2014 Season Passes

[Sporlo]

https://content.sixflags.com/greatameri ... easonpass/
I am looking at this link, and I'm kinda shocked at how much money they are letting you save if you buy 4 season passes at once.

So I want to do this. We have 2 people confirmed (me and my brother), and my brother is going to try to convince someone to do it, and I will do the same for one of my friends.

However, I have a question about processing. Obviously all 4 passes would have to be processed at GAm before the 2013 season ends.

BUT, must all 4 passes be processed ON THE SAME DAY? Can my brother go and process his pass with a friend on one day, and then can I take *my* friend to do the same *another* day? (and still get the free Gold Pass for all 4?)

[anewman35]

They did the same deal last year and, yes, it is just as amazing a deal as it seems. I can confirm that (at least based on the 2013 passes) you can all process individually - they'll give you a voucher for each person. IIRC, the one slight hitch is that they only give you one "free parking voucher" (which you're supposed to use the first time you come, because your pass isn't processed yet), I'm not sure if they will refund you parking if you don't have that (and it's moot point if you go with somebody who has a parking or gold pass for this year).

Also, just to clarify, if some people process and some don't, only the ones who process will get the Gold upgrade, but it's not an all or nothing thing. One of our four never bothered to process her pass until this year and it wasn't a problem for the others.

[Sporlo]

Thanks for the info! Good to know about the parking voucher too. Not a big deal because at this point I still don't know whether we'll do it in one trip or not, and an extra $22 is still totally worth the rest of the deal.

[Ilovthevu']

Has anyone bought one for next year yet, and did you have to get a picture taken or not as compared to the fingerprint thing?

[Road Rash]

I'll be taking advantage of this special for my family soon. Thanks for the clarification on the processing, anewman35.

Does anyone know if the processing lines are long in October? I've read they can be pretty bad for the season opener.

[DeathbyDinn]

^ The lines are not bad at all in October, the whole process probably took me 15 minutes last year. It might be a bit more towards the end of FF, but the lines are still nothing compared to the opening day lines.

[Road Rash]

^ The lines are not bad at all in October, the whole process probably took me 15 minutes last year. It might be a bit more towards the end of FF, but the lines are still nothing compared to the opening day lines.

Thanks.

I'll be looking forward to taking my family more than once or twice a season especially since my youngest is just a shade under 54" tall.

[chester016]

^ The lines are not bad at all in October, the whole process probably took me 15 minutes last year. It might be a bit more towards the end of FF, but the lines are still nothing compared to the opening day lines.

Thanks.

I'll be looking forward to taking my family more than once or twice a season especially since my youngest is just a shade under 54" tall.

Toilet paper in the shoes does wonders

[tribar]

^until they make you take your shoes off to measure you

[Road Rash]

She'll be over 54" by the time the park opens next season.

EDIT: Since I found out that I didn't have to work tomorrow, I went ahead and ordered the season passes and printed the stack of vouchers. My kids are excited about going again after just being there only 2 weeks ago. We're also looking forward to Fright Fest. Thanks again to everybody for the advice.

[stockboy300]

Every gold pass gets parking?

[DeathbyDinn]

^ Yes, parking for every park.

[Road Rash]

The crowd was very light this morning so I walked right into processing with no wait.

I was told that if I wanted to leave and re-enter that I would need a handstamp since the pass can only be scanned once per day for park entry. Does anyone know if that applies to the parking pass as well? I couldn't find any information on that in the official SFGA FAQ.

Every gold pass gets parking?

All 4 of mine did. Even the two for my kids.

[aesthyrian]

I have left the lot and came back in the same day before with my parking pass, so I do not think it is a "one time use" per day type deal.

[Road Rash]

^ Okay. Thanks.

[Viper 88]

I really wish that they would do something for those families out there that only have 3 in their group. Is a little recognition too much to ask? Not everyone has 4 people. I also think that even if you buy 2 they could discount the parking just a little bit. It would sell more season passes. Maybe do like what they do in Wisconsin Dells (showing my age here but oh well) Passport to Pleasure where you buy more you save more, like buy one get 5.00 off two get 15.00 off 3 get 25.00 off etc.

[Road Rash]

I can confirm that (at least based on the 2013 passes) you can all process individually - they'll give you a voucher for each person. IIRC, the one slight hitch is that they only give you one "free parking voucher" (which you're supposed to use the first time you come, because your pass isn't processed yet), I'm not sure if they will refund you parking if you don't have that (and it's moot point if you go with somebody who has a parking or gold pass for this year).

I just thought I would update this since the process has seemed to change this year. When I ordered my 4 season passes online I had to print 3 vouchers per person for a total of 12. 1 each for the pass itself, upgrade to gold and a parking pass for each individual. So even my kids have a parking pass for the year.

Each one of us could have parked for free to process if we drove separately. I hope this offers some clarification for the 2014 free upgrade to gold offer.

[Ilovthevu']

The crowd was very light this morning so I walked right into processing with no wait.

I was told that if I wanted to leave and re-enter that I would need a handstamp since the pass can only be scanned once per day for park entry. Does anyone know if that applies to the parking pass as well? I couldn't find any information on that in the official SFGA FAQ.

Yes, you can come back in and out as many times as you want with a parking pass, but remember that parking passes - at least had (I don't know about 2014) pictures so you have to have that person in the car to use it.

[Road Rash]

^Yup, grainy black and white photo on the 2014 pass.

[anewman35]

I really wish that they would do something for those families out there that only have 3 in their group. Is a little recognition too much to ask? Not everyone has 4 people. I also think that even if you buy 2 they could discount the parking just a little bit. It would sell more season passes. Maybe do like what they do in Wisconsin Dells (showing my age here but oh well) Passport to Pleasure where you buy more you save more, like buy one get 5.00 off two get 15.00 off 3 get 25.00 off etc.

I get that it can suck, but it's not really THAT hard to find some extra people - at least they don't make it be a family, it just has to be four people. They've been doing it for a long time, I remember having to convince my friends to get passes to save myself money back in the mid-90s. As for why they require four and don't give discounts to smaller numbers, I have to assume they've done the research and that's what makes them the most money.

[Viper 88]

Yeah it is kind of hard to find a fourth. Anyone I know 1 wouldnt have the money or 2 there would be terrible scheduling conflicts, for us it is easier to go the 3 of us. Also I think next year gate admission is going to be 64.99 so people a season pass might be your best deal minus the 99.99 dining pass.

[Road Rash]

The person who processed my passes told me to make sure to pick up my coupon book at the beginning of the season. However the email I received said that the value book was going electronic starting next season:

Dear Road Rash:

On behalf of Six Flags Great America we would like to thank you for joining us as a Pass Holder. We have an exciting adventure in store for you! It begins this fall with Fright Fest, and then continues in the spring with the launch of our 2014 season. We think you will come to agree that there is absolutely no better way to enjoy Six Flags than as a Pass Holder.

As a new Pass Holder, there are a few things we want you to know.

1) Pass Holder Perks, Activities, and Updates - Don’t forget to check out our bi-weekly Pass Holder email newsletter for discounts, exclusive perks and news about the park. In many of them we’ll include special “bonus” perks like “Exclusive Ride Times” exclusively for Pass Holder and special offers that aren’t available to regular guests. It will be delivered to you via email from news@newsletter.sixflags.com.

2) Electronic Value Books - For 2014 we are moving our value books online. This means that you'll be able to get all of the great benefits and special discounts we usually offer our Pass Holders (up to $300 in value) except that you won’t have to carry your coupon book with you to the park anymore. This new program will roll out early next year. Please keep an eye on your newsletter for details.

3) Save Money on Park Food - For 2014 we're offering a Season Dining Pass that lets you eat two meals at the park every time you visit for one low upfront payment. Requested by our guests and developed especially for our Pass Holders, this program is a great value for anyone who expects to visit at four or more times in 2014. Learn more at Sixflags.com.

Thank you again for joining us as a Pass Holder. We look forward to spending 2014 with you at the park!

Sincerely,

Pass Holder Support Team
Six Flags Great America

[wxfan1978]

I just rnewed my 2014 season pass, and cant wait for another exciting year.

I hope this hasnt been discussed in the past, but why does SF make it so difficult and cumbersome to renew your passes year over year? I mean, if you were a season pass holder in 2013, why do they make you "re-process" and make you wait in line, and make new cards for the new year? Wouldn't it be simpler, if they you could just go online, purchase your tickets, verify your information is correct, and then it just "auto-renews" your pass? It seems like such a waste of time, to have to wait in line, go to the computer, type in all your information, stand in line for a picture, and have them print out another card.

Not only that, I bought 5 passes, 3 of us were there to renew. I had the cards with me, of the other people that were not present. They would not renew the two other cards, because they were not physically there.
They let me keep the same photo on mine, so why not keep the same photo on the two other people that weren't there? I was not happy, but the guy was just following procedure.

I feel it's a major flaw in the season pass process. Let people who renew passes, do everything online. If you want a new photo, or if something changes, OK, then maybe you need to wait in line.

Just my two cents.

Gregg

[anewman35]

Yeah it is kind of hard to find a fourth. Anyone I know 1 wouldnt have the money or 2 there would be terrible scheduling conflicts, for us it is easier to go the 3 of us.

"scheduling conflicts" shouldn't exist, there's no reason you all have to go at once. Last year I bought four passes, three for my family and one for a friend. We just gave the friend her voucher, but we never went with her, we all processed on different days and there was no issue.[

I hope this hasnt been discussed in the past, but why does SF make it so difficult and cumbersome to renew your passes year over year? I mean, if you were a season pass holder in 2013, why do they make you "re-process" and make you wait in line, and make new cards for the new year? Wouldn't it be simpler, if they you could just go online, purchase your tickets, verify your information is correct, and then it just "auto-renews" your pass? It seems like such a waste of time, to have to wait in line, go to the computer, type in all your information, stand in line for a picture, and have them print out another card.

Not only that, I bought 5 passes, 3 of us were there to renew. I had the cards with me, of the other people that were not present. They would not renew the two other cards, because they were not physically there.
They let me keep the same photo on mine, so why not keep the same photo on the two other people that weren't there? I was not happy, but the guy was just following procedure.

I feel it's a major flaw in the season pass process. Let people who renew passes, do everything online. If you want a new photo, or if something changes, OK, then maybe you need to wait in line.

Well, you can do the membership thing and apparently not have to process every year, but it ends up costing a little more. I'll agree that it seems like a somewhat outdated procedure in this day and age, but saying it's a "major flaw" seems a little much - at worst, you have to wait in line for a hour one time. Not really a huge deal.

[CoasterNick3157]

They have been saying they are going to do coupon by email for the last 4 season and never do. The booklets are going to be the same anyhow.