Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Theme park annual pass as main present

26 replies

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 24/09/2021 04:09

DCs are 11 and 8. They have plenty of lego, switch lites, scooters, clothes and are getting new bikes for their autumn birthdays. They really don't need anything. Now they are a bit older they don't play with toys much.

I'd like to get them a season pass to a theme park they love, so we can have family days out. I'll also buy them smaller presents like books, stationery, youtube merch, stocking fillers etc. The house needs decluttering and not more stuff being added to it too!

Is this a naff idea?

OP posts:
ScrumptiousBears · 24/09/2021 04:12

I think it's a good idea although which theme park/company because when we looked the annual tickets weren't worth it.

Original poster
Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 24/09/2021 04:13

Paultons park- we live 10 mins drive from there.

OP posts:
PileOfBooks · 24/09/2021 04:15

We did this (but Merlin) and gave a funky lanyard that suited each child, small backpack and waterbottle as a present (for days out at the theme park...)

PileOfBooks · 24/09/2021 04:17

The only slightly tricky thing is with Paultons they wont be able to use them til mid Feb.

LaBellina · 24/09/2021 04:40

I love this idea.

You’re giving them beautiful memories that will last into adulthood instead of new toys that they won’t even have or remember in a few years.

PileOfBooks · 24/09/2021 04:42

Do they do a photo pass? We included a photopass too.

Stompythedinosaur · 24/09/2021 09:05

While I think it is a good idea, I think 8 is quite young to manage the delayed gratification of not being able to use their Christmas present until later in the year.

Mummasdiary2021 · 24/09/2021 09:14

@Stompythedinosaur

While I think it is a good idea, I think 8 is quite young to manage the delayed gratification of not being able to use their Christmas present until later in the year.
I agree with this. I don't think it's ideal as a main present
Ashitaka · 24/09/2021 09:42

i think its a great idea - and they would be fine.

Kids dont need a 'main' present with instant gratification, they will be fine

PineappleWilson · 24/09/2021 09:48

We did as the main birthday present, like you a smaller regional theme park. Grandparents also contributed. I don't know that our older DC was thrilled, as he saw it as a loss of "proper" presents, but we got less plastic tat and Pokemon cards and both kids (summer birthdays) have already been enough times to cover the annual cost.

PileOfBooks · 24/09/2021 10:56

We did have other presents too so stuff to play with on the day/craft/lego. But have loved their merlin year (2 years as it is now!)

alrightfella · 24/09/2021 13:40

Do you already go there regularly? I think the Merlin ones are better as they have lots of places included. If you live nearby it isn't really anything new or exciting.

PileOfBooks · 24/09/2021 13:51

If we were to buy now we would get paultons rather than merlin. It does depend where you live and where you can access regularly. We love alton towers but can only go once a year!

Original poster
Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 24/09/2021 14:24

I've just looked and passes are £250 for Paultons now! Shock

OP posts:
PileOfBooks · 24/09/2021 14:27

No way!!! Okay I didn't think they were that much. Work out how many times you have to go to make that worth it.

We had Merlin for £109 and that's gone up tons too.

Peggytheredhen · 24/09/2021 14:29

Blimey, Paulton's used to be about £100!

Otherwise I think it's a great idea thay my kids would love.

Floralnomad · 24/09/2021 15:09

That’s an awful lot of money when it’s only the one attraction , a Merlin platinum pass is only £299 in comparison and you get so much more .

Original poster
Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 24/09/2021 16:35

The Merlin parks are always so busy though, I can't face the queues and a 1.5 hour drive each way very often.

OP posts:
Bonusjonas · 24/09/2021 16:39

The problem with a pass as a present is that it is still on the parent’s terms. The child can only go if it fits with parents plans or that of other family members.

Child A might want to go but child B has a party to attend.

Both children might want to go one weekend but you might not want/be able to take them.

I think it’s a poor present idea personally, there are so many caveats.

Lavendersquare · 24/09/2021 16:41

I think if you go there already as a family for days out it's a bit meh for a present. Especially as your children are still quite young.

Original poster
Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 24/09/2021 16:43

We haven't been for about 3 years now. Quite a few new bits have been added.

OP posts:
Original poster
Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 24/09/2021 16:45

Any other ideas for a big present for 11 and 8 year olds welcome!

Nothing girly
Not bikes, scooters or a trampoline as they have those
Not switch lites, I don't think they need tablets as well. Eldest is getting a phone soon

Thanks!

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 24/09/2021 16:48

If they like Lego there are always nice new sets , the Hedwig owl is excellent if either of them like HP

Alwaysfuckingsick · 24/09/2021 16:49

We got ones for wheelgate last Christmas and the kids loved it

Original poster
Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 24/09/2021 16:58

Unfortunately they don't play with lego anymore. I'm going to have to sell or donate the huge amounts that we have!

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread