SeaWorld San Antonio Season Pass & Annual Pass | Simply Explained
Contrary to popular belief, a season pass and an annual pass aren't the same thing.
In this page we will be explaining what a SeaWorld San Antonio Season Pass is, what an Annual Pass is, what benefits they offer, what type of passes there are, and how you can pay for them.
Table of Contents
- What is a Season Pass
- What is an Annual Pass
- Season Passholder Benefits
- Annual Passholder Benefits
- Types of Passes
- How to get my Season/Annual Pass
- Payment Options
- Automatic Renewal
What is a Season Pass?
A season pass allows a pass holder to visit the park an unlimited number of times throughout the year, on all days that are open to the public.
Later in the year, there are times where this park closes during the week (particularly Monday - Wednesday), so double check on their site which dates the park is open, and for what hours.
They also come with benefits including free parking, access to special events, and discounts, which we will all cover later.
What is an Annual Pass?
An annual pass is a little different than a season pass, as it will last you exactly 12 months from the day you purchased, regardless of the season.
So this means if you purchased an annual pass on July 7th, it will last you through July 7th of the next year, not just until the end of the current year.
They include the same benefits as a season pass, plus additional benefits.
Season Passholder Benefits
No Blockout Dates
A blockout date is when a certain date is blocked out based on operational or weather considerations.
This can become tedious for passholders as they have to make the extra effort to double check the dates they can't go.
Luckily for you, this isn't a problem at SeaWorld San Antonio.
Free Parking
Parking averages around $25 a visit, which can add up quickly.
10% Discounts
On merchandise, photo prints and frames.
Access to Exclusive Events
Including Halloween, Christmas, Summer festivals and more.
Access to Exclusive Pin Trading Events
Pin trading is a big deal at any theme park, and that definitely applies here. Basically, there are collectible pins that you can put on a lanyard and show it off while you walk around the park.
When you see other SeaWorld ambassadors carrying their pins, you can stop them and ask them if you can trade with them.
There are different categories of pins and some can only be obtained for limited times, so they become a hot commodity.
You can find out more information on the SeaWorld Pin Trading site.
Annual Passholder Benefits
Annual Passholder benefits include everything mentioned above (that the Season passholders receive) plus more.
The only difference is depending on the pass it'll vary by percentage. For example, a Silver pass may offer a 20% discount on a category whereas the Platinum pass offers 50%.
This is why you'll see ranges below.
Free Friend Tickets 2-6
That's right you can receive multiple free tickets for your friends to use (one time) at the park!
Exclusive Pass Member Ticket Discounts
There are different discounts that are offered on certain tickets. The offerings vary be season.
Preferred Parking Upgrade
You'll get parked as close as possible to the park for VIP parking, and to minimize walking after a long day.
For Silver members it's a 50% discount while for Gold and Platinum Members it's free.
Priority Park Entrance
Gold & Platinum members will have access to their own special entrance, to allow for quicker entry, and you don't have to deal with the general population in line.
20% - 50% Off Quick Queue
Massive discounts off of these passes, which if you've read our Quick Queue article, you know how useful they can be.
Free Photos
Photos can have such a sentimental value. Luckily for you, you can have season long access to professionally taken photos.
You can easily access them through the PhotoKey app.
Discounts
On Dines with Your Kids' Favorite Characters & Rental Strollers.
Types of Passes
There are 4 types of passes including the Season pass, Silver annual pass, Gold annual pass & Platinum annual pass. They all vary in benefits and price.
| Season Pass | Silver Annual Pass | Gold Annual Pass | ||
| $265 of value | $800 of value | $1,050 of value | $1,375 of value | |
| Unlimited Fun - Visit All Year! |  |
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| Visit on Your Terms - NO Blockout Dates | |
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| Share the Experience - FREE Friend Tickets | 2 | 4 | 6 | |
| Enjoy Exclusive Pass Member Ticket Discounts | |
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| Park for FREE! (regularly $25/visit) | |
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| FREE Preferred Parking Upgrade | 50% | |
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| VIP Parking for Platinum | |
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| Priority Park Entrance* | |
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| Exclusive Food & Beverage Savings** | 10% | 15% | 20% | |
| Exclusive Merchandise Savings*** | 10% | 20% | 30% | 50% |
| FREE Up-Close Reserved Parade Viewing | 1 | |
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| FREE Reserved Show Viewing | |
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| FREE Annual PhotoKey - Capture & Unlock Memories | |
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| Discounts on Daily & All Season Quick Queue | 20% | 30% | 50% | |
| FREE Single Ride Quick Queue Per Visit | |
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| Discounts on Photo Prints & Frames | 10% | 20% | 30% | 50% |
| Discounts on AMAZING Zoological Experiences | 10% | 15% | 20% | |
| FREE Animal Experience | 1 | |||
| Discounts on Dines with Your Kids' Favorite Characters | 10% | 15% | 20% | |
| Rental Discounts on Strollers | 10% | 15% | 20% | |
| Exclusive Events including Halloween, Christmas, Summer Festivals and more! | |
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| Exclusive Savings to Discovery Cove | |
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| Exclusive Pin Trading events & product access | |
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| Unlimited Admission to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Sesame Place and Our Award Winning Water Parks | |
How to Get My Season/Annual Pass
You can purchase directly from the SeaWorld San Antonio site.
Payment Options
You can either pay in full or through a 12 month payment plan.
If you choose to purchase with a payment plan, you'll make your first monthly payment that day, and then have 11 consecutive payments of the same amount.
Automatic Renewal
It's important to know that these passes have automatic renewal already set up. Many people don't realize this, and then have to deal with it later on when their card gets charged.
On the other hand, if you were planning to renew it it's a seamless automatic process.