A carousel ride system includes a first rotatable platform and multiple second rotatable platforms. Each second rotatable platform of the multiple second rotatable platforms is positioned within a respective opening in the first rotatable platform. A first drive system is configured to drive rotation of the first rotatable platform and multiple second drive assemblies are configured to drive rotation of the multiple second rotatable platforms. Multiple figures extend over the multiple second rotatable platforms and multiple figure drive assemblies are configured to independently lift and rotate the multiple figures relative to the multiple second rotatable platforms. One or more processors are configured to coordinate operation of the first drive system, the multiple second drive assemblies, and the multiple figure drive assemblies to maintain the multiple figures in a forward-facing orientation relative to a direction of travel of the first rotatable platform during operation of the carousel ride system.

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.

A ride vehicle includes a riding assembly configured to carry a rider, a base configured to couple to the riding assembly, and a control system configured to control the coordination of movements of the ride vehicle with movements of separate ride vehicles. The base includes a surface movement system configured to move the ride vehicle along a surface, a vertical movement system configured to move the riding assembly vertically relative to the base, and a roll system configured to move the riding assembly angularly relative to the base.

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 ride system in accordance with present embodiments includes a flume providing a flow path and one or more vehicles configured to accommodate one or more passengers and configured to move along the flow path in the flume. The ride system also includes one or more objects protruding into the flow path, wherein the one or more objects are positioned in the flow path such that the one or more objects are configured to contact a vehicle of the one or more vehicles as the vehicle moves along the flow path and at a contact location on an exterior of the vehicle, wherein the contact location is spaced apart a distance from a center of mass of the vehicle to change a direction or orientation of the vehicle after the one or more objects contact the vehicle at the contact location.

A ride system in accordance with present embodiments includes a flume providing a flow path and one or more vehicles configured to accommodate one or more passengers and configured to move along the flow path in the flume. The ride system also includes one or more objects protruding into the flow path, wherein the one or more objects are positioned in the flow path such that the one or more objects are configured to contact a vehicle of the one or more vehicles as the vehicle moves along the flow path and at a contact location on an exterior of the vehicle, wherein the contact location is spaced apart a distance from a center of mass of the vehicle to change a direction or orientation of the vehicle after the one or more objects contact the vehicle at the contact location.

A variable vehicle ride switch in accordance with present embodiments includes a base configured to rotate with respect to a ride surface. The variable vehicle ride switch also includes a conveyor positioned on the base that can actuate relative to the base to move a ride vehicle towards or away from an outer edge of the base and to change an angle or orientation of the at least one conveyor within the base, e.g., to rotate within the base. The variable vehicle ride switch also includes a controller configured to receive an activation signal to cause the base to rotate and to actuate the conveyor.

A variable vehicle ride switch in accordance with present embodiments includes a base configured to rotate with respect to a ride surface. The variable vehicle ride switch also includes a conveyor positioned on the base that can actuate relative to the base to move a ride vehicle towards or away from an outer edge of the base and to change an angle or orientation of the at least one conveyor within the base, e.g., to rotate within the base. The variable vehicle ride switch also includes a controller configured to receive an activation signal to cause the base to rotate and to actuate the conveyor.

A variable vehicle ride switch in accordance with present embodiments includes a base configured to rotate with respect to a ride surface. The variable vehicle ride switch also includes a conveyor positioned on the base that can actuate relative to the base to move a ride vehicle towards or away from an outer edge of the base and to change an angle or orientation of the at least one conveyor within the base, e.g., to rotate within the base. The variable vehicle ride switch also includes a controller configured to receive an activation signal to cause the base to rotate and to actuate the conveyor.