According to Orlando Theme Parks News FB Page they well start preliminary tests of the new Lo-Q Universal Express system soon.
I wonder if this will have any effect on the Express privileges you get from the on-site hotels... I hope not, because that's the only form of Express I would ever hold.
So how does a "ride reservation" work? And how could it possibly be any better than the current Express system, where you enter the line at anytime you like?
Comparison of Paper Tickets and the Q-Bot
Paper Tickets
Paper tickets are only applicable if you are not concerned with these characteristics:
Conclusion: - Paper Tickets are inflexible and have many difficulties
- Obvious front of line tickets cause other guests to become annoyed
- Tickets cannot maximise penetration
- Tickets cannot cope with ride down time
- Bunching can occur at ride entrances
- The technology is dated and could create the wrong image
Q-Bot
The Q-bot system has been designed specifically for theme parks and is in high volume use:
Conclusion: - Q-bots are best for theme parks with multiple attractions
- There are no messaging costs with a Lo-Q system
- Q-bots are very simple to use
- Q-bots are customisable to your parks environment
- The Lo-Q system offers true virtual queuing
- There are no hidden costs for guests or park
- Q-bots can generate spectacular revenue
Park visitors can rent our small hand-held units to reserve their rides. Our flexible system provides true virtual queuing and any number of levels of wait discount services.
True virtual queuing means that our computer schedules ride times or shows in such a way that the guest using the Q-bot waits the same time as other guests. The guest benefits by no longer having to stand in line and is therefore free to enjoy other attractions, visit a retail outlet or restaurant or just relax. Because ALL guests wait the same amount of time for their rides, the presence of a standard Lo-Q system does not noticeably impact the queue dynamics.
Guests pay charges for Q-bots to avoid the physical queues so while they are waiting for rides they will be enjoying the park and are more likely to be spending money in the gift shops, restaurants or on arcade games. There will be other advantages for park owners including a happier customer - which means returning customers - and increasing guest loyalty.
When guests make a reservation using their Q-bot, the system registers that person or group into a virtual queue. Guests are informed via the Q-bot display with a beep and vibrate when their ride is ready. In addition, the Lo-Q system can inform users of ride breakdowns and allow re-scheduling of reservations.
Here are the key features and benefits for guests and operators:
Good for guests
Good for parks
- Wait the same time, don’t stand in line - true virtual queuing is fair to all - regular Q-bot users wait the same time as regular visitors. Q-bot provides a way to be in a queue for rides and shows, without physically being in the queue line
- Reserve a ride from anywhere in the park - visitors can rent a Q-bot for up to six people. The Q-bot displays a list of the available rides and their wait times so reserving a ride is simple from anywhere in the park
- More time to relax with friends and family - while waiting for a ride, guests are free to spend their time as they choose, in restaurants and shops
- Simple to use - with a click of a button, the Q-bot system allocates a place in the chosen ride queue line. The Q-bot beeps and vibrates tolet them know they can proceed to the dedicated ride entrance. The Q-bot can also interact with a touch screen kiosk to make priority seat reservations for shows
- Updates on cancellations and ride downtimes - the Q-bot can also let your visitor know if rides are temporarily out of use or if they wish to cancel a reservation
- Special ‘gold card’ options - can be sold to fast-track guests onto the most popular rides
- Increase your customer satisfaction - ensure your visitors have a more enjoyable experience and spend more time in the shops and restaurants than in queues
- Create a new revenue stream - the Q-bot enables you to create a new revenue stream for your venue and a hi-tech image
- World wide product - the Q-bot has built in multilingual intelligence and the system has been approved for use in most major countries
- Keep your customers up to date with events and offers - send park information messages, advertising and discount offers or under subscribed show reminders on the Q-bot. You can also gather realtime statistical information about your guests movements to help you plan new events and promotions
- Customise your Q-bot to reflect your park’s theme - Q-bot can easily be customised to reflect your theme, branding or park character/mascot
- Easy and fast to implement - the whole system is designed for fast installation and minimal training. Existing exits or disabled entrances can be used to access the ride. Visitors can also pre-book Q-bot through your website or in your hotels
- Premium services - provide a fair for all service or tailor to provide multiple levels of privilege for visitors who are willing to pay more