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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
>Peter,
>
>
>You never passed those words of wisdom to me before (maybe I have
>forgotten them in some beer glass in Pittsburgh, Chicago or San Jose)
>
>In either case, I am thinking that the type of exhibit makes a big
>difference and its execution. For example if an exhibit is "cool'
>enough I think people will wait. "Cool" is a very relative term,
>miniature trains in Pittsburgh are cool (people willing to wait
>hours). I am thinking that at amusement parks people are willing to
>wait. Perhaps it is a measure of how much the exhibit provides an
>experience that I can't even come close to at home. A multimedia
>exhibit - i.e. a computer exhibit seems much more like something I
>do at home so I am willing to wait less.
>
>Also I think if an exhibit is designed to allow those waiting to
>enjoy themselves for example see the outcomes of the visitors ahead
>of them using the exhibit - then I think wait times can be longer as
>well.
>
>Wayne
>
>Wayne J LaBar
>Vice President, Exhibitions and Theaters
>Liberty Science Center
>251 Phillip Street
>Liberty State Park
>Jersey City, NJ 07305
>
>voice: 201.451.0006 x-347
>fax: 201.451.7046
>
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--
Martin Weiss, Ph.D
Vice President, Science
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111 th Street
Corona, New York 11368
718 699 0005 x 356
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More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
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message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
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