Share your best family days out at Merlin attractions - Merlin Annual Passes to be won!

[CeriMumsnet]

From the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort and Thorpe Park to SEA LIFE and Madame Tussauds, Merlin Entertainments offers some of the best days out for families in the UK.

We’d love to hear about your favourite experiences at Merlin attractions! Whether it’s a nostalgic memory from when your children were little or a recent adventure you’ve enjoyed together. Which attractions have you loved most, and why?

Everyone who shares a memory by 17 December will be entered into a prize draw to win four Merlin Essential Passes. (Mumsnet T&Cs; Merlin T&Cs).

Still looking for a Christmas gift for a days-out lover? Unlock a year of unforgettable fun from just £79. Save on the Essential Pass (£79, usually £139), Gold Pass (£199, usually £239) and Gold Membership (£16.99/month, usually £19.99/month) in the Merlin Annual Pass Black Friday offer - available until 21 December.

We had a wonderful time at Legoland Windsor, right at the age when my two were hugely into Lego and Duplo. We loved the show at the Heartlake city area with performers jumping into the lake. We were supposed to go back and stay in the themed hotel but my son was sick on the day so it didn't work out. I'd love to go again.

We have had some fantastic days out at Chessington and legoland. One of my favourites is the first time my daughter went on the vampire ride. The look of absolutely joy when she got off!

Another is our first trip to legoland when the kids were old enough for all the rides. We had so much fun! Such a good day, and talked about for months afterwards.

Alton Towers with the kids. Uncle came with us too and he was such a scaredy cat that he only went on the kiddy rides. We still talk about it today haha.

We are a rollercoaster family, and i can think of lots of examples. Our best trip was probably 2024 when DC1 was finally 1.4m and we went to Alton Towers for 3 days.

His favourite was Oblivion, and he went on six times in one day. Nemesis Reborn was closed all week, but opened just before we left, so he got on that too, after thinking that he wouldn't.

DC2 became obsessed with Wickerman, and bought a notebook with the rune translation in the shop. He memorised most of it, and he would translate all the "wickermanish" signs as we stood in the queue. He can still write his name in Wickermanish. 😂

Alton Towers pool when young, then the park with own children, on a work coach trip.
magic

I loved Chessington when younger. One of my favourite memories is going on Bubbleworks together (sadly no longer there) we also loved the 3d house with 3d glasses which has been revamped too. My kids still love it now in their own way but my 15 year old loves Alton Towers for the thrill rides

We have only been to Sealife but was much enjoyed by the whole family.

I want to take my kids to London dungeons as it was my favourite as a young child (!) but I am worried it would be too scary

Getting the video of my friend and I riding the smiler for the first time at Alton towers. So funny to watch it back!

scarefest became an annual tradition!

My children have always loved sea life. They love looking for sharks and stingrays. It’s been a firm favourite whatever the age.

It has to be riding the LEGOLAND express train. One of the few rides we can all go on together and my small children enjoying spotting the different Lego animals whilst squealing with delight as they got wet being sprayed from people above.

The runaway mine train at Alton towers ~ just this year, able to ride as a four as everyone was tall/brave enough. Choo choo!

We had a fantastic time at Alton towers, DD favourite thing to do is the Aquarium and carousel.

We'll never beat the first trip to Legoland when my toddler was in the driving school visibly saying "wow' repeatedly and chuckling to herself - a wonderful memory of her having the time of her life!

We'll never beat the first trip to Legoland when my toddler was in the driving school visibly saying "wow' repeatedly and chuckling to herself - a wonderful memory of her having the time of her life!

My daughter had her first taste of solid food at Cadbury World! She was asleep in a sling and popped her little head out like a meerkat to lick my spoon!

We loved Chessington, there really was something for everyone. The Sealife centre, the zoo, the Gruffalo river ride, the Vampire. What a great day out, would love to go again.

I voted for Alton Towers as that is the age my kids are now - wanting big thrill rides!

However my favourite memories are of legoland when they were younger, getting their driving licences, walking round the Lego models, seeing my son’s face when he saw the NINJAGO ride and figures and finally one summer day staying until the park closed in the dulpo water play area was such a special day.

Warwick castle was the best day out! Such lovely grounds and lots to see and do even on a winters day.

We live close to Alton Towers so I have visited fairly often from when I was a small child. One of my favourite memories about Alton Towers was from 2nd June 1975 when we were forced to turn back on our way to visit due to unseasonably heavy snow.

We also visited on the first day it opened fully after the Covid lockdown and it was such a lovely memory of the world starting to feel more normal again.

We love Legoland Windsor - we have spent many happy times there with our two children. My favourite memory is taking DS on the Dragon when he was 3 without preparing him first. It was his first 'big boy' rollercoaster and his face was a picture!

Going to Chessington World of Adventures for my sons's 6th birthday during an Easter half term - we stayed in the Chessington hotel and were upgraded to a beautiful room where we could see giraffes from the window, and were gifted plenty of Easter eggs too. We had a brilliant time.

Dragon ride at Legoland Windsor. First time we went was with a friend. She didn't tell me so I had no idea and was caught by surprise after this gentle ride turned into a rollercoaster. DS aged 4 and my friend thought it was hilarious.

Legoland became our second home when DS was 5 & daddy was working shifts and Dragon became our go to ride. Such happy, core memories

We loved Warwick Castle, and completing the Zog lessons. My DD has been adamant ever since our visit that she too wants to grow up to be a master falconer after watching the flying display

We love Chessington. It was the first time my youngest (c 7yo at the time) went on a proper rollercoaster - Vampire. She loved it (and screamed all the way round), so much so that we paid for the fast pass to go straight back on!