Abstract
This chapter analyzes a thematic tourist park using a logarithmic model. The study shows that the application of the model allows the management of different routes to optimize waiting times and take advantage of the time allocated to the fun. The theoretical concepts were Dijkstra Algorithms. The investigation is exploratory in a single place. The data were obtained during the stay in the park of the year 2018 and was concentrated on a database. The research concludes that the application using the Dijkstra Algorithm on a mobile dispositive can determine the best places to visit and improve the experience in a thematic park.
TopTheme Park Tourism
Due to their economic importance, theme parks constitute crucial elements of the tourism industry. Millions of people seeking diversified entertainment visit theme parks around the world every year. Hu (2013) suggests that in theme parks a set of complex and creative elements syncretize. This complexity is capable of meeting many needs; this may explain why World Tourism Organization (WTO) considers theme parks as one of the three main trends in the tourism industry.
Origins of theme parks trace back to 19th century when pleasure gardens converted to amusement parks (Richard & Orlowski, 2015). This new conformation succeeds because it offered an increased variety of products and services, such as shows, rides, games, food and beverages. Theme parks evolved from simply forms, such as the open spaces for fairs and exhibitions in Denmark and London, to complex forms, such as the actual multifunctional facilities s (Khafash, Ordóñez, & Fraga, 2015). Following the evolving process Figure 1 portrays, theme parks reached America in 1893 when Columbia World Exhibition took place in Chicago. Since then theme parks gradually evolved until becoming one of the major forms of tourist attractions (Lo & Leung, 2015).
Figure 1. Historical evolution of theme parks
The openings of Walt Disney´s Disneyland in California (1995) and in Florida (1971) were decisive milestones in the global economy expansion of theme parks (Richard et al., 2015). Many countries in all continents followed the Disney´s model: Japan, France, Spain, China, Singapore, and later Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and Guatemala.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Attraction: Something, space, area, activity and show that makes people come to a place.
Virtual Reality: Situations, conditions, images and sounds produced by technology and that make the situation is real.
Entertainment: Activity, performances or events that entertain people.
Technology: The innovation of the equipment, machinery, infrastructure, decoration and methods that are application of science and industry.
Theme Park: Are fun spaces for everyone, are inclusive and seek to use attractions for visitors to enjoy. The use of fantasy and technology are part of the novelties that will always identify the theme parks.
Merchandise: Service and goods that are bought and sold.
Shows: Is an event that makes it possible for be fun and enjoy something.
Pavilion: Is a temporary structure, such as a large tent, especially used at public events or for shows. Spaces designed and decorated on a specific country. They seek to rescue traditions and elements representative, such as food, clothing, music, amusements.
Cultural: The information about people and countries relate to the history, food, clothes, habits, traditions, and beliefs of a society.