Universal unveils TapuTapu wearable to help guests avoid queues

With the opening of its new water theme park approaching, Universal Orlando has unveiled a collection of wearable devices that guests will use to virtually wait in line.

The wrist-based TapuTapu devices will be loaned upon arrival at Volcano Bay, allowing them to access the attractions and different experiences through a simple tap.

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Various totems will be placed around the park, with users able to tap in and enjoy other areas before receiving a notification through the wearable when it's time to ride.

When it officially opens on May 25, the park will stretch 30 acres and feature a wave pool, beaches, a river, raft rides and a speeding body slide that drops from the top of the volcano.

And the TapuTapu wearables, despite some resemblance to a Tamagotchi, are also a pretty unique step within a theme park. While Disney offers a similar efficient waiting system, this is seemingly the first to do so through the power of wearable tech.

However, we have already seen several theme parks embrace the world of VR, with the UK's first VR roller coaster experience launching last year with the help of Samsung's Gear VR headset. And on the other side of the pond, Samsung is also behind tech on rides at nine of Six Flags' theme parks in the US, including Magic Mountain in its LA park.

Whether the wearables at Volcano Bay will hold up when it opens remains to be seen, but the concept at least appears strong enough to make the general theme park experience less like a day in an elaborate, expensive waiting room. That can only be good, right?

Via: Attractions Magazine