With the February half-term just around the corner, plenty of parents are on the hunt for ways to keep the kids entertained without watching their bank balance disappear. Let’s be honest — a big day out at a theme park can quickly turn into a wallet-wincing experience. But we’ve just spotted a brand-new deal that could mean unlimited family days out for the rest of the year

If you’ve ever queued for a rollercoaster or braved a splash zone, you’ll probably know Merlin Entertainments. They’re the powerhouse behind some of the UK’s biggest crowd-pleasers, including Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, Warwick Castle and LEGOLAND Windsor. And just in time for the school holidays, they’ve launched a rather tempting promotion: ‘Stay for a night, play for a year’.

Book a short break this February for selected spring dates, and you’ll receive a free Essential Merlin Annual Pass (MAP). That means unlimited entry to their parks for a full year, included with your stay.

It’s easy to spot which hotels are part of the offer. When booking, look out for a ‘Merlin Pass Included’ banner next to the hotel name to confirm it’s eligible. Reservations must be made by March 1, and the Merlin Annual Pass is emailed at the time of booking, unlocking 339 days of nonstop fun and adventure.

Depending on which resort and accommodation you go for, there are some lovely little extras too. Think themed rooms that the kids will talk about for weeks, a complimentary breakfast to fuel a full day of rides, and two full days at selected theme parks with an overnight stay. According to Yorkshire Live, guests can also enjoy perks like access to Alton Towers’ nine-hole golf course and the SEA Life centre at Chessington.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. The annual pass opens the door to attractions across the country, including SEA Life centres, Cadbury World, Shrek’s Adventure! London and LEGOLAND Discovery Centres. The ‘Stay for a Night, Play for a Year’ offer also covers big hitters such as the London Eye, Madame Tussauds and The London Dungeon.

Once activated, the pass runs for a full year, with only a handful of blackout dates. Pass holders also get 10% off Fastrack passes to dodge the queues, plus 10% off refreshments across the venues — handy when everyone suddenly decides they’re starving at once.

One of the best bits? You don’t have to wait for your hotel stay to start the fun. The pass can be activated beforehand, meaning you could even squeeze in a visit during the February half-term weekdays.

Prices vary depending on where you stay and how you use the pass. For instance, a family of four booking a stay at the Chessington Safari Hotel on Saturday, March 28, paying £418, would receive four complimentary passes.

Bought separately, Merlin Essential Passes would usually cost £139 per person — £556 for a family of four. Suddenly, that short break starts to look like a very savvy move, especially if theme park trips were already on your 2026 wish list.

And plenty of families say the passes are worth it. Over on Trustpilot, one happy customer wrote: “Best thing I ever did getting a gold pass. Saved over £1000 on day trips in 9 months. I will 100% renew.”

Another shared: “We have only had the passes for a couple of months, but what a couple of months it’s been, we’ve been to Legoland, Cadbury World and Warwick Castle. We have loved every minute of making memories and can’t wait to make plenty more.”

A third added: “Absolutely fantastic value for money, thank you for a year of adventures as a family, we are so grateful for the opportunities the pass gives our family.”

That said, not everyone was completely sold. One three-star review noted: “I don’t like the fact that Annual pass holders have to pre-book tickets when you have paid so much money for the passes.”

Still, if you’re already planning a theme park treat this year, this deal could turn one overnight stay into months of memory-making. That’s not a bad return for a single booking.