Cedar Fair launches new websites

Cedar Point, Kings Island, Knotts, Kings Dominion and Canada's Wonderland have all launched new websites. I noticed that the Crypt is not on Kings Islands website, is there any confirmation it'll finally be removed?

I gotta say, the new websites look very nice.

Nah! It will probably sit there sticking out like a sore thumb for 2 or 3 years. Oh, that sounds alot like what it has been doing for the last 2 years.

Sounds a lot like Son of Beast too ;)

Maverick00 said:
I noticed that the Crypt is not on Kings Islands website, is there any confirmation it'll finally be removed?

It's still on the 2012 park map, so perhaps The Crypt will be around again this season.

The Crypt=DT South.

No, no, that's Italian Job, err Backlot Stunt Coaster.

I can't even hit the Cedar Point site. It's either down or incapable of handling traffic.

These are very nice.

Apparently it has been up and down sporadically. I got on earlier at home, then I couldn't at work, although it just loaded for me. Could be traffic related, but there are other problems as well. I love the "MaxAir" video....they did an A-1 job on testing that....

I think they are protesting SOPA;)

The sites are cleaner, but it still seems like an "afterthought." For a business that asks an awful lot of money to provide you with an experience, their mostly terse and static descriptions of rides doesn't really whet the palate for an experience.

IMHO, they (and all entertainment companies like this) should be doing the following at a minimum:
1- Provide multiple pictures and video of major rides and attractions.
2- Provide backstory on any themed attractions.
3- Actively "sell" the experience that your family will be dropping a couple of benjamins for.
4- Stop charging a "convenience fee" for people booking online and printing at home. Isn't it actually more expensive to man a ticket booth & print tickets at the park? Then, stop insulting your customers.

They should be doing things like "free parking pass" for four or more tickets. Incentivize your potential customer to lock in their day before it happens! And, make them happy before they even enter the front gates!

Now, I did like that when I added a couple of day passes to the cart (just to test it) that I was presented an upsell opportunity to just get a $64.99 season pass. That was well done.

/m

I forgot to mention this as well: provide some kind of content to get people to your site more often instead of just to check the hours & prices.

If I were in that meeting of the web redesign, the first thing I would have mentioned would be to embed a Zynga-like game in the site. How about a light version of RCT limited to the park you are viewing?

It blows my mind how businesses think that leaving an icon on their site for Facebook, Twitter, etc. is the gateway to engage their customers and potential customers. Get them to regularly come to the site, incentivize them for spending time there (discounts tied to success in the embedded game, as an example), and discounts for qualified leads your customers provide you through any communication method that is trackable (FB, Twitter, Email, etc.). Have your fans use those tools to actually "work" the word-of-mouth for you.

This goes deeper with me when I start to think of the Groupon's and LivingSocials of the world. It's creating an entitlement society of consumers who DO NOTHING to get the deal other than buy it. Every one of those deals should be tiered to get the consumer the best price ONLY when they bring in enough business. I ran a business that participated in a GroupOn deal and a BuyWithMe deal, so if anyone ever wants to riff on all that is wrong with them, hit me up.

/mike

I got to the website and couldn't access most of the links. Couldn't get into the hotel/campground information. Trouble with the Dino link, etc.

Might be a good idea to kick the tires before buying the car.

Testing and getting all the kinks worked out before opening to the public? Unheard of! ;-)

How about getting your rides inspected by the state prior to opening day.

Folks, this is only step 1 in an evolution of the web sites. A lot is being done in a very short period of time, there were bound to be errors and issues which is why they went live now for the kinks to get worked out before the season begins. The emphasis and focus is on Buy.Print.Go., later all all the fun and fancy stuff will receive more attention. More to come, including the remaining parks that have not yet converted.

Since when did you become the resident apologist for Cedar Fair?

I will ignore your sarcasm since I realize it is based out of jealousy.

Giggle giggle giggle. I've been outed!

mlnem4s said:
Folks, this is only step 1 in an evolution of the web sites. A lot is being done in a very short period of time, there were bound to be errors and issues which is why they went live now for the kinks to get worked out before the season begins. The emphasis and focus is on Buy.Print.Go., later all all the fun and fancy stuff will receive more attention. More to come, including the remaining parks that have not yet converted.

I'm far from a web designer or any sort of computer guru, but surely there is a way to work out the kinks without going live with a half finished product....

I hear it's called QA.