Platinum Pass to be Replaced by Passport

[BoddaH1994]

This link was dead, so it probably leaked early. The poster claimed that they were adding Prestige to Canada’s Wonderland. Be prepared to “Pay More, Get Less!” next year because they’re offering free tap water in another country. 
 

[jdf21972]

Russell Litke grabbed the screen shots in the Kings Island Season Pass Holder FB page before the link went dead.


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[disco2000]

15 minutes ago, BoddaH1994 said:

This link was dead, so it probably leaked early. The poster claimed that they were adding Prestige to Canada’s Wonderland. Be prepared to “Pay More, Get Less!” next year because they’re offering free tap water in another country. 
 

If true that means the entire parking lot becomes preferred parking LOL.

If true that means the VIP lounge is a little undersized.

If true that means longer lines in Fast Lane.

Or they simply remove amenities.

So does that mean they are getting rid of the summer pass and other weird pass options other parks offered?

Or who knows.

 

EDIT: oh wait you can buy a gold and the passport, so that changes some things.

[BoddaH1994]

Passport is $125 for Prestige.

Prestige was $300 last year. 
 

Prestige+ was $400.

Now that’s $425, a savings of… costing $25 MORE to get what you had paid for last year and was bait-and-switched! Minus whatever they take away after they have your money already this time around, of course.

Cant wait to see how this messaging is gaffed coming from the park. Oh, and @gforce1994, feel free to reply to this message with a response that’s something that sounds suspiciously unlike you and oddly like a line that’s being fed to you. 

[Kenban]

I read the page while it was live, and still have a copy open.  It was available at
https://www.cedarpoint.com/blog/2023/introducing-the-all-park-passport

Most guests are still going to get gold passes and if they want access to other parks just add on the all parks passport.  With a Prestige pass and that add-on your prestige benefits do work at other parks, it does warn the extra benefits are only valid at parks with a Prestige pass but that is also expanding to six parks.  It listed Canada’s Wonderland, Carowinds, Cedar Point, Kings Dominion, Kings Island, and Knott’s Berry Farm as all having prestige passes.

Do pass add-ons still work chain wide, only some add-ons?  Makes me wonder about season long Fast Lane.  The platinum pass was the same price chain wide to combat people just getting a pass from the cheapest park in the chain.  Basically what else is changing, and do those changes make it easier or harder to abuse the system?

There are a lot of unknowns here.  My biggest take away is confirmation that Prestige benefits will be chain wide.  Which is the way it should have been, and it’s time to change it so it works that way this year.

[disco2000]

4 minutes ago, BoddaH1994 said:

Passport is $125 for Prestige.

Prestige was $300 last year. 
 

Prestige+ was $400.

Now that’s $425, a savings of… costing $25 MORE to get what you had paid for last year and was bait-and-switched! Minus whatever they take away after they have your money already this time around, of course.

Cant wait to see how this messaging is gaffed coming from the park. Oh, and @gforce1994, feel free to reply to this message with a response that’s something that sounds suspiciously unlike you and oddly like a line that’s being fed to you. 

 

Only $25 more to gain access to the VIP lounge and cooler water at other parks with VIP lounge, where do I sign up LOL

Wonder how early entry will be at CP next year - anyone with a gold or just Prestige and Passport passes?

Don't worry, the messaging will change between when you buy it and next season LOL

[Kenban]

5 minutes ago, disco2000 said:

Wonder how early entry will be at CP next year - anyone with a gold or just Prestige and Passport passes?

Passport does not change the tier of your pass, it only makes it possible to use at other parks in the chain.  If early entry works the same way next year it does this year at CP, it would be Prestige only.  A gold pass with passport would not be good enough.

[jdf21972]

So looking over the program seems these are your choices :
NO MORE PLATINUM PASS OPTION
Gold Pass = no change
Gold Pass with All Park Passport add on is essentially a platinum pass with using your add ons purchases and benefits.
Prestige Pass = no change
Prestige Pass with All Park Passport is essentially a Prestige+ pass but allowed to use your add on purchases and benefits and all the prestige benefits at these specific parks: KI , CP, Carowinds, Kings Dominion, Knotts Berry Farm & Canada Wonderland. This will eliminate the inconsistent policy at other parks. Just curious if they will allow the add on to be purchased later in the year to avoid upgrading at the parks and doing it online.


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[disco2000]

1 minute ago, Kenban said:

Passport does not change the tier of your pass, it only makes it possible to use at other parks in the chain.  If early entry works the same way next year it does this year at CP, it would be Prestige only.  A gold pass with passport would not be good enough.

But isn't a gold+passport the new platinum and platinum holders get ERT at CP this year...

So now anyone with CP as their home park will now have to upgrade from current platinum to Prestige to get ERT....and anyone with a platinum pass with say KI as their home park would have to upgrade next year to Prestige+passport in order to get the same benefit they have this year at CP...or stay at the resorts LOL

[BoddaH1994]

1 minute ago, jdf21972 said:

So looking over the program seems these are your choices :
NO MORE PLATINUM PASS OPTION
Gold Pass = no change
Gold Pass with All Park Passport add on is essentially a platinum pass with using your add ons purchases and benefits.
Prestige Pass = no change
Prestige Pass with All Park Passport is essentially a Prestige+ pass but allowed to use your add on purchases and benefits and all the prestige benefits at these specific parks: KI , CP, Carowinds, Kings Dominion, Knotts Berry Farm & Canada Wonderland. This will eliminate the inconsistent policy at other parks. Just curious if they will allow the add on to be purchased later in the year to avoid upgrading at the parks and doing it online.


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Are we sure that we can trust them, though? They said to contact the Prestige parks for benefits last years. Many did and were able to use all available benefits. That changed after they got your money. 
 

How can we be sure that you don’t get Preferred Parking at Kings Island and Knott’s but not Carowinds? Or access to VIP at Kings Dominion but not CW? They weren’t competent enough to do this the first time and have greatly complicated things from there. 
 

No refunds. 

[Tr0y]

Let’s change the name from platinum pass to passport and hopefully capitalize on the boom with Americans traveling abroad. Maybe people will now actually visit our other parks, or something like that… 

[disco2000]

1 minute ago, Tr0y said:

Let’s change the name from platinum pass to passport and hopefully capitalize on the boom with Americans traveling abroad. Maybe people will now actually visit our other parks, or something like that… 

And someone will show up at the border with this new passport and be denied entry because they don't have a real passport 

[jsus]

Google remembers.  My concern is how this confusing change to the lineup affects All Season Dining/Drinks/Photos/FLP/etc being valid at all parks on Platinum.  Gold add-ons are less.  Will there be a Passport All Season Dining version that you have to add to your "Gold + Passport" pass?  As it is, sounds like you'll lose some perks like early entry unless you jump up to Prestige + Passport...

Did they "accidentally" publish this blog post with the intent to leak it and see how outraged we get?

Quote

Introducing the All Park Passport 

Cedar Point|

July 12, 2023

We are offering you a new way to access multiple Cedar Fair parks with your 2024 Cedar Point Season Pass. Introducing the new All Park Passport, a premium season pass add-on that provides unlimited fun at all our parks.

What is the All Park Passport? 

All Park Passport is a premium season pass add-on available for purchase with a 2024 Cedar Point Gold or Prestige pass. Instead of purchasing a separate pass product, this add-on now grants you access to all parks in the Cedar Fair family with either a Gold or Prestige pass. Not only that, but your Gold and Prestige benefits are also valid at other parks as well. The All Park Passport is $100 with the purchase of a 2024 Gold Pass and $125 with the purchase of a 2024 Prestige Pass. 

Just follow these steps to add the All Park Passport to your 2024 season pass: 

1. From the Season Pass webpage, select “Buy Now” under either the Gold Pass or Prestige Pass to access the shopping cart interface. 
2. After adding the desired number of new or renewal passes, click “Next” to proceed forward to guest information screen. 
3. Enter relevant guest information for the first pass in your order and click “Continue” once complete.

4. You will then be prompted to add the All Park Passport to the selected pass. Select the corresponding option to include this in your purchase. Click “Continue” when complete.

5. You will then be prompted to add any additional add-ons to your purchase and to complete the previous steps for any additional passes in your order. That’s it! Your Gold or Prestige pass is now valid for use at all Cedar Fair Parks! 

What about the Platinum Pass? 

With the introduction of the All Park Passport, the Platinum Pass will no longer be offered in 2024. But don’t worry—you can still get the same benefits with the purchase of a 2024 Gold pass with the All Park Passport. Plus, the combined price of a 2024 Gold Pass and All Park Passport is less than the price of a 2023 Platinum Pass, meaning you save up to $50†!  

However, if you are looking for an upgraded experience at Cedar Point and other Cedar Fair parks, be sure to check out the 2024 Prestige Pass and All Park Passport. With this purchase, you get access to premium amenities such as preferred parking, a single-use Fast Lane with each visit, access to the VIP lounge, and so much more. And when you purchase the All Park Passport, you get not only access to all Cedar Fair parks but also the Prestige amenities** as well.  

More information about the All Park Passport will be available when the 2024 Cedar Point season passes go on sale. Be sure to continue checking the website to get your 2024 Gold or Prestige pass for the lowest price of the season!

†Savings amount varies depending on time of year that pass this purchased

*Gold and Prestige Benefits may vary by park. Contact the park you are planning to visit for any questions regarding applicable benefits.

**Prestige Pass only available at Canada’s Wonderland, Carowinds, Cedar Point, Kings Dominion, Kings Island, and Knott’s Berry Farm

By Cedar Point

 

 

 

 

https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Rh9W8hjmipgJ:https://www.cedarpoint.com/blog/2023/introducing-the-all-park-passport&cd=9&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

[disco2000]

They listened to all the complaints of Prestige holders saying they will downgrade to Platinum in 2024 so they eliminated platinum lol

[gforce1994]

To be fair, even though it may be more expensive, you are getting more Prestige+ benefits at a rate that is cheaper per unit/park. Just a thought.

Also to note, it seems they’re standardizing passes throughout the chain. Should help with app updates.

Also seems like they’ve fixed all the problems with Prestige.

[IndyGuy4KI]

Moved this discussion into its own thread.

[disco2000]

10 minutes ago, IndyGuy4KI said:

Moved this discussion into its own thread.

The title is inaccurate.  It should be Platinum Pass 

[Benjamin22]

Can they now give us water cups that aren’t super small now? Or even just the season pass refill cups 

[IndyGuy4KI]

15 minutes ago, disco2000 said:

The title is inaccurate.  It should be Platinum Pass 

Fixed it. Thanks!

[disco2000]

Knowing that a large amount of the general population does not take the time to read LOL (look at the daily posts to the passholder FB page asking "can we bring in water bottles", "are there fireworks tonight", "what are the park hours today", "can we bring in outside food", "can we take towels into Soak City", "I am confused I have a gold pass and want to add a meal plan, but there are 3 to choose from", etc.) this will potentially create a problem.

• How many are going to see Platinum is gone and simply purchase a Prestige instead when all they needed to do was buy gold and the passport?  Thus potentially making the preferred lot full and bottlenecks in FL queues?
• How many are going to think the park is pushing Prestige and has heard about the horrible bait and switch so they don't buy a pass?
• How many are going to purchase a Prestige thinking that is the new platinum and then travel to another park and not be able to get in?
• How many liked the new summer pass they offered and now it is gone?
• Why didn't they simply have gold and platinum and make Prestige an add-on?  Seems like that would have caused the least amount of confusion.

Once you devalue the Prestige even more (is that even possible), then the incentive to purchase is gone.  I think that is why the Season Long Fast Lane hasn't sold out.

Maybe long term this will simplify the pass process moving forward and have consistent pass offerings across the chain, but it will certainly introduce growing pains and confusion for next year.

But on the surface, it appears the passes will be cheaper than this year, so will meal plan and add-ons increase, or is their model for next year to sell passes cheaper and make it up on quantity?

[Oldiesmann]

It'll be interesting to see if this actually goes live given the feedback after the apparent leak. It's an interesting concept but leads to more confusion, especially among the general public.

[IndyGuy4KI]

4 minutes ago, Oldiesmann said:

It'll be interesting to see if this actually goes live given the feedback after the apparent leak. It's an interesting concept but leads to more confusion, especially among the general public.

I agree. The poor call center this fall. 

[Taylor.B03]

5 hours ago, disco2000 said:

And someone will show up at the border with this new passport and be denied entry because they don't have a real passport 

Officer, please. I just want my maple infused water from the cw vip lounge.

[Tr0y]

I’m starting to think CF needs to pull a Disney and have Ouimet back at the helm again.

[Benjamin22]

Ouimet is still on the Cedar Fair board.

[silver2005]

I had a different but related issue to these at Cedar Point a few weeks ago (not regarding Prestige). 

I seemingly used my paper cup drink plan a few times up to lunch just fine.  The first time I used it after lunch I got an error (didn't see the computer, going by what they told me).  It failed again the 2nd time after lunch and I went to CP guest services who told me it was 'because I bought the pass at Kings Island' and that only a few select CF parks were honoring the plan I had (they told me Carowinds and Kings Dominion in particular).  I emailed KI GS the night between my 1st and 2nd day at CP who told me the drink plan works at every Cedar Fair park.   The drink plan did work on day 2 and worked fine at my KI visits after that as well as Kings Dominion and Dorney.   Worked perfectly fine at KI and MIA prior to that. 

And that's over a simple drink plan.   There might be errors on simpler passes and plans between parks.   I've had trust issues with CF ever since that simple drink plan event.  The way CP GS handled it made it worse.  

I've been contemplating what I want to do next year, one option is to cut back to gold and save money for a Florida or California trip in 2025.  Part of me wants to do that route solely to let all these pass shenanigans have a year to hopefully smooth over.  

[Oldschool75]

I think it makes it easier when renewing. If someone wants to downgrade or upgrade for the next year they don’t have to get a new card. I’m guessing it’s saving them money by not having to issue new cards, but also easier to manage in their system.


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[disco2000]

13 minutes ago, Oldschool75 said:

I think it makes it easier when renewing. If someone wants to downgrade or upgrade for the next year they don’t have to get a new card. I’m guessing it’s saving them money by not having to issue new cards, but also easier to manage in their system.


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But what about everyone that currently has a platinum - they will have to get either gold or Prestige for next year.  At least for next year, this change will potentially result in more passes being issued.

If they were interested in not having to issue new cards frequently they would simply have one pass and everything else is add-ons.  That way if someone was gold one year and went to prestige the next and back to gold the following, it would all be same pass instead of 3 in this scenario (new one each year for changing pass type).

And with the issues we have seen from some of those that visit other parks, it is apparent their system is a pieced together held by band-aids solution that someone with a platinum pass and add-one has issues using said pass at other parks.

Heck I have friends that used their pass and add-ons most of the season and then one day their meal plan is invalid and they paid in full and were not on payment plan.  Others that have gone to other parks with platinum and was denied entry until a phone call was made to KI guest services to confirm they had a pass.

Sadly I see this change completely overwhelming their existing system and cause more troubles.  Unless they are changing software lol (but unlikely).

[Winterfestguy]

Not sure where the marketing research was behind this that supports elimination of Platinum and it’s associated perks like early entry at other parks, but if you have any CF stock (which is down to $37.40/share), now could be the time to sell before it could fall even lower after this announcement chain wide.  It is a good possibility the new season pass passport may sell less or people like my family and several other families won’t be renewing any season pass.  Guess will have to wait and see how Q4 results turn out for 2024 season pass sales (which season passes this year were at an all time high) and if this was a good or bad business move.

[disco2000]

I am sure the communication will be comparable to the Prestige Pass rollout .  Send a presser to the media and then CP blogs changing the terms and conditions after said purchase lol.