by Erik Yates
Last updated: 12:00 PM ET, Thu February 9, 2017
Imagine going to a theme park, or waterpark and not having to wait in line.
Instead, you're free to roam the park, doing what you want. When your ride is ready, you simply walk up and ride. Sounds like a complete fantasy, right? At any other theme park, you would be right. This year, however, Universal is looking to break the way you think about theme parks and lines with Tapu Tapu.
The new technology will be available exclusively at their third theme park, Volcano Bay, which opens May 25th of this year.
Universal Orlando teased the concept of Tapu Tapu a few months back, saying that it would be a kind of "island magic" that allows you to do what you want in the park while waiting for your ride. Earlier this week, however, Universal Orlando unveiled how the magic works on the official Universal Orlando website, even showing an example of what the device will look like.
Tapu Tapu is a wearable, adjustable, plastic band. If you think it looks like one of Disney's MagicBands, you're not alone. The similarities are definitely there. However, where Disney's MagicBands rely on your pre-made plans, and tickets, Tapu Tapu looks to expand on it. The band uses a similar Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Unlike MagicBands, you can't access the park with it (yet) and there's no mention of linking a credit card to it, though it's pretty likely that feature is coming.
[READMORE] READ MORE Universal Orlando's Volcano Bay Opens May 25 [/READMORE]
It's very simple how it's supposed to work.
First, you get the band as soon as you enter the park. Once in the park, you look for "totems" near the attractions you want to experience. You simply walk up to the attraction, scan your Tapu Tapu, and get told a time that you're supposed to come back. Our guess is that there's a clock on it as well. Then, you go about your day and enjoy the other things in the park that do not require waiting in line, such as the lazy river, wave pools, and other play areas. Once your time is near, the Tapu Tapu notifies you by lighting up.
Another feature of Tapu Tapu is the fact that you will be able to access special features within the park.
There will be special markings along the paths and waterways, simply use your Tapu Tapu and it will activate something special in the park. There will be light shows in certain caverns, and you'll be able to activate different water features along the rides. You may even be able to use it to get other riders even wetter than they are by activating water cannons in different rides.
At the end of the day, unlike MagicBand, you give it back, which means that the parks will likely be reusing the bands for other guests.
The idea of a "wait-less" system isn't anything new. The company, Accesso, has been making devices for use in parks like Dollywood, and even Universal Orlando, for a few years now.
The concept is absolutely amazing, in theory.
Play all day, without having to wait in line, and have your ride waiting for you like a restaurant reservation. It could easily revolutionize the vacation experience completely. Will it work? We'll find out for sure on May 25th when Universal's Volcano Bay opens for business.
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