DelGrosso’s goes cashless

The Altoona Curve and Lakemont Park don’t plan on following the lead of DelGrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash by going cashless this season.

The Tipton amusement venues have said those attractions will be cashless starting this season.

Debit, credit and park gift cards will be accepted at every park point-of-sale location.

Guests will be able to convert cash to a park gift card by using new cash-to-card kiosks at no charge.

The only exception for the cashless change will be for the annual Harvestfest and Italianfest where outside vendors may accept cash transactions.

DelGrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash said cashless transactions are typically faster, safer and more secure for both staff and guests.

Amy Mearkle, director of marketing and advertising for DelGrosso’s, said the park has done a lot of research into cashless transactions and is trying to make things as easy as possible for customers and park staff.

Seventy percent of customer transactions already are cashless, Mearkle said.

There will be two cash-to-card kiosks: one on the water side and one on the ride side. Exact dollar amounts must be used, as the kiosks do not give change.

Gift cards are available in the amounts of $5, $10, $20 and $50. Balances can be checked at any Park POS registers. The cards do not expire.

People can buy gift cards in the park gift shop as well.

The park’s goal is to create a more convenient dining, retail and gaming experience, Mearkle said.

“A lot of entertainment venues and amusement parks are already doing the same, this is the next step in doing business for Delgrosso’s,” Meakle said.

Kennywood Park, Idlewild and Soak Zone, Sandcastle Park, PNC Park, Dutch Wonderland and Hersheypark all went cashless, Mearkle said.

Lakemont Park has no plans to go cashless at this time according to General Manager Melanie Shildt.

“We actually encourage cash here because of the credit card fees,” she said.

General Manager Nate Bowen of the Altoona Curve also said there are no plans to go cashless as well.

“It could change in the future, but there hasn’t even been a discussion about it at this point,” he said.