The invention relates to an amusement device for fairs, amusement parks or the like, having a substantially circular planar base (1) on which a star-shaped drive unit (3, 31) is arranged, which is rotatably mounted on a support bearing (5, 28) of the base (1), and at least one passenger gondola is arranged on each arm of the drive unit (3, 31). According to the invention, one or more of the passenger gondolas arranged on the arms (8, 32) are displaceable in the radial direction of the drive unit (3, 31) by means of pushing devices (15, 24) arranged to be displaceable each in the longitudinal direction of the arms (8, 32), the respective passenger gondolas being coupled to the respective pushing devices (15, 24), and the pushing devices (15, 24) follow a predetermined guide track (7, 14) when the drive unit (3, 31) rotates on the base (1), so that the passenger gondolas follow a circulation path on the base (1) which corresponds to the course of the guide track (7, 14).

A vehicle connection system in accordance with present embodiments includes a first connection mechanism having a shaft with a first portion coupled to a second portion by a hinged joint. A locking element extends from the second portion. Guides extend on opposing sides of the second portion such that a channel is formed between the guides and the guides block movement of the second portion about the hinged joint outside of the channel. The guides are positioned between the locking element and the hinged joint along the shaft. A second connection mechanism is configured to couple with the first connection mechanism and includes a locking box configured to receive the locking element via an aperture in the locking box and configured such that rotation of the locking element while in the locking box via rotation of the shaft interlocks the locking element with the lock box.

An amusement park ride vehicle includes a chassis, a cabin, a slider, and a rotator. The chassis is configured to direct the ride vehicle along a ride path in a direction of travel. The cabin is configured to hold one or more passengers. The slider is configured to translate between a neutral position and a cantilevered position relative to the chassis in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel and to carry the rotator and the cabin along the direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel. The rotator is coupled between the slider and the cabin, and is configured to rotate the cabin relative to the slider.

Embodiments disclosed herein include an amusement park ride. The amusement park ride include a ride vehicle that can transition from a first configuration to a second configuration during the duration of the ride. The amusement park ride can include a loading area for loading passengers into the ride vehicle and a separate unloading area for disembarking passengers from the ride vehicle. After disembarking passengers from the ride vehicle the ride vehicle travels to a transition area concealed from the public where the ride transitions from the second configuration to the first configuration. In the transition area, maintenance can be performed on the ride vehicle and calibration can be performed on one or more of the ride vehicle systems (e.g., projector or audio systems).

An amusement park ride vehicle includes a chassis, a cabin, a slider, and a rotator. The chassis is configured to direct the ride vehicle along a ride path in a direction of travel. The cabin is configured to hold one or more passengers. The slider is configured to translate between a neutral position and a cantilevered position relative to the chassis in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel and to carry the rotator and the cabin along the direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel. The rotator is coupled between the slider and the cabin, and is configured to rotate the cabin relative to the slider.

An attraction that includes interactive targets, a plurality of vehicles capable of moving between a plurality of fixed positions. The vehicles are configured to convey participants of the attraction. Transmitters fitted to the vehicles are for interacting with the targets. In the fixed positions of the vehicles, the transmitters of a pair of vehicles interact with the same target.

An attraction that includes interactive targets, a plurality of vehicles capable of moving between a plurality of fixed positions. The vehicles are configured to convey participants of the attraction. Transmitters fitted to the vehicles are for interacting with the targets. In the fixed positions of the vehicles, the transmitters of a pair of vehicles interact with the same target.

An amusement park ride vehicle includes a chassis, a cabin, a slider, and a rotator. The chassis is configured to direct the ride vehicle along a ride path in a direction of travel. The cabin is configured to hold one or more passengers. The slider is configured to translate between a neutral position and a cantilevered position relative to the chassis in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel and to carry the rotator and the cabin along the direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel. The rotator is coupled between the slider and the cabin, and is configured to rotate the cabin relative to the slider.

A ride system for an amusement park includes a plurality of rooms stacked atop one another and a ride vehicle. A method to transport the ride vehicle from a first room to a second room includes withdrawing the ride vehicle from the first room, changing the vertical height of the ride vehicle, rotating the ride vehicle, and inserting the ride vehicle into the second room.

A ride system for an amusement park includes a plurality of rooms stacked atop one another and a ride vehicle. A method to transport the ride vehicle from a first room to a second room includes withdrawing the ride vehicle from the first room, changing the vertical height of the ride vehicle, rotating the ride vehicle, and inserting the ride vehicle into the second room.