As a mother and San Diego-based journey agent specializing in household holidays, I spend plenty of time serving to households work out one of the simplest ways to expertise our theme parks. LEGOLAND California Resort is all the time on the high of the record. 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 simple to get overwhelmed by the choices: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Elite… what’s the distinction? You’ve come to the suitable place. My objective is that will help you perceive the true worth of every go, so you may make essentially the most knowledgeable alternative for your household’s go to model and price range, whether or not you’re an area 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 consists of completely different entry privileges.
- LEGOLAND California (Theme Park): The primary park with rides, exhibits, and LEGO-building enjoyable primarily for ages 2-12. Open year-round aside 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 provides 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 essentially 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 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% |
Lodge Low cost | As much as 15% | As much as 15% | As much as 15% | As much as 15% |
Reserve & Experience Low cost | 25% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
Brick-or-Deal with Entry | Discounted | Discounted | Discounted | Free |
Different Merlin Sights? | No | No | No | Sure (30+ U.S.) |
*Costs are primarily based on particular person go purchases as listed in Could 2025. LEGOLAND regularly runs promotions like “Purchase 3, Get 1 Free” on Gold, Platinum, and Elite, which might decrease the per-pass value considerably if shopping for for a bunch of 4+. Silver is often excluded from these multi-buy provides. Verify 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)
- Finest For: Hyper-local households (particularly those that don’t have to park) on a strict price range, planning solely 2-3 visits per 12 months.
- Ideally suited 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 normal lodge low cost could apply).
- Key Consideration: Presents the bottom upfront value, however parking charges and quite a few blockout dates considerably restrict its worth.
Gold Cross ($239)
- Finest For: Households wanting Water Park and SEA LIFE entry for a number of visits.
- Ideally suited Visits: Can deal with some blockouts, however ought to test the calendar for peak instances/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 & Experience.
- Key Consideration: A very good 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)
- Finest For: Frequent guests (3+ instances/12 months) who drive and park, in search of flexibility. Typically the “candy spot” for locals.
- Ideally suited 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 lodge self-parking). This can be a main worth driver.
- Reductions: Upgraded 20% off meals, plus 10% off retail and 25% off Reserve & Experience.
- Key Consideration: For many who drive, the included parking usually offsets the worth distinction between Gold in simply two visits.
Elite Cross ($349)
- Finest For: The last word LEGO followers, very frequent guests, households demanding most flexibility, or these visiting different Merlin Leisure parks.
- Ideally suited 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 lodge self-parking).
- Reductions: Highest tier – 25% off meals, 10% off retail, 25% off Reserve & Experience.
- Further Perks: FREE Brick-or-Deal with admission, plus entry to 30+ different Merlin sights (like LEGOLAND Florida and New York parks).
- Key Consideration: The premium worth buys essentially the most comfort, high perks, and 0 date restrictions.
October Go to Planning
All through the month of October, children are free at sights throughout San Diego with a paid grownup. This annual promotion consists of LEGOLAND California. So, in the event you’re contemplating a number of visits in October and what go to purchase, hold this in thoughts.

Quantity Crunching: When Does a Cross Pay Off?
Each day tickets begin at round $89 on-line (with dynamic pricing, greater on peak dates), and normal 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 bounce 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 often isn’t your finest wager. Each day tickets will possible be cheaper. In these circumstances, I strongly suggest discounted single or multi-day ticket choices as a substitute. I’ve outlined the most effective methods in my Low cost LEGOLAND Tickets Information, and it’s also possible to test costs straight for 1-Day or multi-day hopper tickets by way of my Approved Ticket Accomplice Portal (use promo code SAVEMORE).
A Gold or Platinum go would possibly grow to be 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 a fantastic worth in the event you’re keen to make the drive a number of instances! Take into account how usually you’ll realistically go to and whether or not you want parking. Platinum usually 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 Last Journey Agent Suggestions
- Verify Promos: Search for offers like “Purchase 3, Get 1 Free” on the official website.
- Take into account Renewals: Current passholders could also be eligible for renewal reductions.
- Reservations are Key: You MUST reserve your go to date on-line upfront.
- Issue within the Crew: Calculate prices for everybody requiring a go (ages 2 and above).
- Verify Park Hours: That is particularly essential in the course of the low season.
The Verdict: Constructing Your Finest LEGOLAND 12 months
Choosing the proper LEGOLAND California Annual Cross relies on your go to frequency, desired parks, parking wants, price range, and tolerance for blockout dates.
Recap: Silver (price range/off-peak), Gold (provides parks/some blockouts), Platinum (parking included/few blockouts – nice worth), Elite (max perks/no blockouts).
Finally, the objective is to search out the most effective worth in your particular journey. Now, go have an AWESOME time at LEGOLAND!