Universal adds ticket kiosks
By Jerry W. Jackson | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted July 22, 2002
ORLANDO (Orlando Sentinel) -- Universal Orlando is taking the automated ticketing trend to another level with the introduction of an Orlando company's interactive kiosks.
Four of the kiosks, produced by Cygnus Entertainment Inc., were installed earlier this month at Universal and two more were installed Friday.
"We've been very pleased with them," said Steve Eisinger, director of Interactive Marketing and Brands for Universal Studios Recreation Group.
The kiosks, marketed under the brand name ceOsk, allow tickets to be purchased on site. Tickets are selected, a credit card is swiped through, the customer signs on an electronic pad and tickets are printed.
Customers also will have the option of printing out tickets that have been ordered online elsewhere, such as from home, but that option so far is not being used at Universal.
"We expect to add that option in about 30 days," said Jeffrey P. Johnson, founder and chief executive officer of Cygnus, based at Heathrow.
Three of the kiosks are in front of each of Universal's Orlando parks -- Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. The ATM-like machines, which also will be installed at hotels, rental car companies and other locations, have touch screens that can show video information about theme parks, attractions, golf courses and other entertainment.
Cygnus has 30 employees and is more than just a kiosk producer, Johnson said. "In essence, we also act as a merchant bank" by handling the collection of funds for online ticketing, he said.
Dave Poole, a longtime Orlando-area tourist industry consultant, said he considers the Cygnus kiosk to be one of the better advances to come along.
"I'm impressed," Poole said. "You'll be able to walk up to one of these, buy a ticket, arrange transportation or make reservations. But I'm also skeptical. The question is, does it function out in the real world?"
SeaWorld introduced an online ticketing system last year and many other smaller parks in Central Florida are considering such systems, including the Cygnus system.
SeaWorld's online ticketing service does not use kiosks, but instead allows customers to order tickets online from a home computer. People log onto the SeaWorld Web site, print out the tickets at home, take the print-out to the park and bypass the ticket booth.
Walt Disney World has been selling tickets through the Internet for a number of years but the tickets are mailed to the customer or held at the park entrance.
The advantage of the Cygnus system, Poole said, is that the kiosks can be installed in hotels and other locations so that tourists can buy tickets, get directions or perform other tasks at any time, day or night.
"Even if there's no guest service person available, you could use this on your own," Poole said.
By Jerry W. Jackson | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted July 22, 2002
ORLANDO (Orlando Sentinel) -- Universal Orlando is taking the automated ticketing trend to another level with the introduction of an Orlando company's interactive kiosks.
Four of the kiosks, produced by Cygnus Entertainment Inc., were installed earlier this month at Universal and two more were installed Friday.
"We've been very pleased with them," said Steve Eisinger, director of Interactive Marketing and Brands for Universal Studios Recreation Group.
The kiosks, marketed under the brand name ceOsk, allow tickets to be purchased on site. Tickets are selected, a credit card is swiped through, the customer signs on an electronic pad and tickets are printed.
Customers also will have the option of printing out tickets that have been ordered online elsewhere, such as from home, but that option so far is not being used at Universal.
"We expect to add that option in about 30 days," said Jeffrey P. Johnson, founder and chief executive officer of Cygnus, based at Heathrow.
Three of the kiosks are in front of each of Universal's Orlando parks -- Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. The ATM-like machines, which also will be installed at hotels, rental car companies and other locations, have touch screens that can show video information about theme parks, attractions, golf courses and other entertainment.
Cygnus has 30 employees and is more than just a kiosk producer, Johnson said. "In essence, we also act as a merchant bank" by handling the collection of funds for online ticketing, he said.
Dave Poole, a longtime Orlando-area tourist industry consultant, said he considers the Cygnus kiosk to be one of the better advances to come along.
"I'm impressed," Poole said. "You'll be able to walk up to one of these, buy a ticket, arrange transportation or make reservations. But I'm also skeptical. The question is, does it function out in the real world?"
SeaWorld introduced an online ticketing system last year and many other smaller parks in Central Florida are considering such systems, including the Cygnus system.
SeaWorld's online ticketing service does not use kiosks, but instead allows customers to order tickets online from a home computer. People log onto the SeaWorld Web site, print out the tickets at home, take the print-out to the park and bypass the ticket booth.
Walt Disney World has been selling tickets through the Internet for a number of years but the tickets are mailed to the customer or held at the park entrance.
The advantage of the Cygnus system, Poole said, is that the kiosks can be installed in hotels and other locations so that tourists can buy tickets, get directions or perform other tasks at any time, day or night.
"Even if there's no guest service person available, you could use this on your own," Poole said.
