Do we need the Hakone Free Pass

We are travelling to The Hakone Area when we first arrive in Japan - a family of 4.

We fly into Haneda Airport on the 20 DEC and will catch the TRAIN ( not using our JRPASS YET) to Gora and spend 3 nights there.
We have come to visit the Open Art Musuem and (hopefully) see Mt Fiji reflected in the Lake.
We will then travel directly back into Tokyo.

Is it best to purchase the Hakone Free Pass at Odawara Station or just pay each section as we use the necessary transport modes?
We may take a cruise in the lake or we may not - not too sure at this stage.

We are after the cheapest option. And don't plan to madly rush around and see everything.

Thanks for your help

I strongly recommend you to buy Hakone Kamakura Pass 3 consecutive day=6500 yen .
Your Base in tokyo, But By Buying this pass you will explore Hakone and Kamakura unlimited time from tokyo .It provides unlimited use of Odakyu trains, Odakyu buses, trains, boats, cable cars ,ropeways in the Hakone area and on the Enoden train between Enoshima and Kamakura, as well as discounted admission to selected tourist attractions.

Hi!

If you use frequently transportation, especially even one way of the ropeway, it it DEFINITELY worth buying the Hakone Free Pass. Keep in mind that the Hakone Free Pass is valid for 2 or 3 consecutive days, so you can buy 2 of 2 days pass in Odawara, for example.

Enjoy your trip!

If you are not sure about using the Lake Ashi cruise, then look pretty carefully at the pass as an option - it really only makes a difference if you are using things like the ropeways and the boat and you can do a lot of buses for 4000yen. The basic pricing is that if you do one "loop", the pass pays off, but that is because the ropeways and boat are where the bulk of the cost sit. If you spend most of your time around Gora (like the open air museum), you might not get too much value from it (but then you can't see Fuji from Gora anyway). Odawara to Gora is only 670 yen (1/2 for kids).
Getting the pass avoids messing about with cash as well, that can be a useful benefit.