Wow, I never thought of this as a hot deal, but I've done it every year since my kids were little, and it really really is a hot deal. And, I'm quite knowledgeable on this deal, so here's the information I can provide which will probably answer many of the questions above.
Yes, Six Flags does this at all of their theme parks (including the one in NJ (previously asked))
The season pass that you get MUST be processed at the park you purchased it for. To process the ticket, you go to the little building by the entrance (pretty much the same at all the parks I've been to) where it says "season ticket processing" or something like that. There, they take your picture and give you a photo ID card that you use for admittance.
After that, you use your photo ID card to go through the gate to get into the park.... no more waiting in line to purchase the tickets at the park. Park your car, walk right in (except for the short wait while they have you go through the metal detectors and security), flash the picture card at them (or at some of the parks, have the magnetic strip swiped through a reader), and walk right in.
After that first visit, your card is valid at almost ALL of the 6 Flags locations... there are some exceptions, such as some of the water parks, and I never could figure out if I could get into the animal safari in NJ with my kids (but I've heard it sucks compared to what it used to be like.) From Six Flags site:
Once your Six Flags Darien Lake ID card is processed at the theme park, your season pass may be used at all Six Flags Theme Parks and select Six Flags Properties including: Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey; Six Flags AstroWorld, Houston; Six Flags America, Mass.; Six Flags Elitch Gardens, Denver; Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio; Six Flags Great America, Chicago; Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville; Six Flags Magic Mountain, Los Angeles; Six Flags Marine World, San Francisco; Six Flags Over Georgia, Atlanta; Six Flags Over Texas, Dallas; Six Flags St. Louis; Six Flags New England, Springfield, MA; Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, Cleveland; Six Flags Mexico, Mexico City; Six Flags Belgium, Brussels; Six Flags Holland, Amsterdam; Enchanted Village/Wild Waves, Seattle; The Great Escape, Lake George, NY; Jazzland, New Orleans; La Ronde, Montreal; and Wyandot Lake, Columbus, OH.
NOT VALID AT SIX FLAGS WATER PARKS (INCLUDING HURRICANE HARBOR IN NEW JERSEY) OR FRONTIER CITY/WHITE WATER BAY.
Here's the kicker: The season pass doesn't cost the same at all of the parks! For me, in western New York, I go to Six Flags Darien Lake. And, I only have to pay $44.99 for a season pass (or $39.99 if I buy it at Tops or further in advance, making my deal much better!). In fact, as I got into the line to go through the security check and metal detectors in New Jersey, I commented to someone there that my season pass that let me get into the NJ park cost LESS than regular admission in New Jersey. I think it ruined their day.
However, you can *renew* your membership online in subsequent years, which I believe means that I don't have to go to Darien Lake on the first visit. I have a rollercoaster buff friend who had a bunch of guys come in from NJ for the weekend... they got their season passes at Darien Lake. Each year since, they've renewed online, the passes are mailed to my friend's address in NY, and he forwards them on to NJ.
You can also purchase your season pass directly from Six Flags online, but it costs more than the Rite-Aid price
(which is smoking hot for Magic Mountain - the price on the six flags site is $90 for a person or $75 apiece when you get a family membership (4). Six Flags offers them for less if you buy them earlier in the year (the deadline was in Jan or Feb or something... I've seen 3 of the other parks offer discounted season passes at outside stores, but not at Rite-Aid. Tops (supermarket chain) handles the tickets in western NY. You'd have to check locally for the other Six Flags, it may not necessarily be Rite Aid. I suspect they all do this though. (Check to see who sells the concert tickets for concerts at their park.... most likely the same place sells the season tickets too)
Six Flags season tickets at Six Flags site Here
My plans for this summer (taking a break from Six Flags this year): Season tickets for my family to Paramount's parks. Cheapest in Toronto, I believe (Canada's Wonderland). I'm planning on hitting Canada's Wonderland,
Kings Island (Ohio- home of The Beast- #1 wooden rollercoaster in the world), Kings Dominion in Virginia, and Carowinds in NC) 4 parks for 1 price for the family, combined (hopefully) with great rates at good hotels thanks to Priceline means 2 days per park during the summer. (5 hrs, 6 hrs, 7 hrs and 10 hrs travel time to each park, not too bad for a Mon/Tues/Wed getaway... I avoid those places like the plague on weekends) The price advertised for Canada's Wonderland is $299.99 for a family of 4 ($75 apiece), but I believe that's in Canadian currency, making it about $204 ($51 apiece). Otherwise, I'll go to KI first and save $4.
Oh, and the last part of the deal at any park that's really important, if you're going to use the season tickets, GET A PARKING PASS! $8 per visit really starts to add up. I received an email from Six Flags with the price this year for the parking pass, but can't remember it (and can't find it online)... You can also buy a book of 5 parking coupons (here, it was $15 or $20 for 5 visits, I think)
Any other questions?? (Oh, and I'm a math physics teacher, love rollercoasters, and have a lot of free time during the summer.... I'm either camping or at a theme park)