US20160055429A1 - Virtual queuing system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a plurality of virtual queuing stations associated with respective attractions within a theme park and a virtual queue control system configured to maintain respective virtual queues for the respective attractions and in communication with the plurality of virtual queuing 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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/039,609, entitled “Virtual Queuing System and Method” and filed Aug. 20, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
• The present disclosure relates generally to the field of amusement parks. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and equipment utilized to manage amusement park experiences, including queuing for attractions.
• Since the early twentieth century, amusement parks have substantially grown in popularity. In order to address this increasing demand, amusement parks have been expanding by adding attractions and space. The addition of attractions (e.g., rides, restaurants, shops, and shows) generally provides an amusement park with additional capacity to handle a larger number of guests. However, the additional attractions also typically provide potential guests with an incentive to visit the amusement park. Thus, while a particular amusement park may add additional capacity, the additional capacity does not always result in an increased ability for guests to participate in park entertainment (e.g., shopping, viewing shows, riding rides) or reduced wait times for attractions. This is because there is often a corresponding increase in attendance. Further, due to operating efficiencies, it is often desirable to limit the availability of attractions during low attendance times. Thus, queuing for attractions, which may limit participation in park activities, is a perennial issue for amusement parks.
• While guests have demanded bigger, better, and more elaborate attractions, they also require and expect a positive overall experience. Providing a positive overall experience for amusement park guests entails addressing certain issues related to queuing for attractions. Indeed, it is now recognized that park guests can be deterred from returning to a particular amusement park due to negative experiences with queue waiting times. Further, guests may be prevented from accessing amusement park businesses (e.g., shops) due to time spent waiting in queues. Indeed, in the past, guests have been forced to wait hours in line to experience some of the more popular attractions at an amusement park. Additionally, it is now recognized that park capacity does not always equal guest utilization of that capacity due to individual guest preferences for certain attractions over others. Accordingly, it is now recognized that it is desirable to improve amusement park queuing systems and methods.
SUMMARY
• Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of certain disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.
• In accordance with one embodiment, a virtual queue system is provided. The virtual queue system includes at least one virtual queuing station associated with an individual attraction within a theme park. The virtual queue system also includes a transceiver of the at least one virtual queuing station, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive a wireless signal from a guest-associated device, wherein the wireless signal comprises identification information for a guest associated with a guest device. The virtual queue system also includes a virtual queue control system in communication with the at least one virtual queuing station and the active wearable, wherein the virtual queue control system is configured to receive a communication comprising the identification information from the at least one virtual queuing station and wherein receiving the communication causes the virtual queue control system to add the wearer to a virtual queue for the individual attraction and to send a confirmation message to one or both of the at least one virtual queuing station or to the guest device that the guest has been added to the virtual queue.
• In accordance with another embodiment, a virtual queue system is provided. The virtual queue system includes a plurality of virtual queuing stations associated with respective attractions within a theme park; and a virtual queue control system configured to maintain respective virtual queues for the respective attractions and in communication with the plurality of virtual queuing stations, wherein 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.
• In accordance with another embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a wireless signal using communication circuitry of an active wearable to a virtual queuing station associated with an individual attraction within a theme park, wherein the wireless signal comprises identification information for a guest associated with a guest device; receiving a confirmation message via the communications circuitry confirming being added to a virtual queue of the individual attraction; and receiving a status message via the communications circuitry related to a position in the virtual queue.
DRAWINGS
• These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
• FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method using a virtual queue system in accordance with present techniques;
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a theme park including a virtual queue system in accordance with present techniques;
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an active wearable in accordance with present techniques; and
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a virtual queue system in accordance with present techniques.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Presently disclosed embodiments facilitate virtual queuing within a theme park. A virtual queue control system as provided herein manages queuing for various attractions with the theme park to minimize or eliminate guest time spent waiting in a physical queue. In certain embodiments, a given attraction has a single virtual queue that is dynamically managed by the control system to add or remove guests, update positions in the queue, and send messages to the guests related to their queue positions. The system receives various inputs from the attractions and/or guests that are used to dynamically manage the various queues. In certain embodiments, queuing is mediated via guest devices such as active wearables (e.g., bracelets, wearable tags, necklaces or badges, etc.) that are carried by or associated with the guests and that interact with various kiosks or check-in points to permit guest to enter attraction queues. In this manner, park guests may enjoy the park without carrying paper tickets, identification, or other credentials. For example, guests at a water park may not wish to manage paper tickets that can get wet. Further, because guests wearing bathing suits have limited ability to carry identification items or handheld devices, active wearables that are compatible with water activities (e.g., waterproof) may be a more convenient way to manage queue information than a mobile device.
• FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of amethod10 of virtual queue management in accordance with present embodiments. Themethod10 includes receiving or providing park credentials (block12), entering or facilitating entry to an amusement park or park feature (block14), determining or providing one or more attraction wait times (block16), entering or establishing a position within a virtual queue (block18), monitoring or waiting in the virtual queue (block20), initiating or participating in an attraction experience (block22), and providing or obtaining user data (block24). Details of the aspects of themethod10 will be discussed in further detail below with respect to related system features.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of asystem100 for facilitating queuing in accordance with present embodiments. Thesystem100 includes acomputer system102, monitoringsensors104, awireless communication system106, system displays108, active wearables110 (e.g., a bracelet including accessible data and communication features) and other components that coordinate in accordance with present embodiments, as will be described in detail below. Certain aspects of thesystem100 will be referenced with respect to the part they play in themethod10 illustrated byFIG. 1. Specifically, it should be noted that present embodiments facilitate virtual queuing such thatamusement park guests120 can obtain a position within a virtual queue and subsequently enter a physical queue orstandby loading group122 of limited length. Present embodiments may function to limit time spent byguests120 in physically waiting122 and encourage participation in other areas of an amusement park, such as dining, shopping, and other entertainment venues (e.g., rides, shows).
• As generally represented byblock12 ofmethod10, whenguests120 arrive at a ticketing location124 (e.g., hotel front desk, kiosk, guest service counter, park gate), theguests120 may be provided with entry credentials (e.g., tickets or active wearables110) among other items, such as a park map, virtual queuing instructions, and amenities instructions. Informational media (e.g., audio, video) and instructional signage may be present at allsuch ticketing locations124. In some instances,guests120 may have obtained entry credentials prior to arrival and may skip acquiring such credentials at theticketing location124.
• As generally represented inblock14 ofmethod10, guests may enter and be provided entry into the park or a park area via anentryway126. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 1, theentryway126 may exclude a physical turnstile or similar physical traversal counting or control features that can provide an impediment to traversal of theentryway126 when theentryway126 is intended to be open. That is, theentryway126 may be turnstile-less during operation. Ifguests120 already have their entry credentials or an identification code or number transferred into an active wearable (“AW”)110, theguests120 may be provided essentially direct access to the park or park area. For example,guests120 with properly activatedAWs110 may be allowed to walk through theentryway126 without stopping. The credentials associated with theAW110 being held or worn by theguests120 will be detected and provided to agate monitoring facility128 that may be monitored by a park employee (e.g., a security service company). For example, this may include providing a photograph of the guest120 (e.g., a photograph of the guest's face) passing through theentryway126. Thus, the photograph may be used for entry privilege confirmation. In other embodiments, other features may be used, such as fingerprints or other identifying aspects (e.g., facial recognition). While certain embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in conjunction with anAW110, it should be understood that the disclosed techniques may be implemented with guest-associated devices that are configured to wirelessly communicate guest information, such as pocket-carried devices, handheld devices, or mobile devices. In particular embodiments, the guest-associated devices are waterproof.
• Also, as generally represented byblock14 ofmethod10, ifguests120 do not have theirAW110 with them or if theirAW110 is not properly activated, they may insertticket media132 into ascanner134, which facilitates transfer of information to thegate monitoring facility128, which may include any of a number of gate monitoring systems, and informs a park employee that theguest120 is authorized to enter the park or park area. If authorization is granted in this manner, anAW110 may be distributed to them and a photograph of the guest's face automatically taken. For example, a photograph may be automatically taken by acamera136 positioned proximate theentryway126. Thesame camera136 may be used for monitoring purposes as well. In other embodiments, the picture ofguests120 acquiring theirAW110 may occur in a different location. Further, in some embodiments, theguests120 may acquire theirAW110 after progressing through the entryway126 (as in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 2) or prior to progressing through theentryway126.
• As generally represented byblock16 ofmethod10, wait times may be ascertained by guests by viewing displays provided at numerous locations throughout the park or park area. At the entrance of certain or all attractions,displays108 provide the wait time for the specific attraction. For example, thewater slide142 includes adisplay144 that specifically provides a wait time for that attraction. The information for each display may be provided based on information obtained by trackingAWs110 or otherwise monitoring park areas (e.g., ride exits and entrances) withmonitoring sensors104. Further, at the exit of certain or all attractions, a display may be provided to indicate the wait times for all attractions (e.g., all attractions in the park or park area). For example, the exit area of thewater slide142 includes adisplay146 that may provide wait times for all of the surrounding attractions (e.g., rides148). Thedisplay146 may even provide wait times for non-ride attractions, such as a wait time for arestaurant150. Thedisplay146 may be limited to display of wait times for attractions within a particular park area152 (e.g., a park “village”). Also, within eachpark area152, one or more wait time boards154 (e.g., centrally located displays108) may indicate wait times for all park attractions or attractions within thepark area152. Further still, beforeguests120 place their portable devices (e.g., mobile phones) intolockers160, mobile applications may be used via the mobile devices to ascertain wait times.
• Block18 generally represents entering or establishing a position within a virtual queue. In one embodiment, theguest120 enters the queue by walking to the attraction entry and walking through an entry portal. For example, theguest120 may walk to thewater slide142 and walk through itsentry portal166. Once theguest120 walks through the portal166, the guest'sAW110 will notify him/her (via a tone, vibration, illuminator) of being added to the virtual queue. This may be achieved by detecting theAW110 with themonitoring sensor104 at theentry portal166 and via aspects of theAW110, which will be discussed further below. In another embodiment, theguest120 may enter the virtual queue by walking to aqueue entry post168, which may indicate the name of the attraction and current wait time, and engaging thepost168 with theAW110. This may include tapping theAW110 against or positioning it near thepost168. Theposts168 may be located at the exit or entry of each attraction and at a central location within eachpark area152 or village. In one embodiment, anindividual post168 may be associated with only one attraction such that engaging with thepost168 automatically enters theguest120 in the virtual queue of the associated attraction, e.g., the virtual queue is entered without any guest selection between different attractions at thepost168, and tapping or engaging the post is the selection step for selecting the associated attraction.
• Once the guest engages thequeue entry post168, the guest'sAW110 will notify the guest (e.g., via a tone, vibration, illuminator) of being added to the virtual queue. For example, theAW110 may receive a signal to cause the displayed information on theAW110 to change. Further, thepost168 may additionally or alternatively provide a notification of successful addition to the queue. The notification may be generated and/or communicated by a central virtual queue control system to theAW110. In another embodiment, the notification is generated and/or communicated by thequeue entry post168. In yet another embodiment, theguest120 may enter the virtual queue by walking to a queue kiosk172 (e.g., a single device that displays the names and wait times for all virtual queuing attractions in the park or park area).Queue kiosks172 may be located at the entry or exit of each attraction and in a central location within eachpark area152. Theguest120 selects the queue he/she wishes to enter and engages (e.g., taps) the kiosk with his/herAW110. Once theguest120 engages thequeue kiosk172, the guest'sAW110 will notify the guest120 (e.g., via a tone, vibration, illuminator) of being added to the virtual queue. For example, theAW110 may receive a signal to cause the displayed information on theAW110 to change. Further, thekiosk172 may additionally or alternatively provide a notification of successful addition to the queue.
• In another embodiment, theguest120 must physically go the area of a particular attraction and engage with the designatedqueue entry post168 for that attraction to enter the queue. That is, virtual queue entry is mediated only via the designated queue entry post (or posts)168 that are physically co-located with the attraction. In this manner, the guest is encouraged to see anindividual ride148 and determine if the ride is of interest before entering the ride virtual queue. The central queue controller receives the communication form thepost168 orkiosk172 and adds the guest to the appropriate virtual queue. The addition may be based on a time stamp or a counter. For example, for attractions that have multiple tap-inposts168, the guests may be added based on the individual time stamp of the tap-in event and on a first-in basis.
• In each of the embodiments discussed above, the guest'sAW110 may display the estimated return time. For example, a display on theAW110 may provide a time (e.g., 5:02 PM) by which the guest should return to enter aloading group122. This time may dynamically change depending on the operational factors (e.g., current ride capacity, other guests leaving the queue, guests with express (e.g., credentials to automatically jump to the front of a physical and/or virtual queue) or very important person (VIP) credentials entering the queue, inclement weather, and/or downtimes). In some embodiments, once theguest120 has entered a virtual queue (or some limited number of virtual queues), theguest120 can no longer enter any other virtual queue unless he/she leaves the current virtual queue, either by entering the ride or by entering a different virtual queue. For example, in one embodiment, engaging thepost168 of a ride or attraction overrides any previously existing places in a virtual queue. In this manner, theguest120 may traverse the park and, upon noting a ride that is of greater interest or that has a shorter wait time, may simply swipe theAW110 to enter into a new virtual queue and be automatically removed from a previous virtual queue with one action, which permits theguest120 to minimize engagement with queue devices and enjoy the park experience.
• Further, if more than one virtual queue can be entered, the difference between wait times for the available virtual queues may be set to be a sufficient time for both to be entered taking into consideration variables such as travel time between. The system may also artificially space multiple virtual queues to optimize the patrons' day and transit time. In one embodiment, if there is no penalty for failure to arrive at a queued attraction, aside from not being able to enter additional queues, the system may permit close-together times but may also account for a certain predicted percentage of no-shows. In another embodiment, the virtual queuing system may only be in effect if the wait time for the current attraction is greater than 10 minutes. In another embodiment, theguest120 may be permitted to enter two virtual queues at the same time, but may only enter a single virtual queue at a time that is associated with a ride designated as a low capacity ride. For example, certain park rides may have relatively low capacity and, therefore, may develop longer virtual queues than higher capacity rides, which are capable of moving a greater number of guests through the ride in a given period of time. To control the virtual queue length of lower capacity rides, the virtual queue system as provided herein may, in certain embodiments, prevent theguest120 from entering two low capacity ride virtual queues simultaneously. For example, when theguest120 is already entered in a low capacity queue, engaging with the designatedpost168 of a second low capacity ride may trigger a warning message displayed on a display of thepost168, e.g., “GUESTS IN LINE FOR DINOSAUR ADVENTURE MAY NOT ENTER THE LINE FOR VOLCANO RUSH. WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXIT THE LINE FOR DINOSAUR ADVENTURE TO JOIN THE LINE FOR VOLCANO RUSH?” Thepost168 may then receive a guest selection of YES or NO. If theguest120 selects no, the engagement with thepost168 of the second low capacity ride is ended. If theguest120 selects YES, theguest120 is added to the virtual queue of the second low capacity ride and automatically removed from the virtual queue of the first low capacity ride.
• As generally represented byblock20 ofmethod10, present embodiments facilitate monitoring or waiting in the virtual queue.Guests120 may wait in the virtual queue by experiencing instantaneous capacity attractions (e.g., a wave pool, swimming pool, splash pad, lazy river, a ride with no wait time), visiting food, beverage, or merchandising locations, or simply relaxing (e.g., resting in a lounge chair). If an attraction wait time of a virtual queue changes, this information may be provided via thecommunication system106 to theAW110, which will notify the wearingguest120 and display the updated wait time. If aguest120 wishes to leave a current virtual queue for another virtual queue, he/she can do so by just joining a new virtual queue as set forth in the description of the various embodiments above. If a guest leaves the park (or, in some cases, a park area) while waiting in a virtual queue, he/she is automatically removed from any virtual queues he/she is currently in. Present embodiments may establish no geographical limits within the park while waiting in a virtual queue andguests120 may be free to go to any location and perform any task within the park.
• As generally represented byblock22 ofmethod10, present embodiments encourage initiating and participating in attraction experiences. In some embodiments, thevirtual queuing system100 will notify theguest120 prior to the guest's ride time. To determine the amount of prior notification time, thesystem100 will utilize multiple factors to optimize capacity: current wait time at the attraction, current distance of theguest120 away from the attraction, the guest's current activity, and the guest's history for arrival speeds from previous virtual queues. Once the guest is notified, theguest120 travels to the attraction entrance and walks to the load platform, which accommodates thelimited standby group122. These factors or variables are monitored by the computer system102 (e.g., a network of computers302), which includes at least oneprocessor304 and at least onememory306, via communication with themonitoring sensors104. To ensure that the attraction throughput is not starved, a small standby group122 (less than 10 minutes) may be formed prior to the load platform at each attraction. Once a guest reaches the load platform and enters the ride, he/she is removed from the current virtual queue. After experiencing the attraction,guests120 can join another virtual queue as described above (e.g., a post, kiosk, or the like located in the exit path of the attraction).
• As generally represented byblock24 ofmethod10, present embodiments also facilitate communication and management of additional data related to park management. For example, theAW110 may also perform functions other than facilitating queue access. Specifically, theAW110 may operate as an identification device used for cashless purchases and for validation to access controlled areas. In some embodiments, guest photographs are automatically taken while on each attraction, as triggered by theAW110. Such photographs can be purchased by theguest120 via an Internet portal (e.g., website, app, kiosk). Further, information may be automatically logged by thevirtual queuing system100 for data analysis. This information may include: experienced attractions (including count and order of visit), wait time for each attraction, time it takes for the guest to return to the attraction once notified, entry time into the park, exit time out of the park, amount of money spent via cashless system.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of anAW110 in accordance with present embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, theAW110 includes ahousing400 in the form of a bracelet. However, in other embodiments, it may include a necklace, a headband, a ring, or other conveniently wearable item. Adevice402 may be imbedded in thehousing400. Thedevice402 may include several separate or unified components that perform certain functions. In the illustrated embodiment, thedevice402 includes a memory/identifier404, apower module406, adisplay408, anindicator410, atransmitter412, and areceiver414. In some embodiments, these features may be limited. For example, thedisplay408 and thetransmitter412 may be excluded. In some embodiments, the memory/identifier404 may include a simple identifier (e.g., an RFID tag), which thesystem100 associates with aguest120. In operation, thedevice402 may operate to at least receive information from thesystem100 to provide the user with information (e.g., a return time for a ride). Further, an indicator (e.g., a light, a vibration mechanism, or an audio feature) may provide feedback to theguest120. Specifically, thedevice402 may communicate with thesystem100 via thecommunication system106. In some embodiments, this may include communication from thedevice402 to thesystem100. However, in other embodiments, detecting thedevice402 throughout the park area using themonitoring sensors104 and analyzing such data with thesystem100 may provide information related to the device402 (e.g., wait times experienced by theuser120 associated with the device402). In some embodiments, theAW110 may be essentially passive and indications (e.g., confirmation sounds) may be provided by the system100 (e.g., a speaker announcing a nickname of the wearer being entered into a particular virtual queue).
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram of avirtual queue system500 that may be implemented to manage queues in a theme park. Thesystem500 includes a virtualqueue control system502 in communication with one or more virtual queuingstations530. Thevirtual queuing stations530 may be implemented as portals or posts (e.g., portal166 or post168, seeFIG. 2), kiosks, or the like. Each park ride or attraction may be associated with one or more dedicated virtual queuingstations530 that receive queue inputs from guests. That is, in certain embodiments, eachvirtual queuing station530 may facilitate entry into the virtual queue of only one attraction. One or both of the virtualqueue control system502 and an individualvirtual queuing station530 may include communications circuitry (e.g.,communications circuitry504 or506), such as antennas, radio transceiver circuits, and signal processing hardware and/or software (e.g., hardware or software filters, A/D converters, multiplexers amplifiers), or a combination thereof, and that may be configured to communicate over wired or wireless communication paths via IR wireless communication, satellite communication, broadcast radio, Microwave radio, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wifi, UHF, NFC, etc. Such communication may also include intermediate communications devices, such as radio towers. In one embodiment, the communication between thevirtual queuing station530 and the virtualqueue control system502 is wired.
• In addition, one or both of the virtualqueue control system502 and an individualvirtual queuing station530 may include a memory device (e.g.,memory device508 or510) for storing instructions executable by a processor (e.g.,processor512 or514) to perform the methods and control actions described herein. For example, theprocessor512 may execute instructions for dynamic virtual queue management based on inputs from the virtual queuingstations530 as well as data on guest entry into a ride and guest exit from a park. Additional inputs to dynamic queue management may include guest location within the park. For example, a reminder to return to the attraction may be based at least in part on the guest's location relative to the attraction, as determined via wireless signal or global positioning system (GPS) information from the guest active wearable or by a guest's last tap-in location with the virtual queuing station or other tap-in device. Thesystem500 may store guest locations during a park visit to create an accessible log of guest locations within the park for use in predicting guest current and future locations. If the guest is estimated to be located within a first distance or within a first zone relative to the attraction, the return reminder or message is sent within to return within a first time (e.g., “20 MINUTES UNTIL VOLCANO RUSH”), which accounts for a shorter travel time to the attraction. If the guest is instead in a farther second zone or a farther estimated second distance, the return reminder or message accounts for the longer travel time by providing an earlier return time (e.g., “5 MINUTES UNTIL VOLCANO RUSH”), to account for longer walking times to the attraction. In this manner, guests at similar positions in the virtual queue but at different locations within the park are estimated to return to the attraction within the same approximate time window.
• The processor may include one or more processing devices, and the memory may include one or more tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable media. By way of example, such machine-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by the processor or by other processor-based devices (e.g., mobile devices). For example, the virtualqueue control system502 or an individualvirtual queuing station530 may include may be accessed by anoperator interface520, e.g., a computer-based workstation or a mobile device, and/or may include an input/output interface510 and a display (e.g., display532).
• Thevirtual queuing station530 receives signals (e.g., wireless signals, such a RF signals) from aguest AW540. TheAW540 may, in one embodiment, tap in to the virtual queuing station (e.g., via a hand wave or via positioning theAW540 within the reading zone of the virtual queuing station530) where it send the signal via NFC and receives signal back and updates via NFC. Additionally, components of the system (e.g., thevirtual queuing station540 and/or the AW540) may be actively listening for a wireless broadcast and may update the display upon receipt of the appropriate broadcast. Another option is a system where thevirtual queuing station530 are dumb/passive and theAW540 reads the totem location and transmits the request through a wireless network bypassing the need to have thevirtual queuing station530 or ride entry/exit stations read theAW540. These signals may, in turn, be communicated to the virtualqueue control system502 to add the guest associated with theAW540 to the virtual queue. While thevirtual queuing station530 facilitates guest entry into a virtual queue, thevirtual queue system500 may also includeride entry stations550. An individualride entry station550 may be implemented as an automatic gate or reader such that theAW540 as it passes through theride entry station550 is automatically read and the guest associated with theAW540 is indicated as entering the ride and, therefore, is automatically removed from the virtual queue. An individualride entry station550 may includecommunications circuitry550, aprocessor554, and amemory device556 as provided herein. It should be understood that certain features of the virtualqueue control system502 may additionally or alternatively be implemented locally at thevirtual queuing station530 or theride entry station550.
• Thevirtual queue system500 may, in certain embodiments, manage a total guest experience to ensure that an individual guest may experience a minimum number of rides or experiences per day. For example, based on the virtual queue load for various attractions, thevirtual queue system500 may permit entry into a predetermined number of queues at the beginning of the day. Alternatively, thevirtual queue system500 may dynamically present ride options to each guest at a central kiosk (e.g.,queue kiosk172, seeFIG. 2). That is, while in certain embodiments, the virtual queue control system is implemented without any central queue kiosk that permits selection and virtual queue entry to multiple queues of different attractions at a single device and within a single interaction, in other embodiments one or more central kiosks may mediate entry into multiple virtual queues at once.
• While only certain features of the present embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure. Further, it should be understood that certain elements of the disclosed embodiments may be combined or exchanged with one another.

Claims (26)

1. A virtual queue system, comprising:

at least one virtual queuing station associated with an individual attraction within a theme park;

a transceiver of the at least one virtual queuing station, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive a wireless signal from a guest-associated device, wherein the wireless signal comprises identification information for a guest associated with a guest device; and

a virtual queue control system in communication with the at least one virtual queuing station and the active wearable, wherein the virtual queue control system is configured to receive a communication comprising the identification information from the at least one virtual queuing station and wherein receiving the communication causes the virtual queue control system to add the wearer to a virtual queue for the individual attraction and to send a confirmation message to one or both of the at least one virtual queuing station or to the guest device that the guest has been added to the virtual queue.

2. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one virtual queuing station is located in an area proximate to the individual attraction.

3. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, wherein the virtual queue control system can only add the wearer to the virtual queue of the individual attraction based on the communication is from the at least one virtual queuing station.

4. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, wherein the individual attraction does not have a physical queue.

5. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, wherein the individual attraction has standby physical queue.

6. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, wherein the communication comprises a time stamp or a counter and wherein the wearer is added to the virtual queue based at least in part on the time stamp or the counter.

7. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, wherein the guest is added to a numbered position of the virtual queue.

8. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, comprising a ride entry station associated with the individual attraction and configured to receive a ride entry signal from the guest device when the wearer enters the individual attraction.

9. The virtual queue system ofclaim 8, wherein the ride entry station is configured to communicate the ride entry signal to the virtual queue control system.

10. The virtual queue system ofclaim 8, wherein the guest is removed from the virtual queue based on the ride entry signal.

11. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, comprising a ride entry station associated with the individual attraction, wherein the ride entry station is configured to permit entry to the individual attraction of a guest in a second position in the virtual queue when a guest in a first position is not present.

12. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, comprising a display of the at least one virtual queuing station, wherein the display is configured to display the confirmation message.

13. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, wherein the virtual queue control system is configured to provide one or more queue status messages to the guest device based on a change in a position in the virtual queue.

14. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, wherein the virtual queue control system is configured to provide a message to the guest device to return to the individual attraction based on a position on the virtual queue.

15. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, wherein the virtual queue control system is configured to provide a message to the guest to return to the individual attraction based on a position on the virtual queue and a location of the guest device within the theme park.

16. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, wherein the virtual queue control system is configured to estimate a location of the guest device within the theme park based on one or more radio frequency signals from the active wearable or based on GPS information.

17. The virtual queue system ofclaim 1, wherein the virtual queue control system is configured to log interactions of the guest device with the at least one virtual queuing station and additional stations within the theme park.

18. A virtual queue system, comprising:

a plurality of virtual queuing stations associated with respective attractions within a theme park; and

a virtual queue control system configured to maintain respective virtual queues for the respective attractions and in communication with the plurality of virtual queuing stations, wherein 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.

19. The virtual queue system ofclaim 18, wherein the communications from an individual virtual queuing station are used to add guests to only one virtual queue.

20. The virtual queue system ofclaim 18, wherein the communications are based on signals from active wearables of the guests.

21. The virtual queue system ofclaim 18, wherein the virtual queue control system is configured to allow an individual guest to be placed in no more than two virtual queues.

22. The virtual queue system ofclaim 18, wherein the virtual queue control system is configured to allow an individual guest to be placed in three or more virtual queues.

23. The virtual queue system ofclaim 18, wherein the virtual queue control system is configured to allow an individual guest to be placed in a first virtual queue and a second virtual queue, wherein only one of the first virtual queue or the second virtual queue is designated as a low capacity ride.

24. A method, comprising:

providing a wireless signal using communication circuitry of an active wearable to a virtual queuing station associated with an individual attraction within a theme park, wherein the wireless signal comprises identification information for a guest associated with a guest device;

receiving a confirmation message via the communications circuitry confirming being added to a virtual queue of the individual attraction; and

receiving a status message via the communications circuitry related to a position in the virtual queue.

25. The method ofclaim 24, wherein the status message comprises a reminder to return to the individual attraction.

26. The method ofclaim 24, wherein the guest device is an active wearable worn by the guest.

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