[lanigan911]

Oh how the season pass thing has gotten worse! My wife and I went to the park today, and were going to go ahead and get our 2010 passes. However, we were told that in order to "upgrade" to the 2010 pass, we would have to surrender our 2009 passes and not go anymore this season. WTF?

[derek_lentz]

^THAT is ludicrous.

[lily the walrus]

^THAT is ludicrous.

I agree 100%. Grrr.

[chargercrazy]

What? How stupid is that? So is there a way to get the $60 price on a 2010 Gold pass without giving them your 2009 pass?

[KenB]

You'd think at times Cedar Fair is a first-time park operator, not a company that's been in the business forever.

Here's your free clues, CF. Paramount handled passes correctly. Learn how they did it, and repeat what they did.

If I have a 2009 pass, good for 2 more months and Scarowinds, I'm not going to surrender it to save $20 on next year's pass until the last possible moment, if at all. This is due to your decision to not allow 2009 entry with a 2010 season pass.

If I didn't have a 2009 pass, I still wouldn't buy a 2010 pass, also due to not getting in for the remainder of 2009.

In either case, there's no incentive to buy now. Us 2009 passholders can wait til near the end of the season, get our $20 off, and be set. Still, it'd be nice to go ahead and get this over with and have my shiny new 2010 pass in hand. And you'd get what? My $60. Now. For those without a pass, you're really missing out. Sure they get to "freeload" for a few months this year, but that doesn't really cost you anything more than them freeloading next year. While in the park, they might BUY SOMETHING. You'd have their $80, now, and whatever money they spend on trinkets this year, plus whatever they spend next year.

This is so incredibly simple I'm really dumbfounded trying to figure out what they're hoping to achieve here. Sure attendance and ticket sales next year most likely won't be a problem with a new 232-footer visible from I-77, but still, why limit the money you can make NOW?

[lily the walrus]

I suggest anyone who cares about this call or email Guest Relations. I'm going to.
guestrelations@carowinds.com
(704) 588-2600 (from NC)
(803) 548-5300 (from SC)
(800) 888-4386

*Edited to add that the website was updated to reflect the buy a 2010 pass and get free admission on the same day deal:
2010 SEASON PASS SPECIAL OFFER!
Buy your 2010 season pass at the Carowinds' main gate by November 1, 2009 and receive that day's admission for FREE. Free admission offer only valid for the day of purchase - not valid for SCarowinds' Halloween Haunt admission. Not applicable for renewal purchases. Purchase must be made at the Carowinds' main gate to take advantage of this offer - not applicable for online purchases.

[Mich17mak]

Hey guys, I have some questions..I'm moving to South Carolina, and Carowinds will be my new "home park" (I've had a Six Flags season pass this year, but I definitely want to have a Cedar Fair pass in 2010) - so since I've never dealt with any Cedar Fair parks, excuse any ignorance on my part Anyway, I saw that Carowinds has season passes for sale now (and I read your comments on them)..do you think that the Platinum Pass will be cheaper or relatively the same price as the price they have set now for 2010? - I know that prices may go up as they usually do every year, but with your past year's experience do the passes have a "sale" price during the spring/new season opening (they do at other parks, maybe CF is different)?
Also, the reason why I am getting a platinum pass is because I plan to go to Kings Dominion to check out the new coaster at least once, and I want to make a trip up to Kings Island for a day and Cedar Point for 2 days since I've never been there too. Maybe I'll go to Dorney also, so I think the Platinum Pass would be worth it..anyway, I know that I would get free parking, ERT on select coasters, and early entry on select coasters at Carowinds, my "home park"..but will I also get free parking, ERT, and early entry to the other parks (Cedar Point, KI, KD)? Also, I thought I ready that certain days you can bring a friend for a discounted amount - will that apply to all Cedar Fair parks if you have a Platinum Pass or only to your "home park"? Does anyone have any experience w/ the Platinum Pass and could let me know?..I emailed Cedar Point and they said that I would, but I just want to make sure from someone who had done this before. Thanks for any help!!

[CoasterDad]

Normally, the Plat pass has started out at $140, then $150 and finally, $160(once the season begins). Even though we visit at least one or two other CF parks every year, we do that using coupons, codes or online discounts and get by cheaper. IF you are indeed going to as many parks as you say, the Plat would be worth it. However, I would wait until next spring and you know for sure if you will be able to visit the other parks. In the past, I have used my regular season pass to carowinds to park FREE at KI, KD and CP, no questions asked... saved quite a bit doing that. Never did get in line for ERT or anything ~ we always plan on visiting other parks on weekdays to hopefully cut down on potential large crowds and so far, it has worked.

[phareous]

There is no sense in emailing...they never write back

I suggest anyone who cares about this call or email Guest Relations. I'm going to.
guestrelations@carowinds.com
(704) 588-2600 (from NC)
(803) 548-5300 (from SC)
(800) 888-4386
[/i]

[jsz1002]

I'm new to the season pass thing. When is the absolute earliest you can process them? Do you have to wait until the 2010 season begins or can you do it before then?

[hdmech]

I am getting mine for xmas!

[carowinds4ever]

Does anyone know if the season passes will go cheaper after thanksgiving, and up to xmas. They did it last year, and they kept advertising on the radio for stocking stuffers. Trying to save as much money as i can.

[jsz1002]

Just received an email from the "Admissions, Guest Services & Park Services Area Manager" who said they will have early processing for season passes. However, they have not determined exactly when but asked to check back in early March. Hopefully it will be at least the week before they open.

[chargercrazy]

Sweet! I hope that's true.