On a recent trip to visit my son in Chicago we visited the John G. Shedd
Aquarium. As a Museum Architect I can say there are many listed pros and
cons to the two types of ticketing styles. Usually the “large free-flow
area where all services are available” works better for large institutions
with large groups. 

Multiple options are the best to reduce the pressure of large group lines.
If the ticketing line is very long my wife and kids (older kids 20+) like
to go to the gift shop or get a drink at the concession stand. If they have
to stand in line with me just to get in this does two things. One: It makes
the lines look longer then they really are or need to be (after all how
many people does it tale to buy tickets).  It discourages people from
wanting to get in if they see the line coming out of the door. 

When I see a long line of people standing outside of a restaurant it tells
me an hour or more wait. Not what I want to hear. 

Multiple options are viewed as a better option to me.

William M. Greaves AIA, NCARB 
President 
Architects iN Design 
1232 Wivenhoe Court 
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454 
http://www.architectsindesign.com 
[log in to unmask] 
1(757) 496-6489 phone/fax


> [Original Message]
> From: Wilson, Linda <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 7/9/2005 2:07:30 PM
> Subject: Planning / Evaluating ticketing area and circulation
>
> Hi all 
> (apologies for cross posting to various lists)
>
> We're in the middle of master planning and will be moving our ticketing
operation to new space.  We're 75 yrs old this year and ticketing has up
until this point always been in the main entrance lobby (and has always had
problems)
>
> Have any of you from large institutions used consultants to help you plan
your ticketing area?
>
> We have about 1.5 million visitors a year  as general gate (not groups)
and want to make sure we are allocating enough space for ticketing,
lockers, restrooms, will call, membership etc. as visitors prepare to enter
the exhibit area.  
>
> We are also interested in pros and cons of two arrangements
> a.  A large free-flow area where all services are available
> b.  A directed flow arrangement, where people follow a set path from
service area to service area.
>
> Anybody have experience with this or firms they would recommend we
contact?
>
> Thanks
> Linda
>
> Linda Wilson
> Manager, Audience Research and Evaluation
> John G. Shedd Aquarium
> 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive
> Chicago, IL 60605
> [log in to unmask]
> PH (312) 692 3261
> FAX (312) 939-8677
>
> "Objective evidence and certitude are doubtless very fine ideals to play
with,
> but where on this moonlit and dream-visited planet are they found?"
> William James 
>
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