Let’s be real. Utah is expensive. Between the skyrocketing cost of a movie ticket at Megaplex and the fact that taking a family of four to Lagoon basically requires a small personal loan, entertainment budgets in the Beehive State are stretched thin. That’s usually when people start eyeing the Get Out Pass Utah. It sounds like a steal, right? One price, dozens of attractions. But if you’ve lived here long enough, you know that "unlimited" usually comes with a massive asterisk and a side of fine print that makes your head spin.
I’ve spent way too much time digging into the math of these passes. Honestly, for some families, it’s the best investment they’ll make all year. For others? It’s a digital paperweight sitting in an app they’ll never open. You have to know how to play the game.
What the Get Out Pass Utah Really Is (And Isn't)
Basically, this is a subscription-style membership. You pay a flat fee for the year, and in return, you get "free" admission to a massive list of venues across the Wasatch Front and beyond. We’re talking about places like Lagoon, Brighton Resort, SeaQuest, and FatCats.
But here is the kicker. It isn't a "go whenever you want" pass.
Most people think it works like a season pass to a specific park. It doesn't. Each venue has its own specific offer. One place might give you a free round of mini-golf every week. Another might give you one single admission for the entire year. If you show up at Lagoon on a Saturday in July thinking your pass is going to get you in, you might be in for a rude awakening because black-out dates are a very real, very annoying thing.
The Lagoon Factor: Why Most People Buy It
Let's talk about the elephant in Farmington. For a huge chunk of Utahns, the Get Out Pass Utah is just a "Lagoon discount" with extra steps.
Lagoon tickets are pushing $100 these days. If you can get the pass on sale—which happens constantly, seriously, never pay full price—the pass often costs less than a single day at the park. It’s a no-brainer. You go to Lagoon once, and the pass has literally paid for itself. Everything else you do for the rest of the year is "gravy."
However, Lagoon is a "once per year" offer on the pass. You don’t get to go back every day. You get one scan. Also, they usually restrict when you can use it. Typically, you can’t use it during Frightmares or on specific high-traffic holidays. If you’re a die-hard coaster enthusiast who wants to be there every weekend, you still need a regular season pass. If you're a parent who just wants to survive one day of Cannibal and the Rattlesnake without crying at the ticket window, this is your ticket.
Breaking Down the Wasatch Front Value
If you live in Salt Lake, Davis, or Utah County, you’re in the sweet spot. The density of attractions is wild.
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- Brighton Resort: They often offer a free night skiing session. If you’ve checked lift ticket prices lately, you know that’s a $60+ value right there.
- Splash Summit: Formerly Seven Peaks in Provo. Usually, you get one admission here. It’s a solid summer day out.
- Grizzlies Games: Often, you can snag tickets to a hockey game at the Maverik Center.
- Arcades and Bowling: This is where the "weekly" or "monthly" value lives. Places like Kangaroo Zoo or various bowling alleys often let you in once a month.
It’s the sheer variety that gets people. One Saturday you're at a trampoline park in Lehi, and the next you're doing an escape room in Ogden. It forces you out of the house. That's the real "lifestyle" perk. You stop saying "there's nothing to do" and start saying "which thing on the app haven't we used yet?"
The Math Problem: When It Actually Costs You Money
It’s easy to get swept up in the marketing. They’ll tell you there is "$3,000 worth of value" in the pass.
Technically? Sure. If you actually visit all 80+ locations, drive from Logan to St. George, and use every single offer, you’re winning. But who does that? Nobody. You have a job. Your kids have soccer. Life happens.
If you buy a Get Out Pass Utah and only use it for a $15 bowling session and a $20 museum entry, you’ve lost money. Period. You need to hit at least three "major" attractions (like Lagoon, Brighton, or a water park) to break even on the initial investment.
Why the "Gift" Strategy Can Backfire
A lot of grandparents buy these as Christmas gifts. It’s a great idea in theory. But I’ve seen so many of these go to waste because the parents find the app too clunky to navigate or they forget to check the "offers" before they head out.
The app is the gatekeeper. You have to be tech-savvy enough to manage multiple profiles if you have kids. When you get to the front desk of a place like SeaQuest, you have to pull up the pass, ensure you haven't used that venue's offer recently, and let the employee "push" the button on your screen. If your phone dies, you're paying full price.
Hidden Costs: It’s Rarely Truly "Free"
Here is something the glossy ads won't tell you: you’re still going to spend money.
Most of these venues are smart. They give you the "admission" because they know you’re going to spend $12 on a tub of popcorn, $5 on a soda, and $20 on arcade credits for the kids. Or, in the case of bowling, the pass covers the lane, but you still have to fork over $5 for shoe rentals.
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At the end of the day, a "free" outing often ends up costing $40 in gas and snacks. If you’re on a strict budget, you have to have the willpower to say no to the extras. Otherwise, the pass is just a very effective tool for local businesses to get you through their doors so they can upsell you.
Comparing the Competition: Pass of All Passes and Others
Utah used to be the land of the "Pass of All Passes." For a decade, that was the gold standard, mostly centered around Seven Peaks. But that pass has changed dramatically over the years, often losing its biggest hitters.
The Get Out Pass Utah has largely stepped in to fill that void. It feels more robust because it isn't tied to one specific company’s survival. If one venue leaves the pass, five more usually join. This diversity makes it a safer bet than some of the smaller, more localized punch cards you see floating around Facebook groups.
The "Southern Utah" Gap
If you live in St. George or Cedar City, be careful.
The value proposition shifts significantly once you get south of Payson. While there are absolutely venues in Southern Utah—think things like Smash Labs or certain golf centers—the "big" hitters like Lagoon are a four-hour drive away.
I’ve talked to people in Washington County who bought the pass thinking it would be a game-changer for their weekends, only to realize the bulk of the value required a hotel stay in Salt Lake. Check the map on their website before you buy. Don’t just look at the number of attractions; look at the zip codes.
How to Get the Absolute Best Price
Seriously, do not pay the "MSRP" for this.
The Get Out Pass Utah is perpetually on sale. They run massive "Black Friday" deals, "Back to School" deals, and "Utah Days of '47" deals. Usually, you can find a promo code from a local influencer or a deal site that knocks the price down by $30 to $50.
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Another pro tip: Look at the renewal dates. The pass is good for 365 days from the date of purchase. If you buy it in June, you get two "summer seasons" of use. You can hit the summer-only spots in July, then hit them again the following June before your pass expires. That is the ultimate "pro move" for maximizing value.
Real Feedback: What People Love and Hate
People who love it are usually the "planners." They are the ones who have a dedicated "Pass Day" once a month. They thrive on the variety. One mom I talked to in Layton uses it specifically for "boredom insurance." When the kids are climbing the walls on a Tuesday afternoon, she checks the app to see which indoor playground is currently available.
The haters? Usually, they're the people who had a bad experience with a specific venue. Occasionally, a business will change its terms or drop off the pass entirely without much notice. If you drove 45 minutes to a specific trampoline park only to find out they no longer honor the pass on Saturdays, you’re going to be frustrated. It happens. The fine print usually says "subject to change," and they mean it.
Final Verdict: Is it a Buy?
If you plan on going to Lagoon even once, buy the pass during a sale. It’s a mathematical certainty that you'll save money.
If you have kids between the ages of 5 and 15, buy the pass. It pays for itself in "peace of mind" alone because you always have a backup plan for entertainment.
However, if you’re a homebody, or if you hate crowds (because these venues are packed with other pass-holders), or if you live in a rural part of the state, skip it. Don't let the FOMO get to you.
How to actually execute a Get Out Pass strategy:
- Check the current venue list today. Don't rely on last year's list. Venues jump on and off the platform constantly.
- Wait for a holiday weekend. That is when the 40-50% off codes drop. Sign up for their email list, wait for the "Flash Sale," and then strike.
- Download the app before buying. Look at the interface. If it looks like something you’ll hate using, the savings won't be worth the headache.
- Map out your "Big Three." Pick the three most expensive places on the list you actually want to visit. If their combined gate price is higher than the cost of the pass, hit the buy button.
- Set "Renewal" reminders. These things often auto-renew. If you didn't use it enough this year, make sure you kill that subscription before it hits your credit card again next January.