Is the Merlin Pass Worth It in 2025? Our Family Saved Over £1000 in 6 Months

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Is the Merlin Pass Worth It in 2025? Our Family Saved Over £1000 in 6 Months

Yes – the Merlin Pass has already paid for itself for our family, with over £1000 saved in just six months. In this post, I’ll break down exactly where we’ve been, how much we saved compared to full ticket prices, and whether the pass is genuinely worth it for families like ours. As a kid, every visit to a theme park felt like magic and whenever I saw those glossy posters advertising an annual pass, it seemed like the ultimate dream. Unlimited roller coasters? Every weekend? Yes, please!
Of course, any request for one was met with a swift “No, be grateful you’re even here. We never had anything like this growing up”.

This year, I finally fulfilled that childhood dream. We splashed out on Merlin’s Platinum Pass for our family of four and now, six months in, we’ve been asking the question: was it actually worth it?

Yes, I’d say it’s already been worth it – but not for the reasons we expected.

In London for the theme parks and looking to finish it off with a good night out? Check out our best activities bars in London post here.

Pro Tip:

Watch for Sales But Don’t Rely on Them
Merlin runs sales throughout the year. Black Friday is usually the biggest, but there are sometimes January or summer flash promos too.
We grabbed our pass during the Black Friday deal and saved over £240 before even stepping into a park.
That said, the sales aren’t guaranteed some are short-lived or only apply to certain pass types. So if you’re ready to start planning days out, it’s often still worth buying at full price. A couple of visits can easily cover the cost.

Things to Watch Out For

One of the reasons we ended up going for the Merlin Pass Platinum package was the cost, ironically. Because it was already a big spend, it felt smarter to go all in. Thanks to the Black Friday discount, the Platinum Pass felt like better value than settling for a lower tier and risking restrictions later.

I know there’s a bit of “girl math” going on here, but honestly, why spend hundreds only to realise the one day you want to visit somewhere, you’re not covered?

Philip and Lillia, enjoying a sunny day at Thorpe Park

6 Months In: Have We Broken Even?

So, six months in, have we actually broken even on the Merlin Pass?
Here’s a breakdown of everywhere we’ve been so far – and what it would have cost if we’d paid full price.

Perks, Psychology, and Why It Feels Free

Six months in, we’ve saved £1,120 – pretty good going, I’d say. And with the summer holidays still to come, I’d expect that figure to hit around £2,500 if we continued at that rate.

One of the most satisfying savings for me personally? Parking. Once you’ve registered your number plate on your Merlin account, you can just cruise straight through the gates. No ticket machines, no fees. And knowing others are paying £12 a pop, on top of their day out, definitely adds a smug little cherry on top as you roll out of the car park.

I’ll admit, we’re lucky with our location. Most of these places are within an hour’s drive or public transport ride from home. If we’d lived further out, we definitely wouldn’t have been able to visit as often as we did.

Its worth noting London Dungeons, London Eye, Shrek’s Adventure and London Sea Life are all within a stones throw from each other and can easily be tied together into one day.

There’s also a subtle but satisfying shift that happens once you’ve paid for the pass: every visit starts to feel free. I know that’s a bit of mental gymnastics – but it’s real. Like when someone else picks up the bill and the food tastes better somehow? That.

It also takes the pressure off. When you’ve paid £230 for a one-off family trip to Legoland, you squeeze every second out of it. Gates open to park close. But with the pass? You can leave early to beat the car park chaos, or cut the day short if the weather turns without feeling the guilt of wasted money. We’ve done exactly that one rainy trip to Warwick Castle ended with us happily ditching the plan and heading to a cozy pub instead.

There are a few other perks worth mentioning. One is the refillable soda cups: you get one each, and they’re valid for all-day use within the park.

“Warning: If you redeem your refillable soda cup at Chessington, don’t expect it to scan at Thorpe Park each cup is locked to the park you got it from.”

You also get 20% off food and drinks at most Merlin-run outlets (not third-party ones – looking at you, KFC at Thorpe Park). If you’re like us and generally wing it and never remember to pack a rucksack full of sandwiches, that discount genuinely makes a difference. It brings prices back down to where they should be and gives you another little win that most people around you aren’t getting.

So, is the Merlin Pass worth it in 2025? For our family, yes absolutely. It’s not just about the savings (though they’re impressive); it’s the freedom to be spontaneous, the pressure it takes off big days out, and the little perks that make each visit easier. If you’re a family who loves theme parks, and you’ve got access to a few of the included attractions, it’s a no-brainer.

Ready to make the most of family days out?
Check the latest Merlin Passes and offers now to see how much you can save.

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