Annual Passes Terms & Conditions
Discovery Pass Terms & Conditions
Merlin Discovery Pass
These are the terms and conditions ("Terms") on which we supply Merlin Discovery Passes ("Discovery Pass") to you ("Passholder" or "you"). Please read these Terms carefully before you submit your order for any Discovery Pass to us. These Terms tell you who we are, how we will provide the Discovery Pass to you, what to do if there is a problem and other important information.
We are Merlin Attractions Operations Limited, a company registered in England and Wales, with company number 06272935 and our registered office address is at Link House, 25 West Street, Poole, Dorset BH15 1LD ("Merlin" or "we"). You can contact us by writing to us at info@merlinannualpass.co.uk or Merlin Annual Pass Team, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE. If we have to contact you, we will do so using the contact details you provide when you purchase a Discovery Pass.
These Terms are integral to each Discovery Pass and are independent of any other contract and cannot be varied (other than in accordance with Term 21). Purchase and use of a Discovery Pass is in accordance with the regulations of each individual Attraction (as defined below in Term 1), copies of which are available at each Attraction or can be obtained online at https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/information/discovery-pass-terms. Please ensure that you are willing to be bound by these regulations before purchasing your Discovery Pass.
When you place an order for a Discovery Pass on our website our acceptance of your order will take place when we email you to accept it, at which point a contract will come into existence between you and us. We will assign a number to your order and will tell you what it is when we accept your order. It will help us if you can tell us the order number whenever you contact us about your order.
You can contact us within 14 days of entering into this contract (which happens when you purchase your Discovery Pass as described in paragraph 4 above) to cancel your contract and receive a refund as follows: contact us during the 14 day period with the completed model cancellation form at the end of these Terms or email us during the same period at info@merlinannualpass.co.uk. The Discovery Pass starts immediately after your purchase as requested by you on the website at the time of purchase (by clicking the relevant box just before payment). If you have used your Discovery Pass during the 14-day cancellation period before contacting us to cancel your Discovery Pass, you must pay us the amount proportionate to the value of the services supplied before cancellation. We shall be entitled to set off any such payment you are required to make against the amount to be refunded.
A Discovery Pass will only be valid when it is used and/or presented by the named holder, it displays a clear photograph which must be a true likeness of the named holder, and it is within the Validity Period (as defined in Term 3). Any use or attempted use of a Discovery Pass in breach of these Terms or the relevant Attraction's regulations will result in the Discovery Pass being revoked without a refund and/or compensation.
For the avoidance of doubt, pass sharing is a breach of these Terms and any attempted use of a Discovery Pass by someone other than the photographed and named holder, regardless of the reason, will result in access being refused and the Discovery Pass being revoked without a refund and/or compensation. For this reason, you should ensure that the Discovery Pass is kept in a safe and secure location where others will not have access to it.
- The Merlin attractions that are part of the Discovery Pass scheme are: Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, Warwick Castle, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London, Madame Tussauds London, the London Eye, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Birmingham, Manchester), the Blackpool Tower Attractions (the Blackpool Tower Eye, the Blackpool Circus, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom), Madame Tussauds Blackpool, SEA LIFE Centres & Sanctuaries based in the UK (Birmingham, Blackpool, Bray, Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, London, Manchester, Hunstanton, Scarborough, Weymouth), The Dungeons (London, Edinburgh, York, Blackpool) based in the UK and The Bear Grylls Adventure (4 specific activities, see attraction website for full details). (All of these attractions shall be collectively referred to as "Attractions" and "Attraction" shall be interpreted accordingly).
1.1 The Attractions that are part of the Discovery Pass Scheme are listed above (Term 1). No other Merlin attraction will be part of the Discovery Pass scheme unless expressly stated by Merlin. If you turn up to any attraction which is not listed in Term 1 above, the attraction staff have the right to reject your Discovery Pass and require you to buy a non-refundable full price ticket for entry into the relevant attraction on that day.
1.2 Before booking or visiting an attraction, please check if your pass is valid at that attraction on the Website or contact Merlin Annual Pass directly, using the contact details set out in the second paragraph of these Terms.
- The prices of each of the Discovery Passes are notified to you before you purchase a Discovery Pass. However, you are recommended to check the following link for any updates to such prices: https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/compare-passes/new-pass.
- Subject to Terms 12, 14, 15 and 30, a Discovery Pass entitles the holder to admission to the Attractions for a period of 12 months from the date of issue ("Validity Period") and is subject to the operating calendars of each Attraction and any applicable exclusion dates, and Term 4 below. The ʻvalid untilʼ date will be displayed on the digital Discovery Pass when issued and Passholders can use their Discovery Pass up to and including the ʻvalid untilʼ date. Please check individual Attraction opening and closing dates on the relevant Attraction's website and the Discovery Pass exclusions and restrictions set out at Terms 5 and 6 before your visit. Please note that not all Attractions are open all year.
- Merlin, in its absolute discretion, reserves the right to vary the opening and closing dates of the Attractions, to require pre-booking for any Attraction (for which a small fee may apply), to impose or vary limits on the numbers of persons (or of particular categories of persons based on matters including but not limited to what type of pass or entry ticket they may intend to use) allowed to book entry for or to enter any Attraction on any given day/ at any given time, and to close, remove or cancel all or any part of the rides, events or facilities within the Attractions, in each case for any reason including, but not limited to, technical, health and safety, legal, regulatory and/or operational reasons or due to special events or private functions. Any such variation, requirement or other change shall take immediate effect upon its adoption by Merlin. Unless you have exercised your right to cancel your Discovery Pass within 14 days of entering into this contract as described above, the full value or any part of the value of the Discovery Pass will not be refunded nor will any compensation be payable if any of the Attractions become unavailable or if any or part of any of the Attractions are closed or removed from the Discovery Pass scheme. Merlin will endeavour to publish relevant information as soon as possible if an Attraction requires advance booking, is operating under capacity restrictions, has reached capacity, has booked out of all or certain categories of entry slots at certain times/ on certain days, is closing or where certain rides or part of an Attraction becomes unavailable. Passholders are advised to check the Merlin Annual Pass Facebook feed, https://www.facebook.com/merlinannualpass/ and the Website, https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk for any cancellations or closures and special events (which may have additional costs) taking place on the relevant date and/or time of their proposed visit. Please note that some Attractions are subject to adverse weather conditions and therefore Passholders are advised to check the relevant Attraction website before travelling.
4.1 Please note that the London Eye will be shut for maintenance for up to three weeks in one month of each year. For 2022 this shall be between 10th January and 31st January (inclusive). Please check www.londoneye.com for details of closure. The London Eye River Cruise will also close for scheduled maintenance for a period in January. Please check www.londoneye.com for details of the closure.
4.2 The Blackpool Tower Dungeon will be closed for maintenance from 01st January 2022 –04th February 2022 inclusive. These dates are subject to change and additional maintenance dates may be required throughout 2022. For further information on The Blackpool Tower Dungeon opening times please visit https://www.thedungeons.com/blackpool/.
- Discovery Pass exclusions:
5.1 The Discovery Pass does not allow entry to any Merlin attraction on the following:
5.2 Select weekend dates. For 2022 the following weekend dates are restricted; 01st, 02nd, 08th, 15th, 22nd & 29th January, 05th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th & 26th February, 02nd, 03rd, 09th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th & 30th April, 01st, 21st, 28th & 29th May, 04th, 05th, 11th, 18th & 25th June, 02nd, 09th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th & 31st July, 06th, 07th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 27th & 28th August, 03rd, 04th, 10th, 17th & 24th September, 01st, 08th, 09th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd ,29th & 30th October, 05th, 06th, 12th, 19th, 26th November and 03rd, 10th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th & 31st December
5.3 UK bank holidays. For 2022 the dates are 03rd January, 15th April, 18th April, 02nd May, 02nd June, 03rd June, 29th August, 26th December and 27th December.
5.4 School holidays. For 2022 the dates are 12th February - 26th February. 02nd April - 24th April, 28th May - 05th June, 23rd July - 31st August, 15th October - 31st October and 17th December - 31st December (all dates inclusive).
5.5 The following peak dates in 2022: 07th October, 14thth October and 04th November. Merlin may, at any time, in its absolute discretion, add any further exclusions which shall be applicable to the Discovery Pass
- The Discovery Pass is subject to additional charges including, but not limited to, entrance fees, reservation or pre-booking fees (where applicable), parking fees, and/or booking fees for entry into:
6.1 Any concerts taking place at the Attractions, any themed and/or special events taking place at the Attractions including, but not limited to, Dungeon LATES, Shrekʼs Adventure! London LATES and SEA LIFE After Dark along with other events including (but not limited to) those managed by third parties;
6.2 All Christmas event openings including, but not limited to, the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Christmas event and Chessington World of Adventures Resort Christmas event;
6.3 Secondary attractions at Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park including, but not limited to, VIP experiences, the Savannah Splash Pool and Gym, selected Halloween mazes and all attractions at Go Ape;
6.4 Secondary attractions at Alton Towers Resort Theme Park including, but not limited to, the Alton Towers Waterpark, Extraordinary Golf, Alton Towers Spa, Scarefest Mazes and Tree Top Quest;
6.5 Secondary attractions at THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park including, but not limited to, Fright Nights and Mazes;
6.6 The Blackpool Tower Circus (including additional fees for entry to The Royal Box, V.I.P. seating areas and second row seating) other than the standard seat on the day of their visit which is included within the Discovery Pass in accordance with Term 8,
6.7 The Blackpool Tower Dungeon Escape Room;
6.8 Pirate Adventure Golf at SEA LIFE Weymouth;
6.9 Any other event as determined by Merlin (acting reasonably) from time to time;
6.10 Parking at the Attractions; and
6.11 Any secondary attractions at Warwick Castle including, but not limited to, the Castle Dungeon, which are be subject to additional charges.
6.12 Special events taking place at SEA LIFE Centre Manchester (certain dates apply) are subject to additional charges. Merlin may, in its absolute discretion, add any further restrictions to the list set out in this Term from time to time which shall be applicable to the Discovery Pass as determined by Merlin or in accordance with Term 4
- The Discovery Pass will not guarantee immediate entry to any Attraction or any event at any time. At Attractions or events which allocate individual time slots for entry or where pre-booking is required, Merlin Passholders are required to book an available time slot or pre-book their entry in advance in order to access the Attraction or an event, otherwise they will not be permitted entry. Please note that all time slots are subject to availability, and that there may be different allocations of time slots for different categories of customer (eg based on ticket or pass type), so early booking is recommended. Passholders are able to book an available time slot online by visiting the relevant Attraction's website, however a small fee may apply. When any Passholder has booked a timeslot (irrespective of Pass type), the Attraction may ask such Passholder to leave the Attraction at the end of their allocated timeslot.
- A Discovery Pass entitles the Passholder to one standard seat in the Blackpool Tower Circus per Passholder on the day of their visit, subject to availability.
- A Discovery Pass is only valid for standard London Eye tickets. A Discovery Pass may not be used for any of the following (without limitation):
9.1 Admission on to the London Eye River Cruise;
9.2 Pre-booked capsules;
9.3 Private capsules;
9.4 Civil ceremonies or weddings;
9.5 Champagne Experience;
9.6 Themed seasonal tickets; or
9.7 Packages, such as restaurants, hotels, theatre and combination tickets.
- To use a Discovery Pass, the Passholder must show their digital Pass at the admissions office, turnstile or other authorised entry point of the relevant Attraction. Entry to an Attraction by use of a Discovery Pass will only be permitted if a valid digital Discovery Pass can be presented. Failure to present a valid Discovery Pass will result in a charge of the "on the day" admission rate applicable to the relevant Attraction, which will be non-refundable. Re-entry to the same Attraction on the same day requires a hand stamp which will be given to the Passholder by the Attraction on exit from the Attraction.
- Please only make bookings using your Pass if you are able to visit on that day. If you do not visit the attraction using your Pass before closing time on the day of the booking, we reserve the right to mark your Pass with a 'no show' and you will receive an email from us confirming this the same.
If you are a 'no show' three times within a 90 day period, we may also pause your Pass. If this happens, we will email you, and you will not be able to make any further bookings for 14 days after receipt of that email.
If you would like to discuss or query any 'no show' status, or to cancel any bookings, please contact our call centre on 01372 751411 (local rate number) on Monday - Friday from 9am - 4pm or fill in our contact form at https://support.merlinannualpass.co.uk/hc/en-us/requests/new to chat through your options with us.
- All Discovery Passes remain the property of Merlin and can be withdrawn at any time. Passholders shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that a Discovery Pass is kept secure at all times and any Discovery Pass which has been lost, stolen and/or damaged should be reported to the relevant Attraction pursuant to Term 17. Discovery Passes are non-transferable and cannot be sold, loaned or given away to or used by a third party. A Discovery Pass will automatically be deemed void and shall be revoked without a refund and/or compensation if sold, loaned or given away or if any attempt is made to sell, loan or give it away. In the absolute discretion of the relevant Attraction, access will be denied to any or all Attractions and the relevant Passholder's pass revoked, if Merlin considers the Passholder to be guilty of (i) fraud or attempted fraud in respect of the Discovery Pass, (ii) misuse of the Discovery Pass (e.g. abuse of the Discovery Pass benefits); and/or (iii) inappropriate conduct. Inappropriate conduct includes, but is not limited to, displaying any sign or visible representation of any kind which is, or could reasonably be judged to be, threatening, abusive or insulting to any member of Merlin staff and/or other members of the public visiting the Attractions, or allowing or assisting a third party to attempt to gain unauthorised or improper access to any Attraction with a Discovery Pass of which they are not the valid holder. For the avoidance of doubt, no refund and/or compensation will be given in such circumstances.
- An individual who has their Discovery Pass revoked in accordance with Term 12, 14 or 30 shall be prevented from obtaining a replacement Discovery Pass and, in the future, is required to purchase a full price entrance ticket to enter an Attraction and this will be non-refundable. A year after the date an individual has their Discovery Pass revoked, such individual can contact Merlin to purchase a new Discovery Pass and Merlin will assess the revocation or ban at the time. The issue of any new Discovery Pass in accordance with this Term 13 is at the absolute discretion of Merlin and is subject to availability. Customers who are permitted by Merlin to purchase a new Discovery Pass in accordance with this Term 13 shall be required to pay the full purchase price applicable at the time of purchase.
- A Discovery Pass that is discovered to have been purchased through illegal methods (including, but not limited to, the use of fraudulent debit/credit cards) and/or through unauthorised third party channels, will be revoked without compensation. Should you require any further information regarding Merlin's approved third party suppliers, please contact info@merlinannualpass.co.uk.
- The management of the relevant Attraction, acting reasonably, reserves the right to refuse admission, or to refuse to allow pre-booking, at any time and for any reason including, but not being limited to, the Attraction being at full capacity.
- All Merlin Passholders are subject to a bag search on entry to any Attraction. Refusal to allow a search may result in access to the site being denied on the date of visit.
- In the event of a lost, stolen and/or damaged Discovery Pass, the Passholder should contact Merlin directly to have the relevant Discovery Pass blocked. Contact details are set out at the beginning of these Terms.
- Unless stated otherwise, a Discovery Pass cannot be used in conjunction with any promotional offer, voucher, advance booking or with any discount or retail/restaurant incentive. The Passholder is only entitled to the discounts stated in these Terms or such other discounts as made available to Passholders at Merlin's discretion from time to time.
- Once a Discovery Pass has been purchased, the Passholder can only cancel the Discovery Pass as described in paragraph 5 above. If you do not exercise your right to cancel within 14 days of entering into this contract as described above, your Merlin Discovery Pass is non-refundable.
- Merlin is entitled, in its absolute discretion, to change the price payable for its Discovery Pass at any time and for any reason and may from time to time offer pricing or promotional offers for purchasing the Discovery Pass at specific Attractions, online, or through third party channels. Please note that Merlin does not price match the price payable for a Discovery Pass. If Merlin changes the price payable for its Discovery Pass, it will advise Passholders on the website. For the avoidance of doubt, any changes in pricing will not apply to existing Discovery Passes retrospectively.
- Merlin reserves the right to vary these Terms by giving Passholders no less than 30 days' written notice of such variation by using the details provided to Merlin when the Passholder purchased a Discovery Pass and by making a note of such changes available on the terms and conditions page of the website at https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/information/discovery-pass-terms so please review the website periodically for changes. If you do not accept the amended terms, this may affect our ability to provide certain products and services to you.
- Visitors under 12 years of age to Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park and Warwick Castle must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors under 16 years of age to SEA LIFE Centres and Sanctuaries must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over, excluding SEA LIFE Blackpool, SEA LIFE London and SEA LIFE Scarborough. Visitors under 14 years of age to LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park and SEA LIFE Scarborough must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors under 15 years of age to the Blackpool Tower Attractions (as defined in Term 1) must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors 15 years and under to the London Eye, SEA LIFE London, the London Dungeon, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London and Madame Tussauds (London) must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors aged 15 and under to the Edinburgh Dungeon must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 16 years or over. Visitors under 16 years of age to the York Dungeon must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. With regard to LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Manchester), all adults aged 18 years or over must be accompanied by a child 17 years or under and all visitors 17 years and under must be accompanied at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. All participating guests at The Bear Grylls Adventure must be over 8 years of age, for guests 8 and 9 they must be accompanied on the activity by a participating adult (High Ropes, Climb & Archery). The Shooting activity at The Bear Grylls Adventure is suitable for guests over 10 years of age and guests between 10-15 years of age must be accompanied on the activity by a parent or guardian aged 18+.
- Visitors aged 1 or 2 will require a ticket to visit the Blackpool Tower Circus. Visitors under 3 years of age may enter Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park, Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, Warwick Castle, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London, the London Dungeon, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds (London), LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Manchester), the Blackpool Tower Eye, the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, SEA LIFE London and other SEA LIFE Centres and Sanctuaries free of charge. Visitors under 5 years of age are not permitted to enter the York Dungeon or Edinburgh Dungeon. Parental guidance is advised for children under 8 years of age at all Merlin Dungeon attractions. Visitors under 15 years of age may enter the Blackpool Tower Ballroom free of charge (limited to a maximum of two such free entrants per Passholder aged 18 years or over per visit).
- Height, weight, age restrictions and medical warnings apply to certain rides and attractions. Some rides at LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park and Alton Towers Resort Theme Park will require visitors who only just meet the minimum height requirements to be accompanied by an individual aged 16 years or over.
- All Passholders, their family members and friends entering a Merlin Attraction by virtue of a discounted entry ticket are required to comply with the booking and entry conditions (including without limitation any restrictions relating to height, weight, age (including the ages for which children are required to be accompanied by an adult) and any medical warnings) set out on Merlin's website. Passholders should check the relevant Attraction's website before booking a visit or visiting.
- If we fail to comply with these Terms, we are responsible for any direct loss or damage that you suffer provided that such loss or damage is a direct consequence and foreseeable result of our breach, and provided that you use all reasonable endeavours to mitigate such loss and/or damage. Loss or damage is foreseeable if either it is obvious that it will happen or if, at the time the contract was made, both we and you knew it might happen, for example, if you discussed it with us during the ordering process. We do not exclude or limit in any way our liability to you where it would be unlawful to do so.
Provision of Data and Merlin's Processing
- In order to implement and manage these Terms and to enable Merlin to comply with its contractual and statutory obligations, Merlin will require to process certain Personal Data relating to each Passholder as set out in Terms 28 to 29 inclusive. This is detailed in a separate Fair Processing Notice which will be provided to the Passholder under separate cover. For further details on how this may apply in practice, the Passholder may contact Merlin using privacy@merlinentertainments.biz.
- Each Passholder will be issued with their own digital Discovery Pass and will be required to supply the following data: (a) their first name and surname; (b) their date of birth; (c) their residential address; (d) a contact telephone number; (e) a contact email address; and (f) a photograph which must be a true likeness of the holder, and which must conform to UK passport photo requirements. Each individual will be issued with their own digital Discovery Pass and, for the avoidance of doubt, will be required to supply the details listed in Term 28 The purchaser of a Discovery Pass must be 18 years or over (and if purchasing a Discovery Pass on behalf of a minor (under 18s) the purchaser confirms that they are a parent or guardian of the minor and are authorised to share the minor's personal data (as set out in Term 28).
- If a disabled person has purchased a Merlin Discovery Pass and completes a Carer Pass application online, at their own discretion, providing documentation demonstrating a disability (for example by producing a doctor's letter setting out the disability, proof of receipt of disability living allowance or a disabled parking badge), that disabled Passholder shall be entitled to a free digital Carer Merlin Discovery Pass ("Carer Pass") which enables them to bring their carer into an Attraction with them at no additional cost.
- Carer Pass: A carer pass will be issued with a disabled Passholder's Discovery Pass where evidence of the disability has been provided by the relevant Passholder via the online application form and approved by Merlin. Once documentation has been approved, Merlin will provide a unique code and link for the Passholder to process their digital Carer Pass. Carer Passes are issued solely at Merlin's discretion and cannot be obtained at attraction or over the phone. Carer Passes will be reviewed annually. The Carer Pass can be used by any family member, friend or carer of the disabled Passholder who is 14 years or over. Each time a disabled Passholder visits an Attraction with a carer, they shall also supply their Carer Pass in order for the carer to be granted entry. If a disabled Passholder has forgotten their Carer Pass and wishes to have a carer present during their visit to an Attraction Merlin may, at its sole discretion, issue the carer with a day ticket. The Carer Pass entitles the designated carer admission to the Attractions only and does not entitle the designated carer to any other benefit. The details and photograph associated with the Carer Pass must be that of the disabled Discovery Passholder. Use by the Passholder and/or their carer of either the Discovery Pass and/or the Carer Pass in breach of these Terms may result in both the Discovery Pass and the Carer Pass being revoked without compensation
- Ride Access Pass: Whilst a Discovery Pass entitles the holder to admission to the Attractions, it does not automatically entitle a disabled person who is the holder the right to receive a priority entry pass for the rides ("Ride Access Pass"). Ride Access Passes are issued at the theme park Attractions and give holders priority entry to the rides so that queuing time is reduced. A Ride Access Pass will be provided at Merlin's discretion where Merlin is satisfied that that a Passholder is unable to queue at an Attraction, and provided that such Passholder is accompanied by someone aged 14 years or over. The terms and conditions of the Ride Access Pass may vary for each Attraction and therefore we recommend visiting the Attraction's website to view the terms ahead of your visit.
Fair Processing Notice
Merlin Attractions Operations Limited ("Merlin") is a British-based entertainment company, with a registered office at Link House, 25 West Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1LD, whose business is about creating unique, memorable and rewarding visitor experiences. A list of the Attractions and a note of the companies that make up the Merlin group which help to achieve this is available at https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/our-brands/ ("Merlin Group"). Merlin values the privacy of those individuals that it provides Merlin Discovery Passes to. This fair processing notice ("Notice") sets out the basis on which Merlin processes and protects the personal data we collect from you in connection with the Merlin Discovery Passes.
As Merlin is the company which was originally responsible for collecting information about you, it will be the Data Controller and can be contacted using the details set out below. You should be aware that although Merlin is principally responsible for looking after personal data collected in connection with a Discovery Pass, information is likely to be held in databases which can be accessed by other Merlin Group companies, and other entities in the Merlin Group may also be Data Controllers where they control the use or processing of such data. In the context of the Merlin Discovery Passes, Merlin will however be the single point of contact for all Merlin Group Data Controllers who can be contacted using the details set out below.
What personal information do we collect from you?
In relation to potential, historic customers and current Passholders, we collect "Personal Information". This refers to information which identifies or is capable of identifying you as an individual. We collect the following data directly from you in the course of administering or promoting our Discovery Passes: Information that you provide when applying for a Discovery Pass. Details of any concerns if you contact us with a query or issue. When you complete a survey to tell us how your experience of our attractions was and how we can improve, although you do not have to respond to them. Details of transactions you carry out to purchase a Discovery Pass including your credit/debit card details.
Your name, address, telephone number and/or email address and any other data fields noted in Term 28 in order to contact you with details of your Discovery Pass or in the unlikely event that we need to contact you urgently about your Discovery Pass. These details are mandatory and failure to provide means that we cannot provide you with a Discovery Pass.
We comply with principles of "data minimisation", and only collect the types and volume of Personal Information required to achieve the purposes set out in this Notice.
What purposes do we use your personal information for and what is the legal basis?
We will use the Personal Information we collect for the purposes of: contacting you in relation to service information, including, but not limited to, information about changes to these Terms, expiry reminders for your Discovery Pass; ensuring the security and safety of our attractions as covered by your Discovery Pass; and carrying out our obligations arising from any contracts entered into between you and us and ensuring we receive payment as required. We may also send you marketing materials (where we have appropriate permissions) as explained in more detail below. Merlin does not however send marketing materials to any child under the age of 13.
We will also need to use your personal data for purposes associated with our legal and regulatory obligations, including in relation to ensuring the health and safety of Passholders at any of our Attractions.
In the majority of cases, the processing of your personal data will be justified on one of the following bases: (i) it is provided for in the Merlin Discovery Pass Terms and Conditions, and therefore necessary to give effect to that contract (purposes A and C described above); (ii) it is necessary for us to comply with a legal obligation (purpose B described above); or (iii) it is in our legitimate interests as a business, and our interests are not overridden by your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms (marketing purposes described below, save where opt-in consent is required by other data protection laws in which case our legal basis shall be your consent for the purpose of GDPR). That legitimate interest is our freedom to operate as a global organisation and to ensure that our Attractions are promoted.
PLEASE NOTE: If we have previously told you that we were relying on consent as the basis of our processing activities, going forward we will not be relying on that legal basis unless we have said that in this Policy.
Where a Discovery Passholder provides evidence of a disability in accordance with Term 29 in order to apply for a Carer Pass or Ride Access Pass or in the event that a health and safety incident occurs at an Attraction, the Discovery Passholder acknowledges that Merlin will be collecting special categories of personal data (e.g. health information regarding a disability, impairment or injury). Merlin shall only process such special categories of data where necessary to perform the contract, and where the Discovery Passholder has consented to providing such data or where Merlin is relying on a specific exemption provided under local laws of EU Member States and other countries implementing the GDPR. Where possible, Merlin shall seek to minimise the collection and use of such sensitive personal data, and shall ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect such special categories of personal data.
Merlin only collects special categories of personal information about individuals under the age of 13 where the parent or guardian has provided "consent" on behalf of the relevant minor while purchasing a Discovery Pass in respect of that minor.
PLEASE NOTE. If you provide your explicit consent to allow us to process your special categories of data, you can withdraw your consent to such processing at any time. However, you should be aware that if you choose to withdraw your consent we will tell you more about the possible consequences, including if this means that certain services (in particular where you have applied for a Carer Pass) can no longer be provided).
Direct marketing
We may use your personal data to send you direct marketing communications about our Discovery Pass. This will be in the form of email, post, SMS or targeted online advertisements. Where we, or any members of the Merlin Group, require explicit opt-in consent for electronic direct marketing in accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations we will ask for your consent. Otherwise, for non-electronic marketing or where we can rely on the soft opt-in exemption under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, we will be relying on our Legitimate Interests for the purposes of GDPR as further detailed above. You have a right to stop receiving direct marketing at any time - you can do this by following the opt-out links in electronic communications (such as emails), or by contacting us at campaigns@merlinentertainments.biz. We will keep a suppression list to ensure you don't receive further marketing unless you opt-in again, but we will still send you service messages - e.g. details about attraction opening times or updates the terms linked to your Discovery Pass.
How long do we keep your personal information?
We will retain your personal data for as long as is reasonably necessary for the purposes listed above. In particular, where there has been no interaction from a Passholder (e.g. a purchase, newsletter sign up), a record will be archived after 2 years and deleted after 6 years. Where we are required to do so to meet legal, regulatory, tax or accounting requirements, we will retain your personal data for longer periods of time, but only where permitted to do so, including so that we have an accurate record of your dealings with us in the event of any complaints or challenges, or if we reasonably believe there is a possibility of legal action relating to your personal data or dealings. We maintain a data retention policy which we apply to records in our care. Where your personal data is no longer required and we do not have a legal requirement to retain it, we will ensure it is either securely deleted or stored in a way such that it is anonymised and the Personal Data is no longer used by the business.
Who do we share your personal data with?
We share data with other Merlin Group companies in order to carry out the purposes outlined above. We also share Personal data with third parties, which include:
- Service Providers, who help manage our IT and back office systems, and assist with our Customer Relationship Management activities, such as Salesforce, Experian Marketing Services; Cheetah Digital; CTI Digital; Merkle; Avius Insight; Zen Desk; and Adare International. Third parties that act as data processors are required to act only on our instructions as is necessary to perform services on our behalf and are required to comply with applicable legal requirements;
- Social media platforms, including Facebook;
- Regulators, which include the ICO, as well as other regulators and law enforcement agencies in the E.U. and around the world; and
- Solicitors and other professional services firms (including our auditors).
Furthermore, if required, we may disclose Personal Information in response to official government or regulatory requests; to law enforcement authorities to prevent physical harm or prevent or detect crime; or in the event of merger or acquisition.
Transfer of your personal information across borders
Some entities in the Merlin Group, with whom we share your data, and our service providers who have access to your personal data, are located outside the European Union. We will always take steps to ensure that any international transfer of information is carefully managed to protect your rights and interests, in particular for internal group transfers we have in place an intra group data transfer agreement which incorporates the EU Model Clauses pursuant to Article 46(2) of the GDPR. For external group transfers, we will either:
- only transfer your personal data to countries which are recognised as providing an adequate level of legal protection in accordance with Article 45 of the GDPR; or
- ensure that transfers outside the European Union are subject to an appropriate legal safeguard - for example, the EU Model Clauses pursuant to Article 46(2) of the GDPR and/or the EU - U.S. Privacy Shield for the protection of personal data transferred to the US (for further details, please see https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/data-transfers-outside-eu/eu-us-privacy-shield_en).
You have a right to ask us for more information about the safeguards we have put in place in relation to any data transfer agreement under which your personal data is transferred. Any data transfer agreement made available to you may be redacted for reasons of commercial sensitivity.
Protection of your information
We have implemented reasonable physical, technical and administrative security standards to protect Personal Information from loss, misuse, alteration, destruction or damage.
Your rights
You have the following rights in respect of your personal data:
- Access: to obtain a copy of your personal data together with information about how and on what basis that personal data is processed;
- Rectification: to rectify inaccurate personal data.
- Right to be Forgotten: to erase your personal data in limited circumstances where it is no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which it was collected or processed;
- Restriction: to restrict processing of your personal data where: (a) the accuracy of the personal data is contested; (b) the processing is unlawful but you object to the erasure of the personal data; (c) we no longer require the personal data for the purposes for which it was collected, but it is required for the establishment, exercise or defence of a legal claim;
- Objection: to challenge processing which we have justified on the basis of a legitimate interest;
- Portability: to obtain a portable copy of your personal data, or to have a copy transferred to a third party controller; and
- We do not carry out automated decision making which would trigger Article 22, but if we do in the future, we will notify you of this and set out your related rights.
To exercise your rights you can contact us as set out below. Please note the following if you do wish to exercise these rights:
- We take the confidentiality of all records containing personal data seriously, and reserve the right to ask you for proof of your identity if you make a request.
- We will not ask for a fee to exercise any of your rights in relation to your personal data, unless your request for access to information is unfounded, repetitive or excessive, in which case we will charge a reasonable amount in the circumstances.
- We aim to respond to any valid requests within one month unless it is particularly complicated or you have made several requests, in which case we aim to respond within three months. We will let you know if we are going to take longer than one month. We might ask you if you can help by telling us what exactly you want to receive or are concerned about. This will help us to action your request more quickly.
- Local laws, including in the UK, provide for additional exemptions, in particular to the right of access, whereby personal data can be withheld from you in certain circumstances, for example where it is subject to legal privilege.
CONTACT US
For changes, such as modifying your Personal Information where it is no longer accurate, and to exercise any of your rights, please contact info@merlinannualpass.co.uk with the subject heading "Exercise of Data Subject Right(s)".
If you have a complaint about how we have handled your Personal Information you may contact us in the first instance and we will attempt to resolve the issue as soon as possible. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your national data protection supervisory authority at any time. In the UK, the supervisory authority for data protection is the ICO (https://ico.org.uk/). We do ask that you please attempt to resolve any issues with us first, although you have a right to contact your supervisory authority at any time.
Silver Pass Terms & Conditions
These are the terms and conditions ("Terms") on which we supply Merlin Silver Passes ("Silver Pass") to you ("Passholder" or "you"). Please read these Terms carefully before you submit your order for any Silver Pass to us. These Terms tell you who we are, how we will provide the Silver Pass to you, what to do if there is a problem and other important information.
We are Merlin Attractions Operations Limited, a company registered in England and Wales, with company number 06272935 and our registered office address is at Link House, 25 West Street, Poole, Dorset BH15 1LD ("Merlin" or "we"). You can contact us by writing to us at info@merlinannualpass.co.uk or Merlin Annual Pass, Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, KT9 2NE. If we have to contact you, we will do so using the contact details you provide when you purchase a Silver Pass.
These Terms are integral to each Silver Pass and are independent of any other contract and cannot be varied (other than in accordance with Term 22). Purchase and use of a Silver Pass is in accordance with the regulations of each individual Attraction (as defined below in Term 1), copies of which are available at each Attraction or can be obtained online at https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/information/terms. Please ensure that you are willing to be bound by these regulations before purchasing your Silver Pass.
When you place an order for a Silver Pass on our website our acceptance of your order will take place when we email you to accept it, at which point a contract will come into existence between you and us. We will assign a number to your order and will tell you what it is when we accept your order. It will help us if you can tell us the order number whenever you contact us about your order. You will receive your Silver Pass digitally via email when purchasing on the Merlin Annual Pass website: https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk) ("Website").
You can contact us within 14 days of entering into this contract (which happens when you purchase your Silver Pass online as described in paragraph 4 above) to cancel your contract and receive a refund as follows: contact us during the 14 day period with the completed model cancellation form at the end of these Terms or email us during the same period at info@merlinannualpass.co.uk. The Silver Pass starts immediately after your purchase as requested by you on the website at the time of purchase (by clicking the relevant box just before payment). If you have used your Silver Pass during the 14-day cancellation period before contacting us to cancel your Silver Pass, you must pay us the amount proportionate to the value of the services supplied before cancellation. We shall be entitled to set off any such payment you are required to make against the amount to be refunded.
A Silver Pass will only be valid when it is used and/or presented by the named holder, it displays a clear photograph which must be a true likeness of the named holder, and it is within the Validity Period (as defined in Term 3). Any use or attempted use of a Silver Pass in breach of these Terms or the relevant Attraction's regulations will result in the Silver Pass being revoked without a refund and/or compensation.
For the avoidance of doubt, pass sharing is a breach of these Terms and any attempted use of a Silver Pass by someone other than the photographed and named holder, regardless of the reason, will result in access being refused and the Silver Pass being revoked without a refund and/or compensation. For this reason, you should ensure that the Silver Pass is kept in a safe and secure location where others will not have access to it.
1. The Merlin attractions that are part of the Silver Pass scheme are: Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, Warwick Castle, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London, Madame Tussauds London, the London Eye, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Birmingham, Manchester), the Blackpool Tower Attractions (the Blackpool Tower Eye, the Blackpool Circus, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom), Madame Tussauds Blackpool, SEA LIFE Centres & Sanctuaries based in the UK (Birmingham, Blackpool, Bray, Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, London, Manchester, Hunstanton, Scarborough, Weymouth), The Dungeons (London, Edinburgh, York, Blackpool) based in the UK and The Bear Grylls Adventure (4 specific activities, see attraction website for full details). (All of these attractions shall be collectively referred to as "Attractions" and "Attraction" shall be interpreted accordingly).
1.1 The Attractions that are part of the Silver Pass Scheme are listed above (Term 1). No other Merlin attraction will be part of the Silver Pass scheme unless expressly stated by Merlin. If you turn up to any attraction which is not listed in Term 1 above, the attraction staff have the right to reject your Silver Pass and require you to buy a non-refundable full price ticket for entry into the relevant attraction on that day.
1.2 Before booking or visiting an attraction, please check if your pass is valid at that attraction on the Website or contact Merlin Annual Pass directly, using the contact details set out in the second paragraph of these Terms.
- The prices of each of the Merlin Passes are notified to you before you purchase a Silver Pass. However, you are recommended to check the following link for any updates to such prices: https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/compare-passes/new-pass.
- Subject to Terms 13, 15, 16 and 33, a Silver Pass entitles the holder to admission to the Attractions for a period of 12 months from the date of issue ("Validity Period") and is subject to the operating calendars of each Attraction and any applicable exclusion dates, and Term 4 below. The ʻvalid untilʼ date will be displayed on the digital Silver Pass when issued and Passholders can use their Silver Pass up to and including the ʻvalid untilʼ date. Please check individual Attraction opening and closing dates on the relevant Attraction's website and the Silver Pass exclusions and restrictions set out at Terms 5 and 6 before your visit. Please note that not all Attractions are open all year.
- Merlin, in its absolute discretion, reserves the right to vary the opening and closing dates of the Attractions, to require pre-booking for any Attraction (for which a small fee may apply), to impose or vary limits on the numbers of persons (or of particular categories of persons based on matters including but not limited to what type of pass or entry ticket they may intend to use) allowed to book entry for or to enter any Attraction on any given day/ at any given time, and to close, remove or cancel all or any part of the rides, events or facilities within the Attractions, in each case for any reason including, but not limited to, technical, health and safety, legal, regulatory and/or operational reasons or due to special events or private functions. Any such variation, requirement or other change shall take immediate effect upon its adoption by Merlin. Unless you have exercised your right to cancel your Silver Pass within 14 days of entering into this contract as described above, the full value or any part of the value of the Silver Pass will not be refunded nor will any compensation be payable if any of the Attractions become unavailable or if any or part of any of the Attractions are closed or removed from the Silver Pass scheme. Merlin will endeavour to publish relevant information as soon as possible if an Attraction requires advance booking, is operating under capacity restrictions, has reached capacity, has booked out of all or certain categories of entry slots at certain times/ on certain days, is closing or where certain rides or part of an Attraction becomes unavailable. Passholders are advised to check the Merlin Annual Pass Facebook feed, https://www.facebook.com/merlinannualpass/ and the Website, https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk for any cancellations or closures and special events (which may have additional costs) taking place on the relevant date and/or time of their proposed visit. Please note that some Attractions are subject to adverse weather conditions and therefore Passholders are advised to check the relevant Attraction website before travelling.
4.1 Please note that the London Eye will be shut for maintenance for up to three weeks in one month of each year. For 2022 this shall be between 10th January 2022 and 31st January 2022 (inclusive). Please check www.londoneye.com for details of closure. The London Eye River Cruise will also close for scheduled maintenance for a similar period. Please check www.londoneye.com for details of the closure.
4.2 The Blackpool Tower Dungeon will be closed for maintenance from 01st January 2022 – 04th February 2022 inclusive. These dates are subject to change and additional maintenance dates may be required throughout 2022. For further information on The Blackpool Tower Dungeon opening times please visit https://www.thedungeons.com/blackpool/.
- Silver Pass exclusions:
5.1 The Silver Pass does not allow entry to any Merlin attraction on the following:
5.2 The following peak dates in 2022: 12th-13th, 19th-20th February, 15th-18th April, 01st-02nd May, 02nd-05th June, 16th-17th, 23rd-24th & 30th-31st July, 6th-31st August, 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 24th-31st October, 4th-6th November and 25th & 31st December 2022 (all dates inclusive).
Merlin may, at any time, in its absolute discretion, add any further exclusions which shall be applicable to the Silver Pass as determined by Merlin.
- The Silver Pass is subject to additional charges including, but not limited to, entrance fees, reservation or pre-booking fees (where applicable), parking fees, and/or booking fees for entry into:
6.1 Any concerts taking place at the Attractions, any themed and/or special events taking place at the Attractions including, but not limited to, Dungeon LATES, Shrekʼs Adventure! London LATES and SEA LIFE After Dark along with other events including (but not limited to) those managed by third parties;
6.2 All Christmas event openings including, but not limited to, the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Christmas event and Chessington World of Adventures Resort Christmas event;
6.3 Secondary attractions at Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park including, but not limited to, VIP experiences, the Savannah Splash Pool and Gym, selected Halloween mazes and all attractions at Go Ape;
6.4 Secondary attractions at Alton Towers Resort Theme Park including, but not limited to, the Alton Towers Waterpark, Extraordinary Golf, Alton Towers Spa, Scarefest Mazes and Tree Top Quest;
6.5 Secondary attractions at THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park including, but not limited to, Fright Nights, and Mazes;
6.6 The Blackpool Tower Circus (including additional fees for entry to The Royal Box, V.I.P. seating areas and second row seating) other than the standard seat on the day of their visit which is included within the Silver Pass in accordance with Term 9.
6.7 The Blackpool Tower Dungeon Escape Room;
6.8 Pirate Adventure Golf at SEA LIFE Weymouth;
6.9 Any other event as determined by Merlin (acting reasonably) from time to time;
6.10 Priority Parking at the Attractions;
6.11 Any secondary attractions at Warwick Castle including, but not limited to, the Castle Dungeon, which are be subject to additional charges; and
6.12 Special events taking place at SEA LIFE Centre Manchester (certain dates apply) are subject to additional charges.
Merlin may, in its absolute discretion, add any further restrictions to the list set out in this Term from time to time which shall be applicable to the Silver Pass as determined by Merlin or in accordance with Term 4 above.
- The Silver Pass will not guarantee immediate entry to any Attraction or any event at any time. At Attractions or events which allocate individual time slots for entry or where pre-booking is required, Merlin Passholders are required to book an available time slot or pre-book their entry in advance in order to access the Attraction or an event, otherwise they will not be permitted entry. Please note that all time slots are subject to availability, and that there may be different allocations of time slots for different categories of customer (eg based on ticket or pass type), so early booking is recommended. Passholders are able to book an available time slot online by visiting the relevant Attraction's website, however a small fee may apply. When any Passholder has booked a timeslot (irrespective of Pass type), the Attraction may ask such Passholder to leave the Attraction at the end of their allocated timeslot.
- Silver Pass Benefits:
8.1 A Silver Pass entitles the Passholder to purchase up to five discounted entry tickets for family and friends per individual Attraction per visit (excluding any secondary attractions including, but not limited to, the Alton Towers Waterpark and special events). Such discounted entry tickets are subject to certain restrictions, further information and details of which can be found at the relevant Attraction's website. The Passholder must be present on the day of the visit and a valid Silver Pass must be presented upon collection of these tickets which will be sold at such prices as Merlin shall decide from time to time and are subject to availability. Tickets must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of your visit. To find out more, please visit https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/passholder-hub/perks/friends-and-family.
- A Silver Pass entitles the Passholder to one standard seat in the Blackpool Tower Circus per Passholder on the day of their visit, subject to availability.
- A Silver Pass is only valid for standard London Eye tickets. A Silver Pass may not be used for any of the following (without limitation):
10.1 Admission on to the London Eye River Cruise;
10.2 Pre-booked capsules;
10.3 Private capsules;
10.4 Civil ceremonies or weddings;
10.5 Champagne Experience;
10.6 Themed seasonal tickets; or
10.7 Packages, such as restaurants, hotels, theatre and combination tickets.
- To use a Silver Pass, the Passholder must show their digital Pass at the admissions office, turnstile or other authorised entry point of the relevant Attraction. Entry to an Attraction by use of a Silver Pass will only be permitted if a valid digital Silver Pass can be presented. Failure to present a valid Silver Pass will result in a charge of the "on the day" admission rate applicable to the relevant Attraction, which will be non-refundable. Re-entry to the same Attraction on the same day requires a hand stamp which will be given to the Passholder by the Attraction on exit from the Attraction.
- Please only make bookings using your Pass if you are able to visit on that day. If you do not visit the attraction using your Pass before closing time on the day of the booking, we reserve the right to mark your Pass with a 'no show' and you will receive an email from us confirming this the same.
If you are a 'no show' three times within a 90 day period, we may also pause your Pass. If this happens, we will email you, and you will not be able to make any further bookings for 14 days after receipt of that email.
If you would like to discuss or query any 'no show' status, or to cancel any bookings, please contact our call centre on 01372 751411 (local rate number) on Monday - Friday from 9am - 4pm or fill in our contact form at https://support.merlinannualpass.co.uk/hc/en-us/requests/new to chat through your options with us.
- All Silver Passes remain the property of Merlin and can be withdrawn at any time. Passholders shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that a Silver Pass is kept secure at all times and any Silver Pass which has been lost, stolen and/or damaged should be reported to the relevant Attraction pursuant to Term 18. Silver Passes are non-transferable and cannot be sold, loaned or given away to or used by a third party. A Silver Pass will automatically be deemed void and shall be revoked without a refund and/or compensation if sold, loaned or given away or if any attempt is made to sell, loan or give it away. In the absolute discretion of the relevant Attraction, access will be denied to any or all Attractions and the relevant Passholder's pass revoked, if Merlin considers the Passholder to be guilty of (i) fraud or attempted fraud in respect of the Silver Pass, (ii) misuse of the Silver Pass (e.g. abuse of the Silver Pass benefits); and/or (iii) inappropriate conduct. Inappropriate conduct includes, but is not limited to, displaying any sign or visible representation of any kind which is, or could reasonably be judged to be, threatening, abusive or insulting to any member of Merlin staff and/or other members of the public visiting the Attractions, or allowing or assisting a third party to attempt to gain unauthorised or improper access to any Attraction with a Silver Pass of which they are not the valid holder. For the avoidance of doubt, no refund and/or compensation will be given in such circumstances.
- An individual who has their Silver Pass revoked in accordance with Term 13, 15 or 33 shall be prevented from obtaining a replacement Silver Pass and, in the future, is required to purchase a full price entrance ticket to enter an Attraction and this will be non-refundable. A year after the date an individual has their Silver Pass revoked, such individual can contact Merlin to purchase a new Silver Pass and Merlin will assess the revocation or ban at the time. The issue of any new Silver Pass in accordance with this Term 14 is at the absolute discretion of Merlin and is subject to availability. Customers who are permitted by Merlin to purchase a new Silver Pass in accordance with this Term 14 shall be required to pay the full purchase price applicable at the time of purchase and therefore will not be entitled to purchase at the renewal price.
- A Silver Pass that is discovered to have been purchased through illegal methods (including, but not limited to, the use of fraudulent debit/credit cards) and/or through unauthorised third party channels, will be revoked without compensation. Should you require any further information regarding Merlin's approved third party suppliers, please contact info@merlinannualpass.co.uk.
- The management of the relevant Attraction, acting reasonably, reserves the right to refuse admission, or to refuse to allow pre-booking, at any time and for any reason including, but not being limited to, the Attraction being at full capacity.
- All Merlin Passholders are subject to a bag search on entry to any Attraction. Refusal to allow a search may result in access to the site being denied on the date of visit.
- In the event of a lost, stolen and/or damaged Silver Pass, the Passholder should contact Merlin directly to have the relevant Silver Pass blocked. Contact details are set out at the beginning of these Terms.
- Unless stated otherwise, a Silver Pass cannot be used in conjunction with any promotional offer, voucher, advance booking or with any discount or retail/restaurant incentive. The Passholder is only entitled to the discounts stated in these Terms or such other discounts as made available to Passholders at Merlin's discretion from time to time.
- Once a Silver Pass has been purchased, the Passholder can only cancel the Silver Pass as described in paragraph 5 above. If you do not exercise your right to cancel within 14 days of entering into this contract as described above, your Merlin Silver Pass is non-refundable.
- Merlin is entitled, in its absolute discretion, to change the price payable for its Silver Pass at any time and for any reason and may from time to time offer pricing or promotional offers for purchasing the Silver Pass at specific Attractions, online, or through third party channels. Please note that Merlin does not price match the price payable for a Silver Pass. If Merlin changes the price payable for its Silver Pass, it will advise Passholders on the website. For the avoidance of doubt, any changes in pricing will not apply to existing Silver Passes retrospectively.
- Merlin reserves the right to vary these Terms by giving Passholders no less than 30 days' written notice of such variation by using the details provided to Merlin when the Passholder purchased a Silver Pass and by making a note of such changes available on the terms and conditions page of the website at https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/information/terms so please review the website periodically for changes. If you do not accept the amended terms, this may affect our ability to provide certain products and services to you.
- On the presentation of a Silver Pass, Passholders may receive discounts and/or benefits from Merlin and/or third parties. Such third party discounts and/or benefits are subject to change. Merlin is entitled to remove, change and/or withdraw any or all discounts and/or benefits in its absolute discretion at any time and for any reason. A list of the current benefits available directly from Merlin can be located at https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/passholder-hub/perks/ and are subject to availability.
- Visitors under 12 years of age to Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park and Warwick Castle must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors under 16 years of age to SEA LIFE Centres and Sanctuaries must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over, excluding SEA LIFE Blackpool, SEA LIFE London and SEA LIFE Scarborough. Visitors under 14 years of age to LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park and SEA LIFE Scarborough must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors under 15 years of age to the Blackpool Tower Attractions (as defined in Term 1) must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors 15 years and under to the London Eye, SEA LIFE London, the London Dungeon, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London and Madame Tussauds (London) must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors aged 15 and under to the Edinburgh Dungeon must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 16 years or over. Visitors under 16 years of age to the York Dungeon must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. With regard to LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Manchester), all adults aged 18 years or over must be accompanied by a child 17 years or under and all visitors 17 years and under must be accompanied at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over.
- Visitors aged 1 or 2 will require a ticket to visit the Blackpool Tower Circus. Visitors under 3 years of age may enter Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park, Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, Warwick Castle, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London, the London Dungeon, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds (London), LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Manchester), the Blackpool Tower Eye, the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, SEA LIFE London and other SEA LIFE Centres and Sanctuaries free of charge. Visitors under 5 years of age are not permitted to enter the York Dungeon or Edinburgh Dungeon. Parental guidance is advised for children under 8 years of age at all Merlin Dungeon attractions. Visitors under 15 years of age may enter the Blackpool Tower Ballroom free of charge (limited to a maximum of two such free entrants per Passholder aged 18 years or over per visit).
- Height, weight, age restrictions and medical warnings apply to certain rides and attractions. Some rides at LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park and Alton Towers Resort Theme Park will require visitors who only just meet the minimum height requirements to be accompanied by an individual aged 16 years or over.
- All Passholders, their family members and friends entering a Merlin Attraction by virtue of a discounted entry ticket are required to comply with the booking and entry conditions (including without limitation any restrictions relating to height, weight, age (including the ages for which children are required to be accompanied by an adult) and any medical warnings) set out on Merlin's website. Passholders should check the relevant Attraction's website before booking a visit or visiting.
- If we fail to comply with these Terms, we are responsible for any direct loss or damage that you suffer provided that such loss or damage is a direct consequence and foreseeable result of our breach, and provided that you use all reasonable endeavours to mitigate such loss and/or damage. Loss or damage is foreseeable if either it is obvious that it will happen or if, at the time the contract was made, both we and you knew it might happen, for example, if you discussed it with us during the ordering process. We do not exclude or limit in any way our liability to you where it would be unlawful to do so.
Provision of Data and Merlin's Processing
- In order to implement and manage these Terms and to enable Merlin to comply with its contractual and statutory obligations, Merlin will require to process certain Personal Data relating to each Passholder as set out in Terms 30 to 32 inclusive. This is detailed in a separate Fair Processing Notice which will be provided to the Passholder under separate cover. For further details on how this may apply in practice, the Passholder may contact Merlin using privacy@merlinentertainments.biz.
- Each Passholder will be issued with their own digital Silver Pass and will be required to supply the following data: (a) their first name and surname; (b) their date of birth; (c) their residential address; (d) a contact telephone number; (e) a contact email address; and (f) a photograph which must be a true likeness of the holder, and which must conform to UK passport photo requirements.
- Each Passholder will be issued with their own digital Silver Pass and, for the avoidance of doubt, will be required to supply the details listed in Term 30 The purchaser of a Silver Pass must be 18 years or over (and if purchasing a Silver Pass on behalf of a minor (under 18s) the purchaser confirms that they are a parent or guardian of the minor and are authorised to share the minor's personal data (as set out in Term 30).
- If a disabled person has purchased a Merlin Silver Pass and completes a Carer Pass application online, at their own discretion, providing documentation demonstrating a disability (for example by producing a doctor's letter setting out the disability, proof of receipt of disability living allowance or a disabled parking badge), that disabled Passholder shall be entitled to a free digital Carer Merlin Silver Pass ("Carer Pass") which enables them to bring their carer into an Attraction with them at no additional cost.
- Carer Pass: A carer pass will be issued with a disabled Passholder's Silver Pass where evidence of the disability has been provided by the relevant Passholder via the online application form and approved by Merlin. Once documentation has been approved, Merlin will provide a unique code and link for the Passholder to process their digital Carer Pass. Carer Passes are issued solely at Merlin's discretion and cannot be obtained at attraction or over the phone. Carer Passes will be reviewed annually. The Carer Pass can be used by any family member, friend or carer of the disabled Passholder who is 14 years or over. Each time a disabled Passholder visits an Attraction with a carer, they shall also supply their Carer Pass in order for the carer to be granted entry. If a disabled Passholder has forgotten their Carer Pass and wishes to have a carer present during their visit to an Attraction Merlin may, at its sole discretion, issue the carer with a day ticket. The Carer Pass entitles the designated carer admission to the Attractions only and does not entitle the designated carer to any other benefit. The details and photograph associated with the Carer Pass must be that of the disabled Silver Passholder. Use by the Passholder and/or their carer of either the Silver Pass and/or the Carer Pass in breach of these Terms may result in both the Silver Pass and the Carer Pass being revoked without compensation.
- Ride Access Pass: Whilst a Silver Pass entitles the holder to admission to the Attractions, it does not automatically entitle a disabled person who is the holder the right to receive a priority entry pass for the rides ("Ride Access Pass"). Ride Access Passes are issued at the theme park Attractions and give holders priority entry to the rides so that queuing time is reduced. A Ride Access Pass will be provided at Merlin's discretion where Merlin is satisfied that that a Passholder is unable to queue at an Attraction, and provided that such Passholder is accompanied by someone aged 14 years or over. The terms and conditions of the Ride Access Pass may vary for each Attraction and therefore we recommend visiting the Attraction's website to view the terms ahead of your visit.
Fair Processing Notice
Merlin Attractions Operations Limited ("Merlin") is a British-based entertainment company, with a registered office at Link House, 25 West Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1LD, whose business is about creating unique, memorable and rewarding visitor experiences. A list of the Attractions and a note of the companies that make up the Merlin group which help to achieve this is available at https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/our-brands/ ("Merlin Group"). Merlin values the privacy of those individuals that it provides Merlin Annual Passes to. This fair processing notice ("Notice") sets out the basis on which Merlin processes and protects the personal data we collect from you in connection with the Merlin Annual Passes.
As Merlin is the company which was originally responsible for collecting information about you, it will be the Data Controller and can be contacted using the details set out below. You should be aware that although Merlin is principally responsible for looking after personal data collected in connection with a Silver Pass, information is likely to be held in databases which can be accessed by other Merlin Group companies, and other entities in the Merlin Group may also be Data Controllers where they control the use or processing of such data. In the context of the Merlin Silver Passes, Merlin will however be the single point of contact for all Merlin Group Data Controllers who can be contacted using the details set out below.
What personal information do we collect from you?
In relation to potential, historic customers and current Passholders, we collect "Personal Information". This refers to information which identifies or is capable of identifying you as an individual. We collect the following data directly from you in the course of administering or promoting our Silver Passes: Information that you provide when applying for a Silver Pass. Details of any concerns if you contact us with a query or issue. When you complete a survey to tell us how your experience of our attractions was and how we can improve, although you do not have to respond to them. Details of transactions you carry out to purchase a Silver Pass including your credit/debit card details.
Your name, address, telephone number and/or email address and any other data fields noted in Term 30 in order to contact you with details of your Silver Pass or in the unlikely event that we need to contact you urgently about your Silver Pass. These details are mandatory and failure to provide means that we cannot provide you with a Silver Pass.
We comply with principles of "data minimisation", and only collect the types and volume of Personal Information required to achieve the purposes set out in this Notice.
What purposes do we use your personal information for and what is the legal basis?
We will use the Personal Information we collect for the purposes of: contacting you in relation to service information, including, but not limited to, information about changes to these Terms, expiry reminders for your Silver Pass; ensuring the security and safety of our attractions as covered by your Silver Pass; and carrying out our obligations arising from any contracts entered into between you and us and ensuring we receive payment as required. We may also send you marketing materials (where we have appropriate permissions) as explained in more detail below. Merlin does not however send marketing materials to any child under the age of 13.
We will also need to use your personal data for purposes associated with our legal and regulatory obligations, including in relation to ensuring the health and safety of Passholders at any of our Attractions. In the majority of cases, the processing of your personal data will be justified on one of the following bases: (i) it is provided for in the Merlin Silver Pass Terms and Conditions, and therefore necessary to give effect to that contract (purposes A and C described above); (ii) it is necessary for us to comply with a legal obligation (purpose B described above); or (iii) it is in our legitimate interests as a business, and our interests are not overridden by your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms (marketing purposes described below, save where opt-in consent is required by other data protection laws in which case our legal basis shall be your consent for the purpose of GDPR). That legitimate interest is our freedom to operate as a global organisation and to ensure that our Attractions are promoted.
PLEASE NOTE: If we have previously told you that we were relying on consent as the basis of our processing activities, going forward we will not be relying on that legal basis unless we have said that in this Policy.
Where a Silver Passholder provides evidence of a disability in accordance with Term 32 in order to apply for a Carer Pass or Ride Access Pass or in the event that a health and safety incident occurs at an Attraction, the Silver Passholder acknowledges that Merlin will be collecting special categories of personal data (e.g. health information regarding a disability, impairment or injury). Merlin shall only process such special categories of data where necessary to perform the contract, and where the Silver Passholder has consented to providing such data or where Merlin is relying on a specific exemption provided under local laws of EU Member States and other countries implementing the GDPR. Where possible, Merlin shall seek to minimise the collection and use of such sensitive personal data, and shall ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect such special categories of personal data.
Merlin only collects special categories of personal information about individuals under the age of 13 where the parent or guardian has provided "consent" on behalf of the relevant minor while purchasing a Silver Pass in respect of that minor.
PLEASE NOTE. If you provide your explicit consent to allow us to process your special categories of data, you can withdraw your consent to such processing at any time. However, you should be aware that if you choose to withdraw your consent we will tell you more about the possible consequences, including if this means that certain services (in particular where you have applied for a Carer Pass) can no longer be provided).
Direct marketing
We may use your personal data to send you direct marketing communications about our Silver Pass. This will be in the form of email, post, SMS or targeted online advertisements. Where we, or any members of the Merlin Group, require explicit opt-in consent for electronic direct marketing in accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations we will ask for your consent. Otherwise, for non-electronic marketing or where we can rely on the soft opt-in exemption under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, we will be relying on our Legitimate Interests for the purposes of GDPR as further detailed above. You have a right to stop receiving direct marketing at any time - you can do this by following the opt-out links in electronic communications (such as emails), or by contacting us at campaigns@merlinentertainments.biz. We will keep a suppression list to ensure you don't receive further marketing unless you opt-in again, but we will still send you service messages - e.g. details about attraction opening times or updates the terms linked to your Silver Pass.
How long do we keep your personal information?
We will retain your personal data for as long as is reasonably necessary for the purposes listed above. In particular, where there has been no interaction from a Passholder (e.g. a purchase, newsletter sign up), a record will be archived after 2 years and deleted after 6 years. Where we are required to do so to meet legal, regulatory, tax or accounting requirements, we will retain your personal data for longer periods of time, but only where permitted to do so, including so that we have an accurate record of your dealings with us in the event of any complaints or challenges, or if we reasonably believe there is a possibility of legal action relating to your personal data or dealings. We maintain a data retention policy which we apply to records in our care. Where your personal data is no longer required and we do not have a legal requirement to retain it, we will ensure it is either securely deleted or stored in a way such that it is anonymised and the Personal Data is no longer used by the business.
Who do we share your personal data with?
We share data with other Merlin Group companies in order to carry out the purposes outlined above. We also share Personal data with third parties, which include:
- Service Providers, who help manage our IT and back office systems, and assist with our Customer Relationship Management activities, such as Salesforce, Experian Marketing Services; Cheetah Digital; CTI Digital; Merkle; Avius Insight; Zen Desk; and Adare International. Third parties that act as data processors are required to act only on our instructions as is necessary to perform services on our behalf and are required to comply with applicable legal requirements;
- Social media platforms, including Facebook;
- Regulators, which include the ICO, as well as other regulators and law enforcement agencies in the E.U. and around the world; and
- Solicitors and other professional services firms (including our auditors).
Furthermore, if required, we may disclose Personal Information in response to official government or regulatory requests; to law enforcement authorities to prevent physical harm or prevent or detect crime; or in the event of merger or acquisition.
Transfer of your personal information across borders
Some entities in the Merlin Group, with whom we share your data, and our service providers who have access to your personal data, are located outside the European Union. We will always take steps to ensure that any international transfer of information is carefully managed to protect your rights and interests, in particular for internal group transfers we have in place an intra group data transfer agreement which incorporates the EU Model Clauses pursuant to Article 46(2) of the GDPR. For external group transfers, we will either:
- only transfer your personal data to countries which are recognised as providing an adequate level of legal protection in accordance with Article 45 of the GDPR; or
- ensure that transfers outside the European Union are subject to an appropriate legal safeguard - for example, the EU Model Clauses pursuant to Article 46(2) of the GDPR.
You have a right to ask us for more information about the safeguards we have put in place in relation to any data transfer agreement under which your personal data is transferred. Any data transfer agreement made available to you may be redacted for reasons of commercial sensitivity.
Protection of your information
We have implemented reasonable physical, technical and administrative security standards to protect Personal Information from loss, misuse, alteration, destruction or damage.
Your rights
- You have the following rights in respect of your personal data:
- Access: to obtain a copy of your personal data together with information about how and on what basis that personal data is processed;
- Rectification: to rectify inaccurate personal data.
- Right to be Forgotten: to erase your personal data in limited circumstances where it is no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which it was collected or processed;
- Restriction: to restrict processing of your personal data where: (a) the accuracy of the personal data is contested; (b) the processing is unlawful but you object to the erasure of the personal data; (c) we no longer require the personal data for the purposes for which it was collected, but it is required for the establishment, exercise or defence of a legal claim;
- Objection: to challenge processing which we have justified on the basis of a legitimate interest;
- Portability: to obtain a portable copy of your personal data, or to have a copy transferred to a third party controller; and
We do not carry out automated decision making which would trigger Article 22, but if we do in the future, we will notify you of this and set out your related rights.
To exercise your rights you can contact us as set out below. Please note the following if you do wish to exercise these rights:
- We take the confidentiality of all records containing personal data seriously, and reserve the right to ask you for proof of your identity if you make a request.
- We will not ask for a fee to exercise any of your rights in relation to your personal data, unless your request for access to information is unfounded, repetitive or excessive, in which case we will charge a reasonable amount in the circumstances.
- We aim to respond to any valid requests within one month unless it is particularly complicated or you have made several requests, in which case we aim to respond within three months. We will let you know if we are going to take longer than one month. We might ask you if you can help by telling us what exactly you want to receive or are concerned about. This will help us to action your request more quickly.
- Local laws, including in the UK, provide for additional exemptions, in particular to the right of access, whereby personal data can be withheld from you in certain circumstances, for example where it is subject to legal privilege.
CONTACT US
For changes, such as modifying your Personal Information where it is no longer accurate, and to exercise any of your rights, please contact info@merlinannualpass.co.uk with the subject heading "Exercise of Data Subject Right(s)".
If you have a complaint about how we have handled your Personal Information you may contact us in the first instance and we will attempt to resolve the issue as soon as possible. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your national data protection supervisory authority at any time. In the UK, the supervisory authority for data protection is the ICO (https://ico.org.uk/). We do ask that you please attempt to resolve any issues with us first, although you have a right to contact your supervisory authority at any time.
Model cancellation form
To: FAO: Merlin Annual Pass Team
Cancellation - Urgent
Chessington World of Adventures
Leatherhead Rd
Chessington
KT9 2NE
info@merlinannualpass.co.uk
I hereby give notice that I cancel my contract for the supply of the following service: Merlin Silver Pass
Ordered on …………………..
Name: …………………..
Address:………………………………………………………………….……
Signature:…………………………………… (only if this form is notified on paper)
Date: …………………………….
Gold Pass Terms & Conditions
Merlin Gold Pass
These are the terms and conditions ("Terms") on which we supply Merlin Gold Passes ("Gold Pass") to you ("Passholder" or "you"). Please read these Terms carefully before you submit your order for any Gold Pass to us. These Terms tell you who we are, how we will provide the Gold Pass to you, what to do if there is a problem and other important information.
We are Merlin Attractions Operations Limited, a company registered in England and Wales, with company number 06272935 and our registered office address is at Link House, 25 West Street, Poole, Dorset BH15 1LD ("Merlin" or "we"). You can contact us by writing to us at info@merlinannualpass.co.uk or Merlin Annual Pass Team, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE. If we have to contact you, we will do so using the contact details you provide when you purchase a Gold Pass.
These Terms are integral to each Gold Pass and are independent of any other contract and cannot be varied (other than in accordance with Term 24). Purchase and use of a Gold Pass is in accordance with the regulations of each individual Attraction (as defined below in Term 1), copies of which are available at each Attraction or can be obtained online at https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/information/terms. Please ensure that you are willing to be bound by these regulations before purchasing your Gold Pass.
When you place an order for a Gold Pass on our website our acceptance of your order will take place when we email you to accept it, at which point a contract will come into existence between you and us. We will assign a number to your order and will tell you what it is when we accept your order. It will help us if you can tell us the order number whenever you contact us about your order. You will receive your Gold Pass digitally via email as well as receiving a physical Pass via post when purchasing on the Merlin Annual Pass website: https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk) ("Website"). If you purchase a Gold Pass in person at one of our attractions, the contract will be formed when we accept payment from you and you will either receive your Gold Pass from the same attraction on the same day or, if you have purchased your Gold Pass at a smaller attraction which does not have the facilities to print your Gold Pass, you will be required to collect from another attraction.
If you have purchased your Gold Pass on the Merlin website, you can contact us within 14 days of entering into this contract (which happens when you purchase your Gold Pass online as described in paragraph 4 above) to cancel your contract and receive a refund as follows: contact us during the 14 day period with the completed model cancellation form at the end of these Terms or email us during the same period at info@merlinannualpass.co.uk. The Gold Pass starts immediately after your purchase as requested by you on the website at the time of purchase (by clicking the relevant box just before payment). If you cancel your contract, you must also send back the Gold Pass privilege pack, with the full contents intact and unredeemed within the 14 days to FAO: Merlin Annual Pass Team, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE. You will be responsible for the costs of returning the Gold Pass privilege pack, unless the items are damaged or faulty. If you have used your Gold Pass during the 14-day cancellation period before contacting us to cancel your Gold Pass, you must pay us the amount proportionate to the value of the services supplied before cancellation. We shall be entitled to set off any such payment you are required to make against the amount to be refunded.
A Gold Pass will only be valid when it is used and/or presented by the named holder, it displays a clear photograph which must be a true likeness of the named holder, and it is within the Validity Period (as defined in Term 3). Photocopies of a Gold Pass will not be accepted at an Attraction and Merlin reserves the right in its absolute discretion to refuse entry to any person attempting to use a Gold Pass which is not an original, without offering any compensation. Any use or attempted use of a Gold Pass in breach of these Terms or the relevant Attraction's regulations will result in the Gold Pass being revoked without a refund and/or compensation.
For the avoidance of doubt, pass sharing is a breach of these Terms and any attempted use of a Gold Pass by someone other than the photographed and named holder, regardless of the reason, will result in access being refused and the Gold Pass being revoked without a refund and/or compensation. For this reason, you should ensure that the Gold Pass is kept in a safe and secure location where others will not have access to it.
- The Merlin attractions that are part of the Gold Pass scheme are: Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, Warwick Castle, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London, Madame Tussauds London, the London Eye, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Birmingham, Manchester), the Blackpool Tower Attractions (the Blackpool Tower Eye, the Blackpool Circus, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom), Madame Tussauds Blackpool, SEA LIFE Centres & Sanctuaries based in the UK (Birmingham, Blackpool, Bray, Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, London, Manchester, Hunstanton, Scarborough, Weymouth), The Dungeons (London, Edinburgh, York, Blackpool) based in the UK and The Bear Grylls Adventure (4 specific activities, see attraction website for full details). (All of these attractions shall be collectively referred to as "Attractions" and "Attraction" shall be interpreted accordingly).
1.1 The Attractions that are part of the Gold Pass Scheme are listed above (Term 1). No other Merlin attraction will be part of the Gold Pass scheme unless expressly stated by Merlin. If you turn up to any attraction which is not listed in Term 1 above, the attraction staff have the right to reject your Gold Pass and require you to buy a non-refundable full price ticket for entry into the relevant attraction on that day.
1.2 Before booking or visiting an attraction, please check if your pass is valid at that attraction on the Website or contact Merlin Annual Pass directly, using the contact details set out in the second paragraph of these Terms.
- The prices of each of the Merlin Passes are notified to you before you purchase a Gold Pass. However, you are recommended to check the following link for any updates to such prices: https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/buy-passes/new-passes/.
- Subject to Terms 15, 17, 18 and 35, a Gold Pass entitles the holder to admission to the Attractions for a period of 12 months from the date of issue ("Validity Period") and is subject to the operating calendars of each Attraction and any applicable exclusion dates, and Term 4 below. The ʻvalid untilʼ date will be printed on the Gold Pass when issued, as well as being shown on the digital Gold Pass. Passholders can use their Gold Pass up to and including the ʻvalid untilʼ date. Please check individual Attraction opening and closing dates on the relevant Attraction's website and the Gold Pass exclusions and restrictions set out at Terms 5 and 6 before your visit. Please note that not all Attractions are open all year.
- Merlin, in its absolute discretion, reserves the right to vary the opening and closing dates of the Attractions, to require pre-booking for any Attraction (for which a small fee may apply), to impose or vary limits on the numbers of persons (or of particular categories of persons based on matters including but not limited to what type of pass or entry ticket they may intend to use) allowed to book entry for or to enter any Attraction on any given day/ at any given time, and to close, remove or cancel all or any part of the rides, events or facilities within the Attractions, in each case for any reason including, but not limited to, technical, health and safety, legal, regulatory and/or operational reasons or due to special events or private functions. Any such variation, requirement or other change shall take immediate effect upon its adoption by Merlin. Unless you have exercised your right to cancel your Gold Pass within 14 days of entering into this contract as described above, the full value or any part of the value of the Gold Pass will not be refunded nor will any compensation be payable if any of the Attractions become unavailable or if any or part of any of the Attractions are closed or removed from the Gold Pass scheme. Merlin will endeavour to publish relevant information as soon as possible if an Attraction requires advance booking, is operating under capacity restrictions, has reached capacity, has booked out of all or certain categories of entry slots at certain times/ on certain days, is closing or where certain rides or part of an Attraction becomes unavailable. Passholders are advised to check the Merlin Annual Pass Facebook feed, https://www.facebook.com/merlinannualpass/ and the events page of the Website, https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/passholder-hub/events for any cancellations or closures and special events (which may have additional costs) taking place on the relevant date and/or time of their proposed visit. Please note that some Attractions are subject to adverse weather conditions and therefore Passholders are advised to check the relevant Attraction website before travelling.
4.1 Please note that the London Eye will be shut for maintenance for up to three weeks in one month of each year. For 2022 this shall be between 10th January and 31st January (inclusive). Please check www.londoneye.com for details of closure. The London Eye River Cruise will also close for scheduled maintenance for a period in January. Please check www.londoneye.com for details of the closure.
4.2 The Blackpool Tower Dungeon will be closed for maintenance from 01st January 2022 – 04th February 2022 inclusive. These dates are subject to change and additional maintenance dates may be required throughout 2022. For further information on The Blackpool Tower Dungeon opening times please visit https://www.thedungeons.com/blackpool/.
- Gold Pass exclusions:
5.1 The Gold Pass does not allow entry to any Merlin attraction on the following:
5.2 The following peak dates in 2022: 12th February – 13th February, 15th April – 18th April, 01st May – 02nd May, 02nd June – 05th June, 28th August – 29th August, 29th October – 31st October and 04th November – 06th November (all dates inclusive).
Merlin may, at any time, in its absolute discretion, add any further exclusions which shall be applicable to the Gold Pass as determined by Merlin.
- The Gold Pass is subject to additional charges including, but not limited to, entrance fees, reservation or pre-booking fees (where applicable), parking fees, and/or booking fees for entry into:
6.1 Any concerts taking place at the Attractions, any themed and/or special events taking place at the Attractions including, but not limited to, Dungeon LATES, Shrekʼs Adventure! London LATES and SEA LIFE After Dark along with other events including (but not limited to) those managed by third parties;
6.2 All Christmas event openings including, but not limited to, the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Christmas event and Chessington World of Adventures Resort Christmas event;
6.3 Secondary attractions at Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park including, but not limited to, VIP experiences, the Savannah Splash Pool and Gym, selected Halloween mazes and all attractions at Go Ape;
6.4 Secondary attractions at Alton Towers Resort Theme Park including, but not limited to, the Alton Towers Waterpark, Extraordinary Golf, Alton Towers Spa, Scarefest Mazes and Tree Top Quest;
6.5 Secondary attractions at THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park including, but not limited to, Fright Nights, and Mazes;
6.6 The Blackpool Tower Circus (including additional fees for entry to The Royal Box, V.I.P. seating areas and second row seating) other than the standard seat on the day of their visit which is included within the Gold Pass in accordance with Term 9.
6.7 The Blackpool Tower Dungeon Escape Room;
6.8 Pirate Adventure Golf at SEA LIFE Weymouth;
6.9 Any other event as determined by Merlin (acting reasonably) from time to time;
6.10 Priority Parking at the Attractions;
6.11 Any secondary attractions at Warwick Castle including, but not limited to, the Castle Dungeon, which are be subject to additional charges; and
6.12 Special events taking place at SEA LIFE Centre Manchester (certain dates apply) are subject to additional charges.
Merlin may, in its absolute discretion, add any further restrictions to the list set out in this Term from time to time which shall be applicable to the Gold Pass as determined by Merlin or in accordance with Term 4
- The Gold Pass will not guarantee immediate entry to any Attraction or any event at any time. At Attractions or events which allocate individual time slots for entry or where pre-booking is required, Merlin Passholders are required to book an available time slot or pre-book their entry in advance in order to access the Attraction or an event, otherwise they will not be permitted entry. Please note that all time slots are subject to availability, and that there may be different allocations of time slots for different categories of customer (eg based on ticket or pass type), so early booking is recommended. Passholders are able to book an available time slot online by visiting the relevant Attraction's website, however a small fee may apply. When any Passholder has booked a timeslot (irrespective of Pass type), the Attraction may ask such Passholder to leave the Attraction at the end of their allocated timeslot.
- Gold Pass Benefits:
8.1 A Gold Pass entitles the Passholder to purchase up to five discounted entry tickets for family and friends per individual Attraction per visit (excluding any secondary attractions including, but not limited to, the Alton Towers Waterpark and special events). Such discounted entry tickets are subject to certain restrictions, further information and details of which can be found at the relevant Attraction's website. The Passholder must be present on the day of the visit and a valid Gold Pass must be presented upon collection of these tickets which will be sold at such prices as Merlin shall decide from time to time and are subject to availability. Tickets must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of your visit. To find out more, please visit https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/passholder-hub/perks/friends-and-family.
- A Gold Pass entitles the Passholder to one standard seat in the Blackpool Tower Circus per Passholder on the day of their visit, subject to availability.
- A Gold Pass is only valid for standard London Eye tickets. A Gold Pass may not be used for any of the following (without limitation):
10.1 Admission on to the London Eye River Cruise;
10.2 Pre-booked capsules;
10.3 Private capsules;
10.4 Civil ceremonies or weddings;
10.5 Champagne Experience;
10.6 Themed seasonal tickets; or
10.7 Packages, such as restaurants, hotels, theatre and combination tickets.
- Gold Passholders are entitled to free standard car parking at Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park and Warwick Castle. Merlin reserves the right, acting reasonably, to change the list of Attractions where free standard car parking is available upon written notice to Gold Passholders. For the avoidance of doubt, parking fees will apply at those Attractions not listed above for Gold Passholders.
- Each Gold Passholder will receive with their Gold Pass a "£5 off" Fastrack voucher ("Fastrack Voucher") for each of the following Attractions (a) Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, (b) Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park and (c) THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park. Subject to availability, a single Fastrack Voucher can be used to gain discounted Fastrack entry to participating rides at the Attraction specified on the Fastrack Voucher during the validity period specified on the Fastrack Voucher. This shall not include Mazes at any of our theme park Attractions. Where the value of the single ride Fastrack ticket is less than the value of the Fastrack Voucher, no change will be given but the Gold Passholder shall be entitled to redeem the remaining value of the Fastrack Voucher against other single Fastrack rides. Please note that only one Fastrack Voucher can be redeemed per transaction at each of the Attractions listed above. A Fastrack Voucher can only be used by the named Premium Merlin Passholder and is non-transferable and cannot be sold, loaned or given away to or used by a third party.
- To use a Gold Pass, the Passholder must show it at the admissions office, turnstile or other authorised entry point of the relevant Attraction. Entry to an Attraction by use of a Gold Pass will only be permitted if a valid Gold Pass can be presented (physical or digital). Failure to present a valid Gold Pass (due to it having been lost, stolen or forgotten) will result in a charge of the "on the day" admission rate applicable to the relevant Attraction, which will be non-refundable. Re-entry to the same Attraction on the same day requires a hand stamp which will be given to the Passholder by the Attraction on exit from the Attraction.
- Please only make bookings using your Pass if you are able to visit on that day. If you do not visit the attraction using your Pass before closing time on the day of the booking, we reserve the right to mark your Pass with a 'no show' and you will receive an email from us confirming this the same.
If you are a 'no show' three times within a 90 day period, we may also pause your Pass. If this happens, we will email you, and you will not be able to make any further bookings for 14 days after receipt of that email.
If you would like to discuss or query any 'no show' status, or to cancel any bookings, please contact our call centre on 01372 751411 (local rate number) on Monday - Friday from 9am - 4pm or fill in our contact form at https://support.merlinannualpass.co.uk/hc/en-us/requests/new to chat through your options with us.
- All Gold Passes remain the property of Merlin and can be withdrawn at any time. Passholders shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that a Gold Pass or Merlin gift voucher is kept secure at all times and any Gold Pass which has been lost, stolen and/or damaged should be reported to the relevant Attraction pursuant to Term 20. Please note should you lose a gift voucher this will not be replaced. Gold Passes are non-transferable and cannot be sold, loaned or given away to or used by a third party. A Gold Pass will automatically be deemed void and shall be revoked without a refund and/or compensation if sold, loaned or given away or if any attempt is made to sell, loan or give it away. In the absolute discretion of the relevant Attraction, access will be denied to any or all Attractions and the relevant Passholder's pass revoked, if Merlin considers the Passholder to be guilty of (i) fraud or attempted fraud in respect of the Gold Pass, (ii) misuse of the Gold Pass (e.g. abuse of the Gold Pass benefits); and/or (iii) inappropriate conduct. Inappropriate conduct includes, but is not limited to, displaying any sign or visible representation of any kind which is, or could reasonably be judged to be, threatening, abusive or insulting to any member of Merlin staff and/or other members of the public visiting the Attractions, or allowing or assisting a third party to attempt to gain unauthorised or improper access to any Attraction with a Gold Pass of which they are not the valid holder. For the avoidance of doubt, no refund and/or compensation will be given in such circumstances.
- An individual who has their Gold Pass revoked in accordance with Term 15, 17 or 35 shall be prevented from obtaining a replacement Gold Pass and, in the future, is required to purchase a full price entrance ticket to enter an Attraction and this will be non-refundable. A year after the date an individual has their Gold Pass revoked, such individual can contact Merlin to purchase a new Gold Pass and Merlin will assess the revocation or ban at the time. The issue of any new Gold Pass in accordance with this Term 16 is at the absolute discretion of Merlin and is subject to availability. Customers who are permitted by Merlin to purchase a new Gold Pass in accordance with this Term 16 shall be required to pay the full purchase price applicable at the time of purchase and therefore will not be entitled to purchase at the renewal price.
- A Gold Pass that is discovered to have been purchased through illegal methods (including, but not limited to, the use of fraudulent debit/credit cards) and/or through unauthorised third party channels, will be revoked without compensation. Should you require any further information regarding Merlin's approved third party suppliers, please contact info@merlinannualpass.co.uk.
- The management of the relevant Attraction, acting reasonably, reserves the right to refuse admission, or to refuse to allow pre-booking, at any time and for any reason including, but not being limited to, the Attraction being at full capacity.
- All Merlin Passholders are subject to a bag search on entry to any Attraction. Refusal to allow a search may result in access to the site being denied on the date of visit.
- In the event of a lost, stolen and/or damaged Gold Pass, the Passholder should contact Merlin directly to have the relevant Gold Pass blocked. Contact details are set out at the beginning of these Terms. Merlin will re-issue a replacement Gold Pass subject to a maximum of four replacement Passes per Passholder per year. An administration fee of up to £10 will be charged for the re-issue of each lost or damaged Gold Pass. The re-issue of stolen Gold Passes will also be subject to the £10 re-issue fee unless the holder can provide Merlin with a relevant crime reference number when requesting that the Gold Pass is re-issued.
- Unless stated otherwise, a Gold Pass cannot be used in conjunction with any promotional offer, voucher, advance booking or with any discount or retail/restaurant incentive. The Passholder is only entitled to the discounts stated in these Terms or such other discounts as made available to Passholders at Merlin's discretion from time to time.
- Once a Gold Pass has been purchased, the Passholder can only cancel the Gold Pass as described in paragraph 5 above. If you do not exercise your right to cancel within 14 days of entering into this contract as described above, your Merlin Gold Pass is non-refundable.
- Merlin is entitled, in its absolute discretion, to change the price payable for its Gold Pass at any time and for any reason and may from time to time offer pricing or promotional offers for purchasing the Gold Pass at specific Attractions, online, or through third party channels. Please note that Merlin does not price match the price payable for a Gold Pass. If Merlin changes the price payable for its Gold Pass, it will advise Passholders on the website. For the avoidance of doubt, any changes in pricing will not apply to existing Gold Passes retrospectively.
- Merlin reserves the right to vary these Terms by giving Passholders no less than 30 days' written notice of such variation by using the details provided to Merlin when the Passholder purchased a Gold Pass and by making a note of such changes available on the terms and conditions page of the website at https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/information/terms so please review the website periodically for changes. If you do not accept the amended terms, this may affect our ability to provide certain products and services to you.
- On the presentation of a Gold Pass, Passholders may receive discounts and/or benefits from Merlin and/or third parties. Such third party discounts and/or benefits are subject to change. Merlin is entitled to remove, change and/or withdraw any or all discounts and/or benefits in its absolute discretion at any time and for any reason. A list of the current benefits available directly from Merlin can be located at https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/passholder-hub/perks/in-our-worlds#tabsand are subject to availability.
- Visitors under 12 years of age to Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park and Warwick Castle must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors under 16 years of age to SEA LIFE Centres and Sanctuaries must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over, excluding SEA LIFE Blackpool, SEA LIFE London and SEA LIFE Scarborough. Visitors under 14 years of age to LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park and SEA LIFE Scarborough must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors under 15 years of age to the Blackpool Tower Attractions (as defined in Term 1) must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors 15 years and under to the London Eye, SEA LIFE London, the London Dungeon, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London and Madame Tussauds (London) must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors aged 15 and under to the Edinburgh Dungeon must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 16 years or over. Visitors under 16 years of age to the York Dungeon must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. With regard to LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Manchester), all adults aged 18 years or over must be accompanied by a child 17 years or under and all visitors 17 years and under must be accompanied at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. All participating guests at The Bear Grylls Adventure must be over 8 years of age, for guests 8 and 9 they must be accompanied on the activity by a participating adult (High Ropes, Climb & Archery). The Shooting activity at The Bear Grylls Adventure is suitable for guests over 10 years of age and guests between 10-15 years of age must be accompanied on the activity by a parent or guardian aged 18+.
- Visitors aged 1 or 2 will require a ticket to visit the Blackpool Tower Circus. Visitors under 3 years of age may enter Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park, Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, Warwick Castle, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London, the London Dungeon, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds (London), LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Manchester), the Blackpool Tower Eye, the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, SEA LIFE London and other SEA LIFE Centres and Sanctuaries free of charge. Visitors under 5 years of age are not permitted to enter the York Dungeon or Edinburgh Dungeon. Parental guidance is advised for children under 8 years of age at all Merlin Dungeon attractions. Visitors under 15 years of age may enter the Blackpool Tower Ballroom free of charge (limited to a maximum of two such free entrants per Passholder aged 18 years or over per visit).
- Height, weight, age restrictions and medical warnings apply to certain rides and attractions. Some rides at LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park and Alton Towers Resort Theme Park will require visitors who only just meet the minimum height requirements to be accompanied by an individual aged 16 years or over.
- All Passholders, their family members and friends entering a Merlin Attraction by virtue of a discounted entry ticket are required to comply with the booking and entry conditions (including without limitation any restrictions relating to height, weight, age (including the ages for which children are required to be accompanied by an adult) and any medical warnings) set out on Merlin's website. Passholders should check the relevant Attraction's website before booking a visit or visiting.
- If we fail to comply with these Terms, we are responsible for any direct loss or damage that you suffer provided that such loss or damage is a direct consequence and foreseeable result of our breach, and provided that you use all reasonable endeavours to mitigate such loss and/or damage. Loss or damage is foreseeable if either it is obvious that it will happen or if, at the time the contract was made, both we and you knew it might happen, for example, if you discussed it with us during the ordering process. We do not exclude or limit in any way our liability to you where it would be unlawful to do so.
Provision of Data and Merlin's Processing
- In order to implement and manage these Terms and to enable Merlin to comply with its contractual and statutory obligations, Merlin will require to process certain Personal Data relating to each Passholder as set out in Terms 32 to 34 inclusive. This is detailed in a separate Fair Processing Notice which will be provided to the Passholder under separate cover. For further details on how this may apply in practice, the Passholder may contact Merlin using privacy@merlinentertainments.biz.
- Each Passholder will be issued with their own Gold Pass and will be required to supply the following data: (a) their first name and surname; (b) their date of birth; (c) their residential address; (d) a contact telephone number; (e) a contact email address; and (f) a photograph which must be a true likeness of the holder, and which must conform to UK passport photo requirements.
- Each individual will be issued with their own physical and digital Gold Pass and, for the avoidance of doubt, will be required to supply the details listed in Term 32 The purchaser of a Gold Pass must be 18 years or over (and if purchasing a Gold Pass on behalf of a minor (under 18s) the purchaser confirms that they are a parent or guardian of the minor and are authorised to share the minor's personal data (as set out in Term 32).
- If a disabled person has purchased a Merlin Gold Pass and completes a Carer Pass application online, at their own discretion, providing documentation demonstrating a disability (for example by producing a doctor's letter setting out the disability, proof of receipt of disability living allowance or a disabled parking badge), that disabled Passholder shall be entitled to a free digital Carer Merlin Gold Pass ("Carer Pass") which enables them to bring their carer into an Attraction with them at no additional cost.
- Carer Pass: A carer pass will be issued with a disabled Passholder's Gold Pass where evidence of the disability has been provided by the relevant Passholder via the online application form and approved by Merlin. Once documentation has been approved, Merlin will provide a unique code and link for the Passholder to process their digital Carer Pass. Carer Passes are issued solely at Merlin's discretion and cannot be obtained online or over the phone. Carer Passes will be reviewed annually. The Carer Pass can be used by any family member, friend or carer of the disabled Passholder who is 14 years or over. Each time a disabled Passholder visits an Attraction with a carer, they shall also supply their Carer Pass in order for the carer to be granted entry. If a disabled Passholder has forgotten their Carer Pass and wishes to have a carer present during their visit to an Attraction Merlin may, at its sole discretion, issue the carer with a day ticket. The Carer Pass entitles the designated carer admission to the Attractions only and does not entitle the designated carer to any other benefit including, but not limited to, privilege packs and their associated contents. The details and photograph associated with the Carer Pass must be that of the disabled Platinum Passholder. Use by the Passholder and/or their carer of either the Gold Pass and/or the Carer Pass in breach of these Terms may result in both the Gold Pass and the Carer Pass being revoked without compensation.
- Ride Access Pass: Whilst a Gold Pass entitles the holder to admission to the Attractions, it does not automatically entitle a disabled person who is the holder the right to receive a priority entry pass for the rides ("Ride Access Pass"). Ride Access Passes are issued at the theme park Attractions and give holders priority entry to the rides so that queuing time is reduced. A Ride Access Pass will be provided at Merlin's discretion where Merlin is satisfied that that a Passholder is unable to queue at an Attraction, and provided that such Passholder is accompanied by someone aged 14 years or over. The terms and conditions of the Ride Access Pass may vary for each Attraction and therefore we recommend visiting the Attraction's website to view the terms ahead of your visit.
Fair Processing Notice
Merlin Attractions Operations Limited ("Merlin") is a British-based entertainment company, with a registered office at Link House, 25 West Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1LD, whose business is about creating unique, memorable and rewarding visitor experiences. A list of the Attractions and a note of the companies that make up the Merlin group which help to achieve this is available at https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/our-brands/ ("Merlin Group"). Merlin values the privacy of those individuals that it provides Merlin Annual Passes to. This fair processing notice ("Notice") sets out the basis on which Merlin processes and protects the personal data we collect from you in connection with the Merlin Annual Passes.
As Merlin is the company which was originally responsible for collecting information about you, it will be the Data Controller and can be contacted using the details set out below. You should be aware that although Merlin is principally responsible for looking after personal data collected in connection with a Gold Pass, information is likely to be held in databases which can be accessed by other Merlin Group companies, and other entities in the Merlin Group may also be Data Controllers where they control the use or processing of such data. In the context of the Merlin Gold Passes, Merlin will however be the single point of contact for all Merlin Group Data Controllers who can be contacted using the details set out below.
What personal information do we collect from you?
In relation to potential, historic customers and current Passholders, we collect "Personal Information". This refers to information which identifies or is capable of identifying you as an individual. We collect the following data directly from you in the course of administering or promoting our Gold Passes: Information that you provide when applying for a Gold Pass. Details of any concerns if you contact us with a query or issue. When you complete a survey to tell us how your experience of our attractions was and how we can improve, although you do not have to respond to them. Details of transactions you carry out to purchase a Gold Pass including your credit/debit card details.
Your name, address, telephone number and/or email address and any other data fields noted in Term 32 in order to contact you with details of your Gold Pass or in the unlikely event that we need to contact you urgently about your Gold Pass. These details are mandatory and failure to provide means that we cannot provide you with a Gold Pass.
We comply with principles of "data minimisation", and only collect the types and volume of Personal Information required to achieve the purposes set out in this Notice.
What purposes do we use your personal information for and what is the legal basis?
We will use the Personal Information we collect for the purposes of: contacting you in relation to service information, including, but not limited to, information about changes to these Terms, expiry reminders for your Gold Pass; ensuring the security and safety of our attractions as covered by your Gold Pass; and carrying out our obligations arising from any contracts entered into between you and us and ensuring we receive payment as required. We may also send you marketing materials (where we have appropriate permissions) as explained in more detail below. Merlin does not however send marketing materials to any child under the age of 13.
We will also need to use your personal data for purposes associated with our legal and regulatory obligations, including in relation to ensuring the health and safety of Passholders at any of our Attractions.
In the majority of cases, the processing of your personal data will be justified on one of the following bases: (i) it is provided for in the Merlin Gold Pass Terms and Conditions, and therefore necessary to give effect to that contract (purposes A and C described above); (ii) it is necessary for us to comply with a legal obligation (purpose B described above); or (iii) it is in our legitimate interests as a business, and our interests are not overridden by your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms (marketing purposes described below, save where opt-in consent is required by other data protection laws in which case our legal basis shall be your consent for the purpose of GDPR). That legitimate interest is our freedom to operate as a global organisation and to ensure that our Attractions are promoted.
PLEASE NOTE: If we have previously told you that we were relying on consent as the basis of our processing activities, going forward we will not be relying on that legal basis unless we have said that in this Policy.
Where a Gold Passholder provides evidence of a disability in accordance with Term 34 in order to apply for a Carer Pass or Ride Access Pass or in the event that a health and safety incident occurs at an Attraction, the Gold Passholder acknowledges that Merlin will be collecting special categories of personal data (e.g. health information regarding a disability, impairment or injury). Merlin shall only process such special categories of data where necessary to perform the contract, and where the Gold Passholder has consented to providing such data or where Merlin is relying on a specific exemption provided under local laws of EU Member States and other countries implementing the GDPR. Where possible, Merlin shall seek to minimise the collection and use of such sensitive personal data, and shall ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect such special categories of personal data.
Merlin only collects special categories of personal information about individuals under the age of 13 where the parent or guardian has provided "consent" on behalf of the relevant minor while purchasing a Gold Pass in respect of that minor.
PLEASE NOTE. If you provide your explicit consent to allow us to process your special categories of data, you can withdraw your consent to such processing at any time. However, you should be aware that if you choose to withdraw your consent we will tell you more about the possible consequences, including if this means that certain services (in particular where you have applied for a Carer Pass) can no longer be provided).
Direct marketing
We may use your personal data to send you direct marketing communications about our Gold Pass. This will be in the form of email, post, SMS or targeted online advertisements. Where we, or any members of the Merlin Group, require explicit opt-in consent for electronic direct marketing in accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations we will ask for your consent. Otherwise, for non-electronic marketing or where we can rely on the soft opt-in exemption under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, we will be relying on our Legitimate Interests for the purposes of GDPR as further detailed above. You have a right to stop receiving direct marketing at any time - you can do this by following the opt-out links in electronic communications (such as emails), or by contacting us at campaigns@merlinentertainments.biz. We will keep a suppression list to ensure you don't receive further marketing unless you opt-in again, but we will still send you service messages - e.g. details about attraction opening times or updates the terms linked to your Gold Pass.
How long do we keep your personal information?
We will retain your personal data for as long as is reasonably necessary for the purposes listed above. In particular, where there has been no interaction from a Passholder (e.g. a purchase, newsletter sign up), a record will be archived after 2 years and deleted after 6 years. Where we are required to do so to meet legal, regulatory, tax or accounting requirements, we will retain your personal data for longer periods of time, but only where permitted to do so, including so that we have an accurate record of your dealings with us in the event of any complaints or challenges, or if we reasonably believe there is a possibility of legal action relating to your personal data or dealings. We maintain a data retention policy which we apply to records in our care. Where your personal data is no longer required and we do not have a legal requirement to retain it, we will ensure it is either securely deleted or stored in a way such that it is anonymised and the Personal Data is no longer used by the business.
Who do we share your personal data with?
We share data with other Merlin Group companies in order to carry out the purposes outlined above. We also share Personal data with third parties, which include:
- Service Providers, who help manage our IT and back office systems, and assist with our Customer Relationship Management activities, such as Salesforce, Experian Marketing Services; Cheetah Digital; CTI Digital; Merkle; Avius Insight; Zen Desk; and Adare International. Third parties that act as data processors are required to act only on our instructions as is necessary to perform services on our behalf and are required to comply with applicable legal requirements;
- Social media platforms, including Facebook;
- Regulators, which include the ICO, as well as other regulators and law enforcement agencies in the E.U. and around the world; and
- Solicitors and other professional services firms (including our auditors).
Furthermore, if required, we may disclose Personal Information in response to official government or regulatory requests; to law enforcement authorities to prevent physical harm or prevent or detect crime; or in the event of merger or acquisition.
Transfer of your personal information across borders
Some entities in the Merlin Group, with whom we share your data, and our service providers who have access to your personal data, are located outside the European Union. We will always take steps to ensure that any international transfer of information is carefully managed to protect your rights and interests, in particular for internal group transfers we have in place an intra group data transfer agreement which incorporates the EU Model Clauses pursuant to Article 46(2) of the GDPR. For external group transfers, we will either:
- only transfer your personal data to countries which are recognised as providing an adequate level of legal protection in accordance with Article 45 of the GDPR; or
- ensure that transfers outside the European Union are subject to an appropriate legal safeguard - for example, the EU Model Clauses pursuant to Article 46(2) of the GDPR.
You have a right to ask us for more information about the safeguards we have put in place in relation to any data transfer agreement under which your personal data is transferred. Any data transfer agreement made available to you may be redacted for reasons of commercial sensitivity.
Protection of your information
We have implemented reasonable physical, technical and administrative security standards to protect Personal Information from loss, misuse, alteration, destruction or damage.
Your rights
You have the following rights in respect of your personal data:
- Access: to obtain a copy of your personal data together with information about how and on what basis that personal data is processed;
- Rectification: to rectify inaccurate personal data.
- Right to be Forgotten: to erase your personal data in limited circumstances where it is no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which it was collected or processed;
- Restriction: to restrict processing of your personal data where: (a) the accuracy of the personal data is contested; (b) the processing is unlawful but you object to the erasure of the personal data; (c) we no longer require the personal data for the purposes for which it was collected, but it is required for the establishment, exercise or defence of a legal claim;
- Objection: to challenge processing which we have justified on the basis of a legitimate interest;
- Portability: to obtain a portable copy of your personal data, or to have a copy transferred to a third party controller; and
- We do not carry out automated decision making which would trigger Article 22, but if we do in the future, we will notify you of this and set out your related rights.
To exercise your rights you can contact us as set out below. Please note the following if you do wish to exercise these rights:
- We take the confidentiality of all records containing personal data seriously, and reserve the right to ask you for proof of your identity if you make a request.
- We will not ask for a fee to exercise any of your rights in relation to your personal data, unless your request for access to information is unfounded, repetitive or excessive, in which case we will charge a reasonable amount in the circumstances.
- We aim to respond to any valid requests within one month unless it is particularly complicated or you have made several requests, in which case we aim to respond within three months. We will let you know if we are going to take longer than one month. We might ask you if you can help by telling us what exactly you want to receive or are concerned about. This will help us to action your request more quickly.
- Local laws, including in the UK, provide for additional exemptions, in particular to the right of access, whereby personal data can be withheld from you in certain circumstances, for example where it is subject to legal privilege.
CONTACT US
For changes, such as modifying your Personal Information where it is no longer accurate, and to exercise any of your rights, please contact info@merlinannualpass.co.uk with the subject heading "Exercise of Data Subject Right(s)".
If you have a complaint about how we have handled your Personal Information you may contact us in the first instance and we will attempt to resolve the issue as soon as possible. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your national data protection supervisory authority at any time. In the UK, the supervisory authority for data protection is the ICO (https://ico.org.uk/). We do ask that you please attempt to resolve any issues with us first, although you have a right to contact your supervisory authority at any time.
Platinum Pass Terms & Conditions
Merlin Platinum Pass
These are the terms and conditions ("Terms") on which we supply Merlin Platinum Passes ("Platinum Pass") to you ("Passholder" or "you"). Please read these Terms carefully before you submit your order for any Platinum Pass to us. These Terms tell you who we are, how we will provide the Platinum Pass to you, what to do if there is a problem and other important information.
We are Merlin Attractions Operations Limited, a company registered in England and Wales, with company number 06272935 and our registered office address is at Link House, 25 West Street, Poole, Dorset BH15 1LD ("Merlin" or "we"). You can contact us by writing to us at info@merlinannualpass.co.uk or Merlin Annual Pass Team, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE. If we have to contact you, we will do so using the contact details you provide when you purchase a Platinum Pass.
These Terms are integral to each Platinum Pass and are independent of any other contract and cannot be varied (other than in accordance with Term 24). Purchase and use of a Platinum Pass is in accordance with the regulations of each individual Attraction (as defined below in Term 1), copies of which are available at each Attraction or can be obtained online at https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/information/terms. Please ensure that you are willing to be bound by these regulations before purchasing your Platinum Pass.
When you place an order for a Platinum Pass on our website our acceptance of your order will take place when we email you to accept it, at which point a contract will come into existence between you and us. We will assign a number to your order and will tell you what it is when we accept your order. It will help us if you can tell us the order number whenever you contact us about your order. You will receive your Platinum Pass digitally via email as well as receiving a physical Pass via post when purchasing on the Merlin Annual Pass website: https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk) ("Website"). If you purchase a Platinum Pass in person at one of our attractions, the contract will be formed when we accept payment from you and you will either receive your Platinum Pass from the same attraction on the same day or, if you have purchased your Platinum Pass at a smaller attraction which does not have the facilities to print your Platinum Pass, you will be required to collect from another attraction.
If you have purchased your Platinum Pass on the Merlin website, you can contact us within 14 days of entering into this contract (which happens when you purchase your Platinum Pass online as described in paragraph 4 above) to cancel your contract and receive a refund as follows: contact us during the 14 day period with the completed model cancellation form at the end of these Terms or email us during the same period at info@merlinannualpass.co.uk. The Platinum Pass starts immediately after your purchase as requested by you on the website at the time of purchase (by clicking the relevant box just before payment). If you cancel your contract, you must also send back the Platinum Pass privilege pack, with the full contents intact and unredeemed within the 14 days to FAO: Merlin Annual Pass Team, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE. You will be responsible for the costs of returning the Platinum Pass privilege pack, unless the items are damaged or faulty. If you have used your Platinum Pass during the 14-day cancellation period before contacting us to cancel your Platinum Pass, you must pay us the amount proportionate to the value of the services supplied before cancellation. We shall be entitled to set off any such payment you are required to make against the amount to be refunded.
A Platinum Pass will only be valid when it is used and/or presented by the named holder, it displays a clear photograph which must be a true likeness of the named holder, and it is within the Validity Period (as defined in Term 3). Photocopies of a Platinum Pass will not be accepted at an Attraction and Merlin reserves the right in its absolute discretion to refuse entry to any person attempting to use a Platinum Pass which is not an original, without offering any compensation. Any use or attempted use of a Platinum Pass in breach of these Terms or the relevant Attraction's regulations will result in the Platinum Pass being revoked without a refund and/or compensation.
For the avoidance of doubt, pass sharing is a breach of these Terms and any attempted use of a Platinum Pass by someone other than the photographed and named holder, regardless of the reason, will result in access being refused and the Platinum Pass being revoked without a refund and/or compensation. For this reason, you should ensure that the Platinum Pass is kept in a safe and secure location where others will not have access to it.
- The Merlin attractions that are part of the Platinum Pass scheme are: Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, Warwick Castle, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London, Madame Tussauds London, the London Eye, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Birmingham, Manchester), the Blackpool Tower Attractions (the Blackpool Tower Eye, the Blackpool Circus, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom), Madame Tussauds Blackpool, SEA LIFE Centres & Sanctuaries based in the UK (Birmingham, Blackpool, Bray, Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, London, Manchester, Hunstanton, Scarborough, Weymouth), The Dungeons (London, Edinburgh, York, Blackpool) based in the UK and The Bear Grylls Adventure (4 specific activities, see attraction website for full details). (All of these attractions shall be collectively referred to as "Attractions" and "Attraction" shall be interpreted accordingly).
1.1 The Attractions that are part of the Platinum Pass Scheme are listed above (Term 1). No other Merlin attraction will be part of the Platinum Pass scheme unless expressly stated by Merlin. If you turn up to any attraction which is not listed in Term 1 above, the attraction staff have the right to reject your Platinum Pass and require you to buy a non-refundable full price ticket for entry into the relevant attraction on that day.
1.2 Before booking or visiting an attraction, please check if your pass is valid at that attraction on the Website or contact Merlin Annual Pass directly, using the contact details set out in the second paragraph of these Terms.
- The prices of each of the Annual Passes are notified to you before you purchase a Platinum Pass. However, you are recommended to check the following link for any updates to such prices: https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/buy-passes/new-passes/.
- Subject to Terms 15, 17, 18 and 35, a Platinum Pass entitles the holder to admission to the Attractions for a period of 12 months from the date of issue ("Validity Period") and is subject to the operating calendars of each Attraction and any applicable exclusion dates, and Term 4 below. The ʻvalid untilʼ date will be printed on the Platinum Pass when issued, as well as being shown on the digital Platinum Pass. Passholders can use their Platinum Pass up to and including the ʻvalid untilʼ date. Please check individual Attraction opening and closing dates on the relevant Attraction's website and the Platinum Pass exclusions and restrictions set out at Term 6 before your visit. Please note that not all Attractions are open all year.
- Merlin, in its absolute discretion, reserves the right to vary the opening and closing dates of the Attractions, to require pre-booking for any Attraction (for which a small fee may apply), to impose or vary limits on the numbers of persons (or of particular categories of persons based on matters including but not limited to what type of pass or entry ticket they may intend to use) allowed to book entry for or to enter any Attraction on any given day/ at any given time, and to close, remove or cancel all or any part of the rides, events or facilities within the Attractions, in each case for any reason including, but not limited to, technical, health and safety, legal, regulatory and/or operational reasons or due to special events or private functions. Any such variation, requirement or other change shall take immediate effect upon its adoption by Merlin. Unless you have exercised your right to cancel your Platinum Pass within 14 days of entering into this contract as described above, the full value or any part of the value of the Platinum Pass will not be refunded nor will any compensation be payable if any of the Attractions become unavailable or if any or part of any of the Attractions are closed or removed from the Platinum Pass scheme. Merlin will endeavour to publish relevant information as soon as possible if an Attraction requires advance booking, is operating under capacity restrictions, has reached capacity, has booked out of all or certain categories of entry slots at certain times/ on certain days, is closing or where certain rides or part of an Attraction becomes unavailable. Passholders are advised to check the Merlin Annual Pass Facebook feed, https://www.facebook.com/merlinannualpass/ and the Website, https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/ for any cancellations or closures and special events (which may have additional costs) taking place on the relevant date and/or time of their proposed visit. Please note that some Attractions are subject to adverse weather conditions and therefore Passholders are advised to check the relevant Attraction website before travelling.
4.1 Please note that the London Eye will be shut for maintenance for up to three weeks in one month of each year. For 2022 this shall be between 10th January and 31st January (inclusive). Please check www.londoneye.com for details of closure. The London Eye River Cruise will also close for scheduled maintenance for a period in January. Please check www.londoneye.com for details of the closure.
4.2 The Blackpool Tower Dungeon will be closed for maintenance from 01st January 2022 – 04th February 2022 inclusive. These dates are subject to change and additional maintenance dates may be required throughout 2022. For further information on The Blackpool Tower Dungeon opening times please visit https://www.thedungeons.com/blackpool/.
- Merlin may, at any time, in its absolute discretion, add any exclusions which shall be applicable to the Platinum Pass as determined by Merlin.
- The Platinum Pass is subject to additional charges including, but not limited to, entrance fees, reservation or pre-booking fees (where applicable), parking fees, and/or booking fees for entry into:
6.1 Any concerts taking place at the Attractions, any themed and/or special events taking place at the Attractions including, but not limited to, Dungeon LATES, Shrekʼs Adventure! London LATES and SEA LIFE After Dark along with other events including (but not limited to) those managed by third parties;
6.2 All Christmas event openings including, but not limited to, the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Christmas event and Chessington World of Adventures Resort Christmas event;
6.3 Secondary attractions at Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park including, but not limited to, VIP experiences, the Savannah Splash Pool and Gym, selected Halloween mazes and all attractions at Go Ape;
6.4 Secondary attractions at Alton Towers Resort Theme Park including, but not limited to, the Alton Towers Waterpark, Alton Towers Dungeon, Extraordinary Golf, Alton Towers Spa, Scarefest Mazes and Tree Top Quest;
6.5 Secondary attractions at THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park including, but not limited to, Fright Nights, and Mazes;
6.6 The Blackpool Tower Circus (including additional fees for entry to The Royal Box, V.I.P. seating areas and second row seating) other than the standard seat on the day of their visit which is included within the Platinum Pass in accordance with Term 9;
6.7 The Blackpool Tower Dungeon Escape Room;
6.8 Pirate Adventure Golf at SEA LIFE Weymouth;
6.9 Any other event as determined by Merlin (acting reasonably) from time to time;
6.10 Priority Parking at the Attractions;
6.11 Any secondary attractions at Warwick Castle including, but not limited to, the Castle Dungeon, which are be subject to additional charges; and
6.12 Special events taking place at SEA LIFE Centre Manchester (certain dates apply) are subject to additional charges. Merlin may, in its absolute discretion, add any further restrictions to the list set out in this Term from time to time which shall be applicable to the Platinum Pass as determined by Merlin or in accordance with Term 4
- The Platinum Pass will not guarantee immediate entry to any Attraction or any event at any time. At Attractions or events which allocate individual time slots for entry or where pre-booking is required, Merlin Passholders are required to book an available time slot or pre-book their entry in advance in order to access the Attraction or an event, otherwise they will not be permitted entry. Please note that all time slots are subject to availability, and that there may be different allocations of time slots for different categories of customer (eg based on ticket or pass type), so early booking is recommended. Passholders are able to book an available time slot online by visiting the relevant Attraction's website, however a small fee may apply. When any Passholder has booked a timeslot (irrespective of Pass type), the Attraction may ask such Passholder to leave the Attraction at the end of their allocated timeslot.
- Platinum Pass Benefits:
8.1 A Platinum Pass entitles the Passholder to purchase up to five discounted entry tickets for family and friends per individual Attraction per visit (excluding any secondary attractions including, but not limited to, the Alton Towers Waterpark and special events). Such discounted entry tickets are subject to certain restrictions, further information and details of which can be found at the relevant Attraction's website. The Passholder must be present on the day of the visit and a valid Platinum Pass must be presented upon collection of these tickets which will be sold at such prices as Merlin shall decide from time to time and are subject to availability. Tickets must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of your visit. To find out more, please visit https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/passholder-hub/perks/friends-and-family.
- A Platinum Pass entitles the Passholder to one standard seat in the Blackpool Tower Circus per Passholder on the day of their visit, subject to availability.
- A Platinum Pass is only valid for standard London Eye tickets. A Platinum Pass may not be used for any of the following (without limitation):
10.1 Admission on to the London Eye River Cruise;
10.2 Pre-booked capsules;
10.3 Private capsules;
10.4 Civil ceremonies or weddings;
10.5 Champagne Experience;
10.6 Themed seasonal tickets; or
10.7 Packages, such as restaurants, hotels, theatre and combination tickets.
- Platinum Passholders are entitled to free standard car parking at Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park and Warwick Castle. Merlin reserves the right, acting reasonably, to change the list of Attractions where free standard car parking is available upon written notice to Platinum Passholders. For the avoidance of doubt, parking fees will apply at those Attractions not listed above for Platinum Passholders.
- Each Platinum Passholder will receive with their Platinum Pass 2 "£5 off" Fastrack vouchers ("Fastrack Voucher") for each of the following Attractions (a) Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, (b) Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park and (c) THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park. Subject to availability, a single Fastrack Voucher can be used to gain discounted Fastrack entry to participating rides at the Attraction specified on the Fastrack Voucher during the validity period specified on the Fastrack Voucher. This shall not include Mazes at any of our theme park Attractions. Where the value of the single ride Fastrack ticket is less than the value of the Fastrack Voucher, no change will be given but the Platinum Passholder shall be entitled to redeem the remaining value of the Fastrack Voucher against other single Fastrack rides. Please note that only one Fastrack Voucher can be redeemed per transaction at each of the Attractions listed above. A Fastrack Voucher can only be used by the named Premium Merlin Passholder and is non-transferable and cannot be sold, loaned or given away to or used by a third party.
- Each Platinum Passholder will receive with their Platinum Pass three Share The Fun vouchers ("Share The Fun Voucher") which can be used for entry at any of the Attractions. Share The Fun Vouchers are subject to availability, a maximum of three Share The Fun vouchers can be used to gain discounted entry per Platinum Pass. Share The Fun Vouchers are valid for use only during the lifetime of the Platinum Pass they are issued with. For the avoidance of doubt, this means that the Share the Fun Vouchers must be used within one year from the date of purchase of the relevant Platinum Pass. Share The Fun Vouchers are valid for Standard entry only, do not include additional attractions such as (but not limited to) the Castle Dungeon at Warwick Castle, The Blackpool Tower Eye & The Blackpool Tower Circus between 6th October and 4th November 2022, The Blackpool Tower Dungeon between 27th and 31st October 2022 and cannot be used during special events such as (but not limited to) concerts and firework events at Alton Towers Resort. A Share The Fun voucher can only be used by the named Platinum Passholder and is non-transferable and cannot be sold, loaned or given away to or used by a third party
13.1 Coca-Cola Freestyle Cups: Each Passholder will receive with their Platinum Annual Pass or Platinum Membership one voucher which can be used to claim one free Coca-Cola Freestyle Cup at one of the following attractions: Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort or LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park. Passholders will also receive two “Coca-Cola Freestyle Cup Refill” vouchers. Each “Coca-Cola Freestyle Cup Refill” voucher can be redeemed once to re-activate the Coca-Cola Freestyle Cup for an additional visit at the attraction where the Coca-Cola Freestyle Cup was collected from. The Coca-Cola Freestyle Cup will only work at the attraction where you collected it from. Please check where to collect your Coca-Cola Freestyle Cup at merlinannualpass.co.uk/coca-cola. These vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer/voucher and must be presented with a valid Merlin Platinum Pass or Merlin Platinum Membership. The vouchers must be used within 1 year of the date of purchase of your Annual Pass or Membership. A Coca-Cola Freestyle Voucher can only be used by the named Passholder and is non-transferable and cannot be sold, loaned or given away to or used by a third party.
- To use a Platinum Pass, the Passholder must show it at the admissions office, turnstile or other authorised entry point of the relevant Attraction. Entry to an Attraction by use of a Platinum Pass will only be permitted if a valid Platinum Pass can be presented (physical or digital). Failure to present a valid Platinum Pass (due to it having been lost, stolen or forgotten) will result in a charge of the "on the day" admission rate applicable to the relevant Attraction, which will be non-refundable. Re-entry to the same Attraction on the same day requires a hand stamp which will be given to the Passholder by the Attraction on exit from the Attraction.
- Please only make bookings using your Pass if you are able to visit on that day. If you do not visit the attraction using your Pass before closing time on the day of the booking, we reserve the right to mark your Pass with a 'no show' and you will receive an email from us confirming this the same.
If you are a 'no show' three times within a 90 day period, we may also pause your Pass. If this happens, we will email you, and you will not be able to make any further bookings for 14 days after receipt of that email.
If you would like to discuss or query any 'no show' status, or to cancel any bookings, please contact our call centre on 01372 751411 (local rate number) on Monday - Friday from 9am - 4pm or fill in our contact form at https://support.merlinannualpass.co.uk/hc/en-us/requests/new to chat through your options with us.
- 16. All Platinum Passes remain the property of Merlin and can be withdrawn at any time. Passholders shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that a Platinum Pass or Merlin gift voucher is kept secure at all times and any Platinum Pass which has been lost, stolen and/or damaged should be reported to the relevant Attraction pursuant to Term 21. Please note should you lose a gift voucher this will not be replaced. Platinum Passes are non-transferable and cannot be sold, loaned or given away to or used by a third party. A Platinum Pass will automatically be deemed void and shall be revoked without a refund and/or compensation if sold, loaned or given away or if any attempt is made to sell, loan or give it away. In the absolute discretion of the relevant Attraction, access will be denied to any or all Attractions and the relevant Passholder's pass revoked, if Merlin considers the Passholder to be guilty of (i) fraud or attempted fraud in respect of the Platinum Pass, (ii) misuse of the Platinum Pass (e.g. abuse of the Platinum Pass benefits); and/or (iii) inappropriate conduct. Inappropriate conduct includes, but is not limited to, displaying any sign or visible representation of any kind which is, or could reasonably be judged to be, threatening, abusive or insulting to any member of Merlin staff and/or other members of the public visiting the Attractions, or allowing or assisting a third party to attempt to gain unauthorised or improper access to any Attraction with a Platinum Pass of which they are not the valid holder. For the avoidance of doubt, no refund and/or compensation will be given in such circumstances.
- 17. An individual who has their Platinum Pass revoked in accordance with Term 16, 18 or 36 shall be prevented from obtaining a replacement Platinum Pass and, in the future, is required to purchase a full price entrance ticket to enter an Attraction and this will be non-refundable. A year after the date an individual has their Platinum Pass revoked, such individual can contact Merlin to purchase a new Platinum Pass and Merlin will assess the revocation or ban at the time. The issue of any new Platinum Pass in accordance with this Term 17 is at the absolute discretion of Merlin and is subject to availability. Customers who are permitted by Merlin to purchase a new Platinum Pass in accordance with this Term 17 shall be required to pay the full purchase price applicable at the time of purchase and therefore will not be entitled to purchase at the renewal price.
- 1 A Platinum Pass that is discovered to have been purchased through illegal methods (including, but not limited to, the use of fraudulent debit/credit cards) and/or through unauthorised third party channels, will be revoked without compensation. Should you require any further information regarding Merlin's approved third party suppliers, please contact info@merlinannualpass.co.uk.
- 19. The management of the relevant Attraction, acting reasonably, reserves the right to refuse admission, or to refuse to allow pre-booking, at any time and for any reason including, but not being limited to, the Attraction being at full capacity.
- 20. All Merlin Passholders are subject to a bag search on entry to any Attraction. Refusal to allow a search may result in access to the site being denied on the date of visit.
- 21. In the event of a lost, stolen and/or damaged Platinum Pass, the Passholder should contact Merlin directly to have the relevant Platinum Pass blocked. Contact details are set out at the beginning of these Terms. Merin will re-issue a replacement Platinum Pass subject to a maximum of four replacement Passes per Passholder per year. An administration fee of up to £10 will be charged for the re-issue of each lost or damaged Platinum Pass. The re-issue of stolen Platinum Passes will also be subject to the £10 re-issue fee unless the holder can provide Merlin with a relevant crime reference number when requesting that the Platinum Pass is re-issued.
- 22. Unless stated otherwise, a Platinum Pass cannot be used in conjunction with any promotional offer, voucher, advance booking or with any discount or retail/restaurant incentive. The Passholder is only entitled to the discounts stated in these Terms or such other discounts as made available to Passholders at Merlin's discretion from time to time.
- 23. Once a Platinum Pass has been purchased, the Passholder can only cancel the Platinum Pass as described in paragraph 5 above. If you do not exercise your right to cancel within 14 days of entering into this contract as described above, your Merlin Platinum Pass is non-refundable.
- 24. Merlin is entitled, in its absolute discretion, to change the price payable for its Platinum Pass at any time and for any reason and may from time to time offer pricing or promotional offers for purchasing the Platinum Pass at specific Attractions, online, or through third party channels. Please note that Merlin does not price match the price payable for a Platinum Pass. If Merlin changes the price payable for its Platinum Pass, it will advise Passholders on the website. For the avoidance of doubt, any changes in pricing will not apply to existing Platinum Passes retrospectively.
- 25. Merlin reserves the right to vary these Terms by giving Passholders no less than 30 days' written notice of such variation by using the details provided to Merlin when the Passholder purchased a Platinum Pass and by making a note of such changes available on the terms and conditions page of the website at https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/information/terms so please review the website periodically for changes. If you do not accept the amended terms, this may affect our ability to provide certain products and services to you.
- 26. On the presentation of a Platinum Pass, Passholders may receive discounts and/or benefits from Merlin and/or third parties. Such third party discounts and/or benefits are subject to change. Merlin is entitled to remove, change and/or withdraw any or all discounts and/or benefits in its absolute discretion at any time and for any reason. A list of the current benefits available directly from Merlin can be located at https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/passholder-hub/perks/in-our-worlds#tabsand are subject to availability.
- 27. Visitors under 12 years of age to Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park and Warwick Castle must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors under 16 years of age to SEA LIFE Centres and Sanctuaries must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over, excluding SEA LIFE Blackpool, SEA LIFE London and SEA LIFE Scarborough. Visitors under 14 years of age to LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park and SEA LIFE Scarborough must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors under 15 years of age to the Blackpool Tower Attractions (as defined in Term 1) must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors 15 years and under to the London Eye, SEA LIFE London, the London Dungeon, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London and Madame Tussauds (London) must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. Visitors aged 15 and under to the Edinburgh Dungeon must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 16 years or over. Visitors under 16 years of age to the York Dungeon must be accompanied, at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. With regard to LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Manchester), all adults aged 18 years or over must be accompanied by a child 17 years or under and all visitors 17 years and under must be accompanied at all times, by an individual aged 18 years or over. All participating guests at The Bear Grylls Adventure must be over 8 years of age, for guests 8 and 9 they must be accompanied on the activity by a participating adult (High Ropes, Climb & Archery). The Shooting activity at The Bear Grylls Adventure is suitable for guests over 10 years of age and guests between 10-15 years of age must be accompanied on the activity by a parent or guardian aged 18+.
- 28. Visitors aged 1 or 2 will require a ticket to visit the Blackpool Tower Circus. Visitors under 3 years of age may enter Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park, Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, Warwick Castle, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London, the London Dungeon, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds (London), LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Manchester), the Blackpool Tower Eye, the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, SEA LIFE London and other SEA LIFE Centres and Sanctuaries free of charge. Visitors under 5 years of age are not permitted to enter the York Dungeon or Edinburgh Dungeon. Parental guidance is advised for children under 8 years of age at all Merlin Dungeon attractions. Visitors under 15 years of age may enter the Blackpool Tower Ballroom free of charge (limited to a maximum of two such free entrants per Passholder aged 18 years or over per visit).
- 29. Height, weight, age restrictions and medical warnings apply to certain rides and attractions. Some rides at LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park and Alton Towers Resort Theme Park will require visitors who only just meet the minimum height requirements to be accompanied by an individual aged 16 years or over.
- 30. All Passholders, their family members and friends entering a Merlin Attraction by virtue of a discounted entry ticket are required to comply with the booking and entry conditions (including without limitation any restrictions relating to height, weight, age (including the ages for which children are required to be accompanied by an adult) and any medical warnings) set out on Merlin's website. Passholders should check the relevant Attraction's website before booking a visit or visiting.
- 31. If we fail to comply with these Terms, we are responsible for any direct loss or damage that you suffer provided that such loss or damage is a direct consequence and foreseeable result of our breach, and provided that you use all reasonable endeavours to mitigate such loss and/or damage. Loss or damage is foreseeable if either it is obvious that it will happen or if, at the time the contract was made, both we and you knew it might happen, for example, if you discussed it with us during the ordering process. We do not exclude or limit in any way our liability to you where it would be unlawful to do so.
Provision of Data and Merlin's Processing
- 32. In order to implement and manage these Terms and to enable Merlin to comply with its contractual and statutory obligations, Merlin will require to process certain Personal Data relating to each Passholder as set out in Terms 33 to 35 This is detailed in a separate Fair Processing Notice which will be provided to the Passholder under separate cover. For further details on how this may apply in practice, the Passholder may contact Merlin using privacy@merlinentertainments.biz.
- 33. Each Passholder will be issued with their own Platinum Pass and will be required to supply the following data: (a) their first name and surname; (b) their date of birth; (c) their residential address; (d) a contact telephone number; (e) a contact email address; and (f) a photograph which must be a true likeness of the holder, and which must conform to UK passport photo requirements.
- 34. Each individual will be issued with their own physical and digital Platinum Pass and, for the avoidance of doubt, will be required to supply the details listed in Term 33 The purchaser of a Platinum Pass must be 18 years or over (and if purchasing a Platinum Pass on behalf of a minor (under 18s) the purchaser confirms that they are a parent or guardian of the minor and are authorised to share the minor's personal data (as set out in Term 33).
- 35. If a disabled person has purchased a Merlin Platinum Pass and completes a Carer Pass application online, at their own discretion, providing documentation demonstrating a disability (for example by producing a doctor's letter setting out the disability, proof of receipt of disability living allowance or a disabled parking badge), that disabled Passholder shall be entitled to a free digital Carer Merlin Platinum Pass ("Carer Pass") which enables them to bring their carer into an Attraction with them at no additional cost.
- 36. Carer Pass: A carer pass will be issued with a disabled Passholder's Platinum Pass where evidence of the disability has been provided by the relevant Passholder via the online application form and approved by Merlin. Once documentation has been approved, Merlin will provide a unique code and link for the Passholder to process their digital Carer Pass. Carer Passes are issued solely at Merlin's discretion and cannot be obtained online or over the phone. Carer Passes will be reviewed annually. The Carer Pass can be used by any family member, friend or carer of the disabled Passholder who is 14 years or over. Each time a disabled Passholder visits an Attraction with a carer, they shall also supply their Carer Pass in order for the carer to be granted entry. If a disabled Passholder has forgotten their Carer Pass and wishes to have a carer present during their visit to an Attraction Merlin may, at its sole discretion, issue the carer with a day ticket. The Carer Pass entitles the designated carer admission to the Attractions only and does not entitle the designated carer to any other benefit including, but not limited to, privilege packs and their associated contents. The details and photograph associated with the Carer Pass must be that of the disabled Platinum Passholder. Use by the Passholder and/or their carer of either the Platinum Pass and/or the Carer Pass in breach of these Terms may result in both the Platinum Pass and the Carer Pass being revoked without compensation.
- 37. Ride Access Pass: Whilst a Platinum Pass entitles the holder to admission to the Attractions, it does not automatically entitle a disabled person who is the holder the right to receive a priority entry pass for the rides ("Ride Access Pass"). Ride Access Passes are issued at the theme park Attractions and give holders priority entry to the rides so that queuing time is reduced. A Ride Access Pass will be provided at Merlin's discretion where Merlin is satisfied that that a Passholder is unable to queue at an Attraction, and provided that such Passholder is accompanied by someone aged 14 years or over. The terms and conditions of the Ride Access Pass may vary for each Attraction and therefore we recommend visiting the Attraction's website to view the terms ahead of your visit.
Fair Processing Notice
Merlin Attractions Operations Limited ("Merlin") is a British-based entertainment company, with a registered office at Link House, 25 West Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1LD, whose business is about creating unique, memorable and rewarding visitor experiences. A list of the Attractions and a note of the companies that make up the Merlin group which help to achieve this is available at https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/our-brands/ ("Merlin Group"). Merlin values the privacy of those individuals that it provides Merlin Annual Passes to. This fair processing notice ("Notice") sets out the basis on which Merlin processes and protects the personal data we collect from you in connection with the Merlin Annual Passes.
As Merlin is the company which was originally responsible for collecting information about you, it will be the Data Controller and can be contacted using the details set out below. You should be aware that although Merlin is principally responsible for looking after personal data collected in connection with a Platinum Pass, information is likely to be held in databases which can be accessed by other Merlin Group companies, and other entities in the Merlin Group may also be Data Controllers where they control the use or processing of such data. In the context of the Merlin Platinum Passes, Merlin will however be the single point of contact for all Merlin Group Data Controllers who can be contacted using the details set out below.
What personal information do we collect from you?
In relation to potential, historic customers and current Passholders, we collect "Personal Information". This refers to information which identifies or is capable of identifying you as an individual. We collect the following data directly from you in the course of administering or promoting our Platinum Passes: Information that you provide when applying for a Platinum Pass. Details of any concerns if you contact us with a query or issue. When you complete a survey to tell us how your experience of our attractions was and how we can improve, although you do not have to respond to them. Details of transactions you carry out to purchase a Platinum Pass including your credit/debit card details.
Your name, address, telephone number and/or email address and any other data fields noted in Term 33 in order to contact you with details of your Platinum Pass or in the unlikely event that we need to contact you urgently about your Platinum Pass. These details are mandatory and failure to provide means that we cannot provide you with a Platinum Pass.
We comply with principles of "data minimisation", and only collect the types and volume of Personal Information required to achieve the purposes set out in this Notice.
What purposes do we use your personal information for and what is the legal basis?
We will use the Personal Information we collect for the purposes of: contacting you in relation to service information, including, but not limited to, information about changes to these Terms, expiry reminders for your Platinum Pass; ensuring the security and safety of our attractions as covered by your Platinum Pass; and carrying out our obligations arising from any contracts entered into between you and us and ensuring we receive payment as required. We may also send you marketing materials (where we have appropriate permissions) as explained in more detail below. Merlin does not however send marketing materials to any child under the age of 13.
We will also need to use your personal data for purposes associated with our legal and regulatory obligations, including in relation to ensuring the health and safety of Passholders at any of our Attractions.
In the majority of cases, the processing of your personal data will be justified on one of the following bases: (i) it is provided for in the Merlin Platinum Pass Terms and Conditions, and therefore necessary to give effect to that contract (purposes A and C described above); (ii) it is necessary for us to comply with a legal obligation (purpose B described above); or (iii) it is in our legitimate interests as a business, and our interests are not overridden by your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms (marketing purposes described below, save where opt-in consent is required by other data protection laws in which case our legal basis shall be your consent for the purpose of GDPR). That legitimate interest is our freedom to operate as a global organisation and to ensure that our Attractions are promoted.
PLEASE NOTE: If we have previously told you that we were relying on consent as the basis of our processing activities, going forward we will not be relying on that legal basis unless we have said that in this Policy.
Where a Platinum Passholder provides evidence of a disability in accordance with Term 35 in order to apply for a Carer Pass or Ride Access Pass or in the event that a health and safety incident occurs at an Attraction, the Platinum Passholder acknowledges that Merlin will be collecting special categories of personal data (e.g. health information regarding a disability, impairment or injury). Merlin shall only process such special categories of data where necessary to perform the contract, and where the Platinum Passholder has consented to providing such data or where Merlin is relying on a specific exemption provided under local laws of EU Member States and other countries implementing the GDPR. Where possible, Merlin shall seek to minimise the collection and use of such sensitive personal data, and shall ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect such special categories of personal data.
Merlin only collects special categories of personal information about individuals under the age of 13 where the parent or guardian has provided "consent" on behalf of the relevant minor while purchasing a Platinum Pass in respect of that minor.
PLEASE NOTE. If you provide your explicit consent to allow us to process your special categories of data, you can withdraw your consent to such processing at any time. However, you should be aware that if you choose to withdraw your consent we will tell you more about the possible consequences, including if this means that certain services (in particular where you have applied for a Carer Pass) can no longer be provided).
Direct marketing
We may use your personal data to send you direct marketing communications about our Platinum Pass. This will be in the form of email, post, SMS or targeted online advertisements. Where we, or any members of the Merlin Group, require explicit opt-in consent for electronic direct marketing in accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations we will ask for your consent. Otherwise, for non-electronic marketing or where we can rely on the soft opt-in exemption under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, we will be relying on our Legitimate Interests for the purposes of GDPR as further detailed above. You have a right to stop receiving direct marketing at any time - you can do this by following the opt-out links in electronic communications (such as emails), or by contacting us at campaigns@merlinentertainments.biz. We will keep a suppression list to ensure you don't receive further marketing unless you opt-in again, but we will still send you service messages - e.g. details about attraction opening times or updates the terms linked to your Platinum Pass.
How long do we keep your personal information?
We will retain your personal data for as long as is reasonably necessary for the purposes listed above. In particular, where there has been no interaction from a Passholder (e.g. a purchase, newsletter sign up), a record will be archived after 2 years and deleted after 6 years. Where we are required to do so to meet legal, regulatory, tax or accounting requirements, we will retain your personal data for longer periods of time, but only where permitted to do so, including so that we have an accurate record of your dealings with us in the event of any complaints or challenges, or if we reasonably believe there is a possibility of legal action relating to your personal data or dealings. We maintain a data retention policy which we apply to records in our care. Where your personal data is no longer required and we do not have a legal requirement to retain it, we will ensure it is either securely deleted or stored in a way such that it is anonymised and the Personal Data is no longer used by the business.
Who do we share your personal data with?
We share data with other Merlin Group companies in order to carry out the purposes outlined above. We also share Personal data with third parties, which include:
- Service Providers, who help manage our IT and back office systems, and assist with our Customer Relationship Management activities, such as Salesforce, Experian Marketing Services; Cheetah Digital; CTI Digital; Merkle; Avius Insight; Zen Desk; and Adare International. Third parties that act as data processors are required to act only on our instructions as is necessary to perform services on our behalf and are required to comply with applicable legal requirements;
- Social media platforms, including Facebook;
- Regulators, which include the ICO, as well as other regulators and law enforcement agencies in the E.U. and around the world; and
- Solicitors and other professional services firms (including our auditors).
Furthermore, if required, we may disclose Personal Information in response to official government or regulatory requests; to law enforcement authorities to prevent physical harm or prevent or detect crime; or in the event of merger or acquisition.
Transfer of your personal information across borders
Some entities in the Merlin Group, with whom we share your data, and our service providers who have access to your personal data, are located outside the European Union. We will always take steps to ensure that any international transfer of information is carefully managed to protect your rights and interests, in particular for internal group transfers we have in place an intra group data transfer agreement which incorporates the EU Model Clauses pursuant to Article 46(2) of the GDPR. For external group transfers, we will either:
- only transfer your personal data to countries which are recognised as providing an adequate level of legal protection in accordance with Article 45 of the GDPR; or
- ensure that transfers outside the European Union are subject to an appropriate legal safeguard - for example, the EU Model Clauses pursuant to Article 46(2) of the GDPR.
You have a right to ask us for more information about the safeguards we have put in place in relation to any data transfer agreement under which your personal data is transferred. Any data transfer agreement made available to you may be redacted for reasons of commercial sensitivity.
Protection of your information
We have implemented reasonable physical, technical and administrative security standards to protect Personal Information from loss, misuse, alteration, destruction or damage.
Your rights
You have the following rights in respect of your personal data:
- Access: to obtain a copy of your personal data together with information about how and on what basis that personal data is processed;
- Rectification: to rectify inaccurate personal data.
- Right to be Forgotten: to erase your personal data in limited circumstances where it is no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which it was collected or processed;
- Restriction: to restrict processing of your personal data where: (a) the accuracy of the personal data is contested; (b) the processing is unlawful but you object to the erasure of the personal data; (c) we no longer require the personal data for the purposes for which it was collected, but it is required for the establishment, exercise or defence of a legal claim;
- Objection: to challenge processing which we have justified on the basis of a legitimate interest;
- Portability: to obtain a portable copy of your personal data, or to have a copy transferred to a third party controller; and
- We do not carry out automated decision making which would trigger Article 22, but if we do in the future, we will notify you of this and set out your related rights.
To exercise your rights you can contact us as set out below. Please note the following if you do wish to exercise these rights:
- We take the confidentiality of all records containing personal data seriously, and reserve the right to ask you for proof of your identity if you make a request.
- We will not ask for a fee to exercise any of your rights in relation to your personal data, unless your request for access to information is unfounded, repetitive or excessive, in which case we will charge a reasonable amount in the circumstances.
- We aim to respond to any valid requests within one month unless it is particularly complicated or you have made several requests, in which case we aim to respond within three months. We will let you know if we are going to take longer than one month. We might ask you if you can help by telling us what exactly you want to receive or are concerned about. This will help us to action your request more quickly.
- Local laws, including in the UK, provide for additional exemptions, in particular to the right of access, whereby personal data can be withheld from you in certain circumstances, for example where it is subject to legal privilege.
CONTACT US
For changes, such as modifying your Personal Information where it is no longer accurate, and to exercise any of your rights, please contact info@merlinannualpass.co.uk with the subject heading "Exercise of Data Subject Right(s)".
If you have a complaint about how we have handled your Personal Information you may contact us in the first instance and we will attempt to resolve the issue as soon as possible. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your national data protection supervisory authority at any time. In the UK, the supervisory authority for data protection is the ICO (https://ico.org.uk/). We do ask that you please attempt to resolve any issues with us first, although you have a right to contact your supervisory authority at any time.
2022 Merlin Standard & Premium Annual Pass Terms and Conditions
This document sets out the terms and conditions ("Terms") on which we supply Merlin Pass Monthly Membership ("Membership") to you ("Passholder" or "you"). Please read these Terms carefully before you submit your order for any Membership to us. These Terms tell you who we are, what we provide to you under the Membership and other important information.
We are Merlin Attractions Operations Limited, a company registered in England and Wales, with company number 06272935 and our registered office address is at Link House, 25 West Street, Poole, Dorset BH15 1LD ("Merlin" or "we"). These Terms are integral to each Membership and are independent of any other contract. Use of a Membership at the Attractions (as defined in Term 26) is also subject to the regulations of each individual Attraction, copies of which are available at each Attraction or can be obtained online on each Attraction's website. Please familiarise yourself with these regulations before purchasing your Membership.
When you place an order for a Membership on the Merlin Pass Monthly Membership website at www.merlinannualpass.co.uk ("Website") our acceptance of your order will take place as soon as we process your payment, at which point a contract will be entered into between you and us and we will also send you an email confirmation ("Confirmation"). We will assign a (order) number to your order and will tell you what it is when we accept your order. It will help us if you can tell us this order number whenever you contact us about your order. Your Membership pass ("Membership Pass") will be sent to you in the post to the delivery address you provided when you submitted your order.
Minimum Term Your Membership entitles you to access Merlin attractions as set out in Term 26 from the Start Date (as defined in Term 8) during each month for which you have paid the monthly membership fee ("Validity Period").
The minimum term of your membership is 12 months from the date on which we accept your order (the "Minimum term").
Your membership may not be cancelled or terminated by you during the minimum term except as set out in the "Right to cancel" section below.
After the minimum term, your membership renews each month until you cancel it in accordance with the provisions under section "Cancellation of your membership" below.
Right to cancel You can contact us within 14 days of entering into this contract (which happens when you purchase your Membership as described in Term 3) to cancel your contract and receive a refund as follows: to exercise your right to cancel, go to
https://support.merlinannualpass.co.uk/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360000175252
and complete and submit the cancellation form during the 14-day period or contact us during the same period with the completed model cancellation form at the end of these Terms. The Membership starts immediately after your purchase ("Start Date") as requested by you on the Website at the time of purchase (by clicking the relevant box just before payment). If you have used your Membership during the 14-day cancellation period before contacting us to cancel your Membership, you must pay us the amount proportionate to the services supplied before cancellation and we are entitled to deduct the joining fee from the amount refunded to cover our costs for the services provided before cancellation.
Cancellation of Your Membership After you have completed your 12-month Minimum Term, you can cancel your membership by submitting an online cancellation request via www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/cancelmymembership. If we have received your request to cancel five or more days before your next payment is due, we will cancel your membership on the day before your next payment is due (for example, if you requested to cancel on the 10th May and your next payment was due on 7th June, we would cancel your membership on the 6th June). If we have received your request to cancel less than five days before your next payment is due, your monthly fee is payable when your next payment is due and we will cancel your membership on the day before the immediately subsequent payment is due (for example, if your request to cancel is received on 3rd June and your next payment was due on 7th June, you will still have to pay your monthly fee on 7 June and we would cancel your membership on the 6th July).
Fees and Payments When you purchase a Membership you agree to pay:
10.1 An initial joining fee, and
10.2 A monthly membership fee,
As set out in your order page on the Website in accordance with these Terms.
You should note that your joining fee and monthly membership fees may be different from others’ joining fee and monthly membership fees because of discounts or promotions offered to others for which you may not be eligible or which are not available at the time you sign up.
Your monthly membership fee will not change during the Minimum Term.
If Merlin wants to apply an increase to the price of your future monthly membership fee payments, Merlin will give you notice of its new monthly membership fee by sending a notice to the e-mail address you provide. If you do not wish to continue your Membership at the new monthly membership fee payment amount, you may cancel your Membership by contacting us within 30 days of receiving such notice. See the "Cancellation of your Membership" section above for how to do this.
When you order a Merlin Pass Monthly Membership you are required to specify your payment card ("your payment card"). You can change or update your payment card at any time via the Memberships payment portal at www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/membershippaymentportal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the payment card you specify is valid at all times and has not expired by keeping your payment method up to date. If funds available through your payment card are not sufficient to cover any payment when due, you are responsible for providing Merlin with access to another acceptable payment card to pay the full amount due.
Merlin will charge your payment method each month as follows:
15.1 In the first month, for the full initial joining fee and the first monthly membership fee
15.2 In each subsequent month, for the monthly membership fee
Your monthly payment will be due and payable, and Merlin will charge your payment method, on or about the same day each month as the date you purchase your membership (e.g. if you purchase your membership on the 10th of the month, your monthly payment method will be charged on or about the 10th of each month). The amount that will be charged to your payment method and the day on which it becomes due can be viewed on the Memberships payment portal, which you will receive the link for, via email, when you start your Membership. You can also access the payment portal through the Merlin Pass Help Centre at www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/membershippaymentportal
If Merlin is unable to obtain payment the first time Merlin attempts to charge your payment method, Merlin will:
17.1 attempt to charge your payment method repeatedly until payment in full is received; and
17.2 notify you that payment has been unsuccessful by sending a notice to the e-mail address you have provided.
If you receive notification from Merlin that your payment method has been unsuccessful, it is your responsibility to:
18.1 ensure you have sufficient funds available for Merlin to successfully charge your payment method; or
18.2 provide Merlin with the details of another payment method that is acceptable to Merlin for the specific missed payment; or
18.3 update your payment method for the specific missed payment and all future payments as set out in Term 14. If any payment due is not received (or is reversed) at any time during the term of this agreement, the membership(s) will be suspended and the passholder(s) will be refused admission to merlin attractions or access to other benefits until payment is made. If merlin is unable to successfully take payment from your payment method after 45 days, merlin will revoke your membership immediately.
If your Membership is revoked in accordance with these Terms, your Membership will be permanently deactivated and the Passholder will no longer be eligible to receive any of the benefits of the Membership.
If your Membership Pass is revoked in accordance with these terms, Merlin will still be entitled to recover any unpaid membership fees from you.
Failure to use the Membership or your Membership benefits does not relieve you of responsibility for payment. In addition, regardless of the number of times a Membership is used, there are no refunds on amounts paid for any Membership except as set out in the "Right to cancel" section above.
Benefits, Exclusions, and Conditions
There are two types of Membership available for purchase:
24.1 The Standard Merlin Pass Monthly Membership; and
24.2 The Premium Merlin Pass Monthly Membership.
These Terms will apply differently to the various types of Membership, as further specified below.
The Merlin attractions at which the Membership Pass can be accepted, subject to relevant restrictions set out in these Terms and the relevant attraction's regulations, and are part of the Membership scheme are: Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, Warwick Castle, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London, Madame Tussauds London, the London Eye, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Birmingham, Manchester), the Blackpool Tower Attractions (the Blackpool Tower Eye, the Blackpool Circus, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom), Madame Tussauds Blackpool, SEA LIFE Centres & Sanctuaries based in the UK (Birmingham, Blackpool, Bray, Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, London, Manchester, Hunstanton, Scarborough, Weymouth), The Dungeons (London, Edinburgh, York, Blackpool) based in the UK and The Bear Grylls Adventure (4 specific activities, see attraction website for full details). (All of these attractions shall be collectively referred to as "Attractions" and "Attraction" shall be interpreted accordingly).
26.1 No other Merlin attraction will be part of the Membership scheme unless expressly notified by Merlin. If you turn up to any attraction which is not listed above, the attraction staff have the right to refuse your entry using your Membership and require you to buy a non-refundable full price ticket for entry into the relevant attraction on that day.
26.2 Before booking or visiting an attraction, please check if your Membership Pass is valid at that Attraction on the Website or contact Merlin Pass Monthly Membership directly, using the contact details set out in Term 1.
Access based on Membership
27.1 A Membership entitles the Passholder to admission to the Attractions during the Validity Period subject to the operating calendars of each Attraction and any applicable exclusion dates that apply at the relevant time. The opening and closing dates of the Attractions may be changed by the Attractions during the Validity Period and any part of the rides, events or facilities within the Attractions may be closed, removed or cancelled for maintenance, health and safety and/or other operations reasons set out in the Attractions' regulations or due to special events or private functions. Please check individual Attraction opening and closing dates on the relevant Attraction's website and the Membership exclusions and restrictions set out in this Term 27 before your visit. PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ALL ATTRACTIONS ARE OPEN ALL YEAR.
27.2 For the avoidance of doubt, the full value or any part of the value of the Membership will not be refunded nor will any compensation be payable if any of the Attractions become unavailable during the Validity Period or if any or part of any of the Attractions are closed due to technical, health and safety or other operational reasons or special events or private functions or where any Attraction is removed from the Membership scheme. Passholders are advised to check the Merlin Pass Facebook feed, www.facebook.com/merlinannualpass, and the events page of the relevant Attraction's website for any cancellations or closures and special events (which may have additional costs) taking place on the relevant date and/or time of their proposed visit. Please note that some Attractions are subject to closure due to adverse weather conditions and therefore Passholders are advised to check the relevant Attraction's website before travelling.
27.3 Membership exclusions
The following Attractions do not accept Membership during specific times of the year and the exact dates on which Membership is not accepted are determined by each Attraction every year: Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Manchester and Birmingham), THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park, Shrek's Adventure! London, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, Madame Tussauds London, the London Eye, Warwick Castle, the Blackpool Tower Attractions (the Blackpool Tower Eye, the Blackpool Tower Circus, SEA LIFE Blackpool, Madame Tussauds Blackpool and the Blackpool Dungeons), SEA LIFE London, SEA LIFE Centres & Sanctuaries based in the UK, and the Dungeons (London, Edinburgh, York, Blackpool) based in the UK. We will publish the dates excluded from your Membership each year on our website and also let you know when the new details are published.
27.4 Rides, attractions within an Attraction, and Attractions generally are subject to availability and capacity.
27.5 The Premium Merlin Pass Monthly Membership and the Standard Merlin Pass Monthly Membership do not give access to, and entry is subject to additional applicable charges such as entrance fees, reservation or pre-booking fees (where applicable), parking fees, and/or booking fees, for entry into any events or attractions at the Attractions where participation or entry are made subject to additional charges to the charges to enter the Attractions. Such events or attractions to which additional charges apply include for example any concerts, themed and/or special events and theme parks inside the Attractions. Please refer to the Attractions' websites for details of the events and attractions to which additional charges apply.
27.6 Neither a Standard Merlin Pass Monthly Membership nor a Premium Merlin Pass Monthly Membership will guarantee immediate entry to any Attraction or any event at any time. At Attractions or events which allocate individual time slots for entry or where pre-booking is available, Standard Merlin Passholders are required to book an available time slot or pre-book their entry in advance in order to guarantee entry to the Attraction or an event, otherwise they will not be permitted entry. Passholders of Premium Merlin Pass Monthly Membership ("Premium Merlin Passholders"), unless otherwise stated in this Term 27.6, are not required to book a time slot or pre-book entry in advance to the Attraction or an event but unless they do so they will not be guaranteed entry if they just turn up to the Attraction; entry is always subject to the Attraction not being at full capacity. Please note that all time slots are subject to availability and so to guarantee a specific time slot, booking in advance is strongly recommended. Passholders are able to book an available time slot online by visiting the relevant Attraction's website; however a small fee may apply. When any Passholder has booked a timeslot (irrespective of whether they hold a Standard Merlin Pass Monthly Membership or a Premium Merlin Pass Monthly Membership), the Attraction may ask such Passholder to leave the Attraction at the end of their allocated timeslot. Please note from 1st February 2020 both Premium Merlin Passholders and Standard Merlin Passholders will be required to pre-book a timeslot (free of charge) online in advance to gain entry to both LEGOLAND Discovery Centres in the UK (Birmingham, Manchester).
27.7 A Membership is only valid for use as a Standard London Eye ticket at the London Eye, a Membership may not be used for any of the following:
27.7.1 Admission on to the London Eye River Cruise;
27.7.2 Pre-booked capsules;
27.7.3 Private capsules;
27.7.4 Civil ceremonies or weddings;
27.7.5 Champagne Experience;
27.7.6 Themed seasonal tickets; or
27.7.7 Packages, such as restaurants, hotels, theatre and combination tickets.
27.8 The management of the relevant Attraction reserves the right to refuse admission when the Attraction is at full capacity or otherwise in accordance with the regulations of the Attraction and these Terms.
27.9 All Membership Passholders are subject to a bag search on entry to any Attraction. Refusal to allow a search may result in access to the site being denied on the date of visit.
27.10 Height, weight, age restrictions and medical warnings apply to certain rides and attractions.
Discounted entry tickets
28.1 A Membership entitles the Passholder to purchase up to five discounted entry tickets for family and friends per individual Attraction per visit (excluding any secondary attractions including, but not limited to, the Alton Towers Waterpark and special events). Such discounted entry tickets are subject to certain restrictions under the Attractions' regulations, further information and details of which can be found at the relevant Attraction's website. The Passholder must be present on the day of the visit and a valid Membership must be presented upon collection of these tickets which will be sold at such prices as Merlin shall decide from time to time and are subject to availability. Tickets must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of your visit. To find out more, please visit the relevant Attraction's website.
28.2 A Membership entitles the Passholder to one standard seat in the Blackpool Tower Circus per Passholder on the day of their visit, subject to availability. Alternatively, in order to guarantee a seat on a specific day, the Passholder can pay £5 in order to book their standard seat in advance.
Car parking fees Car parking fees at the Attractions will be payable by Standard Merlin Passholders. Premium Merlin Passholders are entitled to free standard car parking at Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park and Warwick Castle. For the avoidance of doubt, parking fees will apply at those Attractions not listed above for Premium Merlin Passholders.
FastTrack voucher
Each Premium Merlin Pass Monthly Membership will receive with their Premium Merlin Pass Monthly Membership a "£5 off" FastTrack voucher ("FastTrack Voucher") for each of the following Attractions: (a) Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, (b) Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park and (c) THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park. Subject to availability, a single FastTrack Voucher can be used to gain discounted FastTrack entry to participating rides at the Attraction specified on the FastTrack Voucher during the validity period specified on the FastTrack Voucher. This shall not include Mazes at any of our theme park Attractions. Where the value of the single ride FastTrack ticket is less than the value of the FastTrack Voucher, no change will be given but the Premium Merlin Passholder shall be entitled to redeem the remaining value of the FastTrack Voucher against other single FastTrack rides. Please note that only one FastTrack Voucher can be redeemed per transaction at each of the Attractions listed above. A FastTrack Voucher can only be used by the named Premium Merlin Passholder and is non-transferable and cannot be sold, loaned or given away to or used by a third party. Please refer to the terms and conditions which apply to the FastTrack Vouchers www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/terms for full details. FastTrack Vouchers are not included within the Standard Merlin Pass Monthly Membership.
Share the Fun Voucher
Each Premium Merlin Passholder will receive with their Premium Merlin Pass Monthly Membership three vouchers which can be used for discounted entry at any of the Attractions ("Share the Fun Voucher"). Share The Fun Vouchers are subject to availability, a maximum of three Share the Fun vouchers can be used to gain discounted entry per Premium Merlin Pass Monthly Membership. The Share the Fun Vouchers must be used within one year from the date of purchase of the relevant Merlin Pass Monthly Membership.
Share The Fun Vouchers are valid for Standard entry only. Certain dates are excluded from their use by the following Attractions and those dates change every year: Alton Towers Resort Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Theme Park, THORPE PARK Resort Theme Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort Theme Park, Warwick Castle, DreamWorks Tours Shrek's Adventure! London, Madame Tussauds London, the London Eye, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (Birmingham, Manchester), the Blackpool Tower Attractions (the Blackpool Tower Eye, the Blackpool Circus, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom), Madame Tussauds Blackpool, SEA LIFE Centres & Sanctuaries based in the UK (Birmingham, Blackpool, Bray, Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, London, Manchester, Hunstanton, Scarborough, Weymouth) and the Dungeons (London, Edinburgh, York, Blackpool) based in the UK. The relevant dates are published on our Website and we will also let you know when the new details are published. Please refer to the terms and conditions which apply to the Share the Fun Vouchers www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/terms for full details.
A Share The Fun Voucher can only be used by the named Premium Merlin Passholder and is non-transferable and cannot be sold, loaned or given away to or used by a third party.
Merlin Membership Pass
32.1 To use a Membership, the Passholder must show the Merlin Membership Pass at the admissions office, turnstile or other authorised entry point of the relevant Attraction. Entry to an Attraction by use of a Membership Pass will only be permitted if a valid Membership Pass can be presented. Failure to present a valid Membership Pass (due to it having been lost, stolen or forgotten) will result in a charge of the "on the day" admission rate applicable to the relevant Attraction, which will be non-refundable. Re-entry to the same Attraction on the same day requires a hand stamp which will be given to the Passholder by the Attraction on exit from the Attraction.
32.2 Please only make bookings using your Pass if you are able to visit on that day. If you do not visit the attraction using your Pass before closing time on the day of the booking, we reserve the right to mark your Pass with a 'no show' and you will receive an email from us confirming this the same.
If you are a 'no show' three times within a 90 day period, we may also pause your Pass. If this happens, we will email you, and you will not be able to make any further bookings for 14 days after receipt of that email.
If you would like to discuss or query any 'no show' status, or to cancel any bookings, please contact our call centre on 01372 751411 (local rate number) on Monday - Friday from 9am - 4pm or fill in our contact form at https://support.merlinannualpass.co.uk/hc/en-us/requests/new to chat through your options with us.
32.3 A Membership Pass will only be valid when it is used and/or presented by the named holder, it displays a clear photograph which must be a true likeness of the named holder, and it is within the Validity Period (as defined in Term 4). Photocopies of a Membership Pass will not be accepted at an Attraction and Attraction may refuse entry to any person attempting to use a Membership Pass which is not an original. For the avoidance of doubt, pass sharing is a breach of these Terms and any attempted use of a Membership Pass by someone other than the photographed and named holder will result in access at the Attractions being refused and, where the Passholder was involved in the sharing of the Membership Pass or failed to keep the Membership Pass in a safe and secure location, Membership being revoked. For this reason, you should ensure that the Membership Pass is kept in a safe and secure location where others will not have access to it.
32.4 The Membership Pass remains the property of Merlin and can be withdrawn at any time. Passholders shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that a Membership Pass is kept secure at all times and any Membership Pass which has been lost, stolen and/or damaged should be reported immediately pursuant to Term 32.7.
32.5 Membership Passes cannot be sold, loaned or given away to or used by a third party. A Membership Pass will automatically become void without a refund if sold, loaned or given away or if any attempt is made to sell, loan or give it away.
32.6 Access will be denied to any or all Attractions and the relevant Passholder's pass revoked, if (i) the Passholder is guilty of fraud or attempted fraud in respect of the Membership, (ii) there is misuse of the Membership in breach of these Terms (e.g. abuse of the Membership benefits); and/or (iii) there is any inappropriate conduct at the Attraction that can have an adverse effect on Merlin or the Attraction if the Passholder's access to the Attraction is admitted. Inappropriate conduct means causing any security or safety concerns, displaying any sign or visible representation of any kind which is, or could reasonably be judged to be, threatening, abusive or insulting to any member of Merlin staff and/or other members of the public visiting the Attractions, or allowing or assisting a third party to attempt to do any of the foregoing or gain unauthorised or improper access to any Attraction with a Membership Pass of which they are not the valid holder.
32.7 In the event of a lost, stolen and/or damaged Membership Pass, the Passholder should contact Merlin directly to have the relevant Membership Pass blocked. Contact details are set out at Term 1. Replacement Membership Pass can be issued at a number of attractions in the UK. For a full list, visit support.merlinannualpass.co.uk. An administration fee of up to £10 will be charged for the re-issue of each lost or damaged Membership Pass. The re-issue of stolen Memberships Pass will also be subject to the £10 re-issue fee unless the Passholder can provide Merlin with a relevant crime reference number when requesting that the Membership is re-issued.
A Membership Pass cannot be used in conjunction with any promotional offer, voucher or advance booking or with any discount or retail/restaurant incentive unless otherwise stated on the relevant Attraction's website. The Passholder is only entitled to the discounts stated in these Terms or such other discounts as made available to Passholders at Merlin's discretion from time to time.
Merlin reserves the right to vary these Terms by giving Passholders no less than 30 days' written notice of such variation by using the details provided to Merlin when the Passholder purchased a Membership and by making a note of such changes available on the terms and conditions page of the website at https://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/information/terms so please review the website periodically for changes. If you do not accept the amended terms, this may affect our ability to provide certain products and services to you. Memberships are non-refundable except as provided under section "Right to cancel".
Merlin is entitled, in its absolute discretion, to offer from time to time promotional offers for purchasing the Membership at specific Attractions, online, or through third party channels.
On the presentation of a Membership Pass, Passholders may receive discounts and/or benefits from Merlin and/or third parties where available at the relevant time. Such third parties discounts and/or benefits are not guaranteed and subject to change. A list of the current benefits available directly from Merlin can be located at www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/passholder-hub and are subject to availability.
All Passholders, their family members and friends entering a Merlin Attraction by virtue of a discounted entry ticket are required to comply with the booking and entry conditions (including without limitation any restrictions relating to height, weight, age (including the ages for which children are required to be accompanied by an adult) and any medical warnings) set out on Merlin's website. Passholders should check the relevant Attraction's website before booking a visit or visiting.
If we fail to comply with these Terms, we are responsible for any loss or damage that you suffer provided that such loss or damage is a consequence and foreseeable result of our act or breach of these Terms, and provided that you use all reasonable endeavours to limit such loss and/or damage. Loss or damage is foreseeable if either it is obvious that it will happen or if, at the time the contract was made, both we and you knew it might happen, for example, if you discussed it with us during the ordering process. We do not exclude or limit in any way our liability to you where it would be unlawful to do so.
Provision of Data and Merlin's Processing In order to implement and manage these Terms and to enable Merlin to comply with its contractual and statutory obligations, Merlin will require to process certain Personal Data relating to each Passholder. This is detailed in a separate Fair Processing Notice which will be provided to the Passholder under separate cover. For further details on how this may apply in practice, the Passholder may contact Merlin using privacy@merlinentertainments.biz
Each Passholder will be issued with their own Membership and will be required to supply the following data: (a) their first name and surname; (b) their date of birth; (c) their residential address; (d) a contact telephone number; (e) a contact email address; and (f) a photograph which must be a true likeness of the holder, and which must conform to UK passport photo requirements.
Carer Pass and Ride Access Pass If a disabled person has purchased a Membership and presents at the relevant Attraction documentation demonstrating a disability (for example by producing a doctor's letter setting out the disability, proof of receipt of disability living allowance or a disabled parking badge), that disabled Passholder shall be entitled to a free Carer Pass ("Carer Pass") which enables them to bring their carer into an Attraction with them at no additional cost.
A carer pass will be issued where evidence of the disability has been provided by the relevant Passholder at an Attraction ("Carer Pass"). Carer Passes are issued solely at Merlin's discretion and cannot be obtained online or over the phone. Carer Passes will be reviewed annually and a new Carer Pass must be obtained annually. The Carer Pass can be used by any family member, friend or carer of the disabled Passholder who is 14 years or over. Each time a disabled Passholder visits an Attraction with a carer, they shall also supply their Carer Pass in order for the carer to be granted entry. If a disabled Passholder has forgotten their Carer Pass and wishes to have a carer present during their visit to an Attraction Merlin may, at its sole discretion, issue the carer with a day ticket. The Carer Pass entitles the designated carer admission to the Attractions only and does not entitle the designated carer to any other benefit including, but not limited to, privilege packs and their associated contents. Use by the Passholder and/or their carer of either the Membership Pass and/or the Carer Pass in breach of these Terms may result in both the Membership and the Carer Pass being revoked in accordance with Term
- Whilst a Membership entitles the holder to admission to the Attractions, it does not automatically entitle a disabled person who is the holder the right to receive a priority entry pass for the rides ("Ride Access Pass"). Ride Access Passes are issued at the theme park Attractions and give holders priority entry to the rides so that queuing time is reduced. A Ride Access Pass will be provided at Merlin's discretion where Merlin is satisfied that that a Passholder is unable to queue at an Attraction, and provided that such Passholder is accompanied by someone aged 14 years or over. The terms and conditions of the Ride Access Pass may vary for each Attraction and therefore we recommend visiting the Attraction's website to view the terms ahead of your visit.
Governing law
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with English law.
You can contact us by writing to us at info@merlinannualpass.co.uk or Merlin Annual Pass Team, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE. If we have to contact you, we will do so using the contact details you provide when you purchase a Membership or updated details that you provide with us during the term of your Membership.
Model cancellation form
To: FAO: Merlin Annual Pass Team
Membership Cancellation - Urgent
Merlin Annual Pass Team
Chessington World of Adventures Resort
Chessington
Surrey
KT9 2NE
info@merlinannualpass.co.uk
I hereby give notice that I cancel my contract for the supply of the following service: Merlin Pass Monthly Membership
Ordered on …………………..
Name: …………………..
Address:………………………………………………………………….……
Signature:…………………………………… (Only if this form is notified on paper)
Date: …………………………….
Fair Processing Notice Merlin Attractions Operations Limited ("Merlin") is a British-based entertainment company, with a registered office at Link House, 25 West Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1LD, whose business is about creating unique, memorable and rewarding visitor experiences. A list of the Attractions and a note of the companies that make up the Merlin group which help to achieve this is available at www.merlinprivacy.com/uk/attractions ("Merlin Group"). Merlin values the privacy of those individuals that it provides Merlin Pass Monthly Memberships to. This fair processing notice ("Notice") sets out the basis on which Merlin processes and protects the personal data we collect from you in connection with the Merlin Pass Monthly Memberships (the "Membership"). As Merlin is the company which was originally responsible for collecting information about you, it will be the Data Controller and can be contacted using the details set out below. You should be aware that although Merlin is principally responsible for looking after personal data collected in connection with a Monthly Membership, information is likely to be held in databases which can be accessed by other Merlin Group companies, and other entities in the Merlin Group may also be Data Controllers where they control the use or processing of such data. In the context of the Membership s, Merlin will however be the single point of contact for all Merlin Group Data Controllers who can be contacted using the details set out below.
What personal information do we collect from you? In relation to potential, historic customers and current Passholders, we collect "Personal Information". This refers to information which identifies or is capable of identifying you as an individual. We collect the following data directly from you in the course of administering or promoting our Membership:
Information that you provide when applying for a Membership.
Details of any concerns if you contact us with a query or issue.
When you complete a survey to tell us how your experience of our attractions was and how we can improve, although you do not have to respond to them.
Details of transactions you carry out to purchase a Membership including your credit/debit card details.
Your name, address, telephone number and/or email address and any other data fields noted in Term 40 in order to contact you with details of your Membership or in the unlikely event that we need to contact you urgently about your Membership. These details are mandatory and failure to provide means that we cannot provide you with a Membership.
We comply with principles of "data minimisation", and only collect the types and volume of Personal Information required to achieve the purposes set out in this Notice.
What purposes do we use your personal information for and what is the legal basis? We will use the Personal Information we collect for the purposes of:
contacting you in relation to service information, including, but not limited to, information about changes to these Terms, expiry and/or renewal reminders for your Membership; ensuring the security and safety of our attractions as covered by your Membership; and carrying out our obligations arising from any contracts entered into between you and us and ensuring we receive payment as required. We may also send you marketing materials (where we have appropriate permissions) as explained in more detail below. Merlin does not however send marketing materials to any child under the age of 13. We will also need to use your personal data for purposes associated with our legal and regulatory obligations, including in relation to ensuring the health and safety of Passholders at any of our Attractions.
In the majority of cases, the processing of your personal data will be justified on one of the following bases: (i) it is provided for in the Merlin Monthly Membership Pass Terms and Conditions, and therefore necessary to give effect to that contract (purposes A and C described above); (ii) it is necessary for us to comply with a legal obligation (purpose B described above); or (iii) it is in our legitimate interests as a business, and our interests are not overridden by your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms (marketing purposes described below, save where opt-in consent is required by other data protection laws in which case our legal basis shall be your consent for the purpose of GDPR). That legitimate interest is our freedom to operate as a global organisation and to ensure that our Attractions are promoted.
PLEASE NOTE: If we have previously told you that we were relying on consent as the basis of our processing activities, going forward we will not be relying on that legal basis unless we have said that in this Policy.
Where a Merlin Pass Monthly Membership Passholder ("Membership Passholder") provides evidence of a disability in accordance with Term 40 in order to apply for a Carer Pass or Ride Access Pass or in the event that a health and safety incident occurs at an Attraction, the Membership Passholder acknowledges that Merlin will be collecting special categories of personal data (e.g. health information regarding a disability, impairment or injury). Merlin shall only process such special categories of data where necessary to perform the contract, and where the Membership Passholder has consented to providing such data or where Merlin is relying on a specific exemption provided under local laws of EU Member States and other countries implementing the GDPR. Where possible, Merlin shall seek to minimise the collection and use of such sensitive personal data, and shall ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect such special categories of personal data.
Merlin only collects special categories of personal information about individuals under the age of 13 where the parent or guardian has provided "consent" on behalf of the relevant minor while purchasing a Membership in respect of that minor.
PLEASE NOTE. If you provide your explicit consent to allow us to process your special categories of data, you can withdraw your consent to such processing at any time. However, you should be aware that if you choose to withdraw your consent we will tell you more about the possible consequences, including if this means that certain services (in particular where you have applied for a Carer Pass) can no longer be provided).
Direct marketing We may use your personal data to send you direct marketing communications about our Membership. This will be in the form of email, post, SMS or targeted online advertisements. Where we, or any members of the Merlin Group, require explicit opt-in consent for electronic direct marketing in accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations we will ask for your consent. Otherwise, for non-electronic marketing or where we can rely on the soft opt-in exemption under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, we will be relying on our Legitimate Interests for the purposes of GDPR as further detailed above. You have a right to stop receiving direct marketing at any time - you can do this by following the opt-out links in electronic communications (such as emails), or by contacting us at dataprotection@melinentertainments.biz. We will keep a suppression list to ensure you don't receive further marketing unless you opt-in again, but we will still send you service messages - e.g. details about attraction opening times or updates the terms linked to your Membership.
How long do we keep your personal information? We will retain your personal data for as long as is reasonably necessary for the purposes listed above. In particular, where there has been no interaction from a Passholder (e.g. a purchase, newsletter sign up), a record will be archived after 2 years and deleted after 6 years.
Where we are required to do so to meet legal, regulatory, tax or accounting requirements, we will retain your personal data for longer periods of time, but only where permitted to do so, including so that we have an accurate record of your dealings with us in the event of any complaints or challenges, or if we reasonably believe there is a possibility of legal action relating to your personal data or dealings.
We maintain a data retention policy which we apply to records in our care. Where your personal data is no longer required and we do not have a legal requirement to retain it, we will ensure it is either securely deleted or stored in a way such that it is anonymised and the Personal Data is no longer used by the business.
Who do we share your personal data with? We share data with other Merlin Group companies in order to carry out the purposes outlined above. We also share Personal data with third parties, which include:
- Service Providers, who help manage our IT and back office systems, and assist with our Customer Relationship Management activities, such as Experian Marketing Services; Cheetah Digital; CTI Digital; Merkle; Avius Insight; Mediacom; Conversocial; Zen Desk; The Royal Mail; UPS; and Adare International. Third parties that act as data processors are required to act only on our instructions as is necessary to perform services on our behalf and are required to comply with applicable legal requirements;
- Social media platforms, including Facebook;
- Regulators, which include the ICO, as well as other regulators and law enforcement agencies in the E.U. and around the world; and
- Solicitors and other professional services firms (including our auditors).
Furthermore, if required, we may disclose Personal Information in response to official government or regulatory requests; to law enforcement authorities to prevent physical harm or prevent or detect crime; or in the event of merger or acquisition.
Transfer of your personal information across borders Some entities in the Merlin Group, with whom we share your data, and our service providers who have access to your personal data, are located outside the European Union. We will always take steps to ensure that any international transfer of information is carefully managed to protect your rights and interests, in particular for internal group transfers we have in place an intra group data transfer agreement which incorporates the EU Model Clauses pursuant to Article 46(2) of the GDPR.
For external group transfers, we will either:
Only transfer your personal data to countries which are recognised as providing an adequate level of legal protection in accordance with Article 45 of the GDPR; or
ensure that transfers outside the European Union are subject to an appropriate legal safeguard - for example, the EU Model Clauses pursuant to Article 46(2) of the GDPR and/or the EU - U.S. Privacy Shield for the protection of personal data transferred to the US (for further details, please see https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/data-transfers-outside-eu/eu-us-privacy-shield_en)
You have a right to ask us for more information about the safeguards we have put in place in relation to any data transfer agreement under which your personal data is transferred. Any data transfer agreement made available to you may be redacted for reasons of commercial sensitivity.
Protection of information We have implemented reasonable physical, technical and administrative security standards to protect Personal Information from loss, misuse, alteration, destruction or damage.
Your rights You have the following rights in respect of your personal data:
Access: to obtain a copy of your personal data together with information about how and on what basis that personal data is processed;
Rectification: to rectify inaccurate personal data.
Right to be forgotten: to erase your personal data in limited circumstances where it is no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which it was collected or processed;
Restriction: to restrict processing of your personal data where: (a) the accuracy of the personal data is contested; (b) the processing is unlawful but you object to the erasure of the personal data; (c) we no longer require the personal data for the purposes for which it was collected, but it is required for the establishment, exercise or defence of a legal claim;
Objection: to challenge processing which we have justified on the basis of a legitimate interest;
Portability: to obtain a portable copy of your personal data, or to have a copy transferred to a third party controller; and
We do not carry out automated decision making which would trigger Article 22, but if we do in the future, we will notify you of this and set out your related rights.
To exercise your rights you can contact us as set out below. Please note the following if you do wish to exercise these rights:
Ø Identity. We take the confidentiality of all records containing personal data seriously, and reserve the right to ask you for proof of your identity if you make a request.
Ø Fees. We will not ask for a fee to exercise any of your rights in relation to your personal data, unless your request for access to information is unfounded, repetitive or excessive, in which case we will charge a reasonable amount in the circumstances.
Ø Timescales. We aim to respond to any valid requests within one month unless it is particularly complicated or you have made several requests, in which case we aim to respond within three months. We will let you know if we are going to take longer than one month. We might ask you if you can help by telling us what exactly you want to receive or are concerned about. This will help us to action your request more quickly.
Ø Exemptions. Local laws, including in the UK, provide for additional exemptions, in particular to the right of access, whereby personal data can be withheld from you in certain circumstances, for example where it is subject to legal privilege.
Contact us
For changes, such as modifying your Personal Information where it is no longer accurate, and to exercise any of your rights, please contact Data.Protection@merlinentertainments.biz with the subject heading "Exercise of Data Subject Right(s)".
If you have a complaint about how we have handled your Personal Information you may contact us in the first instance and we will attempt to resolve the issue as soon as possible. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your national data protection supervisory authority at any time. In the UK, the supervisory authority for data protection is the ICO (https://ico.org.uk/). We do ask that you please attempt to resolve any issues with us first, although you have a right to contact your supervisory authority
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