The haunted houses are NOT included. At around dinner time the scary costume actors will appear outside the palace. That is free and fun to see. Shows are included in your admission fee.

Since you can leave the park and return, I would assume you can also leave/return the parking lot. It makes sense. I’ve had good experience the park for answers to questions like this.

We were there in the evening and it was closed. The “meal” was on the menu sign, so it seams like it was part of the meal plan.

The previous answer gives your great info. In addition, yes there is a wave pool and lazy River at the water park. It is easy to walk from the rides to the water park. There are rides even if you are scared of heights....that said, rides are closed ALL OF THE TIME so your choices will be limited but you will not be able to plan for that really. I know the Thunder Cavern ride is closed for the summer for refurbishment. There was no rehabbing going on the day I was there recently so read thru the lines however you choose. Other rides though are supposedly broken down when they close. It happens a lot!! Also, please do not judge St Louis by it's Six Flags. In my opinion and experience, the park is not kept very well with grass growing high in secondary areas such as in the log flume area, areas of roller coasters, thunder canyon areas, etc. The workers are often rude and would rather not interact with visitors. Rides are shut down and closed for ever reason in the book on a regular. Everything inside the park is expensive. They require you to store purses, bags, water bottles, etc spontaneously (some rides do and some rides don't but) and you have to pay to store your stuff. Sometimes lockers are close to these rides but other times they are not. I hope you enjoy your concert and St Louis. We have other places that are wonderful to visit such as the Zoo, Botanical Gardens, Science Center, Magic House, The Arch, Lone Elk Park, and museums.

Yes, they can scan the barcode

From what I heard they are changing the loading platform to make it one that moves with the gondolas. That will make loading/unloading faster in the future. It likely won't be back up until later in the Summer.