U-Discover

Universal has an on going theme of the magic or wonder that is all around us just out of sight. That slight magical reality switch makes the impossible real just around next turn. Whether it's magical ability in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, mutant DNA in Marvel, or technology in Jurassic Park. U-Discover uses that immersive experience with game-based missions to rethink the the traditional line system.

First let's examine the functions a queue performs:

It spaces out boarding of the ride in a manner that balances arrival time with passenger throughput.
It generates a sense of fairness regarding boarding time within the audience.
It provides initial immersive experience to initiate suspension of disbelief.
It provides time for the transmission of safety information.

All of four of these needs and more can be accomplished by tasks, while incentivizing the user.

A user enters the park and receives a message in the Universal App asking if they'd like to have an interactive experience. If they select opt in, then their smartphone (or a wearable for minors/adults without smartphones) opens functionality.

Upon reaching the entrance to a ride with U-Discover features, a full screen notification alert pops up in the universal app offering the opportunity to participate in a challenge composed of several tasks.

Once the last task in the series is is completed a key is sent via cloud to the gate station that allows entry.

This provides the following possible functions:

Timing and number of tasks can be determined based on observed and predictive metrics. This can allow on the fly traffic control.
Users have a sense of progress and accomplishment obtained by transit and completion of tasks.
The sense of skill and prowess provides an alternative sense of reason for boarding times.
Tasks can be included that mimic safety needs with motion tracking devices such as leap motion and kinect. This could include; pulling the bar down, maintaining a clearance envelope, and other ride specific safety regulations. This can ensure reception of the information by call and response, rather than
Users are encouraged to interact with the immersive world and utilize more regions of the park than they otherwise might visit.
Users are available to make purchases of food, merchandise and use restroom facilities during that wait time rather than being stuck in one location.
Tasks and challenges can be modified to provide different experiences over time allowing for novelty and updating while using the same equipment
For Harry potter specific rides, Integration with Pottermore will allow story customization by house and the allocation of points to houses, based on tasks completed.

There is a lot for our team to celebrate. Technologically, we are most proud of our variable switching iBeacon system. We use an iphone and an Intel Edison as variable TX/RX iBeacons to act as a cue. This could be adapted to provide logic gates with a number of different sensor input. Conceptually, The use of gaming as a a queue system represents a radical shift that allows a deeper level of guest engagement by leveraging both existing and yet to come technology. Aesthetically, Being able to tell a story within a story adds depth and flavor to an experience we already cherish. Yet, the biggest accomplishment for us all is the team. We arrived individually, certain we'd be leaving by the afternoon because we wouldn't have the skill to continue. Today, thanks to our varied abilities, we've created an idea.