Sing-a-Long in the Mathmobile

We had a pretty relaxing day today here at Disney.  We had free time in the morning and early afternoon, and several of us spent time working on the big class project of creating an optimal tour of attractions in the Magic Kingdom.  We are working in three teams to complete the project.  

Beginning to create our  network of the Magic Kingdom

Team Waypoint is tasked with determining which nodes (attractions) and edges (walking paths) will be present in the network model of the Magic Kingdom.  They are also determining ‘waypoints,’ which are locations in the park that link attractions.  The use of waypoints allows us to measure the distance from an attraction to the nearest waypoint, and then use the distance between waypoints to determine the distance between attractions.  In this map of our network, you can see the nodes in yellow and the waypoints in pink.  This method prevents us from having to measure the distance from each attraction to every other attraction.

Team Map My Run is working on measuring the distances between attractions and waypoints.  They are using the iPhone app Map My Run to measure distances along sidewalks between attractions and waypoints.  The app’s website has satellite images that allow us the team to calculate distances without having to walk them.

Team Algorithm is working on writing a computer program to calculate an optimal tour through the Magic Kingdom.  The program will take the list of attractions and distances created by Team Waypoint and Team Map My Run as input.  The program will use a genetic algorithm to create an optimal a tour through the Magic Kingdom than minimizes walking distance.  Genetic algorithms are modeled after evolutionary processes, and involve mutating tours and replacing longer tours with ‘more fit’ shorter tours.  We hope to later extend the algorithm to minimize the time spent waiting in line.  However this complicates the problem significantly, since these wait times change throughout the day.

This afternoon we collectively voted to visit Hollywood Studios to experience Disney's "Star Wars Weekend" and to grab another ride what many would argue are the best two rides in all of Walt Disney World. (Tower of Terror and Rock 'n Roller Coaster of course!) It has been very hot here in Orlando, so a later start and a few showers this afternoon and evening greatly helped with the heat. We split up, hitting some highlights including the delicious ice cream shop outside of Tower of Terror and the Toy Story Pizza Palace Arcade. 

The whole group reconvened to watch Fantasmic, a dazzling light show featuring our favorite Disney characters adventuring through the world of Mickey's dreams. Although we got a little wet from the showers, it was a fun conclusion to our day. On the drive back we mustered up enough energy for a dance party and sing-a-long in the mathmobile. Moving from pop to classics to Italian opera to Disney ("Let it Go" of course), Dr. Bouzarth was a trooper to drive the van which was quite literally rocking and maybe even sing along!

Stella and Kate