https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 11 May 2026 20:55:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2223275 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 18:54:33 +0000 clover 2223275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: Works for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2223210 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:10:52 +0000 kodybear 2223210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HabesBabe: for us most of the parks are within 30 min from us. So we usually go after they both nap (i usually time the naps so ds' second nap coincides with dds nap) so we get about 3 hours after nap. So far it's been a good amount of time in the park </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2223184 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 16:38:21 +0000 Aandmklover 2223184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: Me too!!! https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222977 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 14:15:00 +0000 Mrs D 2222977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: I'm game! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222807 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 12:44:05 +0000 BandDmommy 2222807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The zoo and museums are free here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222777 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 12:23:47 +0000 HabesBabe 2222777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How far of a drive is everything for you guys? With two kids and the little one still on two naps, it puts us in a tight spot because by the time we change his diaper, load them into the car, drive to wherever, we only have about an hour before lunchtime/2nd nap/etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222641 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 11:13:44 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2222641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Around here, annual passes tend to recoup the cost after visiting the location 2.5 times within the year. Personally, I find that really easy to do with places like zoos and aquariums and such. So I definitely think they're worth it!</p> <p>You also have the benefit of being able to leave if your LO is just having a really fussy day and not having a good time. With an annual pass, you aren't really losing anything to do this. But if you just paid for a day visit, you feel like you're wasting your money to leave early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222633 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 11:05:47 +0000 mrsjyw 2222633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wonderstruck: @Mrs D: @Finfan: @clover: I'm game for a meetup! Detroit Zoo? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222512 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 09:40:55 +0000 StrawberryBee 2222512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it depends on proximity, and your likelihood of using it. We have two zoos in the area but both are pretty far away now (we got a Groupon deal for an annual family membership when we were closer to the one zoo). The closest aquarium is in another state. We have Sesame Place which I'm kinda debating, but I want to see how our birthday trip in early August goes before committing. </p> <p>There's a lot of stuff around but none of it is in our backyard, so we tend not to take advantage of them. Maybe we will when LO is older? (she's just about to turn 2) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222365 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 07:46:27 +0000 cat620 2222365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have an annual pass to the zoo and the children's museum. Neither are very close to us, but we sometimes make a day trip out of it on the weekends as a family. I feel like even if I don't go often enough to make up for the cost of the passes, I'm still supporting places that do a lot of good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222350 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 07:31:19 +0000 looch 2222350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like in some cases, it's not worth it. </p> <p>One year, we had annual passes to the zoo. The problem was the distance and the transportation, so that year, we didn't get our money's worth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222314 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 06:37:05 +0000 ValentineMommy 2222314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: I think so. If you go 2-3 times in one year (which usually isn't hard) that generally makes up the cost. We belong to the zoo and aquarium. Last year we also joined two kids museums as well, but haven't rejoined (at least not yet). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222291 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 01:14:03 +0000 lamariniere 2222291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For us they are totally worth it. Memberships here are really cheap and we have them for the zoo, acquarium and technical museum. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222280 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 23:59:53 +0000 Aandmklover 2222280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DS1 loves the zoo. We just got a annual pass for the Toledo zoo (last week) we plan on renewing or Deteoit zoo one. The GLC aquarium is small but we felt it was worth a visit. We may go back maybe once a year (and my husband works at that mall) but def not worth the annual pass. Unless you go to that mall a lot.<br /> I haven't tried a lot of the things said by other Metro Detroit moms so I'll have to check them out. Thank guys. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222266 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 22:29:17 +0000 wonderstruck 2222266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: @mrsjyw: @Finfan: @clover:<br /> Okay there are a ridiculous amount of us obviously in the same area here...meetup sometime? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222245 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 21:54:04 +0000 clover 2222245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our membership to the Toledo zoo just expired and we're debating renewing it or not (further drive since the move). We also have one to Henry Ford museum/Greenfield village which I doubt we'll use as much now but its still a fun trip.</p> <p>@mrsjyw: @Mrs D: I agree with @Finfan: , the aquarium was a pretty big disappointment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222209 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 20:52:50 +0000 Finfan 2222209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have an annual pass to the zoo. Totally worth it. Instead of a membership, we bought a punch card to the children's museum (they only sell them a few times a year). This way we can bring many guests (or LO can go with her grandparents) without it costing us too much money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222207 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 20:50:36 +0000 Finfan 2222207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: @mrsjw The aquarium at Great Lakes is so terrible! Total waste of money IMO. I was completely unimpressed and we made the day trip from a different part of the state. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2222181 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 20:16:34 +0000 wonderstruck 2222181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've been thinking about getting one to the Toledo Zoo or Imagination Station, but it's tough since the only time DH can ever come are on Sundays, and when we attempted it this past weekend they were so crazy busy there was nowhere to park and the line to get in was nuts...we just said forget it. But I think that once D is a bit older we might get one for Imagination Station, L loves it there!</p> <p>But my SIL has memberships to both, so typically I just go during the week since she can get in one adult besides herself, haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2221975 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 16:05:58 +0000 Dandelion 2221975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have one for our local museum guild. It gets us into a few venues around here. It's totally worth it. Next year we plan on getting one for a local amusement park since D will be at a good age for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2221972 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 16:04:38 +0000 Ginabean3 2221972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a membership to the children's museum and it's been so worth it! Close to my house, free parking, plus if you are a member you felt in an hour before regular opening times! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2221908 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 15:20:13 +0000 catlady 2221908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have memberships to the science museum, the aquarium, and Mass. Audubon (gets us into nature centers, nice trails, a nice farm, etc).</p> <p>The science museum has been worth it times a million because it is within walking distance to our house so we go at least twice per month.</p> <p>The aquarium has been worth it even though we go less often because it paid for itself within two trips and we have gone at least 5 times since we got it.</p> <p>The Mass. Audubon one has probably not been worth it this year since all the trails/centers are within at least a 40 min drive and we have been limiting driving due to LO's carsickness.</p> <p>So basically, the closer they are to our home, the more worth it they have been for us. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2221903 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 15:15:35 +0000 LuLu Mom 2221903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have zoo &amp; children's museum, both have already gotten their money's worth 3x over this year! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2221899 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 15:10:36 +0000 rachiecakes 2221899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got a family pass to Legoland and so far it's been great! They have lots of members-only events and it's a fantastic rainy-day activity.<br /> It also helps that my husband books the entertainment at the shopping center it's located in and we're there all the time.<br /> And pass costs less than the play gym membership we had for the years before. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2221881 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:55:18 +0000 nana87 2221881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just got a pass to our local children's museum and haven't actually been since, but I think it'll be worth it-- it's only 15 min walk from our apt, and we will recoup costs if we go 6 times. But when we do go, we only stay for less than 90 mins since that's all lo can handle, and this way I won't stress about getting out money's worth. We've had good weather lately but I foresee taking lo a lot on rainy or too hot days this summer especially since she stays home with me 2 weekdays and we aren't signed up for any classes this summer (which cost way more than the museum membership!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2221880 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:53:31 +0000 Mrs D 2221880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: Definitely have heard mixed reviews on it...but we will be struggling this winter as K will be more and more active. I love Detroit Kid City but its a little far. And Rochester Play (or whatever it is called) I had a bad experience at - so I am hesitant to go back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2221877 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:51:22 +0000 mrsjyw 2221877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: we've been wanting to go since it opened, but we're waiting it out. i heard it's been an absolute cluster f the first few months! was def contemplating going this past rainy Saturday! :P we'll have to schedule something for the fall/winter on a bad weather day!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2221876 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:50:30 +0000 Mrs D 2221876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know...AA is such a hike (I'm in North Troy) so we hardly get there either.</p> <p>Thinking of checking out the new aquarium at Great Lakes - its $230 for a family which seems high - or $60 per person and under 3 are FREE. So really would only be $120 for us this year. May help compensate for those Rainy Days! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2221874 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:49:05 +0000 Corduroy 2221874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a zoo membership that we love. It is 15 minutes away and parking is included. Those two attributes mean we stop by almost every weekend. We also love our regional parks membership which covers entrance to several nature centers, swim fees at the local parks, and all parking fees at parks. </p> <p>We did not renew our membership to the local toddler amusement park. It's cute but it's about 30 minutes away, which is always nap inducing, and it costs $5 to park which is annoying since parking is a pain anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-annual-passes-worth-it#post-2221873 Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:48:23 +0000 mrsjyw 2221873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I've actually been to the AA hands on museum a ton (I used to teach summer school during college for elem kids) and I've been dying to take DS! It's a ton of fun for toddlers+. We just hardly ever go out that way anymore! :( </p>