Abstract: A control system for a water amusement system is described. The control system is configured to operate the water amusement system to produce water effects, sound effects, and/or light effects when the control system receives an activation signal. The activation signal may be sent to the control system by an activation point, such as an optical touch button, or a water target. The control system is further configured to produce water effects, sound effects, and/or light effects in the absence of an activation signal to attract participants to the water amusement system.

Abstract: A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be actively involved in a water attraction. This transportation system may include a plurality of covers forming a covering system over at least a portion of the water transportation and/or amusement system. In some embodiments, at least one of the covers may be positionable. In addition, the water transportation system may include conveyor belt systems and water locks configured to convey participants from a first source of water to a second source of water which may or may not be at a different elevation.

Abstract: A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be actively involved in a water attraction. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, the water transportation system may include conveyor belt systems and water locks configured to convey participants from a first source of water to a second source of water which may or may not be at a different elevation.

Abstract: A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, a floating water park positioned in a body of water is described, as well as, a floating marine park. A floating marine/water park may include one or more floating containers positioned in a body of a first fluid. One or more of the floating containers may function to hold a second fluid, marine life, and/or participants in water amusement activities. A floating container may include an access point functioning to allow participants to enter/exit one or more of the floating containers. The access point may include a gradually sloping beach portion.

Abstract: A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, a floating water park positioned in a body of water is described, as well as, a floating marine park. A floating marine/water park may include one or more floating containers positioned in a body of a first fluid. One or more of the floating containers may function to hold a second fluid, marine life, and/or participants in water amusement activities. At least a portion of a floating marine park may be coupled to at least a water amusement ride.

Abstract: An interactive water amusement ride may include a water amusement ride, a competition area located in the water amusement ride, and a participant identifier coupled to a participant in the water amusement ride. The participant may participate in a competition in the competition area. An automated system assesses a status of the participant in the competition. In some embodiments, an automated system for an interactive water amusement ride includes sensors coupled to a competition area. The sensors may detect participant identifiers in the competition area. The sensors may be coupled to a control system. The control system may assess a status of each participant individually and/or a status of the teams in the competition area. Status of participants and/or teams in the competition area may be displayed on a display (e.g., a scoreboard) located at or near the competition area.

Abstract: An exercise facility may be part of a water ride. The exercise facility may be coupled to a water amusement system. An exercise facility may include a body of water that assists or resists movement of a participant between stations or apparatus in the facility. Exercise stations may be at least partially submerged in the body of water. Exercise apparatus may float on or be coupled to structures in the body of water. A participant may move from station to station, or apparatus to apparatus, by swimming, floating, traveling underwater, walking or jogging in the body of water, or using a conveyor. A system for providing exercise may include a processing unit that processes information relating to exercise by a participant and a display for displaying information to the participant while the participant is at the exercise stations.

Abstract: A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, a floating water park positioned in a body of water is described, as well as, a floating marine park. A floating marine/water park may include one or more floating containers positioned in a body of a first fluid. One or more of the floating containers may function to hold a second fluid, marine life, and/or participants in water amusement activities. A floating marine park may include one or more convertible roofs functioning to substantially cover at least a portion of one or more of the floating containers.

Abstract: A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be actively involved in a water attraction. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, a floating water park positioned in a body of water is described, as well as, a floating marine park. A floating marine/water park may include one or more floating containers positioned in a body of a first fluid. One or more of the floating containers may function to hold a second fluid, marine life, and/or participants in water amusement activities. A water transportation system may include a floating marine/water park.

Abstract: A system may enable a participant to play games of chance in a water environment. A gambling facility may be part of a water ride. The gambling facility is coupled to a water amusement system. Gambling stations may be at least partially submerged in the body of water. Gambling apparatus may float on or be coupled to structures in the body of water. A participant may move from station to station, or apparatus to apparatus, by swimming, floating, traveling underwater, walking or jogging in the body of water, or using a conveyor. In some embodiments, participant identifiers are coupled to the one or more participants. The participant identifiers may be used to assess a status of the participants in the gambling facility or water amusement park system.

Abstract: An amusement ride system and method are described. In some embodiments, an amusement ride system may be generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. An amusement ride system may include a system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water. A system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water may include a belt and a belt movement system. A system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water may include a support structure which functions to provide support for the belt and belt movement system and/or one or more support elements which functions to support and align the belt as the belt moves between the support structure and the support elements.

Abstract: A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, a floating water park positioned in a body of water is described, as well as, a floating marine park. A floating marine/water park may include one or more floating containers positioned in a body of a first fluid. One or more of the floating containers may function to hold a second fluid, marine life, and/or participants in water amusement activities. A floating marine park may include two or more of the floating containers, which may be assembled and used at a first site, dissembled, and then assembled and used at a second site.

Abstract: An amusement ride system and method are described. In some embodiments, an amusement ride system may be generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be more involved in a water attraction. An amusement ride system may include an elevation system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water. An elevation system may assist in adjusting and/or controlling a participant flow rate through at least a portion of a water amusement park. An elevation system may include two or more conveyor belt systems. An elevation system for adjusting a participant flow rate may include one or more floating queue lines. An elevation system may include a control system. A control system may be automated, semi-automated, or manual.

Abstract: An amusement ride system and method are described. In some embodiments, an amusement ride system may be generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. An amusement ride system may include a system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water. A system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water may include a belt and a belt movement system. A system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water may include a support structure which functions to provide support for the belt and belt movement system, one or more coupling mechanisms functioning to releasably couple one or more ends of the support structure to a portion of a water amusement park, and/or one or more spatial adjustment mechanisms coupled to the support structure.

Abstract: A composite tree may include a base having an artificial trunk portion. Living plants may be coupled to the base. Portions of the living plants may form branches of the composite tree. In some embodiments, the living plants are living trees. The base may include one or more openings. A first portion of at least one of the living plants may be coupled in one of the openings such that a second portion of the living plant extends from the opening to form a branch of the composite tree. A first portion of the living plant may include at least a portion of the root system of the living plant. In some embodiments, at least two sets of branch portions may be configured to removably couple to the base. At least one set of branch portions may have a different theme.

Abstract: A system may include a tree and a covering apparatus. The tree may include a composite tree. A composite tree may include a base having an artificial trunk portion. Living plants may be coupled to the base. Portions of the living plants may form branches of the composite tree. In some embodiments, the living plants are living trees. The base may include one or more openings. A first portion of at least one of the living plants may be coupled in one of the openings such that a second portion of the living plant extends from the opening to form a branch of the composite tree. The covering apparatus may function to cover at least a portion of the tree. The covering apparatus may be coupled to the tree. At least a portion of the covering apparatus may be positioned in or above the tree.

Abstract: A water amusement system may include a composite tree and an elevated structure. A composite tree may include a base having an artificial trunk portion. The base may be coupled to a surface. Living plants may be coupled to the base. Portions of the living plants may form branches of the composite tree. In some embodiments, the living plants are living trees. The water amusement system may include a water amusement ride coupled to the base. The water amusement ride may include an access point configured to allow participants to access the water amusement ride from the structure. The access point may be positioned adjacent to the base.

Abstract: An elevated structure system may include a composite tree and an elevated structure. A composite tree may include a base having an artificial trunk portion. The base may be coupled to a surface. Living plants may be coupled to the base. Portions of the living plants may form branches of the composite tree. In some embodiments, the living plants are living trees. The base may include one or more openings. A first portion of at least one of the living plants may be coupled in one of the openings such that a second portion of the living plant extends from the opening to form a branch of the composite tree. The system may include at least one structure coupled to the base. At least one of the structures may function to contain one or more persons above the surface.

Abstract: A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, a floating water park positioned in a body of water is described, as well as, a floating marine park. A floating marine/water park may include one or more floating containers positioned in a body of a first fluid. One or more of the floating containers may function to hold a second fluid, marine life, and/or participants in water amusement activities. A floating marine park may include a heat exchange system configured to exchange heat between a body of water and fluid in at least one of the containers.

Abstract: A water amusement ride system is disclosed. The system may include a device or apparatus, including a water bypass channel in fluid communication with a channel of water. The water bypass channel may include a water entrance, a water exit, and an adjustable valve. The water entrance is in fluid communication with water upstream of the apparatus. The water exit is in fluid communication with water downstream of the apparatus. The adjustable valve may be located between the water entrance and the water exit. The adjustable valve may be adjusted to control an amount of water exiting the water bypass channel. The water bypass channel may increase the flow rate of water between the water entrance and the water exit of the water bypass channel. The water bypass channel may assist in controlling a water effect.