Cedar Fair Websites/Apps

Nothing stops you from using the blown-up iPhone app on an iPad. While not ideal, that's how I do it.

Avalanche Sam said:
Anyway, I do think Cedar Point has gone backwards when it comes to technology, since Tony left.

I agree that the park's social media has almost completely dropped off the map since Tony's departure, but was Tony ever in charge of the web site?

I don't agree with that at all. The park's use of Twitter and Facebook has really grown over the last couple of seasons. Not to mention use of other networks such as Google+, Foursquare, Pinterest, and Instagram.

I think the website development could use some more forward thinking. Then again, as a professional in the web industry, I tend to expect more than the typical user. But, as far social media is concerned, I think the marketing team is doing a great job.

You know, you're absolutely right, and I feel dumb, because I do see plenty of Twitter and FB posts. I think what's missing is the personal touch (or whatever) that came with Tony's handling of it.

I'm not sure if that element is important to their goals, but it's something I certainly miss.

I can see where you're coming from there. Of course he's a big time television star now. :)

Adobe itself is concentrating its future on HTML, not Flash. But more to the point, Flash is used for all kinds of inappropriate things that would work fine with straight HTML. Shopping carts are an obvious one.

I'm also "anti-app." I'd guess 90% of the apps people use are just thin wrappers around something a Web page could just as easily do, only you don't need to submit updates for approval and wait for the gatekeeper to approve, then wait for the user to install the update. I can change a Web page right now, and everyone has it, regardless of the device they're using. The app obsession, outside of games, is ridiculous. Why will you make me look through some store to find your crap when I already know your Web URL?

Jeff, your line of thinking is where it all began. The original iPhone was all about web apps.

While many apps are not much more than wrapping around a website, there are some benefits they bring to the table, if done right. The key though is it being more than just a repackaged browser.

Actually, the original iPhone was not at all about apps, and in fact Jobs (as he often does with things Apple is working on) derided apps, before coming out with an app store later on.

Unless it's been updated recently... If you want to see a company that promotes things like smart phones, laptops and all kinds of other bologna. Then take a look at SixFlags.com Can't even be opened from a non-flash device. And their mobile site doesn't even have the park's hours.

Edit:

Take that back. Just searched it on my phone and the mobile site now includes important information and not just M&M and Discover ads.

djDaemon said:
Actually, the original iPhone was not at all about apps, and in fact Jobs (as he often does with things Apple is working on) derided apps, before coming out with an app store later on.

I should have added more emphasis to the word web. You are correct. In the beginning the only apps available were the built in apps. Any other apps had to be in the form of a mobile website.

One of the main reasons for starting this thread is that a product that is so good is not being marketed as well as it could be marketed. Requiring old technology that isn't even supported on a popular platform is not the smartest move.

Also, when it comes to the blog, I wasn't even aware that one still existed after the rss feed was no longer being updated. To the park's defense though, was rss even ever that widely adopted?

-Sam

Really? I use Google Reader to subscribe to thousands of items every day via RSS. You can't have a blog without it. A ton of CoasterBuzz traffic comes in via the RSS news feed.

I use rss as well. I didn't realize it was still a big thing.

Anyway, the fact that you can't get the CP blog via rss anymore is another way the park has gone backwards. I didn't even realize the park still had a blog when the rss feed quit being updated.

-Sam

Actually the park blog still has RSS, they just changed the URL. Go to the page and the RSS icon in the top has the new link.

This comic seems to fit in with the theme of this thread. :)

Edit: For anyone interested, I just came across this article highlighting interactive sites that don't use Flash.

Just as expected, the commerce site was a NIGHTMARE!

First I had to enable Flash on my Mac, and for security I downloaded the latest version.

Then, my free tickets from work would't print.

Then, my credit card order wouldn't go through!

Now my credit card purchased ticket won't print!

Spoke with Accesso Tech Support, Park Guest Relations, and even my credit card company!

Guest Relations and Discover Card Customer Service were most helpful. Guest Relations can print your tickets for you if they fail to print on your computer, and Discover was helpful in finding out why Accesso didn't want to take my money.

I understand that my nightmare was a self-fulfilling prophecy, but it was worse than I expected!

-Sam