First time season pass holder question

I purchased a set of season passes online a few months ago and understand that I have to stop at the season pass office and get each pass holders picture taken. I've heard a lot about how long the lines get for this and I'd like to try to avoid the lines. I also see that the season pass processing office opens with limited hours around April 18. Just curious what other pass holders have experienced, and if it is worth making the 1 hour trip pre-season to try to avoid the lines!

I plan on making a 4-hour trip (2 each way) pre-season to avoid what I heard would otherwise be very long lines.

The first year I had a pass, I waited 2.5 hours in a season pass processing line on the 2nd weekend of the year. Make the trip up early if you can, unless you're going and spending the night on your trip. If that's the case, then I'd suggest going there toward the end of the evening. The line will be much, much shorter than at the beginning of the day.

What about a Friday in May? Any guesses as if the line will be atrociously long?

Not sure about that. The lines will definitely be longer in the morning when the park first opens, though.

...And likely at the end of the day too. Here are a few pictures from around 4 or 5 o'clock in the afternoon on Opening Day of 2006:
http://www.gallery.pointpixels.com/details.php?image_id=3185
http://www.gallery.pointpixels.com/details.php?image_id=3183
http://www.gallery.pointpixels.com/details.php?image_id=3182
http://www.gallery.pointpixels.com/details.php?image_id=3181
http://www.gallery.pointpixels.com/details.php?image_id=3184

If you only live 1 hour away I would say it is definitely worth going before opening day. otherwise, you will spend a lot of time standing in line when you could be inside the park having fun.

Yeah, you should make the trip before the park opens its not crowed at all. If you wait till opening day they will be very long maybe not so much toward afternoon evening but who knows.

It's definatly worth making the trip. I've only done it once so far but it was totally worth it. I know first hand how bad the line gets on opening day and what a bad idea it is.

I'm going again this year on the 21st in my new car (yay finally!:)). While it may seem like a useless trip, there's other stuff you can do to make it worth the trip.

What time does the coffee shop open? I may just get there really early and have a cup or two after.

Are you asking when Donut Time opens? Because it doesnt open till the season starts.

Yeah, Donut Time. (Name slipped my mind >_<)

I was planning on going during the season haha.

I think it does opens early enough 9 or so I could be wrong since im guessing. But Im pretty sure nine but dont really take my word on it.

I got my photo ID on opening day last year, like, before the park opened. I waited for maybe 45 minutes? It wasn't too bad. Maybe I got lucky but there weren't alot of people before me =\

Donut Time's breakfast hours are 7:00-noon. It's also open during bonus weekends on Saturdays and Sundays.

I have had good luck on opening weekend getting in line at 8am over the last 2 years. Only an hour wait and that was the wait for them to open windows. Last year, they opened the windows early and I think we only waited half hour. BUT...If you don't get there until 9, your SOL.

This year we renewed via US Mail and I have them already.

i got my first season pass last year, i went the last week of august. I was staying for 5 days so it was cheaper for me to do that. I had no wait at all but that is expected during the last week of normal operation.

Yeah, I think when you go three times and more you pretty much pay for your pass so it was worth it. If that makes any scene.

i figured out if me and a guest went in the park all 5 days on all day passes it would cost us each 200 for tickets. i like paying half price.

OK, I will give you advice no one else has said. Just wait for opening day, but get there early.

What?? Did he say wait till opening day???

Yes. Save yourself a trip, and get up earlier that day. You'll get it done quick, and be one of the first in the park!

My wife and I arrived on opening day at 8:30 AM. We got t front row parking spot, and were third in line at the season pass center, and one of the first 50 people in the park.

Did the line get long? Well sure it got long, and by 10 it was enormous. But why not just get up early that day?