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Merlin Annual Pass - USA

Martyn B

Martyn B

CF Legend
So, for $164, you can get into the two Legoland Parks (Cali and FL), plus Sea Lifes and Madame Tussuards, for 12 months.

http://www.merlinannualpass.com/default.aspx

I think its odd. If you look at the map of where the attractions are, they're pretty spread all across the USA... there's a small bunch in Florida and Cali, where I guess some will sell, but apart from that...
 
Seems rather expensive as well compared to Six Flag etc passes.

You are right though the attractions are so spread out not that sure many would sell.

Where it says Sea Life does that mean Sea World?
 
LOL! And we complain that there's a North South divide that makes/breaks getting a MAP in the UK???

That's some awesome thinking by Merlin there, they'll be snapped up like hotcakes!
 
This isn't as weird as the one for Australia, in my opinion.

Yeah, Auz has one, if you didn't know. It includes Sydney Tower, SeaLife, WildLife (a zoo) and Madame Tussauds.


Martyn B said:
Where it says Sea Life does that mean Sea World?
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According to the website its just the Sea Life Aquariums.

I thought there was some connectiong with Busch too?
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Nah, the SeaWorld Adventure Parks (including Busch and Sesame Place) is owned by Blackstone. In the same way that Merlin is owned by Blackstone. It's not a direct connection and it probably doesn't actually effect the parks in the slightest, it's just money. Blackstone also own a bit of Universal and quite a few other parks and various... stuff, to my knowledge. They own part of the weather channel, just for an idea of the range here. They are "just" an asset management firm, nothing exciting.
 
Merlin own the parks in this case not Blackstone, the parks actually operate under the Merlin name so am shocked all the parks are not included.

Blackstone are selling their share in Universal, I think that's nearly complete now.
 
marc said:
Merlin own the parks in this case not Blackstone, the parks actually operate under the Merlin name so am shocked all the parks are not included.

Blackstone are selling their share in Universal, I think that's nearly complete now.
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I think I might be confused, but... Are you talking about the SeaWorld Parks (seaworld, busch, sesame place)? Because the parks do NOT operate under the Merlin name at all, there is no reason why they would be on the pass as they have nothing to do with Merlin.
 
The Busch parks are Merlin, it was actually Merlin that bought them not Blackstone. Yes I know Blackstone own Merlin etc but the Merlin company bought the parks.

Was a topic on here ages ago and it's on google.

Edit: Joey you are right, even though they are owned by Merlin another compnay name was given "Sea World Entertainment Group". I suppose this is why they do not include the parks on the pass.
 
Where did you get the info they were bought by Merlin?

Go to the wiki page for Merlin and search "seaworld" and "busch". Nothing. And the Seaworld page only mentions that Merlin were interesting in buying, they didn't actually go through with it. Instead the parent company, Blackstone, bought them.

If they owned the Busch parks, they'd be showing it off here http://www.merlinentertainments.biz/en/homepage.aspx

They aren't owned by Merlin. I can find no evidence they are by googling, anyway, so if you know something I don't I'd love to be enlightened. I wish they were Merlin. :lol:
 
What was Merlin thinking? The attractions aren't that great, AND they are spread out. I am certainly NOT a customer.
 
Joey I will try and find it later but it will mean going through CF as a lot of the articles that were online have gone now and the information in the pages is blank :(
 
Bit pants really... and feel sorry for the people who purchase a pass in Montgomery to find the next nearest attraction is in Dallas...
 
marc said:
Joey I will try and find it later but it will mean going through CF as a lot of the articles that were online have gone now and the information in the pages is blank :(
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They were definitely interested and that was well documented, which may be what you're remembering, but they never did buy them.
 
marc said:
Where it says Sea Life does that mean Sea World?
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Nope, that's the new SeaLife centre which is being built on the same site as a Tussauds and 'eye' attraction. Not sure why the three stars are so spread out though. I think it's going on International Drive.


Not sure of the point of this one as they are so spread out. I understand if they did like a Florida one and a California one as they have clusters of attractions in those areas. With Florida I'm sure they'd be able to get some extra discounts to add on top of it with other attractions in the area. Yeah, don't really see the point but if they make money from them, good for them I suppose.
 
Whilst there is no Merlin or Blackstone annual pass, there are special tickets that you can buy that get you into Universal, Sea World, Busch and Legoland. There is a Southern California version and a Florida version. I think the Florida one is 10 days across all the associated attractions and the So Cal one is like 6 or 7 days.
 
rollermonkey said:
Whilst there is no Merlin or Blackstone annual pass, there are special tickets that you can buy that get you into Universal, Sea World, Busch and Legoland. There is a Southern California version and a Florida version. I think the Florida one is 10 days across all the associated attractions and the So Cal one is like 6 or 7 days.
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Yes, I think the Merlin Passholder Perks are done with companies linked via Blackstone (and other Merlin shareholders) so I would guess it's the same with these Florida or California tickets.
 
rollermonkey said:
Whilst there is no Merlin or Blackstone annual pass, there are special tickets that you can buy that get you into Universal, Sea World, Busch and Legoland. There is a Southern California version and a Florida version. I think the Florida one is 10 days across all the associated attractions and the So Cal one is like 6 or 7 days.
Click to expand...

Which might be going when Blackstone sell their share in Universal, we might have to get a separate pass just for the Universal parks but nothing is confirmed yet.
 
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