queue management

Orlando, Tuesday, 30 September 2025.
On Monday Walt Disney World began testing a procedure for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT that splits pre‑show groups—Standby left, Lightning Lane right—and allows Lightning Lane guests to enter the final pre‑show exit and queue first. For operators this tweak signals a shift toward granular access controls that can change throughput, guest segmentation, and revenue capture tied to paid priority. The test aims to reduce right‑side crowding and surge‑induced bottlenecks but raises implications for virtual‑queue algorithms, standby capacity modeling, cycle‑time measurement, load/unload staffing and perceived equity among guests. Retail and park planners should monitor hourly throughput, cycle times, lift‑hill load factors, and any move from cast‑member directing to physical stanchions. Communication strategy will be crucial to manage guest satisfaction and brand risk as prioritisation becomes more explicit. Short‑term Lightning Lane gains may alter demand patterns and premium valuation; longer term, results could justify policy changes or tiers.

Puri, Friday, 5 September 2025.
Last Wednesday the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee approved a pilot ‘Dhadi Darshan’ queue at the Natamandap, introducing AC‑fitted interior routing, ramps, barricaded lanes and a nine‑member supervisory panel led by the Puri District Collector. Fourteen sub‑committees were formed to professionalize governance—covering finance, rituals, the Ratna Bhandar treasury, appeals and security—while former CAG Girish Chandra Murmu will chair the newly created security sub‑committee, signalling an unprecedented emphasis on safety and integrity. The trial aims to smooth throughput, protect ritual protocols and improve accessibility for elderly and differently‑abled visitors; an SOP will follow the pilot. For theme‑park and attractions professionals, this is a live case of heritage sites adopting commercial visitor‑management tools (AC routing, lane design, stakeholder governance) to balance throughput and conservation. The most intriguing fact: a high‑profile security lead paired with ASI‑approved air conditioning shows heritage custodians are prioritizing both ceremonial sanctity and operational professionalism and measurable crowd metrics.