A slide feature for an amusement ride adapted to carry a rider or ride vehicle sliding thereon, and a water slide comprising said slide feature are provided. The slide feature has an inrun permitting ingress of the rider or ride vehicle, an outrun permitting egress, and a sliding surface in communication with the inrun and the outrun. The sliding surface may comprise a surface substantially in the shape of a sector of a closed curve and/or may be substantially planar. The slide feature may also include an outer lip and provide that the rider or ride vehicle, at least partially urged by gravity, slides along the sliding surface from the inrun to the out run in an arcuate path at least partially bounded by the outer lip. The sliding surface may be oriented so an elevation of the rider or ride vehicle increases then decreases along the arcuate path.

A tower ride is disclosed with suspended cars mounted on rails that that forms track that is a complete double helix path for the car without having to turn the car or switch tracks. The car is suspended from a four truss track, riding on the two bottom rails for stability. Another embodiment is a roller coaster track mounted on a tower.

A tower ride is disclosed with suspended cars mounted on rails that that forms track that is a complete double helix path for the car without having to turn the car or switch tracks. The car is suspended from a four truss track, riding on the two bottom rails for stability. Another embodiment is a roller coaster track mounted on a tower.

Track configurations for a roller coaster mounted on a tower area are disclosed. The track configurations allow the track to transition from traveling in a first direction around the circumference of the tower to a second direction around the circumference of the tower that is substantially opposite the first direction while maintaining the safety and comfort of the riders. Also disclosed is a wire rope drive to power the rider carriages up a helical track mounted on the tower, preferably on the inside the tower.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to play panels, and playground structures comprising such panels, that provide an interactive play activity for children. The play panels comprise at least a surface that is configured to provide an interactive element, a control unit, and a connection element configured to communicatively link an adaptive switch. A child may interact directly with one or more elements on the surface of the play panel to actuate the play activity. A child having a disability may also actuate the play activity using an adaptive switch that is communicatively connected to the play panel. In some embodiments, the control unit may be configured to operate the play activity differently depending on whether it is actuated by elements on the surface of the play panel or a connected adaptive switch.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to play panels, and playground structures comprising such panels, that provide an interactive play activity for children. The play panels comprise at least a surface that is configured to provide an interactive element, a control unit, and a connection element configured to communicatively link an adaptive switch. A child may interact directly with one or more elements on the surface of the play panel to actuate the play activity. A child having a disability may also actuate the play activity using an adaptive switch that is communicatively connected to the play panel. In some embodiments, the control unit may be configured to operate the play activity differently depending on whether it is actuated by elements on the surface of the play panel or a connected adaptive switch.

Disclosed is a tube slide having the following sections: an entrance, an exit, and one or more curved sections. Each slide section includes at least one radially extending flange on at least one end of the particular slide section. The one or more curved sections may include a first half and a second half coupled together by inserting a fastener through an opening in one of the halves and into a threaded borehole that is molded into the other half. Both halves include a plurality of openings and threaded boreholes that alternate along the length of the halves. A telescoping base is coupled to the exit of the slide. The telescoping base allows the slide to be used on a variety of uneven or varying height support or ground surfaces.

A trapdoor mechanism and method of providing a trapdoor mechanism for initiating descent into a slide ride is disclosed. Aspects of invention are directed to an energy efficient mechanism capable of dropping slide riders into the entrance of a slide ride. The trapdoor mechanism utilizes momentum produced by the force of gravity to swing the trapdoor to an open position, to a closed position, and back to the open position. A control device may be utilized to apply force to the trapdoor during its transit between the open position and closed position.