A system adapted for stopping and launching boats. The system includes a boat, in moving water, with an interaction member extending outward from its hull. The system includes a boat capture and launch assembly that includes: (a) a body; (b) a drive mechanism rotating the body; (c) a capture arm with a first contact surface on the body; and (d) a launch arm with a second contact surface on the body. When the body is rotated into a first position, the capture arm extends outward into the water to catch the interaction member and stop the boat. When the body is rotated through a range of second positions, the interaction member abuts the second contact surface and a launch force is applied to accelerate the boat in the direction of travel of the boat and water.

A method provides a virtual reality experience for at least one passenger of an amusement ride, in particular a water ride, with at least two spaced-apart and stationary UWB antennas. The at least one passenger is able to move in the ride and is provided with VR goggles and a UWB tag. The VR goggles can present the virtual reality experience in the field of vision of the at least one passenger. The method includes the steps: establishing a wireless connection and transmitting at least one signal between the at least two stationary UWB antennas and the UWB tag; calculating the position of the UWB tag based on the at least one received signal; generating a virtual reality according to the calculated position; reproducing the virtual reality experience through the VR goggles according to the calculated position and the viewing direction of the VR goggles.

A modular experiential water tunnel comprises a plurality of arches and experiential modules adapted to be configured and installed onto any conventional water ride. The modular tunnel may further comprise a controller in communication with a server, the controller being adapted to adjust the experience provided by the modular tunnel.

There is provided a system for providing interactivity to a guest of an experiential venue, based on sensor measurement of the guest. The system comprises a sensor configured to sense a guest variable of the guest, where the sensor may be a biometric sensor, a facial recognition sensor, a voice stress analysis sensor, a gesture recognition sensor, a motion tracking sensor, or an eye tracking sensor, and may sense heart rate or another guest variable. The system also comprises a control system, which may be implemented as a computer, in communication with the sensor. The control system is configured to determine a guest state from the guest variable, and to modify a venue variable, for example by selecting a path a theme park ride follows. The control system modifies the venue variable according to the guest state to provide increased satisfaction to the guest of the experiential venue.

There is provided a system for providing interactivity to a guest of an experiential venue, based on sensor measurement of the guest. The system comprises a sensor configured to sense a guest variable of the guest, where the sensor may be a biometric sensor, a facial recognition sensor, a voice stress analysis sensor, a gesture recognition sensor, a motion tracking sensor, or an eye tracking sensor, and may sense heart rate or another guest variable. The system also comprises a control system, which may be implemented as a computer, in communication with the sensor. The control system is configured to determine a guest state from the guest variable, and to modify a venue variable, for example by selecting a path a theme park ride follows. The control system modifies the venue variable according to the guest state to provide increased satisfaction to the guest of the experiential venue.

Disclosed herein are systems for providing virtual reality or mixed reality experiences to riders of a waterslide. In some embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of beacons or markers disposed along the waterslide, and a waterproof virtual reality (VR) headset for presenting virtual reality or mixed reality content to a person wearing the waterproof VR headset and riding the waterslide, wherein each of the plurality of beacons or markers is configured to be detectable to facilitate coordinated presentation of the virtual reality or mixed reality content to the person wearing the waterproof VR headset and riding the waterslide based at least in part on a location of the person along the waterslide.

Disclosed herein are systems for providing virtual reality or mixed reality experiences to riders of a waterslide. In some embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of beacons or markers disposed along the waterslide, and a waterproof virtual reality (VR) headset for presenting virtual reality or mixed reality content to a person wearing the waterproof VR headset and riding the waterslide, wherein each of the plurality of beacons or markers is configured to be detectable to facilitate coordinated presentation of the virtual reality or mixed reality content to the person wearing the waterproof VR headset and riding the waterslide based at least in part on a location of the person along the waterslide.

An amusement park system in accordance with present embodiments includes a ride vehicle configured to move along a path, an aquatic portion of the path defined by a water flow path, and an aerial portion of the path defined by a track configured to support a bogie. The ride vehicle is configured to freely float and move along the water flow path in response to currents of the water flow path. The ride vehicle is configured to be carried along the track by the bogie.

A system may include an inflatable assembly having a plurality of members. The system may also include a plurality of sensors disposed at a plurality of positions inside or around the inflatable assembly, such that the plurality of sensors may acquire data related to a shape of the inflatable assembly. The system also includes one or more valves, each configured to direct a fluid into a corresponding member of the plurality of members of the inflatable assembly. The system also includes a processor that adjusts positions of the one or more valves to cause the fluid to be directed into the corresponding member of the plurality of members of the inflatable assembly based on the data and a desired shape of the inflatable assembly.

A system may include an inflatable assembly having a plurality of members. The system may also include a plurality of sensors disposed at a plurality of positions inside or around the inflatable assembly, such that the plurality of sensors may acquire data related to a shape of the inflatable assembly. The system also includes one or more valves, each configured to direct a fluid into a corresponding member of the plurality of members of the inflatable assembly. The system also includes a processor that adjusts positions of the one or more valves to cause the fluid to be directed into the corresponding member of the plurality of members of the inflatable assembly based on the data and a desired shape of the inflatable assembly.