Purchasing a season pass to an amusement park, museum, or zoo can be a large monetary commitment for many families, but the returns can outweigh the cost when the year comes to an end. If you live close to an area where you have access to an amusement park, then a season pass can provide your family with recreational activities throughout the year. The following will review a few pros and cons to purchasing a season pass.

Amusement Parks

Many amusement parks fall under one entertainment company and a season pass can be purchased to access all of the parks under the company. These include companies such as Six Flags and Cedar Fair Entertainment. Purchasing a season pass for one park may be less expensive, but taking into account your travel plans over the summer may make the purchase of a “Platinum Pass” more appealing. Many companies also sponsor indoor water parks and the passes can be extended for use year round. Also, try looking for discounts in your Entertainment Coupon Book!

Cedar Fair Entertainment Platinum Pass

Advantages of purchasing a platinum pass include access to all Cedar Fair Entertainment venues, discount parking (or free parking), discount meal and lodging benefits, access to seasonal specials such as the Halloween Haunt, and early access to many rides and attractions. You can also receive discounts for select merchandise and games throughout the parks.

One downfall is the purchase price of a platinum pass for Cedar Fair is slightly more than a single park pass (Gold Pass), but the difference in cost can be viewed as part of your vacation cost. If your family enjoys spending time together at an amusement park, then you can take a trip to one or more of the other parks in the Cedar Fair Entertainment network and experience new rides and thrills. Purchasing a pass early in the year can decrease the total cost of your vacation expenses. When you plan a trip around the area where a park is located, you can spend a day at the park and then enjoy other activities in the surrounding area.

Other benefits include multiple visits for the price of two, 1-day park passes. In as little as two visits, your season pass will pay for itself. This can be a real advantage if you have small children who can not handle a sun-up to sun-down day at an amusement park. To save money, you can plan to visit the amusement parks early in the morning and leave at lunch time. You can avoid the over priced food many of the establishments sell, or you can use your pass to receive special discount pricing on some of the food at the parks. Either way, you will spend less with the season pass.

Many of the Cedar Fair Amusement parks such as Kings Island include all access to the Water Park. This can be an alternative entertainment venue for you and your family and saves over attending other water related resorts.

Six Flags Amusement Parks

The Six Flags season passes are good for all the Six Flag parks and include many discounts and holiday specials. This is a great advantage if you live near a Six Flags Amusement Park.

Purchasing your passes early allows you to access the park for the rest of the season along with the next summer. Six Flags runs end of the season sales on passes that can be used for the rest of the year and into next summer providing you access to Fright Fest (the parks Halloween Special Fall Events). Cedar Fair Amusement also runs many deals late in the season, so plan to buy early and gain access for a season and a half.

Walt Disney World and Disneyland

Even the world renowned Walt Disney World resort in Florida and Disneyland in California offer great pricing on annual passes. The passes offer special discount pricing on resorts, food, and merchandise. You can also take advantage of special passholder-only events, access to multiple Disney Theme parks on the same day (WDW), newsletters, and waterparks. If you live near one of these great resorts, it can be to your advantage to purchase an annual pass. And the best part is that these magical places are open year round providing you with 365 days of fun and enjoyment!

Doing a little research can help you take advantage of what a season or annual pass has to offer. Spending time with your family and friends can be a rewarding outcome from the purchase of a pass.

Take the time to review your options prior to making a purchase. Once you purchase a pass, make sure to take advantage of it, use it monthly or as often as you can to get the full benefit of being a member.

Do you participate in annual or season passes for an amusement or water park? What are the advantages you find having your pass? We would love to hear from you.