And BTW, I cannot really understand how a flashpass works. I saw something that said you can use it for one person on more rides or more people on less rides..... Well. I want to bring 4 people and then of course myself and I don't want to have to wait in ANY long lines. Is there a flashpass that will encompass everything?
Also, any tips on any promotions would be great.
Flash Pass has changed. The information you have is from the old system (paper tickets), which was replaced in 2008 or around then with the Q-bot system. If you haven't used this system elsewhere, here is how it works: When you rent a Flash Pass, you will be given a Q-bot for your party. It is good for 1-6 people, but the number of people must be specified at the time of rental. Using the Q-bot, you can select any valid ride in the park to line up for, and the device will give you a return time. Once you reach that time, go to the Flash Pass entrance of the ride, where an employee will scan your Q-bot and admit your party. Once you are in the boarding station, you may select another ride to line up for. There is no restriction on the number of rides you use it on, but you can only queue up for one ride at a time.
A couple other notes about Flash Pass: First, there are multiple levels, Regular, Gold, and Platinum. On a Regular Flash Pass, you will wait the same amount of time as the line length, but you can do other rides while you are waiting. This is the cheapest option, beginning at $45. Gold works the same way, but your wait time is reduced to 10-25 % of the actual line length (varies depending on the ride). This version starts at $70. Finally, Platinum offers the same wait time reduction as Gold, but allows you to ride twice in a row (same seat only). This is the most expensive option, at $105 for one person.
Secondly, while Flash Pass includes most of the park's coasters, it DOES NOT include Green Lantern: First Flight or X2. If you purchase a Gold or Platinum Flash Pass, you may add these rides, but it is $15 per rider per reservation. I believe a Platinum pass is required for Green Lantern, but I could be wrong.
Finally, note that the prices I stated above are not per person. Those are the base prices. Each additional person increases the total price, but the more people you have the cheaper it is per person. There is a sign outside the Flash Pass office detailing this.
Whether or not you should get the Flash Pass on your visit is up to you, but here is what I would recommend: If you want to ride X2 or Green Lantern, do those first, then check the lines in the park. If they are long enough, go get a Flash Pass. It is usually possible to do everything on a summer weekday without one, although re-rides will be limited. If you are visiting on a summer weekend, it would probably be a good idea. Finally, I'd recommend to get the Regular on a weekday, or Gold on a weekend, although the choice is up to you and depends how much and how frequently you want to ride. With Regular, you can ride the rides with shorter lines while waiting for the major attractions, while with Gold it will often be time to ride by the time you have crossed the park. I do not recommend Platinum even if you have the money simply because you will be booed at every ride when you get to go a second time and take up someone's seat.
As for promotions, I know the park used to run a coke can promotion (either buy one get one free, or $40 admission), but I do not know what times of the year this is done or if they still do it. You can buy tickets on the webside for $36.99 ($25 off gate price), but there is a small processing fee. There may be coupons, but as I have a season pass or another way to buy discount tickets I don't really look for those.
Whatever you choose, enjoy your visit. If you like roller coasters, SFMM has the best collection out of anywhere I've been (even better than Cedar Point).
