is $2.50. Visitors will still need to pay for rides at the amusement and water parks.

And, if complimentary admission doesn’t excite folks, the park is hoping that its 10-story-tall Steel Hawg roller coaster will. The Steel Hawg, which the park boasts has the steepest drop in the nation at 111 degrees, was unveiled July 4.

Indiana Beach also has added concerts and special events this summer. But the park’s general manager agrees that in the current economy, one of its best selling points is location.

“We are a half-tank drive from Indianapolis and Chicago,” John Collins said. “Gas is a lot more reasonable than last year. We hope to have a pretty good year despite the economy.”

The Cincinnati-area theme park will unveil its fastest, tallest roller coaster, the $22 million Diamondback, this summer.

But Kings Island, too, is offering a break at the ticket booth. Visitors can save $15 on a single-day ticket through an online promotion. Patrons who pay full price — $47.99 — can come back for a free second day during the summer.

“Last year we started online discounts and pay-once-visit-twice passes,” said park spokesman Don Helbig. “There are things we started last year so we could be ahead of the economic trend.”

Kings Island is opening a Diamondback souvenir shop and a new restaurant. It is also offering Breakfast with the Characters — Nickelodeon stars such as SpongeBob Squarepants — and an all-you-can eat barbecue.

The park outside Louisville, Ky., is promoting a new summer concert series that includes Raven-Symone, Miranda Cosgrove, Jesse McCartney and Colbie Caillat. (Check dates at the park’s Web site, www.sixflags.com/kentuckykingdom.)

The concerts are free with park admission.

The park’s most recent addition is the Mega Wedgie, which debuted last year at the Splashwater Kingdom water park and features a 100-foot tunnel.

If area theme parks are counting on promotions and new attractions to reel in visitors, so are the communities around those parks.

On a summer day, the number of visitors at Holiday World might equal Spencer County’s population of about 20,000 people, said Melissa Miller, executive director of the Spencer County Visitors Bureau.

While cities such as Myrtle Beach, S.C., saw a drop in visitors in 2008, Spencer showed an increase in guests at attractions, lodging and restaurants in July and August.

“Holiday World is definitely our largest tourist attraction,” Miller said. “Our biggest challenge is getting people to know about other things in the area, especially our Abraham Lincoln sites. We want people to feel like they are getting a good value and can stretch their dollar farther.”

Indiana Beach brings 750,000 to 800,000 visitors a year to White County, said Janet Dold, Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau executive director. That translates into $60.4 million a year for White County.

“We have great agriculture and great tourism,” Dold said. “In the current economy, we’re grateful we have that going for us. We say that Indiana Beach brings tourists here, but our lakes keep them here.”