Purchasing CityPASS makes financial sense for families planning to visit multiple theme parks in Southern California.
Southern California is a popular family travel destination for good reason. Sunny skies and pleasant weather, fabulous beaches and enough attractions to keep kids occupied for the duration of a two week vacation draw families to the region year-round. The downside of having so many kid-friendly theme parks and attractions though is that the expense can add up quite quickly. One option for a family trying to save money on their California vacation is using CityPASS Southern California.
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How CityPASS Works
CityPASS sells discounted ticket packages to top tourist attractions in a number of cities in North America as well as in Southern California. Prepaid admission to 5 or 6 of a city’s top attractions is bundled into one CityPASS ticket and sold at significant savings over what it would cost to purchase each of the admissions separately.
The company launched in 1997 in two cities and has now expanded to include 12 North American destinations: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern California, Tampa Bay and Toronto.
The Southern California CityPASS includes admission to some of the world’s best family-friendly theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California. There is also an exclusive CITYPASS.COM add-on available for San Diego Zoo OR San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Once you have purchased a CityPASS then you just show your e-ticket or admission card at the turnstiles of each attraction and there is no need to wait in any ticket lines at all. A CityPASS is valid for 14 consecutive days from the date that it is first used.
CityPASS Southern California Attractions
1. Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park
CityPASS includes a 3-day Park Hopper Ticket which allows back-and-forth admission to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park for any 3 days during the 14 consecutive day period that the CityPASS is valid.
It also includes one Magic Morning admission for Disneyland Park which allows you to enter Disneyland Park one hour before regular opening time on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. The parks are adjacent to each other which makes it particularly easy to hop between the two and fit everything into a three day visit.
If your family wants more than three days at Disneyland then the CityPASS ticket can be upgraded to add additional days. The CityPASS admission card can also be used to secure FASTPASS timed tickets in order to minimize time spent waiting in lines for the most popular attractions.
2. LEGOLAND California
CityPASS includes admission to LEGOLAND® California, including more than 60 rides, shows, attractions and MINILAND USA. One of the perks available with CityPASS is a 15% discount on stays at the LEGOLAND Hotel which has more than 250 themed rooms and is located just steps away from the park entrance. CityPASS holders can also add on an extra day in the park for $20, entrance to LEGOLAND Water Park for $30 for ages 3+ and $5 for ages 2 and under (open seasonally during spring, summer, and fall), and entrance to SEA LIFE Aquarium for $20.
3. SeaWorld San Diego
CityPASS includes general admission to the aquatic theme park including all rides and shows. Be sure to use the SeaWorld Discovery Guide for real-time information about the park, exclusive offers and deals, ride wait times, daily show times and an interactive map.
4. San Diego Zoo OR Safari Park
In addition to the attractions that are included with a ticket there is also an exclusive add-on available from CityPASS.com for either the San Diego Zoo OR the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Admission to the San Diego Zoo includes unlimited use of the 35-minute narrated Guided Bus Tour, Kangaroo Bus, and Skyfari Aerial Tram as well as all shows and exhibits.
Admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park includes unlimited rides on the Africa Tram, Cheetah Run and all shows and exhibits. If you want to visit both the Zoo and the Safari Park then your CityPASS card entitles you to a 10% discount off the box office price at the second of the two attractions.
How Much Does It Cost
The 2015 price for CityPASS Southern California for visitors Age 10+ is $329 and for visitors Age 3-9 is $286 which represents a savings of approximately 27% over regular admission prices. (Children 2 and under are admitted to all of the included attractions free of charge.) The San Diego Zoo or Safari Park add-on is $36 for ages 10+ and $28 for ages 3-9. The 2015 CityPASS e-tickets and admission cards must be used starting on or before December 31, 2015. The 2016 CityPASS is now available for purchase as well for use on or after January 1, 2016. Adult pricing is the same for 2016, however, the child’s ticket increased in price by $8 to $294.
Is CityPASS Southern California Worth the Cost?
The burning question for families visiting Southern California is whether it is worth it to purchase CityPASS. The only way to determine whether or not the cost is justified is to consider which attractions your family is planning to visit in Southern California and then crunch the numbers to see if you will save money by purchasing a CityPASS.
Admission Prices Purchased Individually:
Disneyland 3 Day Park Hopper – $275 for Age 10+ and $264 for Age 3-9 purchased online from Disneyland (Magic Morning included with tickets for 3 days or more). A 1 day Age 10+ ticket without Park Hopper is $99 and with Park Hopper is $155. A 2 day Age 10+ ticket without Park Hopper is $185 and with Park Hopper is $$225.
LEGOLAND California – $85 for both adults and children purchased online from LEGOLAND California.
SeaWorld San Diego – $89 for both adults and children (however, SeaWorld sometimes sells discounted tickets online. Currently single day tickets are available for $69 until 1/5/16)
San Diego Zoo or Safari Park – $48 for a 1-Day Pass Adult/$38 for a 1-Day Pass Child age 3-11 pass for San Diego Zoo; $48 for a 1-Day Pass Age 12+/$38 for a 1-Day Pass Age 3-11
Here are a few example scenarios to illustrate when it would or would not make financial sense to purchase CityPASS.
Scenario 1: Visiting LEGOLAND, SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo but NOT Disneyland
Admission to Disneyland is the most expensive ticket to purchase individually so a family that is not planning to visit Disneyland while in Southern California is better off purchasing admission tickets at each attraction separately.
1 Adult CityPASS: $329
1 Adult Ticket Purchase: LEGOLAND – $85 + SeaWorld $89 + San Diego Zoo $48 = $222
Scenario 2: Visiting Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park (3 Days w/Park Hopper), and LEGOLAND
1 Adult CityPASS: $329
1 Adult Ticket Purchase: LEGOLAND – $85 + 3 Days Disneyland/California Adventure w/Park Hopper $275 = $360
Scenario 3: Visiting Disneyland Park (1 day), California Adventure Park (1 Day), LEGOLAND, and SeaWorld
1 Adult CityPASS $329
1 Adult Ticket Purchase: Disneyland/California Adventure 2 Day Ticket (w/0 Park Hopper) $185 + LEGOLAND $85 + SeaWorld $89 = $359
Scenario 4: Disneyland Park (1 Park, 1 Day), LEGOLAND, SeaWorld and San Diego Zoo
1 Adult CityPASS $329 + San Diego Zoo Add-On ($36) = $365
1 Adult Ticket Purchase: Disneyland $99 + LEGOLAND $85 + SeaWorld $89 + San Diego Zoo $48 = $321
Scenario 5: Disneyland Park and California Adventure (2 Days with Park Hopper) and LEGOLAND
1 Adult CityPASS $329
1 Adult Ticket Purchase: Disneyland/California Adventure (2 Days with Park Hopper) $225 + LEGOLAND $85 = $310
Scenario 6: Disneyland Park and California Adventure (3 Days w/Park Hopper), LEGOLAND and SeaWorld
1 Adult CityPASS $329
1 Adult Ticket Purchase: Disneyland/California Adventure (3 Days w/Park Hopper) $275 + LEGOLAND $85 + SeaWorld $89 = $449
Under most circumstances if you are planning to visit Disneyland for more than one day and will be visiting at least one of the other parks then you will save money by purchasing a CityPASS instead of paying separate admissions at each of the attractions.
When comparing the costs you should also take into consideration the other perks listed such as the hotel discount at LEGOLAND California as the potential savings could tip the scales in favour of the CityPASS. If the price of the CityPASS is only slightly more than separately purchased admission prices then I would also consider whether the time saved from waiting in lines to purchase tickets at each attraction was worth a few extra dollars. Overall, CityPASS offers exceptional value to families planning to spend time visiting Southern California’s best theme parks.
What You Need To Know
- CityPASS can be purchased online or at any of the partner attractions. If you purchase online then you can choose to print an e-ticket at home or have admission cards shipped to you. Shipping is available to: U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. Admission cards can also be shipped directly to your hotel in either the U.S. or Canada.
- A Southern California CityPASS can also be purchased at the first theme park that you visit.
- Check the CityPASS website for current pricing information.
- Remember to bring your ID – attractions may ask for it.
- CityPASS Southern California is good for 14 days from the day you first use it.
- Share a photo of your CityPASS experience on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #CityPASS and you could win 4 CityPASS booklets.
I visited California as a guest of CityPASS. My opinions are, as always, my own.
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Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
You are so great for crunching all the numbers for us. I’ve been tempted many times to get a CityPass when we visit family in Houston, but we never seem to want to see enough things on the Pass to make it worthwhile. Or we’ll want to see both of an “either this or that” attraction but not one of the other included ones. I’m contemplating a trip to Dallas and need to take a look if it makes sense to get a CityPass there.
Leigh
I am actually blown away by some of these prices – especially Legoland. With a family any way you can save is worthwhile. I like how you’ve crunched the #’s – and you really have to do that to make sure it’s worth your while buying a City Pass.
Lisa Goodmurphy
One of the reasons that I like CityPASS is because they only include 5 or 6 attractions. We have looked at different sorts of passes in other cities that we have visited and they often include far more attractions than we have either the intention or time to visit. I do think most of these bundled passes work better if you have a few days in the destination so that you can see them at a more leisurely pace instead of rushing to try and fit everything. Let me know if you decide to use CityPASS in Dallas and how it works for your family if you do!
Lisa Goodmurphy
A theme park is definitely not a cheap family vacation! With 4 or more people the expense multiplies in a hurry so it is nice to have options like CityPASS that will help save some money!
Deepshikha M
Nice information shared ..