Designer looking to enhance visitor's park experience
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Currently in my Senior year of Industrial Design school, I am working on a thesis which relates to my passion in roller coasters and amusement parks. I have chosen to take a closer look at the family’s experience between rides at the amusement park. With this, I have been studying family psychology and group dynamics to get a better understanding of interaction. I have also taken a close look at products which parks have made available to minimize or enhance time spent in line for attractions.
Unfortunately, during this winter down time of Ohio it is difficult to go to parks and really observe how people interact. Instead I wanted to come to you here and see if in your wealth of knowledge could provide me with some insight. I really appreciate any feedback I might get and if you could take a moment of your time to answer a few questions I would be very grateful. These questions are only a guide, I would be happy even if you chose to only respond to a few. Any suggestions or responses you have are more than welcome. (If you feel uncomfortable posting any answers on the boards, please do not hesitate to email me at rhagee.1@go.ccad.edu) Thank you for your time thus far and I hope you have a wonderful day fellow enthusiasts.
-Rick
1. Roughly how many visits do you make to parks a year?
a. Are these visits to a variety of parks? About how many different parks?
2. When you visit, are you often with a group or family?
a. About how many people do you normally travel with?
b. How many people would you ideally travel with?
c. If you attend parks with a group, do you often split up or remain together?
3. What type of attractions do you seek?
a. Is your day split between the thrill rides you love and the more tame rides others in your group might prefer? (ie: children’s rides)
4. What do you look for in an attraction?
a. Is theming important to you or anyone else in your group?
b. Are you looking primarily for thrills, or the overall attraction experience?
5. How do you feel about lines to attractions?
a. Are the current products to deal with time spent in lines sufficient for you? (televisions, music, fans, vending machines, themeing, fastpass, Cell Q, Q bot, Text-Q, Park-Cruiser... etc.)
b. Is there anything else you might be interested in seeing in lines?
c. What type of things do you enjoy doing to pass the time spent in lines?
6. On average, what percentage of your day do you feel is spent in lines?
a. Is this too much?
b. What type of attractions are you more willing to spend more time waiting for?
7. During your visit at the park, do you feel willing to spend money on food, gifts, photos, etc...?
a. Do you find on ride photos and videos to be fun ways to capture moments?
8. When you go to a park, do you take items with you that you know will not be able to be taken on rides?
a. If so, how do you feel about these items security left sitting in the ride station?
b. Have you ever lost an item while on a ride?
c. What items do you always enjoy to have on you while visiting a park?
9. Do you and your family/group feel safe while in a park?
a. What might make you feel unsafe?
10. For parks you have never visited, is wayfinding an issue for you?
a. How do you normally deal with finding your way around? Do you carry a map or simply go with the flow?
11. Would you be interested in a product that is able to bring your day together and interact with your ride experience?
12. While inside the park, are you interested in receiving information?
a. What the lines are like on your favorite rides, or rides on the other side of the park?
b. Park promotions or deals on food?
13. Are you interested in ride/park history or random facts?
14. Do you often purchase a season pass?
a. How long do you stay in the park on any one visit?
b. If you are visiting a new park, is it a multiple day visit?
15. What are your least favorite things about amusement parks?
Thank you very much for any contributions you might have. If you have any further responses or would like to contact me, please do not hesitate. I would love to share my findings with you. If anyone is interested, upon completion of the project I will be happy to post my final product and intent. Thank you again and I hope you all have a wonderful day. *** Edited 2/24/2008 1:16:36 AM UTC by ***
a. Are these visits to a variety of parks? Umm, not really (if I could I would)
About how many different parks? 3-4
2. When you visit, are you often with a group or family?Yes & No, mostly no
a. About how many people do you normally travel with? 2
b. How many people would you ideally travel with? 2
c. If you attend parks with a group, do you often split up or remain together? Together, but at a new park that we never been to, split up.
3. What type of attractions do you seek? Roller Coasters
a. Is your day split between the thrill rides you love and the more tame rides others in your group might prefer? No (ie: children’s rides)
4. What do you look for in an attraction? Fun...
a. Is theming important to you or anyone else in your group? I don't really care, my group I guess somewhat does.
b. Are you looking primarily for thrills, or the overall attraction experience? Attraction Experience
5. How do you feel about lines to attractions? (What kind of question is this?) I don't like them
a. Are the current products to deal with time spent in lines sufficient for you? Not really (if the music is good then yes)
b. Is there anything else you might be interested in seeing in lines? A Fight
c. What type of things do you enjoy doing to pass the time spent in lines? Talk to my group, or when alone "people watch, and hear".
6. On average, what percentage of your day do you feel is spent in rides?(depends on the park) I would estimate 4 hours FULL DAY
a. Is this too much? Yes, anytime in a line is to much, but you deal with it.
b. What type of attractions are you more willing to spend more time waiting for? Newer attractions
7. During your visit at the park, do you feel willing to spend money on food, gifts, photos, etc...? HELL NO
a. Do you find on ride photos and videos to be fun ways to capture moments? Yes (but I rarely buy them)
8. When you go to a park, do you take items with you that you know will not be able to be taken on rides? Yes, camera
a. If so, how do you feel about these items security left sitting in the ride station? Not really
b. Have you ever lost an item while on a ride? No
c. What items do you always enjoy to have on you while visiting a park? Camera
9. Do you and your family/group feel safe while in a park? Yes
a. What might make you feel unsafe? SFKK
10. For parks you have never visited, is wayfinding an issue for you? No, except once at Disney's Animal Kingdom...
a. How do you normally deal with finding your way around? Well most of the time I know the park from my back of my hand, when I'm at a new park I carry a map.
B. Do you carry a map or simply go with the flow? Map, when at a new park.
11. Would you be interested in a product that is able to bring your day together and interact with your ride experience? Umm, maybe
12. While inside the park, are you interested in receiving information? Yes, on the park and on rides.
a. What the lines are like on your favorite rides, or rides on the other side of the park? Yes..even though quicky they will change.
b. Park promotions or deals on food? Park Promos
13. Are you interested in ride/park history or random facts?Both
14. Do you often purchase a season pass? Yes
a. How long do you stay in the park on any one visit? The Whole Day
b. If you are visiting a new park, is it a multiple day visit? Yes
15. What are your least favorite things about amusement parks?People smoking, price of drinks & food, oh and an amusement park that you visit for years close on you after a bunch of lies...cough Geauga Lake cough. *** Edited 2/24/2008 1:03:14 AM UTC by MAKE IT TALL & FAST***
Also thanks a ton for the info so far Make IT TALL & FAST. I really appreciate your time...
-Rick
But, Im not gonna lie, dispite your place in your education, and the education your pursuing...still doesnt seem to be enough to prevent you(or anyone for that matter) from getting negative respones. It doesnt matter if you're a design student, or a double major in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering such as myself...its still never seems to be good enough for even the un-eduacted buzzers of this website, who literally spend all their time simply doing that...buzzing around the site...to bash people like you and I.
Simple response, good questions, excellent reason to post. Best of luck with your thesis, and your overall efforts. *** Edited 2/24/2008 1:30:16 AM UTC by FreezeCoaster***
1. Roughly how many visits do you make to parks a year? 35 - 40
a. Are these visits to a variety of parks? About how many different parks? In an average year, about 15.
2. When you visit, are you often with a group or family? Yes, if 2 or 3 people (self included) is a group.
a. About how many people do you normally travel with? 1 or 2
b. How many people would you ideally travel with? 1
c. If you attend parks with a group, do you often split up or remain together? Usually remain together.
3. What type of attractions do you seek? All kinds. Coasters, thrill rides, dark rides, family rides, classic carnival rides, historic rides, shows, etc.
a. Is your day split between the thrill rides you love and the more tame rides others in your group might prefer? (ie: children’s rides) Often. I have a six year old daughter.
4. What do you look for in an attraction? That's a difficult question to answer. There are so many different ways to look at that. I guess if I had to pick one trait, it would be novelty.
a. Is theming important to you or anyone else in your group? Yes.
b. Are you looking primarily for thrills, or the overall attraction experience? A combination of both.
5. How do you feel about lines to attractions? It's good if it means the park is doing well, but bad if the park isn't doing everything it can to keep those lines down (i.e., running all trains on a coaster, hitting intervals, etc.)
a. Are the current products to deal with time spent in lines sufficient for you? (televisions, music, fans, vending machines, themeing, fastpass, Cell Q, Q bot, Text-Q, Park-Cruiser... etc.) Not really.
b. Is there anything else you might be interested in seeing in lines? There must be something else, but I can't think of it. Oh, I know. Can-can dancers. The queues need more can-can dancers. ;)
c. What type of things do you enjoy doing to pass the time spent in lines? Talking, viewing scenery and theming, people watching.
6. On average, what percentage of your day do you feel is spent in lines? I generally try to hit parks when they're not at their busiest, so I would guesstimate the time at an average park to be around 30%. The rest of it is usually spent on the rides, walking between rides, hitting the restrooms, taking breaks, and eating.
a. Is this too much? Um, yes.
b. What type of attractions are you more willing to spend more time waiting for? coasters, new rides, historic rides, "marquee" attractions.
7. During your visit at the park, do you feel willing to spend money on food, gifts, photos, etc...? It depends on the park, the cost of admission, the relative expense of items and the thickness of my wallet. I usually will eat two meals and buy all the maps, postcards and books I can find. Sometimes a tee-shirt.
a. Do you find on ride photos and videos to be fun ways to capture moments? No.
8. When you go to a park, do you take items with you that you know will not be able to be taken on rides? Seldom.
a. If so, how do you feel about these items security left sitting in the ride station? I wouldn't leave anything I didn't feel comfortable about doing so.
b. Have you ever lost an item while on a ride? Oh, yes.
c. What items do you always enjoy to have on you while visiting a park? Wallet, cell phone, and Bottle Caps. World's best candy.
9. Do you and your family/group feel safe while in a park? Almost always.
a. What might make you feel unsafe? Non-existent lighting at night, especially in park parking lots. Geauga Lake had atrocious illumination in its latter years. (Didn't stop me from going, though.)
10. For parks you have never visited, is wayfinding an issue for you? Wayfinding? What is that? It sounds like treasure hunting or something. Do you mean find the way to the park, or finding my way around the park once I'm there. If the former, not an issue. I research these things well. I've never yet missed a park. If the latter, usually not. If you have a map, these places have, um, distinctive enough landmarks to find your way around fairly easily.
a. How do you normally deal with finding your way around? Do you carry a map or simply go with the flow? Map. Map. Map. Always. If they don't have a map, the place is usually too small to get lost in.
11. Would you be interested in a product that is able to bring your day together and interact with your ride experience? I have no idea what that means.
12. While inside the park, are you interested in receiving information? Still have no idea.
a. What the lines are like on your favorite rides, or rides on the other side of the park? Oh, okay, now I understand. Only if it were a really popular or huge place. Like Disney or CP, maybe.
b. Park promotions or deals on food? Nope.
13. Are you interested in ride/park history or random facts? Very much so.
14. Do you often purchase a season pass? Yes.
a. How long do you stay in the park on any one visit? It depends. The smallest park will easily get two or three hours out of me. Bigger ones will usually rate at least 6 - 8 hours.
b. If you are visiting a new park, is it a multiple day visit? Seldom.
15. What are your least favorite things about amusement parks? Too much pavement, too few trees, clogged thoroughfares, too many rides broken down in one day, smokers in lines, inflated prices on food and drinks, rides closing because a puff of cloud sneezed, surly employees.
My author website: mgrantroberts.com
a. Are these visits to a variety of parks? Yes
About how many different parks? 8-12
2. When you visit, are you often with a group or family? Family
a. About how many people do you normally travel with? 3
b. How many people would you ideally travel with? 3
c. If you attend parks with a group, do you often split up or remain together? Remain together
3. What type of attractions do you seek? Coasters, Thrill Rides, Water Rides, Family Rides.
a. Is your day split between the thrill rides you love and the more tame rides others in your group might prefer? (ie: children’s rides) Yes
4. What do you look for in an attraction? Depends on the type of ride I am seeking.
a. Is theming important to you or anyone else in your group? I enjoy theming, but it's not essential for me to enjoy the park.
b. Are you looking primarily for thrills, or the overall attraction experience? Both. Again its depends on the type of attraction I am seeking.
5. How do you feel about lines to attractions? I don't enjoy them, and most frequently travel in the spring and fall part of the season to avoid long waits, or I buy a Q-bot.
a. Are the current products to deal with time spent in lines sufficient for you? (televisions, music, fans, vending machines, themeing, fastpass, Cell Q, Q bot, Text-Q, Park-Cruiser... etc.)
Yes
b. Is there anything else you might be interested in seeing in lines? No
c. What type of things do you enjoy doing to pass the time spent in lines? Talking, and watching the attraction we are about to ride.
6. On average, what percentage of your day do you feel is spent in lines? 1/3
a. Is this too much? No
b. What type of attractions are you more willing to spend more time waiting for? Whatever the new attraction is, and of course the coasters.
7. During your visit at the park, do you feel willing to spend money on food, gifts, photos, etc...? Yes
a. Do you find on ride photos and videos to be fun ways to capture moments? Yes
8. When you go to a park, do you take items with you that you know will not be able to be taken on rides? Occasionally
a. If so, how do you feel about these items security left sitting in the ride station? I am fine with it.
b. Have you ever lost an item while on a ride?
No
c. What items do you always enjoy to have on you while visiting a park? Whatever is comfortable for the season I am traveling in. Mostly shorts, tshirts, and good walking shoes.
9. Do you and your family/group feel safe while in a park? Yes
a. What might make you feel unsafe? N/A
10. For parks you have never visited, is wayfinding an issue for you? No, Not at all.
a. How do you normally deal with finding your way around? Do you carry a map or simply go with the flow? Maps work fine, but it's usually easy enough to figure out without one.
11. Would you be interested in a product that is able to bring your day together and interact with your ride experience? Yes
12. While inside the park, are you interested in receiving information? Yes
a. What the lines are like on your favorite rides, or rides on the other side of the park? Yes
b. Park promotions or deals on food? Yes
13. Are you interested in ride/park history or random facts? Yes
14. Do you often purchase a season pass? Yes
a. How long do you stay in the park on any one visit? Depends on the park. If its my home park then 3-5 hours if I stay in a hotel all day with a few hour break.
b. If you are visiting a new park, is it a multiple day visit? Usually, due to distance of travel.
15. What are your least favorite things about amusement parks? Waiting in line, and crowded midways.
The last four years we have averaged 48 visits to parks
a. Are these visits to a variety of parks? About how many different parks?
We averaged 25 different parks per year
2. When you visit, are you often with a group or family?
Never alone, always with my family and friends
a. About how many people do you normally travel with?
usually 2
b. How many people would you ideally travel with?
2
c. If you attend parks with a group, do you often split up or remain together?
Split up for part of the day
3. What type of attractions do you seek?
Usually coasters and thrill rides
a. Is your day split between the thrill rides you love and the more tame rides others in your group might prefer? (ie: children’s rides)
No, Kids are older nowe and want the thrill rides
4. What do you look for in an attraction?
Thrills
a. Is theming important to you or anyone else in your group?
Theming makes it more fun
b. Are you looking primarily for thrills, or the overall attraction experience?
Thrills
5. How do you feel about lines to attractions?
Hate the lines and the line jumping they cause. Will pay for access to avoid lines if available
a. Are the current products to deal with time spent in lines sufficient for you? (televisions, music, fans, vending machines, themeing, fastpass, Cell Q, Q bot, Text-Q, Park-Cruiser... etc.)
Wish all the parks had them
b. Is there anything else you might be interested in seeing in lines?
c. What type of things do you enjoy doing to pass the time spent in lines?
Follow sports on my blackberry, or chat with others,
6. On average, what percentage of your day do you feel is spent in lines?
50%
a. Is this too much?
Yes
b. What type of attractions are you more willing to spend more time waiting for?
New or new to us attractions
7. During your visit at the park, do you feel willing to spend money on food, gifts, photos, etc...?
Don't buy too many souveniers. Do buy food.
a. Do you find on ride photos and videos to be fun ways to capture moments?
Only for very special rides
8. When you go to a park, do you take items with you that you know will not be able to be taken on rides?
No
a. If so, how do you feel about these items security left sitting in the ride station?
b. Have you ever lost an item while on a ride?
No
c. What items do you always enjoy to have on you while visiting a park?
Cell phone
9. Do you and your family/group feel safe while in a park?
Usually
a. What might make you feel unsafe?
Groups of unruly young people
10. For parks you have never visited, is wayfinding an issue for you?
No
a. How do you normally deal with finding your way around? Do you carry a map or simply go with the flow?
Maps
11. Would you be interested in a product that is able to bring your day together and interact with your ride experience?
Yes, more technology!!!
12. While inside the park, are you interested in receiving information?
Sure, if it helps
a. What the lines are like on your favorite rides, or rides on the other side of the park?
Yes
b. Park promotions or deals on food?
Yes
13. Are you interested in ride/park history or random facts?
Sure
14. Do you often purchase a season pass?
Yes
a. How long do you stay in the park on any one visit?
Depends on the size of the park and attractions available. All day visits are common for us.
b. If you are visiting a new park, is it a multiple day visit?
Not usually
15. What are your least favorite things about amusement parks?
Long lines
a. Are these visits to a variety of parks? About how many different parks? Normally 2 parks
2. When you visit, are you often with a group or family? With Family
a. About how many people do you normally travel with? 1 friend and my 2 parents
b. How many people would you ideally travel with? Only one other friend and my parents, no more because it then becomes a hassle
c. If you attend parks with a group, do you often split up or remain together? Split up
3. What type of attractions do you seek? First and for most is roller coasters. Then I take break and ride the other rides
a. Is your day split between the thrill rides you love and the more tame rides others in your group might prefer? (ie: children’s rides) Kinda. Sometimes its just whatever I pass along the way I will ride. Other times it is hit the thrill rides and then the other ones
4. What do you look for in an attraction? Excitement, the amount of fun it is to ride, the amount of adrenaline it induces, and the overall look of the ride
a. Is theming important to you or anyone else in your group? It is to me. It does not have to be heavily themed, but anything to help excite the ride or make it look better I like
b. Are you looking primarily for thrills, or the overall attraction experience? I look for both. It sometimes depends on my mood.
5. How do you feel about lines to attractions? Well like everyone else, nobody likes them. But you know they are going to be there, so I just deal with them and watch the ride or talk to my friend
a. Are the current products to deal with time spent in lines sufficient for you? (televisions, music, fans, vending machines, themeing, fastpass, Cell Q, Q bot, Text-Q, Park-Cruiser... etc.) I think they are pretty good to have. Some of them help time pass, and the fans help on a hot day, but only if there is enough of them
b. Is there anything else you might be interested in seeing in lines? Hmm... Never really thought about it. I cannot think of anything off hand
c. What type of things do you enjoy doing to pass the time spent in lines? I either talk to my friend, listen to the weird conversations of other guest, or I watch and admire the beauty of the ride.
6. On average, what percentage of your day do you feel is spent in lines? I would say 50-60 percent of the time; I go early in the summer so lines are not usually quite as bad
a. Is this too much? If it is a multi-day trip, then no. If a single day trip, then maybe.
b. What type of attractions are you more willing to spend more time waiting for? The bigger and better roller coasters
7. During your visit at the park, do you feel willing to spend money on food, gifts, photos, etc...? Not tons because of the cost. I will buy a photo sometimes on a new coaster after the first ride
a. Do you find on ride photos and videos to be fun ways to capture moments? Yes at times. It is especially funny to see other people's pictures
8. When you go to a park, do you take items with you that you know will not be able to be taken on rides? I do not because I know it's going to be a waste of time
a. If so, how do you feel about these items security left sitting in the ride station? I do not completely trust it, so I try not to do it very often
b. Have you ever lost an item while on a ride? The only thing I have ever lost was a paper park map
c. What items do you always enjoy to have on you while visiting a park? Dramamine and a map if its a new park
9. Do you and your family/group feel safe while in a park? I feel extremely safe in a park
a. What might make you feel unsafe? Anybody that is extremely creepy looking
10. For parks you have never visited, is wayfinding an issue for you? Not really. I tend to find my way quickly
a. How do you normally deal with finding your way around? Do you carry a map or simply go with the flow? I carry a map just for emergency purposes
11. Would you be interested in a product that is able to bring your day together and interact with your ride experience? What exactly are we talking about...
12. While inside the park, are you interested in receiving information? Depends what it is about
a. What the lines are like on your favorite rides, or rides on the other side of the park? Yes and no. Sometimes I just like to find out for myself
b. Park promotions or deals on food? This not so much - only because I do not usually eat in the park
13. Are you interested in ride/park history or random facts? Very much so. I love to learn facts about anything at the park
14. Do you often purchase a season pass? Not normally. I do not visit the park enough to get my money's worth
a. How long do you stay in the park on any one visit? Open to Close almost every time
b. If you are visiting a new park, is it a multiple day visit? Almost always so I can get the full enjoyment of the park
15. What are your least favorite things about amusement parks? The annoying and rude crowds. That is about the only thing I do not like about amusement parks
Roller Coasters are to Inversions : as Gymnastics is to Flips.
What's the difference? 
1. Roughly how many visits do you make to parks a year?
3-10
a. Are these visits to a variety of parks? About how many different parks?
2-3
2. When you visit, are you often with a group or family?
Almost always.
a. About how many people do you normally travel with?
3-6
b. How many people would you ideally travel with?
An even number (no rider left behind, you know) so in total maybe 2-6 people.
c. If you attend parks with a group, do you often split up or remain together?
Usually stick together
3. What type of attractions do you seek?
I seek out parks for their coasters, but once there I'll definitely hit their flat ride collection if I have time and/or if they have particularly unusual/unique/fun looking flats.
a. Is your day split between the thrill rides you love and the more tame rides others in your group might prefer? (ie: children’s rides)
Depends completely on the group. If I'm at the park with a few thrill seeking friends, you won't see us on the merry go round. If I'm with my family or the girlfriend, it's a much more balanced day in terms of ride selection. If it helps, I really have no preference on what I do more of as long as I'm having a good time.
4. What do you look for in an attraction?
Fun. I love the biggest, newest, most intense monster of coaster just as much as a good set of flyers. I look for rides that people get off grinning :D
a. Is theming important to you or anyone else in your group?
Me, not as much, but I'm a coaster enthusiast, not a cool-looking-fences enthusiast. To the rest of my group, particularly when it's my family, themeing is hugely important. For instance, I loved my trip to Indiana Beach just as much as I liked my trip to Islands of Adventure, but my dad, who went to both, basically thought IB was a dump that happened to have a few nice rides, and he raves about IOA.
b. Are you looking primarily for thrills, or the overall attraction experience?
Overall experience.
5. How do you feel about lines to attractions?
The shorter the better.
a. Are the current products to deal with time spent in lines sufficient for you? (televisions, music, fans, vending machines, themeing, fastpass, Cell Q, Q bot, Text-Q, Park-Cruiser... etc.)
In general, yes. I've noticed that the parks with the longest lines also tend to have the best queue amenities.
b. Is there anything else you might be interested in seeing in lines?
Cheaper vending machines? A music or TV track designed to be long enough so that it'll never repeat within the estimated maximum time a guest will be in the queue? For example: I like the videos they show in the queue for the Hulk at IOA, but it can't be more than 30 minutes long, and when you see it 4 times in the course of a single wait, it becomes annoying rather than entertaining.
c. What type of things do you enjoy doing to pass the time spent in lines?
Chatting with the group, watching the coaster, occasionally photographing the coaster.
6. On average, what percentage of your day do you feel is spent in lines?
~30%
a. Is this too much?
Yes, but as a rule I try to avoid attending parks on busy days so in general, it's not a problem for me.
b. What type of attractions are you more willing to spend more time waiting for?
A coaster or thrill ride that I know is good or that I've never been on before. Add another hour or so onto my tolerance if it's a park I rarely visit or will likely not be visiting for a long time.
7. During your visit at the park, do you feel willing to spend money on food, gifts, photos, etc...?
Only if it's good quality and reasonably priced. I buy way more food at Kennywood than I ever would at any Six Flags.
a. Do you find on ride photos and videos to be fun ways to capture moments?
Photos can be, but usually only if my group knows where the camera is and poses for it. Videos are pointless as far as I'm concerned, and non-planned pictures just don't do it for me. I mean really, how many pictures of yourself with your hair blowing in the wind, screaming like a fool do you really need?
8. When you go to a park, do you take items with you that you know will not be able to be taken on rides?
No.
a. If so, how do you feel about these items security left sitting in the ride station?
In general I'm fine with it but the most expensive thing I've ever left in one were my shoes, and I figure the chances of someone stealing a pair of size 9, soaking wet Reebok's is roughly zero. I wouldn't leave anything of value in them though, given the choice.
b. Have you ever lost an item while on a ride?
Once, a hat (my fault).
c. What items do you always enjoy to have on you while visiting a park?
A camera, a phone.
9. Do you and your family/group feel safe while in a park?
Yes.
a. What might make you feel unsafe?
Uh... gangs? I don't know I guess. I would say careless operators, guests who blatantly and intentionally violate various park policies, and even worse, the employees who ignore them.
10. For parks you have never visited, is wayfinding an issue for you?
Nope.
a. How do you normally deal with finding your way around? Do you carry a map or simply go with the flow?
Usually go with the flow, but I also usually have a pretty good idea of where things are before I go to a park, which can help with crowd-dodging, especially in the mornings.
11. Would you be interested in a product that is able to bring your day together and interact with your ride experience?
Yes.
12. While inside the park, are you interested in receiving information?
So long as it's not obnoxious advertising, yes.
a. What the lines are like on your favorite rides, or rides on the other side of the park?
Yes.
b. Park promotions or deals on food?
No and yes.
13. Are you interested in ride/park history or random facts?
Yes, particularly when they're in the queue for the ride, as that can help pass the time.
14. Do you often purchase a season pass?
No, though I would if my home park (Kennywood) offered them.
a. How long do you stay in the park on any one visit?
As long as possible.
b. If you are visiting a new park, is it a multiple day visit?
Usually no.
15. What are your least favorite things about amusement parks?
Poor service, unruly guests, and, of course, lines.
Hope that helps
a. Are these visits to a variety of parks? Yes
About how many different parks? 3-10
2. When you visit, are you often with a group or family?Yes
a. About how many people do you normally travel with? 2
b. How many people would you ideally travel with? 3, seeing as most coasters have either 2 or 4 per row
c. If you attend parks with a group, do you often split up or remain together? Together is preferred
3. What type of attractions do you seek? Roller Coasters, Shows, Flats
a. Is your day split between the thrill rides you love and the more tame rides others in your group might prefer? No, well my group has the same preferences as I usually
4. What do you look for in an attraction? Thrill, Fun, Entertainment Value
a. Is theming important to you or anyone else in your group? Theming can make or break a ride. Expedition everest w/o theming would Suck, but with, it is in my top 5!
b. Are you looking primarily for thrills, or the overall attraction experience? I prefer the Overall Attraction Experience
5. How do you feel about lines to attractions? I don't like them, per se, but they add to the excitement of the attraction. Especially at THEME parks like Disney or Universal, where the line is practically part of the attraction.
a. Are the current products to deal with time spent in lines sufficient for you? At places mentioned just previously, yes, otherwise, no.
b. Is there anything else you might be interested in seeing in lines? Better Music and 'attraction theming'
c. What type of things do you enjoy doing to pass the time spent in lines? Talk to my friends.
6. On average, what percentage of your day do you feel is spent in rides?Not usually any more than 20% on the actual rides in cycle.
a. Is this too much? WHAT?
b. What type of attractions are you more willing to spend more time waiting for? Generally speaking, Roller Coasters and Major Thrill Rides
7. During your visit at the park, do you feel willing to spend money on food, gifts, photos, etc...? It ALL depends on what the offerings are. At a park like Holiday World, I love the food, and it is affordable. At Six Flags, there is generally no good offerings and HORRIBLE prices. And rarely is there anything worth buying merchandise wise.
a. Do you find on ride photos and videos to be fun ways to capture moments? Yes, but like MAKE IT TALL & FAST, I rarely buy them)
8. When you go to a park, do you take items with you that you know will not be able to be taken on rides? I try not too, and usually i do not bring such items, or leave such items in my car.
a. If so, how do you feel about these items security left sitting in the ride station? You mean Lack of Security? I'd prefer locking lockers.
b. Have you ever lost an item while on a ride? No
c. What items do you always enjoy to have on you while visiting a park? Wallet and Cellphone (keys)
9. Do you and your family/group feel safe while in a park? Yes
a. What might make you feel unsafe? Predators
10. For parks you have never visited, is wayfinding an issue for you? Not usually, I have my orienteering merit badge ;)
a. How do you normally deal with finding your way around? Instinct
B. Do you carry a map or simply go with the flow? Guess and Check
11. Would you be interested in a product that is able to bring your day together and interact with your ride experience? I would need more information first, but Maybe
12. While inside the park, are you interested in receiving information? Sure..
a. What the lines are like on your favorite rides, or rides on the other side of the park? Yes.
b. Park promotions or deals on food? I guess so
13. Are you interested in ride/park history or random facts?Yes, but those are often inaccurate
14. Do you often purchase a season pass? Yes,for SixFlags
a. How long do you stay in the park on any one visit? Open to Close, if possible
b. If you are visiting a new park, is it a multiple day visit? Depends on the park
15. What are your least favorite things about amusement parks?Cigarette smoke, High Expense Food and Beverage, UpCharge Attractions, "Gangsta Gehtto Kids," Long Lines, Unbearable Heat, Uneducated Ride and Park attendants, and annoying GP in general.
"We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us."
-Joseph Campbell
a. Are these visits to a variety of parks? About how many different parks? 3
2. When you visit, are you often with a group or family? no
a. About how many people do you normally travel with? 1
b. How many people would you ideally travel with? 1
c. If you attend parks with a group, do you often split up or remain together? Would never go as a group. Too much trouble. On the rare occasions I did I would pray we would break up at some point.
3. What type of attractions do you seek? Coasters and flats
a. Is your day split between the thrill rides you love and the more tame rides others in your group might prefer? (ie: children’s rides) Y
4. What do you look for in an attraction? Smooth, fast, non jerking, uniqueness, heights, scenary
a. Is theming important to you or anyone else in your group? Y
b. Are you looking primarily for thrills, or the overall attraction experience? Overall
5. How do you feel about lines to attractions? Lines do not bother me if they are indoors with theming, Outside queue lines with nothing to do are hot, loud, and roudy and make it a pain to wait in for more than 20 minutes.
a. Are the current products to deal with time spent in lines sufficient for you? (televisions, music, fans, vending machines, themeing, fastpass, Cell Q, Q bot, Text-Q, Park-Cruiser... etc.) Prefer an indoor queue
b. Is there anything else you might be interested in seeing in lines? indoor queue and theming , sounds, experiences while waiting to keep the mind off of thinking of the time.
c. What type of things do you enjoy doing to pass the time spent in lines? looking at theming, watching tv's, listening to music, watching in line entertainment,
6. On average, what percentage of your day do you feel is spent in lines? 3 hours
a. Is this too much? y
b. What type of attractions are you more willing to spend more time waiting for? Heavily themed indoor queues
7. During your visit at the park, do you feel willing to spend money on food, gifts, photos, etc...? sometimes
a. Do you find on ride photos and videos to be fun ways to capture moments? y
8. When you go to a park, do you take items with you that you know will not be able to be taken on rides? n
a. If so, how do you feel about these items security left sitting in the ride station? n/a
b. Have you ever lost an item while on a ride? y
c. What items do you always enjoy to have on you while visiting a park? fanny pack, camera,
9. Do you and your family/group feel safe while in a park? sometimes
a. What might make you feel unsafe? roudy groups of thuggy teenagers
10. For parks you have never visited, is wayfinding an issue for you? n
a. How do you normally deal with finding your way around? Do you carry a map or simply go with the flow? map
11. Would you be interested in a product that is able to bring your day together and interact with your ride experience? maybe would have to know more
12. While inside the park, are you interested in receiving information? y
a. What the lines are like on your favorite rides, or rides on the other side of the park? y
b. Park promotions or deals on food? y
13. Are you interested in ride/park history or random facts? y
14. Do you often purchase a season pass? y
a. How long do you stay in the park on any one visit? 5 hours
b. If you are visiting a new park, is it a multiple day visit? n
15. What are your least favorite things about amusement parks? long lines, roudy teenagers, gum on queues, trash on midways, old paint on buildings and rides, ride operators with an attitude ot no paying attention, persistent picture takers in entrance, closed rides, broken theming, lack of not seeing security often, overpriced sub par food, closed shops and food stands, dirty seats both on ride and in general, no parking lot transportation, lack of cool places just to have an air conditioned place to sit and rest, lack of cold water fountains, cheaply produced shows, long lines to buy tickets and get in, hard to find queues, lack of ease to get location help be it in people, or signs, lack of good variety of rides and shows.
1. Roughly how many visits do you make to parks a year? 20-25 to my homepark plus maybe 10 to others
a. Are these visits to a variety of parks? About how many different parks? I visited Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Great America, Busch Gardens Tampa, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Cypress Gardens, Six Flags America, and Dorney Park last year. That would be 10. It's a unusual circumstance though as to why I was able to get to so many. This year I won't be able to get to all those which is fine with me.
2. When you visit, are you often with a group or family? I'm usually with my family.
a. About how many people do you normally travel with? 4
b. How many people would you ideally travel with? It's still 4.
c. If you attend parks with a group, do you often split up or remain together? Yes, I do split up.
3. What type of attractions do you seek? I seek everything. I go on roller coasters, water rides, flat rides (These are rides that are on the ground, and not the other rides.). The only type of rides I don't seek are the Ferris Wheels (except California Adventure because of thrills), trains, and Antique cars.
a. Is your day split between the thrill rides you love and the more tame rides others in your group might prefer? (ie: children’s rides) I usually go off on my own when my family wants to ride some tame rides like the train, or antique cars.
4. What do you look for in an attraction? I look for a fun entertaining ride. It's a ride that excites me.
a. Is theming important to you or anyone else in your group? It's not really that important. I went to Busch Gardens Tampa, and that park is really themed. However, I didn't like all the rides that park had. They didn't have a lot of rides, and I thought that park would be better, but it wasn't. It was themed heavily, but who cares if there aren't enough rides for me to spend multiple days there.
b. Are you looking primarily for thrills, or the overall attraction experience? Considering my favorite roller coaster is a ride that has no theme, it doesn't matter if there is a theme or not. The ride's name is Deja Vu. I go on Spiderman at Universal Islands of Adventure, and it's a good ride. I don't think it's the best ride in the world because it has theme.
5. How do you feel about lines to attractions? I hate long lines in attractions. I'm always trying to plan my day in accordance to the lines. When they are longer, I try to avoid those rides.
a. Are the current products to deal with time spent in lines sufficient for you? (televisions, music, fans, vending machines, themeing, fastpass, Cell Q, Q bot, Text-Q, Park-Cruiser... etc.) No! The televisions don't always have the best content at the park. They have like stand-up comedians from like 1985. However, I do like the cartoons. However, not all LONG lines have televisions, or you can't see them, or hear them. Fans I don't really care about. I don't use the q-bot.
b. Is there anything else you might be interested in seeing in lines? I just want to see more televisions with better content. How about having other shows besides cartoons? They could have like a 10 minute clip of another show.
c. What type of things do you enjoy doing to pass the time spent in lines? I watch the televisions when they are there, and they have good content. I look at the roller coaster, talk to my family if they are in line, and just think about stuff. I also like to listen to other people's conversions.
6. On average, what percentage of your day do you feel is spent in lines? I would say about 60%. However, sometimes there are no lines, and I could say like 10%.
a. Is this too much? It is, but what can you do about it.
b. What type of attractions are you more willing to spend more time waiting for? These are the rides I really like. These are the rides I think are GREAT. At most amusement parks, it's the roller coasters. I'm picky, and I don't think that all the roller coasters are great though. At an amusement park like Cypress Gardens, I think the Power Surge, and the Yo-Yo are the GREAT rides. I think amusement parks should get some better flats than what they have. I think a lot of amusement parks have good flats, but not a lot of them have great flats.
7. During your visit at the park, do you feel willing to spend money on food, gifts, photos, etc...? No. Everything is so darn expensive. I'm just not that stupid to spend that kind of money. I also don't find a lot of things I want. I want a shirt, and they don't have much of anything. I go to Six Flags St. Louis, and I want a Mr. Freeze shirt for the roller coaster. They don't have one. I know that coaster didn't just open, but it's a popular coaster. Why should I spend at the park? A lot of people eat the park to save time. I want to get away from the park, and eat at a restaurant. It gives me some rest and relaxation. I like that. I don't want to feel trapped in the park.
a. Do you find on ride photos and videos to be fun ways to capture moments? No, I just don't care.
8. When you go to a park, do you take items with you that you know will not be able to be taken on rides? No, I don't.
a. If so, how do you feel about these items security left sitting in the ride station? Look at 8.
b. Have you ever lost an item while on a ride? I don't think I have.
c. What items do you always enjoy to have on you while visiting a park? I like to bring my camera.
9. Do you and your family/group feel safe while in a park? Yes, I do.
a. What might make you feel unsafe? The only thing that makes park unsafe is when a ride more than once has done something it shouldn't that could cause injury. Some of these rides I'm very willing to take the chance on while others I'm not. What's the chances that it will happen again? It's a million to one, but you never know. Only rides that I think are great, are the rides that I will take a chance on. For a good ride, I say no.
10. For parks you have never visited, is wayfinding an issue for you? At first, it is.
a. How do you normally deal with finding your way around? Do you carry a map or simply go with the flow? I plan where I'm going to go. I print out the map before I go to the park, and I circle the attractions I want to go on. I study the map, and than I try the first attraction at the beginning of the day to go to. This attraction is the attraction that I think might have the longest line, or the attraction that I really want to go on. It could also be the ride that I think could be broke, and thus when you see it running, you go to it.
11. Would you be interested in a product that is able to bring your day together and interact with your ride experience? I don't think so.
12. While inside the park, are you interested in receiving information? Yes.
a. What the lines are like on your favorite rides, or rides on the other side of the park? In a way I am, but in a way, I'm not. People are going to look at that line board, and everyone is going to go to that ride. It could have been empty, but now it's going to be packed with people.
b. Park promotions or deals on food? I think that would be a good idea.
13. Are you interested in ride/park history or random facts? I guess it depends if I really like that park. So, yes.
14. Do you often purchase a season pass? Yes, I have been for maybe 10 years now, or maybe a little more.
a. How long do you stay in the park on any one visit? I usually get there at the beginning, and end at the very end. However, I get out of the park to eat.
b. If you are visiting a new park, is it a multiple day visit? It depends. It depends if it's a big park, or not. If it's a small park like Busch Gardens or Six Flags St. Louis, than no. If it's a big park like Six Flags Over Texas, or Six Flags Magic Mountain, than I say yes. The more rides, the more I feel I need to stay. Also, the less crowded places during certain times of the year means I don't have to stay at the park for multiple days.
15. What are your least favorite things about amusement parks? I don't like the lines. Some lines are really bad. When I'm with a line in which all you see is people (switchbacks), I really don't care for that. I don't like bunched up lines. Sometimes, the ride operators make me mad. They tell you to go in a row you don't want to. Sometimes, they close the rides early before the time posted that the park is going to close. That really makes me mad. Just the congested amusement park is annoying. You can't get to that ride because people aren't moving.
a. Are these visits to a variety of parks? About how many different parks?10-15
2. When you visit, are you often with a group or family?family
a. About how many people do you normally travel with?4
b. How many people would you ideally travel with?4
c. If you attend parks with a group, do you often split up or remain together?Split wife and youngest will not ride coasters
3. What type of attractions do you seek?
Myself coasters
a. Is your day split between the thrill rides you love and the more tame rides others in your group might prefer? (ie: children’s rides)yes
4. What do you look for in an attraction?Thrills
a. Is theming important to you or anyone else in your group?Yes
b. Are you looking primarily for thrills, or the overall attraction experience?Both
5. How do you feel about lines to attractions?
I enjoy spending time with random strangers.
a. Are the current products to deal with time spent in lines sufficient for you? (televisions, music, fans, vending machines, themeing, fastpass, Cell Q, Q bot, Text-Q, Park-Cruiser... etc.)Never used one.
b. Is there anything else you might be interested in seeing in lines? less commericals on the tv's
c. What type of things do you enjoy doing to pass the time spent in lines?Watching random strangers perform body grooming IE nosehair plucking (in line for shrek)
6. On average, what percentage of your day do you feel is spent in lines?35%
a. Is this too much?No
b. What type of attractions are you more willing to spend more time waiting for?coasters/new rides
7. During your visit at the park, do you feel willing to spend money on food, gifts, photos, etc...?NO with 4 of us it is much cheaper to
eat and drink out of cooler in trunk.Then go
to a good restaurant after leaving.
a. Do you find on ride photos and videos to be fun ways to capture moments?no
8. When you go to a park, do you take items with you that you know will not be able to be taken on rides?no
a. If so, how do you feel about these items security left sitting in the ride station?I try not to take anything i would miss if lost.
b. Have you ever lost an item while on a ride?
Yes sunglasses
c. What items do you always enjoy to have on you while visiting a park?
sunglasses,sunscreen,wallet,cellphone.and camera
9. Do you and your family/group feel safe while in a park?Yes
a. What might make you feel unsafe?
10. For parks you have never visited, is wayfinding an issue for you?no getting lost is the best way to learn your way around an unfamiliar park.
a. How do you normally deal with finding your way around? Do you carry a map or simply go with the flow?Map
11. Would you be interested in a product that is able to bring your day together and interact with your ride experience?Not for a cost,Free mp3 downloads yes
12. While inside the park, are you interested in receiving information?
a. What the lines are like on your favorite rides, or rides on the other side of the park?yes
b. Park promotions or deals on food?No
13. Are you interested in ride/park history or random facts?Yes but not while in park
14. Do you often purchase a season pass?Yes
a. How long do you stay in the park on any one visit?6-8 hours
b. If you are visiting a new park, is it a multiple day visit?No
15. What are your least favorite things about amusement parks?The high prices in the park.
1. Roughly how many visits do you make to parks a year?
4-8
a. Are these visits to a variety of parks? About how many different parks?
3 or 4ish...
2. When you visit, are you often with a group or family?
Sometimes I am with friends, sometimes I am with family, and sometimes I'll go alone.
a. About how many people do you normally travel with?
It depends on who I go with.
b. How many people would you ideally travel with?
I like 4-6.
c. If you attend parks with a group, do you often split up or remain together?
It depends on who I go with...
3. What type of attractions do you seek?
Everything the park has to offer except for kiddie rides for toddlers.
a. Is your day split between the thrill rides you love and the more tame rides others in your group might prefer? (ie: children’s rides)
I normally never go with children who are too small to ride the big rides.
4. What do you look for in an attraction?
Fun....
a. Is theming important to you or anyone else in your group?
I suppose if we are at a theme park, then yes it is.
b. Are you looking primarily for thrills, or the overall attraction experience?
Overall experience.
5. How do you feel about lines to attractions?
No one likes lines if they are too long, especially if the ride is running at low capacity and/or the park is letting people cut in front of them.
a. Are the current products to deal with time spent in lines sufficient for you? (televisions, music, fans, vending machines, theming, fastpass, Cell Q, Q bot, Text-Q, Park-Cruiser... etc.)
Not Q-Bot and those like it. If by using a "line cutting system" you negatively impact the experience of those who do not use it, it seems like a scam. TVs are a nice touch to pass the time. The best way for a park to solve the long line problem is to run the rides at capacity and make sure that there is enough attractions for the amount of people attending the park.
b. Is there anything else you might be interested in seeing in lines?
Interesting themeing, DJs, entertainment, shade.
c. What type of things do you enjoy doing to pass the time spent in lines?
Talking to friends, planning what to do next using my paper map, people watching, ride watching, enjoying the nature that surrounds some queues.
6. On average, what percentage of your day do you feel is spent in lines?
At Six Flags, 40%. At Cedar Point, 15%...lol.
a. Is this too much?
Anything over 20% would be way too much.
b. What type of attractions are you more willing to spend more time waiting for?
The popular rides...
7. During your visit at the park, do you feel willing to spend money on food, gifts, photos, etc...?
If the food, gifts, photos, ect. are of decent quality and price, then yes. If the food, gifts, photos, ect are clearly not worth the asking price, then I'll do without suveneers and leave to eat fast food.
a. Do you find on ride photos and videos to be fun ways to capture moments?
Photo's are nice to glance at on your way out. A video is much too invasive of my privacy when shown to the public, imho. If I could choose to be videoed or not at the beginning of the ride, I would have no problem with it. I am sure a lot of people feel the same way, such as celebrities and ugly people.
8. When you go to a park, do you take items with you that you know will not be able to be taken on rides?
No.
a. If so, how do you feel about these items security left sitting in the ride station?
I like the idea of being allowed to leave item at the station, but it slows loading time down too much. If it is completely necessary, I like it when access is closed off for each train until it returns.
b. Have you ever lost an item while on a ride?
Hats a few times.
c. What items do you always enjoy to have on you while visiting a park?
Visor (pulled around my neck when on coasters), Cell Phone (in a plastic baggie with my wallet in my cargo packet and never out unless I need to call someone or answer it), Cargo pants or cargo shorts.
9. Do you and your family/group feel safe while in a park?
I feel safe in most parks.
a. What might make you feel unsafe?
Gang fights???
10. For parks you have never visited, is wayfinding an issue for you?
No.
a. How do you normally deal with finding your way around? Do you carry a map or simply go with the flow?
Paper map.
11. Would you be interested in a product that is able to bring your day together and interact with your ride experience?
No. It would probably cost extra and ruin the delight I find in wondering what is around the next corner. people spend way too much time looking into screens throughout their normal day. I enjoy not having my head pointing at a device while I am away from my daily routine. For me, it would get in the way of the enjoyment of being outdoors.
12. While inside the park, are you interested in receiving information?
Everyone should be interested in receiving information where ever they are.
a. What the lines are like on your favorite rides, or rides on the other side of the park?
...could be easily displayed on a high tech LED sign like some parks already do, and then everyone could go about their day looking at real attractions instead of pictures of real attractions on a little screen that they have to carry around the park with them in there hand.
b. Park promotions or deals on food?
...could be advertised on the paper park map or the LED signs I pointed out. I don't want my cell phone beeping at me every time I walk past a food stand or gift shop. I want to decide when I receive information and what information I receive.
13. Are you interested in ride/park history or random facts?
A lot of people are would be interested, but if it means that the device or service you are trying to rent me will try to get my attention every time I pass a roller coaster, or I would be preoccupied with a little hand held screen instead of talking to my friends while standing in line, then no thank you. People can read a book or visit the website about the park before or after their visit. People should spend their day at the park actually visiting the park.
14. Do you often purchase a season pass?
No. It's a 4 hour drive to the closest park.
a. How long do you stay in the park on any one visit? All day long.
b. If you are visiting a new park, is it a multiple day visit?
Rarely. A whole day should be enough to get everything at the park done, if it isn't, it's not a good value.
15. What are your least favorite things about amusement parks?
Being blackmailed into renting a line cutting device/service that will cause those who do not rent it a much longer wait in line because people are cutting. Price gouging. Closed rides. Rides not running at capacity. Poor service. Poor value...I pay up front and have a certain expectation of what kind of experience I will receive for my money. Sometimes those expatiations are not met.
-Travis
www.youtube.com/TSVisits
I know exactly where CCAD is. Very cool school and you are right next to the museum!
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