Cedar Fair announced in a news release on May 28, that they are expanding its suite of Mobile Apps to “Promote a Healthy, Smart and Fun Filled Guest Experience When Parks Reopen”.
Mobile Apps have been the norm at theme parks for many years and in a time when COVID-19 is present, it will be even more imperative to use mobile technology to help ensure safety guidelines are adhered to properly and to enhance the guest experience.
Cedar Fair operates a number of theme parks across the US including California Great America, Carowinds, Cedar Point, Dorney Park, Kings Dominion, Kings Island, Knott’s Berry Farm, Michigan’s Adventure, Valleyfair, Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun as well as Canadas Wonderland in Toronto, Canada.
The technology enhancements will include all areas of planning and preparing for the day, right through to experiencing the day as well as leaving the park. The statement clearly states that the changes to the mobile app are being put into place in order to ensure that each park will be compliant with local state government safety guidelines.
Below is a summary of the main aspects of this new technology that can be expected when visiting any Cedar Fair park when they are able to reopen their gates:
Planning and Preparation
- Guests can reserve date specific tickets online through the mobile app, they will then be given a time-bound entry voucher which can be seen when they are logged in.
- Season ticket holders will have to process their pass through the website or mobile app, rather then visiting the park pass processing center.
- All park guidelines will appear on the Park Mobile Apps to prepare guests fully for what to expect when visiting the park.
Arrival and entry
- Guest’s reservation will be confirmed and ticket/season pass scanned upon arrival.
- All guests must complete an initial health check, you can complete most parts of the health questionnaire online prior to the visit.
- The mobile app will give guests all guidelines and procedures that need to be followed throughout their visit.
- The mobile app will provide real time alerts regarding capacity constraints that could impact your visit.
During Your Visit
- Enhanced cashless payment methods will be in place to reduce touchpoints and to improve throughput.
- Mobile food ordering is being expanded to at least four locations (these haven’t been announced yet).
- The mobile app’s mapping will direct guests to the closest hand sanitizing stations.
- The mobile app’s mapping and wayfinding module will alert the park to possible overcrowding areas, where necessary crowd control measures with be deployed to ensure social distancing guidelines can be followed properly.
Leaving The Park
- Enhanced guest surveys will give the parks firsthand feedback which can be used to improve processes and procedures during these unprecedented times.
- Location services on the mobile app will be used to manage guest flow and car park capacity.
With many theme parks around the world investing in expanding mobile apps to help with keeping guests and staff as safe as possible in regards to virtual queuing and mobile food ordering, it will be interesting to see how Walt Disney World will use technology to aid in the smooth and successful reopening of their parks, ensuring their parks are as safe and fun as possible in the light of the necessary restrictions that have had to be put in place.
For the full press release click here.
There hasn’t as yet been any official announcement as to when Cedar Fair will begin reopening their parks and the latest information given in their statement is:
“Cedar Fair continues its work with state and local authorities and will advise the public on definitive park opening dates as they become known.”
There is no mention in this news release as to what decisions will be made regarding mask wearing and temperature testing. Due to the fact that the Cedar Fair parks spread across the US and Canada, guidelines are likely to vary across each park and will be outlined, when confirmed, in the new mobile app and official websites.
Check out our News Page and Facebook Page daily to keep up to date with all the latest announcements from the Cedar Fair parks as well as Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld and all other theme parks across the US, UK and around the World.
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