Merlin Pass Half Price Sale Starts Boxing Day 2011

December 23rd, 2011 / Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventure, Thorpe Park / 17 Comments »

Half Price Merlin Pass

It’s official Half Price Merlin Passes are now available for purchase if you can visit one of the Merlin attraction listed below.  This half price sale runs until 31 January 2012 and offers a standard Merlin Pass for just £78 per person, (standard price £156 per person).

Alton Towers Deals

Merlin Pass Half Price Deal

To take advantage of this offer, you must purchase & collect your half price Merlin Pass in person from one of the following Merlin Attractions;

  • Alton Towers Resort
  • Blackpool Tower
  • Legoland, Windsor, (selected dates)
  • Chessington World of Adventures
  • The London, York or Edinburgh Dungeon
  • London Eye
  • Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester
  • Madame Tussauds London
  • Madame Tussauds Blackpool
  • SEA LIFE centres or Sanctuaries
  • Warwick Castle


Unfortunately, you cannot purchase half price Merlin Passes at  Thorpe Park with this deal. Worth checking opening days & times at the Merlin Attraction of your choice before setting off!

This half price Merlin Annual Pass Sale is running until 31 January 2012.  We’re hearing, (thank you Gaby), that it maybe possible to purchase your Merlin Pass by phoning Merlin directly on 08444 77 44 44 although I understand you will still need to collect from one of the Merlin attractions.

Merlin Pass Half Price Deal

Are Premium Merlin Passes Half Price Too?

Only individual standard Merlin Passes are being offered at half price.  You can upgrade your standard Merlin Pass to a Premium Merlin Pass if you pay an additional £35 per person in cash.  So you could purchase a standard Merlin Pass in this half price sale and upgrade to a Premium Merlin Pass for a total cost of £113 per person, (£78 + £35).

Parking & Merlin Passes

It’s worth noting in the new terms & conditions for Merlin Passes it states that…’Parking is not included with the Standard Merlin Annual Pass, and is subject to availability for Premium Passholders.  Mmm, that’s news to me!

Are Family Merlin Passes Included in this Half Price Sale?

No, only individual Merlin Passes are included in this sale.  Renewals are also excluded from this deal.

Half Price Merlin Passes & Unexpired Time on Current Merlin Pass

There remains some confusion as to whether unexpired time on a current Merlin Pass can be transferred onto a new half price Merlin Pass purchased in this deal.  The official Alton Towers response is that if you have 8 weeks or less on your existing pass, this can be transferred onto your new pass.  However, we are hearing reports of others securing larger extensions to their passes or being issued with vouchers rather than passes that can be redeemed on your next visit, (thanks Steve).  Certainly worth shopping around.

What if the whole family can’t visit to pick up a Half Price Merlin Passes?

Merlin have said that if family members cannot make it to a Merlin attraction, you can instead bring a photo of each family member and still pick up a half price Merlin pass for each person.

More Information on the Half Price Merlin Pass Sale & Alton Towers

Here is an update from Alton Towers regarding purchasing your Merlin Passes from this popular setting….’The official line is that the Merlin Annual Pass sale that is currently running is a walk up only offer – its only available if you visit the attractions. Only one member of the party needs to be present, but you’d need to bring along photos of the other members in the party. If your pass expires in the next 8 weeks we can add the time onto your pass from the date of your old pass expiring. If you are planning to visit the Resort to buy an Annual Pass the best thing to do is email us in advance to confirm we’ll be open for sales – annual.pass@alton-towers.com’

Thorpe Park & Merlin Pass Deals

The Merlin Pass Offer

A standard Merlin Pass offers entry to over 40 plus visitor attractions around the UK including;

  • Alton Towers, (including Early Ride Time)
  • Thorpe Park
  • Legoland, Windsor
  • Chessington
  • Legoland Discovery Centre
  • London Eye
  • Blackpool Towers & many more…


Whilst standard Merlin Passes no longer receive free parking and there are some restrictions on use, (see below), this half price Merlin Pass deal offers value for money if you intend to visit a number of Merlin Attractions throughout the year.  It is also worth taking into account some of the passholder perks associated with the standard Merlin Pass that includes;

  • Up to 20% off food, drink & souvenirs
  • Early Ride Time at Alton Towers
  • Deals on photographic souvenirs
  • 20% off Alton Towers Waterpark


Remember restrictions on use with a standard Merlin Pass will include;

  • No access to London Eye, Madame Tussauds, London Dungeon & Sea Life London during August
  • No access to Legoland, Windsor before 2pm during August
  • No access to the London Eye on 14 February, 29-31 October
  • No access to Blackpool Tower 22-30 October
  • Passholder fee for Fright Nights at Thorpe Park


However if you discount the August restrictions, (& I wouldn’t fancy visiting some of these London Merlin Attraction in peak summer time anyway), there is plenty of choice for all the family and works out as great value for money.

How to Get the Most from your Half Price Merlin Pass

This Half Price Merlin Pass deal is particularly cost effective if you take steps to reduce your spending on each visit rather than see them as a free day out!  Simple steps such as taking a picnic, investing in a Photo Pass & following our Tips to Beat the Queues will save you plenty of money throughout the year!

For more ways to save money on a day out, Subscribe to Topdogdays & sign up for our newsletter.

Liz

17 Responses to “Merlin Pass Half Price Sale Starts Boxing Day 2011”

  • Andy Parsons Says:

    Steve, thanks for that – very useful. I don’t live up that way but I have managed to pick up my half price Merlin pass from Birmingham Sea Life centre.

  • gaby Says:

    There is a premium rate number you can call to order over the phone if you cant get there you can use that instead. On the Merlin website now.

  • Liz Says:

    Thanks Steve for the tip off – as you say, this is a great way to pick up a Merlin Pass at half price without having to start the pass off in January. Great find.

  • Liz Says:

    Hi Katie, unfortunately this half price Merlin Pass sale does not apply to passes purchased online. You need to visit one of the Merlin attractions listed above in person to purchase & collect your pass if you want to take advantage of this half price deal. It may well be worth just checking the opening hours with the Merlin attraction of your choice before you arrange to visit too.

  • Liz Says:

    Thanks for the information Vicky regarding half price Merlin Passes. It is true that the waterpark is closed from 2 January for it’s annual maintenance check & I understand the best thing to do if you are planning to visit Alton Towers to buy a Merlin Pass is to email them in advance at annual.pass@alton-towers.com to check opening times.

  • vicky Says:

    Hi 1/2 price tickets apparently still are available.If you are close to Alton Towers you need to go to the water park to get annual passes
    You need to renew there and outstanding months added if necessary .
    However they are re furbishing the pool area so hopefully this won,t be a problem
    I will soon find out?!

  • katie Says:

    Hi, am I missing something? Can you purchase online and then collect- or do you have to visit one of the attractions to be able to purchase?

  • Steve Says:

    Andy, we have just been to the Scottish Sealife centre in Oban and because they don’t have the machine to make the passes they issue gift voucher instead which is a lot better as you not only still get the half price offer but your twelve months doesnt even start on your pass until the next visit to the attraction. 01631720386 is there number if it helps….

  • F Fuad Says:

    Thank You very much Liz!
    Much appreciated.

  • Liz Says:

    Thanks for your query regarding half price Merlin Passes. Whilst you cannot purchase or pick up your half price Merlin Pass from either Thorpe Park or Legoland, (both sites remain closed at present), if you can make it to another Merlin setting as set out above, then you will be able to use the Merlin Pass at Thorpe Park & Legoland during the season as normal. Please note there are general stipulations around use of the standard Merlin Pass at Thorpe Park, (cannot use on special events & will need to pay a supplement on Fright Nights) or Legoland, Windsor, (restriction on use in August).

  • Liz Says:

    The box office on Towers Street at Alton Towers will be open on 27, 28 & 29 December to purchase your half price Merlin Passes. Hope this helps.

  • Kathy Says:

    Please can I clarify how are we able to purchase tickets from Alton Towers if it is not open until February?

  • F Fuad Says:

    Please can I clarify if we arer not able to collect from Thorpe Park/Legoland but able to use them at these sites in later in the year? Or are we not allowed to use the half price passes at these sites ever?
    Thanks for the tip.

  • Liz Says:

    Thanks for your feedback Keith. As you can see it’s now official that Merlin Passes will be Half Price from Boxing Day if you can purchase them in person at one of the Merlin Attractions listed above.

  • Liz Says:

    Hi Andy, thanks for your feedback, appreciate it! This is a difficult one…previously Merlin have allowed you to purchase these passes at half price and add your remaining months onto your new Merlin Pass. However, the official response is slightly confusing at this point as to whether this will be allowed under the new half price scheme….when I have clarification, I’ll get back to you on this one.

  • Andy Parsons Says:

    Hi Liz,
    This looks great. Does the Merlin pass half price sale cover me for my merlin pass which expires in February 2012 time?
    Thanks for the tip and website. Great find!

    Andy

  • keith ford Says:

    top notch advice



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