ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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A few observations made while doing sub-contract work at the themeparks in
central Florida:

1. Music, music, music. Music fills the gaps - or dead space - spent while
walking from one part of the park to the other.  Bright music in the morning
as you walk through the turn styles, music with a strong beat to encourage
you to exit the park after a long day, etc.
2. The story line of the ride/exhibit is fully developed and extended into
the queue.  For example:  At Universal Studios Florida, Islands of
Adventure, the rides are based on comic book characters, i.e. Spiderman,
Incredible Hulk, Dr. Doom, etc.  While waiting in line, you get the back
story of the character, their enemies, and the significance of the ride. The
queue winds through themed sets complete with audio visual and Easter egg
experiences.  Its not part of the ride itself, but by giving you the back
story you appreciate the actual ride that much more.
3. For Epcot Innoventions, we handled the congestion problem by adding
multiples of the same experience.  When AT&T introduced AT&T WorldNet some
years ago, we had about 25 internet kiosks set up.  At peak attendance all
were in use with about two or three in line behind them (usually family
members).  Keep in mind this is when the internet as we know it today was in
its infancy and people were curious to know more about how it worked.


-- 
John W. Kelton
Exhibit Designer
and Interpretive Planner
256.881.3682 ph | 256.880.3682 fx

eclectic group, inc.
the first element in design





> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> My experience with Disney is that even the line is either an experience or
> part of the experience followed by a 2 - 3 minute ride so that even during the
> wait time there is something to do and it does not seem like you are waiting.
> The other thing that I noticed with Disney rides (not the shows) is that they
> are continuously moving so that there is little or no time that visitors are
> standing in line but always inching forward.
> 
> When we had the ZAP exhibit here we found that they had done the ride
> experience well in that the line up had panels that visitors read while
> waiting for the pre-show which was then followed by the ride simulator.  Most
> of the time this system worked well in that the line did move fairly steady.
> 
> Max Scharfenberger
> VP Programs 
> TELUS World of Science - Edmonton
> 11211 142 Street 
> Edmonton, AB  T5M 4A1
> T (780) 452-9100 
> F (780) 455-5882 
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of martin weiss
> Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 10:40 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Wait time at Exhibits
> 
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> Jonah;
> 
> As I recall, at Epcot, I never really "waited" but the line always
> moved forward, through a serpentine course, as they loaded people
> onto the ride. Not sure how that would help us, though other than
> pointing out we need to think about strategies.
> 
> I also recall getting 15 seconds (maybe less) each to see the Mona
> Lisa (and the Pieta) in New York in the 60's. Again, a long line that
> inched forward slowly past guards with "cattle prods" to keep us
> moving.
> 
> Martin
>> 
>> Maybe, but a lot of Disney's wait-time tactics involve Ledgerdemain. Ie if
>> the line for a ride is an hour, they post a sign saying the wait time is 75
>> minutes, so you're happy to have waited "only" 60. And they're masters of
>> hiding how much of the line is in front of you - Space Mountain being a good
>> example. (And a ride that's worth the wait, btw!)
>> 
>> Jonah Cohen
>> Outreach & Public Programs Manager
>> Science Center of Connecticut
>> 
>> "On blind faith they place reliance,
>> what we need more of is science"
>>            -MC Hawking
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: William Watson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 9:47 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Wait time at Exhibits2)
>> 
>> We have something (a lot?) to learn from Disney. I'm sure Disney did
>> not happen upon their visitor experience by accident. What do we know
>> about how they do what they do? Would it be worthwhile to consider their
>> strategies in exhibit and exhibition design?
>> 
>> Bill
>> 
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