Abstract: A ride system includes a tunnel, a vehicle ride path, a ride vehicle, and a projection system. The tunnel includes a first end and a second end and is curved between the first and second ends. The vehicle ride path extends within the tunnel from an entrance at the first end of the tunnel to an intermediate position within the tunnel. The second end of the tunnel is not visible from the intermediate position. The ride vehicle travels along the vehicle ride path and decelerates as the ride vehicle approaches the intermediate position. The projection system projects images onto one or more walls of the tunnel, such that the images are synchronized with the deceleration of the ride vehicle and a perceived speed of the ride vehicle, as perceived by a guest in the ride vehicle, exceeds an actual speed of the ride vehicle.

Abstract: A power system for a parade float includes a first power source, a second power source, and an interlocked contactor. The power system also includes a selector switch coupled to the interlocked contactor, wherein the interlocked contactor is configured, in response to selection of a power source from among the first power source and the second power source with the selector switch, to switch between the first power source and the second power source for outputting power to the parade float with the selected power source.

Abstract: A method of dynamic media generation for presentation via projection on an animated figure includes defining, via processing circuitry, a computer-generated model of the animated figure, operating, via the processing circuitry, a manufacturing system to generate a tangible model based on the computer-generated model, generating, via the processing circuitry, a revised computer-generated model based on the tangible model, simulating, via the processing circuitry, projection of imagery onto the revised computer-generated model, and operating, via the processing circuitry, a projector to project the imagery onto the tangible model based on simulated projection of the imagery onto the revised computer-generated model.

Abstract: A ride vehicle includes a platform including a front portion and a rear portion. The ride vehicle also includes a row of seats disposed on the platform. Each seat of the first row of seats is configured so a passenger loads from the rear and once seated the passenger faces the front portion. The ride vehicle is configured so that each passenger enters the ride vehicle via the rear portion.

Abstract: An interaction point includes a hardware-based processor, a local cache data store that stores attraction data pertaining to an entertainment attraction, and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader that receives electromagnetic radiation of a wearable electronic device indicative of an interaction with the interaction point. The hardware-based processor, based upon the interaction with the interaction point: causes feedback to be rendered by the wearable electronic device, causes modification to at least a portion of the attraction data, or both.

Abstract: An amusement ride system includes a ride vehicle configured to carry a passenger, one or more sensors configured to detect a face and a body of the passenger while the passenger is in the ride vehicle, and a display assembly configured to be viewable by the passenger while the passenger is in the ride vehicle. The amusement ride system also includes a controller configured to generate an animation based on signals received from the one or more sensors and to instruct display of the animation on the display assembly. The signals are indicative of movement of the face and the body of the passenger, and the animation mimics the movement of the face and the body of the passenger.

Abstract: A gap blocking system includes a loading platform having a gap separating a first portion of the loading platform from a second portion of the loading platform. A ride vehicle is coupled to a transport extending through the gap. A guardrail assembly having a plurality of guardrail units is coupled to the first portion, where the guardrail units are configured to transition between a first position and a second position. The guardrail units are configured to block access to the gap when in the first position. The ride vehicle includes an engagement feature configured to interface with an individual guardrail unit of the guardrail units to selectively transition the individual guardrail unit from the first position to the second position. The individual guardrail unit is configured to permit the ride vehicle to occupy a guest-accessible position adjacent to or on the loading platform in the second position.

Abstract: A fountain system is provided. The fountain system includes a fountain nozzle that includes a body configured to telescope during extension and retraction and a nozzle outlet coupled to an end of the body. The fountain system also includes an extension system configured to actuate the extension and retraction of the body. The fountain system also includes an actuation system configured to activate discharge of a liquid, such as water, from the nozzle outlet. The extension system and the actuation system are discrete systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for an amusement park includes a bogie system positioned on a track. The bogie system directs motion along the track. The apparatus also includes an arm extending radially outward from the bogie system. The arm is rotatably coupled to a body of the bogie system. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a vehicle positioned on the arm.

Abstract: An amusement park attraction system including a ride vehicle comprising an input device, and a control system configured to determine a parameter value associated with a force imparted on the input device. The parameter value includes a value of the force imparted on the input device, a value of a deformation caused by the force imparted on the input device, or both. The control system is also configured to control movement of the ride vehicle of the amusement park attraction system based on the parameter value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating real images via retroreflection are provided. An image source may project light beams, which are received at a beam splitter. The beam splitter, positioned between a retroreflector and a viewing area, may reflect the light beams toward the retroreflector. In turn, the light beams may be reflected back from the retroreflector and toward and through the beam splitter to generate a real image that appears to a viewer to be floating in the viewing area. A controller may control the image source to adjust the real image based on a control parameter detected by at least one sensor.

Abstract: A dual-surfaced mirror for a mirror wedge illusion. The dual-surfaced mirror includes a reflective material layer, a thin glass layer overlaying a front surface of the reflective material, a dark mask layer overlaying a back surface of the reflective material, and a thick glass support layer coupled to the dark mask layer.

Abstract: An integrated game play system includes a game play platform, an amusement park, and a controller. The game play platform provides access to multiple games and the amusement park includes an attraction including one or more attraction features. Moreover, the controller detects presence of a guest on the game play platform and/or at the attraction, identifies the guest, and determines guest data based on the identification of the guest. In response to determining the guest data, the controller determines a modification to an organization of the multiple games on a display interface of the game play platform and/or a modification to the one or more attraction features (e.g., an animation, a lighting effect, and/or a sound effect), based on the guest data. The controller also sends a control signal indicative of the modification to the game play platform and/or the modification of the one or more attraction features.

Abstract: A system for providing an augmented reality, a virtual reality, and/or a mixed reality experience to a user includes a first display and a second display. The user views a real-world environment through the first display and the second display. The system includes a wearable visualization device that includes the first display and a fixed visualization device that includes the second display. The first display is configured to display a first layer of virtual features and the second display is configured to display a second layer of virtual features. The system includes a processor configured to generate the first layer of virtual features and the second layer of virtual features. The processor is configured to operatively communicate with the wearable visualization device and the fixed visualization device to coordinate presentation of the first layer of virtual features and the second layer of virtual features.

Abstract: A ride system includes at least one ride vehicle. The at least one ride vehicle is configured to receive a ride passenger. The ride system includes electronic goggles configured to be worn by the ride passenger. The electronic goggles include a camera and a display. The ride system includes a computer graphics generation system communicatively coupled to the electronic goggles, and configured to generate streaming media of a real world environment based on image data captured via the camera of the electronic goggles, generate one or more virtual augmentations superimposed on the streaming media of the real world environment, and to transmit the streaming media of the real world environment along with the one or more superimposed virtual augmentations to be displayed on the display of the electronic goggles.

Abstract: A system for performing a shrinking room illusion includes a first group of perforated optics panels defining a first interior space. First lighting is configured to illuminate the first group of perforated optics panels from the first interior space. The system also includes a second group of panels defining a second interior space, wherein the first group of perforated optics panels are nested within the second interior space. Second lighting is configured to illuminate the second group of panels from within the second interior space and positioned beyond the first interior space. A controller of the system is configured to control the first lighting and the second lighting to transition between illuminating the first group of perforated optics panels and illuminating the second group of panels such that a visual illusion of transitioning between the first interior space and the second interior space is provided.

Abstract: A system includes a ride vehicle of an amusement park ride and a restraint system coupled to the ride vehicle and including a lock having a detector that may receive a wireless signal. Receiving the wireless signal causes the lock to lock or unlock and the restraint system may secure a rider within the ride vehicle.

Abstract: A ride vehicle control system for a ride vehicle of an attraction includes multiple sensors that are configured to monitor a guest supported by the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle control system also includes an actuator system configured to couple to the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle control system further includes one or more processors that are configured to receive signals from the multiple sensors, wherein the signals are indicative of a position of the guest, a movement of the guest, or both. The one or more processors are also configured to determine an intended movement for the ride vehicle based on the signals and to control the actuator system to adjust a resistance to movement of the ride vehicle to facilitate the intended movement.

Abstract: An attraction system has a plurality of show effects, a handheld or wearable device, and a control system. The control system is configured to perform operations that include monitoring a parameter of the handheld or wearable device, determining that the parameter is indicative of an undesirable utilization of the attraction system, and controlling the handheld or wearable device, at least one show effect of the plurality of show effects, or both. The control system is also configured to provide guidance to change the parameter in response to the determination that the parameter is indicative of the undesirable utilization of the attraction system.

Abstract: An interactive energy effect system that includes one or more sensors configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a user-associated object in the system. The interactive energy effect system also includes a system controller that receives the signal and generates a first and second set of instructions based on the signal. The system controller transmits the first instructions to an energy emission system to cause the energy emission system to reposition and activate an energy emitter. The system controller transmits the second instructions to a multi-layer display system to cause the multi-layer display system to move towards or away from the user-associated object.