when i added funpix this year, they gave me a new card with the qr code instead of the old bar code. i heard others having their cards replaced with the drink plan. not sure if that had something to do with your photos not working or not. i did get my new card at the same park i bought it at though, knott's.
Honestly I had the some issues with my Platinum Pass at CGA last year. They seemed very poorly trained. I remember hoping that I just got someone who wasn't fully trained yet, but maybe it's a much bigger problem there lol...
I bought my pass online through the CW web site, actually had my photo taken and got my pass at Knotts, and then went to use it again at CGA and the girl looked at me like I had two heads lol. It ended up being fine once she called a manager over, but I have no idea what could have been so confusing about a Platinum Pass!