The Perks of getting Passes

A photo from Kings Island's passholder preview event on Friday, April 17. The event allowed passholders to visit the park the night before Opening Day on Saturday, April 18.

At one point in our lives, we have all dealt with it: A stressful vacation. If you're lucky, it only has happened to you once or twice. My family traveled from one place to another during my childhood, trying to see as much as we could to get our money's worth. A part of me doesn't blame my parents because it costs a hefty amount to take four children on a vacation.

As I got older and started paying for my own expenses on things to do around town, I started to realize the value of getting a season or annual pass to an attraction. The benefits outweigh the cost if it works for you and if you aren't considering getting one somewhere, here's why you should:

1) It saves money.

There are several places I like to visit in town and if I think I'll go back multiple times in a year, it's worth getting a pass. Since I started dating my boyfriend, I've gotten a pass to Kings Island. It's roughly $100 a year, but a single-day ticket can range from $36-$50 not including parking. My pass, which includes parking, would pay itself off after two or three visits. On top of the discounts you could get with a pass on gift shops or food, it makes sense.

2) Perks galore!

I get so many perks from having season passes. With my Newport Aquarium pass, I get discounts on the their cafe and gift shop, but I also get invited to preview events. Just last month, I got to see their new exhibit, Canyon Falls, for free before it opened to the public the next day. They also had free food at the event. Early entry is another great perk that I get with my Kings Island pass. They let passholders enter the park early to ride their most popular rides. At the Cincinnati Museum Center, you get discounts for their newest exhibits and at the Cincinnati Zoo the Festival of Lights event is free. There is so much to take advantage of with a pass.

3) Convenience

This is the biggest reason why I buy a pass. If I go to a destination that isn't worth going to that day, I don't have to feel inclined to stay. When you have a single-day ticket, it's a stressful situation because you're depending on the crowds or the weather to cooperate. There's no risk having a pass and it gives you so much peace of mind. When I go to places like the aquarium or the amusement park, I know I can leave if it isn't worth it and can go another time without any problems.

If you can't decide whether or not to get a pass, the biggest thing you should consider is if it's worth the cost for how much you'll use it. I had a pass for the Cincinnati Zoo one year, but didn't renew it because I didn't go often enough. I had to go at least three or four times to make it worth it. As a soon-to-be college grad, I cannot afford to get annual or season pass for a place I won't visit often enough. However, I've had passes to a few places for the past several years and I think the ones I use the most are worth every penny. Consider the benefits for yourself and you will see. :)