ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

An observation:

The responses to this thread suggest to me that...

1) There is a need for research about wait time at exhibits. What do
visitors say? What do they do at different exhibits for which they might
have to wait? Are there exhibit characteristics or exhibition
characteristics that make it easier for people to wait? Are there
personal or other context characteristics that impact wait time? 

Although I am not familiar with the research in this area, I suspect
there has already been research on these and other more insightful
questions. What does this research tell us? If we (ASTC) have not done
it, then surely...

2) 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

----- Original Message -----
From: martin weiss <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Friday, July 29, 2005 9:10 am
Subject: Re: Wait time at Exhibits

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology 
> CentersIncorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and 
> related institutions.
>
*****************************************************************************
> 
> 	I think this is an interesting subject and it is wonderful to 
> speculate about visitors's expectations, anticipations and type of 
> experience especially without data.
> 
> 	The bottom line I think is that the longer the wait the less 
> visitors will wait with some factor of anticipation and desire. 
> There 
> probably is a mathematical formula lurking.  However, a number of 
> years ago we (ASTC) met in Orlando and visited Epcot, I think, and 
> some other fantasy parks.  As a New Yorker, with some ants in my 
> pants (not necessarily as Cole Porter meant), I was amazed how 
> Disney 
> orchestrated events so that I did not have to wait and feel anxious 
> about getting my turn. I think many visitors feel this way 
> suggesting 
> that we should keep wait time down. I don't think anyone disagrees 
> that this is desirable but how? Clone exhibits? For less expensive 
> exhibits this would work but for expensive more elaborate exhibits 
> (which is what prompted my question) this is not feasible. 
> Distractions or demonstrations to engage waiters? Anyone have any 
> experiences to suggest this can be effective? Mirrors so visitors 
> can 
> attend to their preening? Well, a wonderful idea but . .  A label 
> asking folks to give others a turn? Altruistic, but does it work?
> For now I am asking our Explainers to keep an eye on a particular 
> exhibition and suggest that others be given a turn when the line 
> seems  long and is not moving.
> 
> Martin
> 
> 
>

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]