As a mother and San Diego-based journey agent specializing in household holidays, I spend quite a lot of time serving to households determine one of the best ways to expertise our theme parks. LEGOLAND California Resort is at all times on the high of the checklist. I’m continually requested whether or not Annual Passes are price it and which one to decide on, so it’s time to interrupt all of it down.
It’s straightforward to get overwhelmed by the choices: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Elite… what’s the distinction? You’ve come to the precise place. My purpose is that will help you perceive the true worth of every go, so you can also make probably the most knowledgeable selection for your household’s go to fashion and finances, whether or not you’re a neighborhood or vacationer.
Key Takeaways
First Issues First: Understanding the LEGOLAND California Resort Parks
Earlier than reviewing the Annual Passes, it’s useful to know the three parks that make up LEGOLAND California Resort, as every go contains completely different entry privileges.
- LEGOLAND California (Theme Park): The principle park with rides, exhibits, and LEGO-building enjoyable primarily for ages 2-12. Open year-round apart from some Tuesdays or Wednesdays throughout off-peak seasons.
- LEGOLAND Water Park: A seasonal water park inside the principle park (open roughly March–October). Requires a Gold, Platinum, or Elite go—or a ticket improve.
- SEA LIFE Aquarium: An indoor aquarium subsequent to the principle entrance that includes marine life and LEGO fashions. Open year-round and included with Gold, Platinum, and Elite passes or any Hopper ticket.
Meet the LEGOLAND California Annual Cross Household
LEGOLAND affords 4 Annual Cross tiers, every including extra perks and fewer restrictions as you progress up:
- Silver Cross: Entry-level entry to the principle park with probably the most blockout dates.
- Gold Cross: Provides Water Park and SEA LIFE entry, plus eating and retail reductions.
- Platinum Cross: Contains free parking, higher reductions, and fewer blockout dates.
- Elite Cross: All-access, no blockout dates, entry to different Merlin parks, and the very best stage of perks.
LEGOLAND Annual Passes: At-a-Look Comparability (Could 2025)
To make issues simpler, right here’s a breakdown of the important thing variations primarily based on the official website:
| Function | Silver Cross | Gold Cross | Platinum Cross | Elite Cross |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approx. Worth* | $179 | $239 | $289 | $349 |
| Included Parks | LEGOLAND Park Solely | LEGOLAND, Water Park, SEA LIFE | LEGOLAND, Water Park, SEA LIFE | LEGOLAND, Water Park, SEA LIFE |
| Parking Included? | No | No | Sure (Customary) | Sure (Customary) |
| Blockout Dates? | Sure (Many) | Sure (Some) | Sure (Few) | No |
| Meals Low cost | 0% | 15% | 20% | 25% |
| Retail Low cost | 0% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| Resort Low cost | As much as 15% | As much as 15% | As much as 15% | As much as 15% |
| Reserve & Trip Low cost | 25% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
| Brick-or-Deal with Entry | Discounted | Discounted | Discounted | Free |
| Different Merlin Points of interest? | No | No | No | Sure (30+ U.S.) |
*Costs are primarily based on particular person go purchases as listed in Could 2025. LEGOLAND steadily runs promotions like “Purchase 3, Get 1 Free” on Gold, Platinum, and Elite, which may decrease the per-pass value considerably if shopping for for a bunch of 4+. Silver is often excluded from these multi-buy affords. Test the location for present offers!
Deep Dive: Which Cross Makes Sense for You?
Let’s elaborate on the above chart and break down who advantages most from every tier, drawing on my expertise serving to households plan.
Silver Cross ($179)
- Greatest For: Hyper-local households (particularly those that don’t must park) on a strict finances, planning solely 2-3 visits per 12 months.
- Very best Visits: Off-peak weekdays (to keep away from quite a few blockouts).
- Parks Included: LEGOLAND Park solely.
- Parking: NOT included (Issue within the $35/go to parking charge).
- Reductions: No meals or retail reductions are included (a typical resort low cost could apply).
- Key Consideration: Provides the bottom upfront value, however parking charges and quite a few blockout dates considerably restrict its worth.
Gold Cross ($239)
- Greatest For: Households wanting Water Park and SEA LIFE entry for a number of visits.
- Very best Visits: Can deal with some blockouts, however ought to examine the calendar for peak occasions/weekends earlier than buying.
- Parks Included: LEGOLAND Park, Water Park (seasonal), and SEA LIFE Aquarium.
- Parking: NOT included (Issue within the $35/go to parking charge).
- Reductions: Sure! Contains 15% off meals, 10% off retail, and 25% off Reserve & Trip.
- Key Consideration: center floor for multi-park entry in the event you don’t want included parking or can keep away from peak blockouts.
Platinum Cross ($289)
- Greatest For: Frequent guests (3+ occasions/12 months) who drive and park, looking for flexibility. Typically the “candy spot” for locals.
- Very best Visits: Most days of the 12 months, with solely minimal blockout dates on the busiest days.
- Parks Included: LEGOLAND Park, Water Park (seasonal), and SEA LIFE Aquarium.
- Parking: YES, included! (Customary parking, together with resort self-parking). It is a main worth driver.
- Reductions: Upgraded 20% off meals, plus 10% off retail and 25% off Reserve & Trip.
- Key Consideration: For many who drive, the included parking typically offsets the worth distinction between Gold in simply two visits.
Elite Cross ($349)
- Greatest For: The final word LEGO followers, very frequent guests, households demanding most flexibility, or these visiting different Merlin Leisure parks.
- Very best Visits: Any day the parks are open – NO blockout dates!
- Parks Included: LEGOLAND Park, Water Park (seasonal!), and SEA LIFE Aquarium.
- Parking: YES, included! (Customary parking, together with resort self-parking).
- Reductions: Highest tier – 25% off meals, 10% off retail, 25% off Reserve & Trip.
- Further Perks: FREE Brick-or-Deal with admission, plus entry to 30+ different Merlin points of interest (like LEGOLAND Florida and New York parks).
- Key Consideration: The premium worth buys probably the most comfort, high perks, and nil date restrictions.
October Go to Planning
All through the month of October, youngsters are free at points of interest throughout San Diego with a paid grownup. This annual promotion contains LEGOLAND California. So, in the event you’re contemplating a number of visits in October and what go to purchase, preserve this in thoughts.
Quantity Crunching: When Does a Cross Pay Off?
Every day tickets begin at round $89 on-line (with dynamic pricing, increased on peak dates), and basic parking prices $35.
Break-Even Fundamentals
Even the Silver go ($179) can appear extra inexpensive than buying two day by day tickets and parking individually. Consider $35 parking per go to, and also you typically want three or extra visits for Silver to pencil out versus discounted day by day tickets.
The Parking Issue
The roughly $50 soar from Gold ($239) to Platinum ($289) is offset by the included parking ($35 per go to) in simply two visits in the event you drive. That is key.
Vacationer vs. Native
For Vacationers: Visiting San Diego for simply 1-3 days? An Annual Cross normally isn’t your finest guess. Every day tickets will seemingly be cheaper. In these circumstances, I strongly advocate discounted single or multi-day ticket choices as a substitute. I’ve outlined one of the best methods in my Low cost LEGOLAND Tickets Information, and you can too examine costs instantly for 1-Day or multi-day hopper tickets via my Approved Ticket Accomplice Portal (use promo code SAVEMORE).
A Gold or Platinum go may turn into cost-effective for longer journeys (5+ days) with a number of LEGOLAND visits deliberate, particularly when factoring in parking and reductions. In my expertise, vacationers very not often buy annual passes.
For Locals (San Diego, Orange County & Past): It’s all about frequency. Sure, my associates in Orange County, you’re shut sufficient for a go to be an amazing worth in the event you’re prepared to make the drive a number of occasions! Contemplate how typically you’ll realistically go to and whether or not you want parking. Platinum typically wins for frequent drivers.
Purchase LEGOLAND California Low cost Tickets
We have now BIG reductions on one-day admission to LEGOLAND California and numerous park hopper tickets! Worth: from $77/ages 2+ (Use promo code SAVEMORE for an additional $5 off)
My Closing Journey Agent Ideas
- Test Promos: Search for offers like “Purchase 3, Get 1 Free” on the official website.
- Contemplate Renewals: Current passholders could also be eligible for renewal reductions.
- Reservations are Key: You MUST reserve your go to date on-line prematurely.
- Issue within the Crew: Calculate prices for everybody requiring a go (ages 2 and above).
- Test Park Hours: That is particularly essential throughout the low season.
The Verdict: Constructing Your Greatest LEGOLAND 12 months
Selecting the best LEGOLAND California Annual Cross will depend on your go to frequency, desired parks, parking wants, finances, and tolerance for blockout dates.
Recap: Silver (finances/off-peak), Gold (provides parks/some blockouts), Platinum (parking included/few blockouts – nice worth), Elite (max perks/no blockouts).
In the end, the purpose is to seek out one of the best worth to your particular journey. Now, go have an AWESOME time at LEGOLAND!
