2019 Dining Plan

WolfBobs said:

Jimmyburke, we ate there around 430p and the line was a full indoor queue and to the door. They only had one side open at the time for service but even with that the line hummed along and was about a 10-15min line. The biggest slow down was at the registers. That I chalk up to just not enough time to train employees on every little hiccup that could happen processing an order.

So, I have a great idea...let's replace trained cashiers with self serve kiosks because if trained employees have issues, what could go wrong with having people who are clueless ordering for themselves? SMH

Does CP STILL use self-serve kiosks or did they realize how much money they were losing, like at Coasters 2 years ago, when the line was out the door, but, employees were standing at the counter with nothing to do because no orders were getting to them?

Zoug68 said:

WolfBobs said:

Jimmyburke, we ate there around 430p and the line was a full indoor queue and to the door. They only had one side open at the time for service but even with that the line hummed along and was about a 10-15min line. The biggest slow down was at the registers. That I chalk up to just not enough time to train employees on every little hiccup that could happen processing an order.

So, I have a great idea...let's replace trained cashiers with self serve kiosks because if trained employees have issues, what could go wrong with having people who are clueless ordering for themselves? SMH

Does CP STILL use self-serve kiosks or did they realize how much money they were losing, like at Coasters 2 years ago, when the line was out the door, but, employees were standing at the counter with nothing to do because no orders were getting to them?

I mean, that's a little out of context to what I meant. I simply meant you can't possibly train for every hiccup that happens. I train at my job and it's very difficult to train for any and every instance that could happen. For example, I work with pharmaceutical filling equipment. Some HMI's have hundreds of error codes, some can not be replicated in any sort of training mode. Things like that become a "cross the bridge when we get there" scenario. Those are the type of hiccups I meant. Some employees simply didn't know how to clear a register error and needed a supervisor. In a few days or weeks those issues won't be a problem. Like I said in some other posts I felt this seasons opening day was the best I've been to (besides weather) in about 5 years. I think all the employees did their best with their available training.

^^I haven't been inside Coasters in years, but do they only have the serf-service kiosks? Or are they added as a supplement to the normal workers at the registers? Personally I like the kiosks, if it frees up an employee or two to help prepare the food faster. I do agree that people can be pretty clueless when using them though.

Wolfbobs, I wasn't implying that's what you wanted if it came across that way. Just criticizing Cedar Point for being cheap and expecting customers to be able to do on their own in one visit the same thing a trained employee has some difficulty doing after training.
Coasters, at Cedar Point, 2 years ago and at Michigan's Adventure last year, have the kiosks as soon as you walk in the door. Even if you may place orders at the counters, no employees offered to take orders. Between the lack of training and the glitches in the software, the self serve kiosks were a debacle.

I think we're in agreement. Starting in June 2019! Mandatory guest training course at all entrance gates.

Part 1: Introduction to Cedar Point.

Part 2: Self-Service food kiosk training session.

Part 3: Proper RMC wheel assembly & inspection training.

Part 4: Deodorant application.

Part 5: Guests depart for the park. ;)

You forgot guests locating the smoking areas on a map.

Zoug68 said:

Wolfbobs, I wasn't implying that's what you wanted if it came across that way. Just criticizing Cedar Point for being cheap and expecting customers to be able to do on their own in one visit the same thing a trained employee has some difficulty doing after training.
Coasters, at Cedar Point, 2 years ago and at Michigan's Adventure last year, have the kiosks as soon as you walk in the door. Even if you may place orders at the counters, no employees offered to take orders. Between the lack of training and the glitches in the software, the self serve kiosks were a debacle.

A well designed POS system shouldn't have a lot of these problems. Look at Sheetz, GetGo, Wawa, etc. Those systems seem to work pretty damn efficiently. Note though I said "well designed", my experience with the ones at Cedar Fair parks have been less than stellar.

It was always absurd to me that you couldn't use the drink plan on the kiosks (if I could I certainly had no clue how).

Jeff or Walt: I can’t find my post re gluten free experience from others? I looked under my account & it confirmed I had a post there.
I know I’m not familiar with the site since being on here years ago. Is there a way to go straight to my posts to hear any responses?

https://www.cedarpoint.com/help/dietary-needs

A well designed POS system shouldn't have a lot of these problems. Look at Sheetz, GetGo, Wawa, etc. Those systems seem to work pretty damn efficiently. Note though I said "well designed", my experience with the ones at Cedar Fair parks have been less than stellar.

A huge difference is the location of the systems. The ones in stores are going to be used by the same customers, more often. Those in CP are most like to only be used, once per year by most guests. Throw in the meal deal options and things get even worse. Typical Wawa customers are able to become more experienced at ordering.

While I really don't want to wait in line in a gas station for newbies to figure out how to operate a POS, I REALLY don't want to waste my ride time in a line in a park where I might have spent $100, including expenses, just to walk through the gate.

Anyways, has anyone who has been there this year noticed if they have improved this situation?

Is the buffet restaurant still open in the front part of park? I always got salad there but can’t find it on the website. Racking my brain trying to remember the name.

No. Midway Market is no longer open. Hugo's is now in that building.

Thanks

For a decent salad you might want to step in to Perkins