Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An animation system includes an animated figure, multiple sensors, and an animation controller that includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. The instructions cause the animation controller to receive guest detection data from the multiple sensors, receive shiny object detection data from the multiple sensors, determine an animation sequence of the animated figure based on the guest detection data and shiny object detection data, and transmit a control signal indicative of the animation sequence to cause the animated figure to execute the animation sequence. The guest detection data is indicative of a presence of a guest near the animated figure. The animation sequence is responsive to a shiny object detected on or near the guest based on the guest detection data and the shiny object detection data.

Abstract: An attraction system of an amusement park includes a viewing area, a virtual area, a beam splitter positioned to enable visibility of a portion of the viewing area through the beam splitter and visibility of a portion of the virtual area via reflection off the beam splitter, and a controller. The controller is configured to generate image data based on a distortive parameter associated with a first element disposed in the viewing area and transmit the image data to cause display of a second element in the virtual area. The distortive parameter is indicative of a distortion of an appearance of an object visible through the first element.

Abstract: A lensed display system includes a projector configured to project an image. The lensed display system includes a lens formed of a glass or crystalline material. The lens includes a first surface, wherein at least a portion of the first surface includes a coating that is configured to display the projected image. The lens includes a second surface, wherein the second surface comprises a transparent curved surface that is configured to face toward a user and to enable the user to view the image projected onto the coating through the transparent curved surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that determine whether wait times for attractions of a theme park are shorter or longer than expected and notify guests of these shorter or longer wait times. In particular, the systems and methods determine a wait time value for an attraction by dividing a wait time for the attraction by a total wait time for all attractions of the theme park, and compare the wait time value to one or more threshold values based on an expected wait time for the attraction. In this manner, theme park guests may make a more informed decision on which attraction to wait for, and maximize their time at the theme park.

Abstract: An entertainment system includes a drone configured to be maneuvered across a plurality of zones, an interactive toy device configured to be actuated to cause a plurality of toy reactions, one or more processors, and one or more non-transitory, computer readable media having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine a correlation between the drone and the interactive toy device, where the correlation is based on a proximity between the drone and the interactive toy device and at least one of: a location of the drone within a zone of the plurality of zones, an additional location of the interactive toy device within the zone or an additional zone of the plurality of zones, a non-position based physical attribute of the drone, or an additional non-position based physical attribute of the interactive toy device.

Abstract: A ride system for an amusement park includes a platform of the ride system that rotates about a guide axis along a direction of travel of the platform. A motion system is included and drives movement of the platform. One or more seats are coupled to the platform, wherein the one or more seats move with the platform and relative to the platform. At least one sensor detects a position of at least one seat of the one or more seats and provides data indicative of the position. A controller receives the data indicative of the position and controls the motion system to rotate the platform about the guide axis based on the data indicative of the position.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a multi-sectional show robot. The multi-sectional show robot includes a primary robot with a controller and one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are configured to acquire feedback indicative of an environment surrounding the primary robot. The multi-sectional show robot also includes a secondary robot configured to removably couple to the primary robot to transition the multi-sectional show robot between a disengaged configuration, in which the primary robot is decoupled from the secondary robot, and an engaged configuration, in which the primary robot is coupled to the secondary robot. The controller is configured to operate the primary robot based on the feedback and a first control scheme with the multi-sectional show robot in the disengaged configuration and to operate the primary robot based on a second control scheme with the multi-sectional show robot in the engaged configuration.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for replacing a drive assembly of a turntable load station. A system includes a structural pier, a track formed on a top surface of the structural pier, a turntable, a bogie assembly detachably coupled to an underside of the turntable, the bogie assembly including a wheeled drive assembly, a swap rail mounted to a radial side surface of the structural pier, and a translating cartridge movably mounted to the swap rail in a serviceable orientation. The translating cartridge is configured to move along the radial side surface of the structural pier via the swap rail while in the serviceable orientation to an unloading position underneath the bogie assembly, pivot from the serviceable orientation to an upright functional orientation to couple with the wheeled drive assembly, and decouple the wheeled drive assembly from the bogie assembly.

Abstract: A system in accordance with present embodiments includes a plurality of virtual queuing stations associated with respective attractions within a theme park and a virtual queue control system configured to maintain respective virtual queues for the respective attractions and in communication with the plurality of virtual queuing stations. The virtual queue control system is configured to receive communications from the plurality of virtual queuing stations and add guests to the respective virtual queues based on the communications.

Abstract: A wearable visualization device includes a housing, one or more lenses coupled to the housing and configured to display virtual features for visualization by a user of the wearable visualization device, and a cover coupled to the housing and configured to adjust between an extended configuration in which the cover extends over at least a portion of the one or more lenses and a retracted configuration in which the cover does not extend over at least the portion of the one or more lenses. The wearable visualization device also includes a controller and one or more sensors. The controller is configured to receive sensor data from the one or more sensors and to provide control signals to an actuator to adjust the cover between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration based on the sensor data.

Abstract: An augmented reality system includes a first scene and a second scene. Further, the augmented reality system includes a partially reflective surface positioned relative to the first scene, the second scene, and an audience to facilitate viewing of one of the first scene or the second scene through the partially reflective surface and to facilitate reflection of the other of the first scene or the second scene toward the audience as augmented reality imagery. A sensor of the augmented reality system is designed to detect and generate data indicative of a characteristic of the first scene, and a correlative effect system is operable to receive the data and adjust the second scene based thereon.

Abstract: Headgear includes one or more sensors that provide input information to a controller of the headgear. The sensors may include accelerometers, location sensors, wireless receivers, cameras, and so on. The controller may receive the input information that is indicative of an orientation of the headgear, a location of the headgear, a communication signal, and/or an image or video. The headgear may also include one or more output devices that may be controlled by the controller (e.g., actuators, electronic displays, lights, speakers, and/or communication interfaces). As such, the headgear may output instructions to actuate an actuator, display an image on an electronic display, activate a light, emit a sound using a speaker, and/or send a communication signal using a communication interface. In particular, the headgear may determine an instruction to send to an output device in response to receiving the input information, and send the instruction to the output device.

Abstract: A system includes a projection device configured to project images onto a receiver surface of a viewing device. The viewing device includes a screen having the receiver surface and a viewing surface opposite the receiver surface. The screen is configured to permit transmission of the images through the screen, from the receiver surface, to the viewing surface such that the images are viewable on the viewing surface. The viewing device also includes a focusing lens configured to focus the images for a user when wearing the viewing device. Further, the system includes a tracking system configured to determine a location and orientation of the receiver surface of the viewing device. The projection device is configured to adjust image properties of the images based at least in part on the determined location and orientation of the receiver surface.

Abstract: A system may have one or more processors and a memory storing instructions, that when executed by the processors, cause the processors to perform operations that include receiving data associated with a user, and determining that the received data corresponds to a direction of movement by the user through a virtual reality (VR) environment, augmented reality (AR) environment, or mixed reality (MR) environment. The operations may also include transmitting a tile of high quality image data to a display device based on the direction of movement by the user, transmitting a command to the display device to display one or more aspects of a region of the VR environment, the AR environment, or the MR environment based on the tile of high quality image data, and preloading one or more additional tiles of high quality image data into a preloader based on the tile of high quality image data.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a tracking system for a ride vehicle. A tracking system for a ride vehicle includes a contact switch sensor including a plurality of contact closure switches. The contact switch sensor is situated on the ride vehicle. The tracking system for the ride vehicle further includes a plurality of location indicator devices situated on or proximate to a path of the ride vehicle. Each location indicator device of the plurality of location indicator devices is configured to communicate location information to the contact switch sensor via the plurality of contact closure switches when the ride vehicle passes by each location indicator device of the plurality of location indicator devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an amusement park attraction installation including a camera disposed on a side of a window, where the camera includes a lens and is configured to capture image data indicative of movement of a guest on an opposite side of the window. The amusement park attraction installation also includes a light source positioned on the side of the window and a camera housing disposed at least partially about the camera, where the camera housing has an inner volume and an opening surrounded by an edge of the camera housing, the lens is disposed within the inner volume, and the edge of the camera housing is in abutment with a surface of the window.

Abstract: An augmented reality, virtual reality, and/or mixed reality (AR/VR) system includes a wearable visualization assembly configured to be worn by a user and to display virtual features for visualization by the user during a ride stage of an attraction. The wearable visualization assembly includes a sensor configured to provide feedback indicative of an attachment status of the wearable visualization assembly on the user. The AR/VR system also includes a retraction assembly coupled to the wearable visualization assembly via a tether and configured to retrieve the tether. The AR/VR system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the retraction assembly and the sensor. The controller is configured to actuate the retraction assembly to retrieve the tether to transition the wearable visualization assembly to a storage configuration in response to the feedback indicating that the wearable visualization assembly is in a detached configuration during the ride stage.

Abstract: Systems and method 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 variable effect activation system includes one or more sensors that generate data. The data can be assessed to determine if the data is indicative of a valid input to an interactive effect. Valid inputs may be assessed based on a lenient or relatively non-stringent threshold to permit a wide variety of guest actions to be considered valid inputs. While many of these guest actions may not be recognized as part of preprogrammed interactions with an interactive environment, the system nonetheless assesses characteristics of these inputs to provide an appropriate response, e.g., via activation of an interactive effect in a manner that aligns with the characteristics.