Keeping Crowds Happy in Line

June is here, and with it has come vacation and theme park season. Now that school is out for the summer, more and more families are going to be traveling. And of course, many families travel to theme parks.

Theme parks have a lot of fun things to offer. There are rides for kids and adults alike, good food, and great shopping. A day at the theme park makes for a great memory. The one part of a theme park that is not pleasant is the lines.

It’s the one part of theme parks that people try not to think about. Lines are not fun. They’re long, it’s usually hot, and the amount of people in lines means that most people only have time to go on a few rides in their entire visit. Lines can ruin a person’s experience at a theme park and encourage them not to come back.

This is why more and more theme parks are trying to make waiting in line tolerable…and sometimes even fun! Some parks are now sending costumed characters to walk up and down the line. Others are creating interactive games along the lines for children and sometimes adults. Some rides have TV displays that will play videos. The goal is to entertain those people who are in line to lower the perceived wait time and have them leaving happy. 

This form of crowd control is less about keeping crowds calm, and more about keeping them happy. Theme parks are attempting to keep crowds entertained, as well as cool. Universal Studios in Orlando, for example, often have fans and water misters along lines to keep people cool during the hot wait. 

After all, if customers have a miserable experience in line, they may simply skip the crowds next year and find something else to do. It is smart of theme parks to realize this and try to find a solution.

Disney Controls Crowds with Price Increase

There has been recent speculation that Disneyland’s recent price increase to $96 has less to do with inflation of prices, and more to do with crowd control.

The Disney parks are certainly not lacking in demand. Every year the parks get a great amount of visitors. So many that there are already people who choose other parks over them to try and escape the crowds. The increase in the daily price plus the elimination of several seasonal pass options has people asking if Disney is trying to reduce traffic to their parks.

This is particularly true of local residents, who are more likely to visit the parks multiple times a year. Eliminating the SoCal Pass will require residents to pay much more for a Premium Pass, or drop down to a cheaper pass that gives them less access.

It may not be an orthodox type of crowd control, but a company such as Disney can afford to do it. If attendance at the parks were to drop too much, prices could be adjusted. However, it seems unlikely that attendance would drop enough for that to happen. Instead it could be that Disney simply wants less crowding, and the price hike and elimination of a popular seasonal pass could be a way to get that.

Only time will tell if this method was effective. Regardless of the price hike though, crowds are sure to still be strong at all Disney parks this summer. It’s unlikely that a price increase would put a stop to that.

Santa needs YOUR help!!

Santa needs your help! While you are finishing your holiday shopping, add a few extra toys in your carts to help kids in need! Toys for Tots are always looking for donations and you can bring a smile to any child’s face by donating! Donate online or find your local Toys for Tots Campaign at:

http://www.toysfortots.org/Default.aspx

Online Shopping Safety

With smart phones, tablets, and laptops there is no need to take on the snow, cold, crowds, or less-than stocked shelves. With online shopping, the item we want is just a click away, but we need to remember to do it safely! Here are some tips for online shopping, not just for Christmas shopping but anytime of year:


This year's Cyber Monday had record sales proving that online shopping is here to stay! Be safe and shop smart!

http://idtheft.about.com/od/preventionpractices/a/OnlineShopping.htm

Holiday Shopping Safety

Black Friday is just around the corner! Shoppers will be preparing to stand in lines to get the good deals and start Christmas shopping. Before you head out to the stores, review these tips on safe shopping. Stay alert, carry only what you need, and be aware of your surroundings. Get the presents you want and stay safe!

http://crime.about.com/od/prevent/qt/tips_shopping.htm