Making Waves At Waterparks With RFID Locker Technology

Lately, the biggest stir in the waterpark industry has not been the water. Instead, it is lockers that are making the waves – RFID access electronic lockers for any size park!

Electronic lockers have been technologically feasible for years now, but until recently, the cost of such systems has been prohibitive to many smaller park owners. Not knowing they had a choice, many waterparks opted for mechanical locker systems and the resulting problems that sometimes go with them.

Problems such as down lockers, lost keys, poor security, coin only operation, long lines and single entry one-time usage cause poor customer service and hurt a facility's image. Limited access to secured items is not only inconvenient for guests, it can also adversely affect a park's bottom line. Keys can also cause damage to the park’s equipment resulting in costly repairs.

With Smarte Locke® 1000 Series lockers, these problems are washed away. Customers simply rent an RFID wristband from a locker kiosk, ticket window, front desk or other designated area. The wristband is activated at the time of rental to record the transaction, and a deposit can be collected from customers to ensure wristbands are returned.

When the customer scans the wristband at any locker access station, the door is immediately assigned and opened.  The multiple entry system allows them to open and close the locker as many times as they like for the duration of their stay.

The multiple entry feature is a major convenience for waterpark customers. Since the multiple entry feature allows guests easy, free access to their wallets, it creates a significant amount of new money that is available for impulse sales inside the park.

According to Mike, a supervisor at Cascade Bay Waterpark in Eagan, Minnesota,“The Smarte Locke RFID wristband system is easy for us and our guests.  Based on a significant increase in locker usage and no complaints, we know our customers like the new lockers more than our old mechanical system.”

The 1000 Series lockers provide improved control for operators.  Computerized management functions allow operators to monitor locker activity, maximize security and significantly reduce locker maintenance and labor costs.  Operators can also open and lock all doors automatically, making morning preparation and resetting doors at the end of the day or between events easy!

Because the lockers are available through a revenue-share concession or lease program, with a variety of service options, operators are likely to find a locker solution that fits the needs of their facility.