ORLANDO, Fla. — The way you get your drinks at your favorite theme park is starting to change. Plastic cups and thermoses are getting smarter.
- Companies revolutionize beverage consumption at theme parks
- Beverage containers becoming more efficient, cost-effective
- Gen Z wants to be interactive, says Whirly Drink Works VP
We recently met up with a few companies that focus solely on beverage consumption.
Bradenton-based ValidFill specializes in controlled beverage dispensing solutions utilizing Radio Frequency Identification Technology. In other words, they insert a fancy tag into the bottom of a souvenir cup. That tag acts like a gift card.
"You don't have to wait in line again," said ValidFill President & CEO Greg Edelson.
Here's how it works: You pay up front with whatever package option you like. For instance, there are drink-all-day options, or you could select a limited amount of refills. You'd then just walk up to one of 92 dispensers at Universal Orlando Resort's parks.
"So you could buy this vessel, and go to Universal Studios in the morning, Island of Adventure that afternoon, Volcano Bay that night (closes at 5 p.m.), and they'll honor it," Edelson said.
So how much dough are we talking?
For adults wanting beer, for example, it's $12 for what's called a "huge draft beer." Each refill is $6.
Another company we explored is called Whirly Drink Works. A spokesperson says the company is debuting augmented reality technology in the first quarter of 2019. The tech is embedded in a cup's label.
"If you're looking at Millenials, Gen Zs -- the kids who go to theme parks -- they all want to be interactive," said Whirly Drink Works Marketing Vice President Jacqui Cintron.
So Citron took out her cell phone, clicked on an app, and pointed the phone's camera onto a "Kennywood" cup label (Kennywood is a Pittsburgh theme park). All of a sudden, video of an upcoming coaster started playing. It had captions and volume.
She says other cup trends are mason jars with sweet treats stacked high, much like you'd see at Toothsome or Planet Hollywood.
"Super-sizing is (also) in this year," she said, pointing to a margarita glass that we could barely lift.
Also in -- Multi-purpose containers, like a plastic cowboy hat custom made for some Western-themed attraction.
"You can put nachos, you can put popcorn (in it)," she said. "Then what you can do after it's done, is you can wear it."
These products were on display earlier this month at the 2018 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo.