New ticketing system

In the blog the other day they mentioned a new ticketing system, but they didn't go into much detail about it. Anyone have any more information? Is CP finally going biometric?

Most likely they're talking about the Paramount Parks admissions systems.

Which are...?

A more technology using gate. Giving Cedar Fair the knowledge of how many people are in the park in a click of a button. Also when using a season pass it shows your picture on a big screen.

I will say I had a chance to experience the biometric system at Disney and I was less than impressed at the speed of the system. I have never waited in lines that slow at Cedar Point. People were switching lines just to find a line that was moving. I certainly hope that Cedar Point does their homework before getting a system that advances them technologically but slows down the lines at the gate.

Believe me, once they iron out any issues that will (more than likely) arise at the beginning of the season, it should be relatively smooth sailing. I'm a huge fan of the Paramount Gate System.

Huh, I never waited in line at the Disney gates. Their system seems to work pretty well, but I doubt if Cedar Point will go that far.

Disney's system is very elaborate.

Huh...........well the day I went there it SUCKED!

I was at Disney today and had no problem with it.

-Sam

I have a dumb question to ask? How does the Biometric system work? And why is it slower?

It's not slower at all. I'm about to go through it again for the eighth time in the last few days.

The rat rules.

Shawn, inside the finger pad, there are a series of sensors. You slide your first and middle fingers in to cover all the sensors, and it uses this to "measure" your fingers. That's all there is to it.

And if it doesn't work, they let you just bypass the system (or did), which it doesn't make sense that they are using it to cut down on ticket re-selling.

Actually, it's just one finger now. Insert ticket, place finger, green light, take ticket. One attendant for four turnstiles. It's very quick.

Universal uses the same theory, but crappy equipment. The finger readers never work, and they use laser scanners on the tickets, that take too long to get a good read on.

Those systems are designed for multi-park use, but where they succeed is the elimination of photos. That's where Gate Cental adds a lot of overhead, and a lot of extra work for guests. I ordered my annual Disney pass online, swapped it for a paper pass when I got here, and as soon as I entered the park for the first time, my pass was connected to me biometrically. Done.

Because I said Soak City should be given away. "(rolls eyes)"

Cedar Point will not go to free lockers, it's a money issue, plain and simple. That would be like offering free refills on any beverage in the park...why do it?

I don't know how much the park makes off of the lockers, but I'm sure its enough to justify keeping the lockers as a pay-for service.

they actually used to offer free refills if you'd buy the high-speed plastic cup. they were made by "super mug" and i've got a bunch of them, although a lot of the decals have washed off. off topic, but interesting.

Kind of off subject but one thing I wished they do, is the season cups you buy should be free refills.

mk522 said:
That would be like offering free refills on any beverage in the park...why do it?

Perhaps you should ask Holiday World.

There comes a point where you lose your value proposition. Cedar Point has long since lost theirs. When you start pissing them off with rules that only force you to spend more money (even if we understand the safety reasons), then you have lost value and dissatisfied customers. When you have that, the cost is lost business.

^Exactly and I think that's what Cedar Point is seeing slightly.

Jeff,

I was more or less playing devils advocate...Cedar Point won't change their food prices, won't offer free refills, won't offer straws, and will continue to base most of their pricing on their per capita spending...which, it seems, must be the best thing since sliced bread to Kinzel.

Holiday World and quite a few other parks have great incentives in place like the one you mentioned, and they still come out ahead every year. And, not knowing if they do guest surveys, but I'd be willing to bet that Cedar Point is probably near the bottom on total guest satisfaction in comparison to the aforementioned parks.

You have to be able to offer more than just "world class rides" if you ever want to truly be the "Amazement Park"

This ticketing system is one very tiny step in the right direction...if they were smart, whilst tearing out the old gate systems, they'd be installing the latest p.o.s. systems to expedite credit/debit transactions...but thats wishful thinking on my part.