Queue Management with Virtual Waiting and Dynamic Attraction Reservations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement parks face challenges in managing wait times for attractions due to increased attendance, which can deter guests and prevent efficient utilization of park capacity, as guests are often forced to wait hours in lines, and existing queuing systems fail to address individual preferences and optimize guest experiences.
Innovation Solution
A queue management system utilizing an electronic data server and mobile devices to facilitate reservations, real-time adjustments, and dynamic queue management, allowing guests to wait virtually while experiencing other attractions, and enabling communication and location tracking to optimize wait times and crowd distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional queuing systems are used, then guests can access attractions, but wait times become excessively long (hours) and guest experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows guests to make reservations for attractions in advance before their visit, assigning time slots ahead of time. This preliminary action eliminates the need for guests to wait in long lines at the attraction itself, as they have already secured their spot in advance, thereby reducing actual wait time and improving guest experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservation system acts as an intermediary between guests and attractions. Instead of guests directly entering long queues at attraction entrances, the reservation system mediates by pre-assigning time slots and managing access rights, thereby reducing the perceived and actual wait time while maintaining attraction access.
2Productivity
If attractions are made available continuously, then guest access is maximized, but park capacity utilization becomes inefficient during low attendance times
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts attraction availability based on real-time park conditions and reservation patterns. Attractions can be opened or closed to reservations based on current demand, allowing the park to optimize capacity utilization during low-attendance periods while maintaining flexibility to open attractions when demand increases, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous availability and efficient utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of attractions (availability status, capacity limits) based on reservation data and park traffic conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the park can optimize capacity utilization during low-demand periods while ensuring attractions remain accessible when needed, balancing productivity with adaptability.
3Loss of time
If reservations are made for specific time slots, then wait times are reduced, but system complexity increases due to real-time adjustments and data management
Solution Approach 1:
The reservation system performs self-service functions by automatically managing time slot assignments, handling no-shows, and adjusting reservations based on real-time conditions without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates to optimize wait times while managing its own complexity through automated algorithms and real-time data processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor reservation patterns, attraction status, and park traffic conditions. This feedback enables the system to automatically adjust reservations and optimize time slots in real-time, reducing wait times while managing complexity through data-driven automation rather than manual control.
4Ease of operation
If guests are allowed to wait virtually while experiencing other attractions, then guest satisfaction improves, but tracking and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reservation system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it manages attraction access, tracks guest locations, coordinates wait times, and provides communication with guests. By making the system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate tracking and coordination systems, thereby improving guest experience while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A queue management system in accordance with present embodiments may include a data server system including a processor and memory. The queue management system may include an interface system of the data server system configured to receive a reservation request including an indication of a general time period of arrival of a guest to an area. Additionally, the queue management system may include a reservation right allotment system of the data server system configured to correlate a reservation slot for accessing an attraction to identification information for the guest. Further, the queue management system may include a detection system of the data server system configured to determine when a portable identification feature associated with the identification information has arrived to the area, and a reservation assignment system of the data server system configured to establish a reservation to access the attraction at a specific time window.