http://www.relax.com.sg/relax/media/1513286/Family_Past_Time.html
The admission fees alone will cost $66 for four, and that is not accounting for frills such as meals and souvenirs, which could easily set you back another $50 or more.
The answer for cost-conscious families could be an annual pass. These passes to places of attraction such as theme parks, museums and the zoo usually admit a family of two adults and three children between the ages of three and 12, for an unlimited number of entries in the 12 months after the date of purchase.
The passes are non-transferable, but some come with added perks such as discounts at food and beverage outlets or free parking.
For example, a Sentosa Islander Family Membership, at $50, entitles a family of five to unlimited admission to the island by car, the Boardwalk or Sentosa Express light rail system. Individual membership costs $25 a pop. Usually, entry for each car costs $2 to $7, depending on which day of the week and what time you drive in.
However, manage your expectations as these annual passes are unlikely to include all expenses. For instance, those eager to see the pandas Jia Jia and Kai Kai at the River Safari will have to buy add-on tickets at $5 for adults and $3 for children aged between three and 12. Although the River Safari will open only in the first quarter of next year, the panda exhibit is accessible via the Singapore Zoo where zoo admission charges apply.
Below are some of the annual passes which Life!Weekend recommends that will help you save as you play in the next 12 months.
SINGAPORE ZOO
What: A 26ha wildlife park which is home to more than 300 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. The River Safari, which houses pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia, will open in the first quarter of next year and admission charges have not yet been confirmed. But the panda exhibit is now accessible from the zoo if visitors pay zoo admission and add-on fees.
Open: 8.30am to 6pm
Perks: Free parking and admission to the zoo, and free tram rides on weekdays. Members receive free quarterly e-Wildlife Wonders publications and they also get a 10 per cent discount at selected food and beverage and retail outlets.
Prices: A Friends Of The Zoo membership costs $210 for two adults and up to three children aged between three and 12. But there are no concessions for the Giant Panda preview add-on ticket, which costs $5 (adults) and $3 (children).
Savings: Save $18 on admissions and $75 on tram rides if you visit three times a year. Admission to the zoo costs $20 (adult) and $13 (children between three and 12). Tram rides cost $5 an adult and $3 a child.
Info: Go to www.wrs-itswild.com.sg
NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD MUSEUMS
What: The National Heritage Board oversees a total of nine museums and interpretive centres, including National Museum and Singapore Art Museum.
Perks: An annual season pass admits the holder for an unlimited number of visits to six museums under the purview of the National Heritage Board. Entry to Memories At Old Ford Factory is not included, and entry to the National Archives of Singapore is free. Get 50 per cent off all temporary exhibitions and blockbuster exhibitions. The cardholder also gets a birthday gift.
Price: A six-museum Season Pass costs $120 and admits up to five people of any age. With the exception of the Singapore Philatelic Museum, which charges $4 for children between three and 12, admission is free for children below six.
Savings: At least $95 for five adults. Regular admission to the National Museum of Singapore ($10), Asian Civilisations Museum ($10), Singapore Art Museum & SAM @ 8Q ($10), Peranakan Museum ($6), Singapore Philatelic Museum ($5), and Reflections at Bukit Chandu ($2) for one adult costs a total of $43.
Info: Go to www.nhb.gov.sg/NHBPortal/ SupportUs/7-MuseumSeasonPass
GARDENS BY THE BAY
What: Gardens by the Bay comprises three waterfront gardens, two ticketed cooled conservatory domes and a 128m-long OCBC Skyway which affords the visitor a bird’s eye view of the park.
Open: Bay South Outdoor Gardens open 5 to 2am daily; the two conservatory domes and the OCBC Skyway open 9am to 9pm daily.
Perks: An annual pass offers unlimited admission to the two cooled conservatory domes and OCBC Skyway. Get 10 per cent off selected items at retail shops, exclusive food and beverage discounts and promotions, including special birthday treats.
Price: $180 for two adults and three children (between three and 12 years old). All members of the family need to be present at the ticketing counters to purchase the pass as a photograph will be taken on the spot and printed on the family’s pass for identification purposes.
Savings: Only two visits to Gardens by the Bay are required to break even on the cost of the pass and save an extra $16. It costs $98 for a family of two adults ($20 each) and three children ($12 each) to visit the two cooled conservatories and OCBC Skyway ($5 for adults and $3 for children).
Info: Go to www.gardensbythebay.com.sg
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE
What: A movie theme park located in Resorts World Sentosa
Open: 10am to 9pm daily and 10am to 1am on New Year’s Eve
Perks: An annual pass offers unlimited admission to the park and priority access via the VIP turnstile, sneak previews of new rides and attractions and a 10 per cent discount at all retail and food and beverage outlets, except for KT’s Grill and Hollywood China Bistro, where the discount is 20 per cent.
The passholder can also get a 10 per cent discount on dated Universal Studios Singapore One-Day Passes, subject to a maximum of six a day for each annual pass. Get $5 off stroller or wheelchair rental and a 10 per cent discount on all Universal Studios Singapore event tickets and selected Resorts World Sentosa event tickets.
Those holding an annual pass with Universal Express can skip the regular queues and enjoy priority access to selected rides and attractions all year round.
Prices: A regular annual pass is $188 for adults and $158 for children between four and 12 and senior citizens above 60.
Savings: You need to visit the theme park only three times a year to break even on the cost of the annual pass and save an extra $34 for adults and $4 for children. A one-day pass already costs $74 (adults) and $54 (children aged between four and 12).
Info: Go to www.rwsentosa.com
MARINE LIFE PARK AND S.E.A AQUARIUM
What: The 8ha oceanarium has two ticketed attractions – the Adventure Cove Waterpark and the S.E.A. Aquarium.
Opens: S.E.A. Aquarium opens 10am to 7pm daily; Adventure Cove Waterpark opens 10am to 6pm daily
Perks: An annual pass offers unlimited admissions to the attractions for one year and use of the priority lane for admission to the attractions. The passholder can also get $3 off for up to six more admission tickets to both attractions.
Get 10 per cent off at food and non-alcoholic beverages at food and beverage outlets in both attractions. S.E.A. Aquarium annual passholders get 10 per cent off guided tours, education programmes and merchandise at The Maritime Experiential Museum.
Price: $88 (adult), $58 (children aged between four and 12) and $58 (senior citizens aged 60 and above) for each the Adventure Cove Waterpark and S.E.A. Aquarium.
Savings: If you visit these attractions four times a year, adults save $28 for each attraction. A one-day pass to the S.E.A. Aquarium and the Adventure Cove Waterpark each costs $29 (adults) and $20 (children between four and 12 and senior citizens) for each park.
Info: Go to www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Attractions/MarineLifePark
SENTOSA AND THE LUGE
What: Sentosa is home to a wide array of recreational attractions, including integrated resort Resorts World Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore and white sandy beaches. At Skyline Luge Sentosa, hop onto a part-go-cart, part-toboggan action ride and glide more than 600m downslope, choosing between one of two trails. Then board the Skyride back uphill and enjoy a panoramic view of the city skyline and beautiful coastline.
Open: The first train of the Sentosa Express light rail system leaves Sentosa Station at VivoCity at 7am and the last train leaves Beach Station at Siloso Beach at midnight. The gantry at Sentosa Boardwalk is open 24 hours.
The Luge is open from 10am to 9.30pm daily.
Perks: The Sentosa Islander Family Membership allows members unlimited entry into Sentosa via the Sentosa Boardwalk, Sentosa Express and Sentosa Gantry (drive-in for one private vehicle only).
Sentosa Islander members enjoy up to 35 per cent discounts at more than 40 restaurants, hotels, attractions and retail outlets on Sentosa. They are also entitled to exclusive invitations to Sentosa events.
For the Annual Luge License, visitors pay a discounted rate of $5 a person for one luge ride and one Skyride.
The usual price is $12.50. License holders are also put in the express queue and receive up to 25 per cent off merchandise except promotional items and photographs.
Price: Sentosa Islander Family Membership is $50 a year, with an annual renewal of $40, for up to five immediate family members (including grandparents and domestic helpers).
The Annual Luge License is for four immediate family members, including one child who has to be below 12 years old, and domestic helpers. It costs $120 but Sentosa Islander Family Membership holders pay $100.
Savings: At least $160 a year in admission to the island by Sentosa Express ($3.50 an entry a person) if the family visits Sentosa once every month. Up to $34 in gantry fees if you drive to Sentosa once a month. Save up to $260 on monthly rides at The Luge if you hold both the Islander membership and the Annual Luge License.
Info: Go to www.sentosa.com.sg
SCIENCE CENTRE SINGAPORE
What: Science Centre with 14 galleries comprising interactive exhibits over a wide range of topics related to science, technology and mathematics
Open: 10am to 6pm
Perks: The Science Explorer pass provides unlimited free admission to the Science Centre, while the Cosmic Adventurer pass gives you that plus free unlimited admission to 40-minute Imax movies.
All categories of passholders get a 30 per cent discount for additional Science Centre tickets, three issues of Science Beats newsletter a year, three issues of Singapore Scientist magazine a year and access to the Science Centre Library containing 12,000 science-related books and publications. They also get invited to members-only school holiday workshops and free admission to more than 290 science museums overseas.
They can also purchase Snow City tickets at $12 a person, valid until next Wednesday. Snow City admission usually costs $27 (adults) and $22 (for children between three and 16).
Prices: The Science Explorer pass for two adults and up to three children costs $65 (one year) and $100 (two years); for two adults and up to four children, the pass is $71 (one year) and $110 (two years); for three adults and three children, it is $75 (one year), $118 (two years).
The Cosmic Adventurer pass for two adults and up to three children costs $143 (one year) and $213 (two years); for two adults and up to four children, it costs $159 (one year) and $243 (two years); for three adults and three children, it is $188 (one year) and $298 (two years).
Savings: You need to use the passes only twice in order to break even on the cost and save at least $11. Without it, Science Centre tickets cost $12 an adult and $8 a child while Omni-Theatre 40-minute Imax movie tickets cost $10 for an adult and $7 for a child between three and 12.
Info: Go to www.science.edu.sg/visitorinformation/Pages/individualfamilymembership.aspx
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