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.

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 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.

A flight-themed amusement park ride is disclosed, comprising at least one airplane-shaped vehicle tethered to a central base by an articulated arm. All the propulsion force for the vehicle comes from the vehicle itself; the central base provides no propulsion force. Each of the vehicles is independently controllable by the user, and can change its altitude, pitch, yaw, and roll independently of any of the other vehicles on the ride.

A flight-themed amusement park ride is disclosed, comprising at least one airplane-shaped vehicle tethered to a central base by an articulated arm. All the propulsion force for the vehicle comes from the vehicle itself; the central base provides no propulsion force. Each of the vehicles is independently controllable by the user, and can change its altitude, pitch, yaw, and roll independently of any of the other vehicles on the ride.

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 vehicle (6) for rotating carousel (1) is described, comprising means (8) movable by at least one passenger at a detectable speed, means (13) for detecting said speed of said movable means (8) and generating a corresponding signal and means (14, 15) for controlling the lifting of the vehicles (6) as a function of the activation and/or the speed of the movable means (8), characterized in that said movable means (8) are hand-operable means (8).

A vehicle (6) for rotating carousel (1) is described, comprising means (8) movable by at least one passenger at a detectable speed, means (13) for detecting said speed of said movable means (8) and generating a corresponding signal and means (14, 15) for controlling the lifting of the vehicles (6) as a function of the activation and/or the speed of the movable means (8), characterized in that said movable means (8) are hand-operable means (8).

An amusement ride includes a plurality of main arms which are moved by at least one motor along a circular path about a central rotation axis arranged substantially vertical to the ground, or to a platform. The main arms are rotatable about a rotation axis so that a first portion, which extends with respect to the rotation axis, can be raised or lowered with respect to the ground. The ride further includes at least one seat for at least one rider connected to the first portion of the main arm, at least one movable aerodynamic surface, and a control device for modifying the angle of incidence of the aerodynamic surface with respect to the air flow impacting it during the rotation of the main arm about the central axis.

An amusement ride includes a plurality of main arms which are moved by at least one motor along a circular path about a central rotation axis arranged substantially vertical to the ground, or to a platform. The main arms are rotatable about a rotation axis so that a first portion, which extends with respect to the rotation axis, can be raised or lowered with respect to the ground. The ride further includes at least one seat for at least one rider connected to the first portion of the main arm, at least one movable aerodynamic surface, and a control device for modifying the angle of incidence of the aerodynamic surface with respect to the air flow impacting it during the rotation of the main arm about the central axis.