Paper maps and Season Pass cards

So we just got back from our first weekend at the Point of the season - checked in on Thursday, left on Saturday. When we scanned our season pass purchases, we were told that they are no longer issuing physical cards, that it's all in the app. Then later we went to look for a paper Halloweekends map/Entertainment schedule and were told the same thing - it's all digital now.

One of my gripes about my most recent trip to Disney is that it's also very app-heavy. I'd rather not spend my whole trip with my nose in my phone and I'm kind of sad to see that CP is heading down that same path. It was nice to have that paper park map to be able to check it quickly without having to go into my phone to see, for example, what time the next show on the main stage would be.

The map thing is kind of inconvenient, but I do see a potential issue with is the season pass and drink/meal passes only being available on the app. We have All-Season Dining, and on Friday evening we had dinner at the Farmhouse, and were trying to check out, but due to either bad connectivity or a problem with the app it would not load. After a few minutes (and the line getting longer and longer behind me of folks waiting to pay while the poor kid trying to check out out was calling for a manager) I was able to get into my Google Wallet and use our passes to pay that way. The app finally did start working for me again after about 10 minutes (during the down time I was getting the "Something went wrong... try again later" message), and I'm not sure what the resolution would have been if I hadn't saved them to Google and the app had been my only available method of payment.

I do understand that there is a strong element here of me being the old guy who isn't happy that his new car doesn't have a built in CD player, but we old guys are a part of who pays for those family trips!

(and yes... I did email guest services).

They had better come up with a more reliable app if cards aren't available.

Was in Carowinds over the weekend. On Friday night, both the Cedar Point app and Carowinds app had my pass.

Saturday morning they were gone. Guy behind me in line had same issue. He got out and back in and they were there. Mine have never reappeared. Thankfully, I have the pass on my Google wallet or I would have had to deal with guest service before even getting in the park. I will also email guest services.

The Disney app actually requires you to load your pass into the digital wallet, so you're not stuck if the app doesn't work. I have the plastic card in my wallet, but I can't remember the last time I took it out.

I've come around with regard to the digital stuff, but only when it works reliably and is as easy to use. No one is quite there. Disney works OK for finding wait times and food, though it has taken years to get there. Oddly enough, I find the cruise line app to be more straight forward. You can see everything happening in time order, or swipe to see just characters, just shows, etc. For WDW, they can't decide what is most important, so it's just all sitting there on the home screen.

We have struggled at times with the app loading our passes as well, best way to fix this is to take a screenshot of your passes code and have that available in case the app is having issues.

I was also having issues with the app. So i printed and laminated my own pass: QR code and picture (side 1), and a small park map (side 2).

If screenshotting works, that's even more broken. It should be a dynamic code.

I have had the same issue with the app, and I also contacted Guest Services. Yes, I have my pass in Google Wallet as well, and I still carry my physical card. Has come in handy more than once this year.

I have also noticed that while the park Wi-Fi is a bit sketchy at times, there are quite a few mobile data dead zones in the park. Wi-Fi may be a better option. I have a VPN on my phone, so I don't mind connecting to the park Wi-Fi.

There was a time a few years ago when I would just leave my phone in the car due to the ride rules (SV!) and it was just easier as well as more engaging if I couldn’t check my phone all day. But now we must carry it as well as not carry it certain places. Also not everyone has smartphones and I imagine they need to have an alternative ada version of this stuff.

^ Jeff, CP passes are just QR codes that aren't dynamic. I've been using the same screenshots for years vs the app for the aforementioned reasons here. I agree, not very secure.

your cedar point season pass QR code is a good opportunity for a tattoo. No wifi required, just pick a modest location on your body that won't get you banned for breaking the clothing/attire rules.

AndyG, if you and your family want physical cards, go to guest services and ask. That’s what I did when I had to make the switch from Platinum to Prestige.

Also I kind of understand the whole digital park map idea, but there were areas of the park this past weekend where it was a dead zone service wise and the app took forever to load after I physically had to move to a different part of the park or hold my phone just right.

Plus I know that staffing can be a pain, but if they do paper maps and showtime guides why couldn’t they put them out in plastic containers at the entrance gates as in the past🤔

this is personally really disappointing. no pun intended. but if they are doing this, it certainly feels like a convenience to them, not the people actually using it.

^^ A few weeks ago I went to Guest Services to replace a card that had cracked. They had to look in several spots to try and find one. A supervisor found a few but also informed me that physical passes are going away and will not be available any longer. Appears once the existing stock is gone there will no longer be an option to get one, even at guest services.

In 2022 & 2023 I got paper maps upon request at guest services.

I don't have a smartphone so I guess my CP days are over.

Makes sense if they are moving away from physical cards that they won't keep replenishing stock of physical cards. I still have 4-5 old platinum cards. Have never had a physical gold pass card. Have just used the app. Haven't had issues using the app (for my admission or bring a friend tickets). But its typically only 2-3 trips a year.

I think you can still buy single day tickets at the booths and they give you a receipt which is your admission to the park? If so, you do not need a smart phone to visit.

There is something emotionally valuable to being able to hold, touch, and keep something that is meaningful to you. It also makes it more real. Digital copies of music is convenient, for sure, but it doesn't hold a candle to having actual copies of albums in whatever form.

From my own personal consumer perspective, stupid move and bad form. These cards become mementos. The park maps are also personal souvenirs of what the park looked like in years gone by.

I haven't had any issues with the app at all, but I've also not ever used our actual physical cards to enter the park. I better not ever lose my ticket-of-a-lifetime. A digital version of that would suck in comparison.

Heck....why not make all those bricks many of us got on the midway virtual. Why make real bricks when you can just get a virtual brick on your "phone"?

Not really sure what the issue is. I've been marathoning Siren's Curse and am up to 87 rides already.

Plague on Wheels:

your cedar point season pass QR code is a good opportunity for a tattoo. No wifi required, just pick a modest location on your body that won't get you banned for breaking the clothing/attire rules.

When using the "bring a friend" perk, must we get matching tattoos? I know a guy. Placement can fit next to fuel-perks code, above Big Lots code, below library card code.

Jimmy,
Maybe it's time to get microchip implanted and be done with it?

I like the tattoo idea, but as luck would have it, the code would change as soon as I committed.
If you need to carry a physical pass, you can print yours out and laminate it. It's not a big deal.

Kevinj:

There is something emotionally valuable to being able to hold, touch, and keep something that is meaningful to you. It also makes it more real. Digital copies of music is convenient, for sure, but it doesn't hold a candle to having actual copies of albums in whatever form.

Apparently sentimental emotions in me are short lived. I used to be excited about having the physical pass, but now I don't care.

And playing an 8-track of Foghat at the pool sitting at a resort is kind of a pain in the butt. Especially when the wind is blowing - that candle gets blown right out!