Merlin family pass?

LilacLillie

Can anyone advise that has already used a 'Merlin Pass' before please?
If I buy a family annual ticket for 3 people (me and 2 grandchildren), do both kids have to go with me EVERY single trip?
There are times that it would only be possible to take either one of them, then other times where both could come along.
I can't find the answer on the website at moment.
I'll call on Monday, but was hoping someone on here might have first hand knowledge.
Thanks in advance
LL

kateee

Hi, we had a Merlin family pass last year for my husband and I and our 2 children. They give it to us in the form of 4 separate named photo cards. You then put your own card in to the ticket reader at the park entrance, bypassing the main queue to buy or pick up tickets. You can just bring the cards for whoever is going that day, sometimes me and my husband would go on our own, sometimes with the kids - it really doesn't matter.

We got loads of use out of them, lots of trips out last year.

jaxjax123

I'm sure it'll be here somewhere but I have just been on the Merlin website and they currently have a 25% off sale.

LilacLillie

Thanks jaxjax, that's why I was after the answer, great deal & even better if I buy the family pass.
LL

makemesumdosh

Each pass is credit card sized and they take your pic when you 1st use it.

bear in mind each time you visit car parking fees apply, approx. £6- £10. so it might be worthwhile upgrading your pass to includes parking. I believe this costs an extra £30 or it did when I purchased 4 family passes and upgraded 1 of them

paul2louise

I am a little confused. My little boy is 2 1/2 so will be under 4 for the duration if I buy a pass now. So do I need to pay to get him in anywhere or is it better to buy a family of 3 any age.

paul2louise

I am reading a bit further, worth getting family of 3 premium pass so that we can do Alton towers water park and get the parking. Costs for my little boy to get in sealife centre and Legoland so for £50 more no exclusions.

dazleech

Th Alton towers water park is NOT included as part of the annual pass access. You do, however, get a discount on entrance, which from memory is about 20% std rates.

paul2louise wrote: »

I am reading a bit further, worth getting family of 3 premium pass so that we can do Alton towers water park and get the parking. Costs for my little boy to get in sealife centre and Legoland so for £50 more no exclusions.

paul2louise

dazleech wrote: »

Th Alton towers water park is NOT included as part of the annual pass access. You do, however, get a discount on entrance, which from memory is about 20% std rates.

my little boy would be free and I could just upgrade myself for about £35 and get the parking. that seems the best option unless I am missing something

GlennTheBaker

My wife and I had passes when our son was 2 so we got individual ones for us and he went in free. My wife upgraded hers to a Premium pass for the free parking and I left mine as a standard. The chances of me going without her was nil so no point upgrading my pass. We got tons of use out of them.