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 outrun 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.

The present invention is directed to devices, systems and methods for coordinating water-related experiences with virtual reality content. In one aspect of the present invention, a method of providing a virtual reality experience to a rider moving along the surface of water is provided. The method includes the following steps: providing a headset to the rider, wherein the headset is placed over the rider's eyes; providing a surface of water along which the rider can travel; collecting data on the rider's acceleration, velocity or orientation through interaction of the headset with signals generated next to the surface of the water along which the rider travels; using the data to calculate one or more values that are used to coordinate virtual reality content with the rider's position along the water surface; presenting the virtual reality content to the rider through the headset, thereby providing a virtual reality experience to the rider.

The present invention is directed to devices, systems and methods for coordinating water-related experiences with virtual reality content. In one aspect of the present invention, a method of providing a virtual reality experience to a rider moving along the surface of water is provided. The method includes the following steps: providing a headset to the rider, wherein the headset is placed over the rider's eyes; providing a surface of water along which the rider can travel; collecting data on the rider's acceleration, velocity or orientation through interaction of the headset with signals generated next to the surface of the water along which the rider travels; using the data to calculate one or more values that are used to coordinate virtual reality content with the rider's position along the water surface; presenting the virtual reality content to the rider through the headset, thereby providing a virtual reality experience to the rider.

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.

A system may include a virtual reality system configured to present one or more virtual objects via an electronic display. The system may also include one or more inflatable objects that correspond to the one or more virtual objects, such that the one or more inflatable objects matches one or more shapes of the one or more virtual objects. The system may also include a processor configured to cause at least one of the one or more inflatable objects to inflate based on feedback from the virtual reality system.

A system may include a virtual reality system configured to present one or more virtual objects via an electronic display. The system may also include one or more inflatable objects that correspond to the one or more virtual objects, such that the one or more inflatable objects matches one or more shapes of the one or more virtual objects. The system may also include a processor configured to cause at least one of the one or more inflatable objects to inflate based on feedback from the virtual reality system.

A face orientation system of a ride that includes one or more sensors and a controller. The controller receives ride cart data from the one or more sensors indicative of a presence and position of the ride cart on the ride, determines ride cart orientation based on the ride cart data, receives position data of a guest from the one or more sensors indicative of a position of a body, a face, or a combination thereof, of the guest, determines face orientation, face rotation, or a combination thereof, of the guest based on the ride cart orientation and position data, and transmits data indicative of the determined face orientation, face rotation, or a combination thereof to a downstream controller for subsequent control based upon the determined face orientation, face rotation, or the combination thereof.

A water or other amusement attraction that includes an inflatable portion or material. A cavity of the attraction is located underneath an upper surface, the upper surface configured to support a flow of water and at least one rider thereon. A volume of water is configured to be disposed within the cavity, the upper surface floating upon the volume of water while connected to at least one side wall, floor, and/or nozzle structure. A pump and nozzle assembly, positioned outside of the cavity, communicates with the water within the cavity for flowing a portion of the water over the upper surface. A drainage portion, adjacent to the upper surface, drains the flowing water back into the cavity for recirculation. Support components, such as a plurality of beams or an inflatable grid structure help maintain stability for the attraction.

A water or other amusement attraction that includes an inflatable portion or material. A cavity of the attraction is located underneath an upper surface, the upper surface configured to support a flow of water and at least one rider thereon. A volume of water is configured to be disposed within the cavity, the upper surface floating upon the volume of water while connected to at least one side wall, floor, and/or nozzle structure. A pump and nozzle assembly, positioned outside of the cavity, communicates with the water within the cavity for flowing a portion of the water over the upper surface. A drainage portion, adjacent to the upper surface, drains the flowing water back into the cavity for recirculation. Support components, such as a plurality of beams or an inflatable grid structure help maintain stability for the attraction.