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There is a wide range of annual passes for theme parks – in certain cases they are worthwhile. © Shotshop/IMAGO
You can save a lot of money when visiting theme parks with annual passes. Which passes are the best and who are they actually worth it for?
Whether alone, with family or friends – regularly Amusement park can quickly become very expensive. So if you know at the start of the season that it will be a year full of rollercoaster and theme park action, an annual pass might be worth it. But that’s easier said than done, because there are a wide range of annual and season passes available. Which card is best for whom and what is the “Merlin Adventure Pass” all about?
How much does an annual pass for Europa-Park cost?
How baden24 reported, the Europa-Park in Rust recently voted the best theme park in the worldOne reason for this is certainly its offer of two annual passes. As announced last year, the prices for both passes have risen by 5 percent this season. The reasons given for this were rising energy costs and the major projects underway in the park. However, the choice between Pass Silver and Pass Gold has not changed.
Pass Gold has the advantage that there are no restrictions on the days of the visit, while Pass Silver only allows entry on certain days and is often not valid on weekends and during peak season. Both cards are worthwhile for people who like to travel and try out theme parks abroad. The passes not only allow entry to Europa-Park, but also a one-time free visit to 6 of its partner parks. These include, for example, Port Aventura Park in Spain or the Pleasure Beach Resort in England.
Is there an annual pass for several theme parks?
If you like to travel, it is of course a good idea to visit as many different theme parks as possible. Especially for families with children, it is worth buying an annual pass for several theme parks at once so that the little ones get as much variety as possible. Luckily, the Plopsa Fun Card is there for exactly that purpose. For 110 euros per person, it gives you entry to all theme parks in the Plopsa group for a year. This includes the Holiday Park and 7 other parks in Germany, Belgium and Poland.
If you prefer to stay in Germany, there is the Merlin Adventure Pass. The card allows entry to a total of 15 attractions spread across Germany and offers great variety for young and old. With the Merlin Pass, you get a good dose of thrills on the numerous roller coasters in the participating theme parks, but you can also marvel at the breathtaking deep-sea world in Germany’s aquariums.
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What is a Merlin Pass?
In order to save money, it is worthwhile, to go to the cheapest theme park in Europe – or you can invest in an annual pass like the Merlin Pass. Instead of paying the full entrance fee for each attraction, you pay a one-off fee of 139 euros per person and can enjoy all of the German attractions of the Merlin Entertainment Group for a whole year. This is the world’s second largest operator of leisure activities, with a total of 15 attractions in Germany.
But in addition to free entry to all attractions, the Merlin Pass also offers other benefits for its holders. With the card, you get a 10 percent discount on food, drinks and souvenirs at selected shops and restaurants in the theme parks. You can also use the “Bring a friend” promotion to take up to 10 friends to the attractions once a year at a reduced price – ideal for birthday parties.
Which parks belong to Merlin?
The Merlin Entertainment Group manages a total of over 120 leisure activities around the world, attracting around 66 million guests every year. The Merlin Pass is only valid for attractions in Germany; for other countries, separate annual passes can be purchased. But that’s no loss, because the 15 activities in Germany are diverse and have more to offer than just classic theme parks. The following attractions are included in the Merlin Pass.
- Heide-Park Resort (Soltau)
- Legoland Germany (Günzburg)
- 7 SeaLife aquariums (Berlin, Hanover, Konstanz, Munich, Oberhausen, Speyer and Timmendorfer Strand)
- Madame Tussauds Wachsfigurenkabinett (Berlin)
- 2 Dungeons (Hamburg, Berlin)
- 2 Legoland Discovery Centres (Berlin, Oberhausen)
- Miniaturwelt „Little Big City“ (Berlin)
Before visiting the attractions, it is important to note the opening times and possible exclusion days (days on which the Merlin Pass is not valid). This is because some activities, such as Heide Park, are closed in winter or do not accept the pass during the winter months. There are generally several exclusion days to note at Heide Park, as the Merlin Pass is not valid for special events such as the Halloween special days.
Does Merlin have a family pass?
Family trips can become very expensive over the course of a year. A good way to to save in theme parksis a season ticket such as the Merlin Pass, which offers almost unlimited entry to popular attractions for a year after a one-off payment. But can families save even more money on the pass through discounts or a family ticket? According to official information from the operator, a discount for families is not possible.
There is no special price for families who want to buy the Merlin Pass, as the card has a set price that applies to children and adults. Another special feature to note is that the pass is personal and can only be used by one person, namely its owner. It is therefore not possible to resell the Merlin Pass or lend it to a friend for a few days. (bs)
