New season passes.

Hey tonight I just got my pass and I noticed that this year's passes dont have your picture on the front of them. One of the workers said something about monitors showing the picture once they are scanned at the gate when you go in. Does anyone know anything about this?

That is correct. Passes this year will not have your photos on them. You photo is still tied to your pass, but when scanned at the gate, your photo will show up on a computer screen.

Cedar Point, along with the other parks, are moving their admissions systems to what the former Paramount Parks use. It is a system far superior to what has been used at Cedar Point in years past. Because of this new system, all the entrances to the park will have new computers and other related items installed, which has been done over the off-season. You'll also notice this year that you should be able to enter through any turnstile, rather than just a single dedicated "Season Pass" only lane.

Overall, this new system should make things much easier from both the guest's point of view, and the employee's point of view.

Who would've thought....Cedar Fair is actually investing in some major technological upgrades!? ;)

What do the new passes look like?

good things do come from the Paramount acquisition!

The line on opening day for processing passes should also now be significantly faster as well. When you take your voucher into the SP office, you simply step up to one of 6 cameras, the employee takes your picture, has you sign the card, and you exit... It took all of 20 seconds for me to walk in the office, get my picture, and have my pass.

Definitely a good move on CP's part! The passes themselves look pretty generic, but really does it matter what the pass looks like?

StealthPirate07 said:
What do the new passes look like?

http://pointbuzz.com/Forums/Post.aspx?id=357199

I also made an observation when I went yesterday to get my pass. It looks as though strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs can go through any gate. I am not 100% on this. But, it seems that there will be plenty of room in between each turnstile to fit through. So, that will be easier for my daughter's wagon. We will not have to go through the gate.

Peace, Mikey

P.S. I hope to see some of you at KI in a few hours.

Ill post this here:

Is this year's Platinum Pass gaining us access to Soak City? Often it seems like Soak City has been regarded as "special" by Cedar Fair (unlike Kings Island, Dorney where you can always get in the waterpark)

Are they including it this year, or will there still be an extra charge for Platinum holders?

all outdoor waterparks and amusement parks owned by cedar fair will be included in the platinum pass

This is good news. I have not been to S.C. since 1994 (seriously).

There has got to be a Soak City thread around here somewhere...After 14 years, I have no idea what to do there. Thanks adidas.

Interesting note, at Kings Island it looks like there is "preferred parking" for platinum holders this year; first come first serve.

Mikeybo2004 said:
I also made an observation when I went yesterday to get my pass. It looks as though strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs can go through any gate. I am not 100% on this. But, it seems that there will be plenty of room in between each turnstile to fit through.

I checked that out too when I went with my friend to get his pass. I'm pretty certain there are going to be rails added between those turnstiles. The way it's set up now, if there were no rails, would be chaos for the admissons employees. As a former admissions employee, I know it would be a nighmare to be at the back turnstile if you had to try to keep track of who had and hadn't gone through the front one already.

The process is definitely very smooth. From start to finish, I was there maybe five minutes.

Note: this is my first year with a season pass. I bought mine there. Below is the process, in detail.

1. Walk up, fill out a form
2. Take that to the window
3. Purchase pass
4. Walk inside (to the left from the window)
5. Smile and say "cheese"
6. Sign the back
7. Leave through the other side of the building
8. Get all emotional that you have to leave as you can't go in. :(

And if you've already purchased your pass and have a voucher, your journey starts at step #4.

You're not missing anything from Soak City, except maybe the Zoom Flume. It hasn't changed.

^The best thing about Soak City is the Rampage River, by far. I spend nearly all my Soak City time in that river. I love the waves and the random spots where you get wet, not to mention all the nice views of Magnum. It is a fantastic way to spend the heat of the day, while everyone sweats it out in the park, you can relax, and stay cool. I typically stay in CP till around 12:30 ish, then hit Soak City for 3-4 hours (5-6 laps in the river) shower and then eat and reenter the park around 4-5. Im refreshed, and raring to end the day on a high note again.

They still have the VIP jackets right?

I believe those were only available to people who bought their vouchers last season.

When I went to Kings Island yesterday, they scanned my 

season pass and my picture popped up on the monitor at

the gate entrance. Much more preventative against people

using other people's passes. 

The pass itself is thinner that usual, much like a business

card and highly durable. Bring it on snake river falls and

thunder canyon and it'll still be intact just as they 

day you got it, presumably. 

^^I bought mine last year I just didnt process it yet.

Yes, the jackets are still available if you bought your pass last fall. Several people were picking them up when I got my pass processed on Saturday.