Virtual Queue Wearables for Attraction Wait-Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement parks face challenges in managing queuing for attractions, leading to increased wait times and reduced guest participation in park activities due to growing demand, which can deter guests from returning and limit utilization of park capacity.
Innovation Solution
A virtual queue system utilizing wearable devices with near, medium, and long-range communicators, integrated with a control system, to manage virtual queues dynamically, allowing guests to reserve entry positions without physical queues, and provide real-time notifications and updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional physical queues are used for attractions, then guests can maintain order and access attractions, but wait times increase and guest participation in other activities decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical queue system with an electronic/virtual queue system using wearable devices, mobile applications, and centralized control systems. This substitution eliminates the need for guests to physically stand in line while maintaining queue management functionality, thereby reducing wait time loss and enabling guests to engage in other park activities during the waiting period.
2Productivity
If attraction capacity is increased to handle more guests, then more guests can be served, but wait times still increase due to higher attendance
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual queue system performs preliminary actions by allowing guests to reserve their place in queue ahead of time through wearable devices or mobile applications. This advance reservation system enables guests to secure attraction access without physically occupying queue space, allowing attractions to operate at maximum capacity while guests wait elsewhere, thus preventing wait time increase despite higher attendance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the queue management from a one-dimensional physical space constraint to a multi-dimensional system incorporating time-based reservations, wireless communication, and centralized digital tracking. This dimensional shift allows the system to manage attraction access without being constrained by physical queue length, enabling full capacity utilization while minimizing guest wait time loss.
3Loss of time
If virtual queue system is implemented, then wait times are reduced and guest mobility is improved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable devices and mobile applications serve multiple functions: they act as queue reservation tools, provide real-time wait time information, enable attraction access validation, and offer guest communication channels. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into unified platforms, reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced capabilities provided.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual queue system enables guests to independently manage their own queue positions, receive notifications, and access attractions without requiring extensive manual intervention from park staff. The system automatically tracks queue positions, manages reservations, and coordinates with attraction access points, reducing the operational complexity burden on park infrastructure and personnel.
Data Source
AI summary
A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a plurality of wearable devices and a virtual queue control system configured to maintain respective virtual queues for respective attractions and in communication with the plurality of virtual queuing attraction stations. The virtual queue control system is configured to receive communications from the plurality of virtual queuing stations and add guests to the respective virtual queues based on the communications.