Abstract: A personalized audio system for an amusement ride includes an audio selection system, a guest identification system and a ride vehicle enabled to reproduce audio selections made using the selection system in a specific seat of the ride vehicle corresponding to the seat occupied by the guest who selected the audio during that guest's ride on the amusement ride.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for switching a vehicle from a first track to a second track. The track-switching device may be rotated by a motor, and may have a drive axle and a primary axle. The drive axle may have a barrel located at one end of the drive axle, the barrel having a plurality of switch tracks located thereon and a braking assembly connected to the drive axle and spaced from the barrel. The primary axle may have a flywheel and a clutch assembly. The drive axle may then be driven by the primary axle upon engagement of the clutch assembly via the motor and the energy stored in the flywheel. A method for switching a vehicle from a first track to a second track is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-language attraction communication device is provided wherein a guest selects a particular language file corresponding to an audio file coordinated with at least one entertainment activity. The communication device includes a memory for storing multiple language files for at least one entertainment activity and a processor. The processor is configured to access the memory, in response to a selected language file for the at least one entertainment activity, and to communicate the language file for review by a guest in real time coordination with the at least one entertainment activity. A method of providing audio to guests at an entertainment activity is also provided.

Abstract: A guest lap bar locking assembly for releasably positioning a lap bar within a water ride at an entertainment park includes a lap bar locking assembly that is dimensioned and configured to provide continuously variable position locking of the lap bar.

Abstract: A ride vehicle includes a tactile or physical contact system. The ride vehicle moves along a path or track. The path or track can be outdoors or partially or entirely indoors, i.e., in a dark ride. The system provides a touch effect by causing a physical or solid touch element to make physical contact with a part of a rider's body. Alternatively, the system can operate by projecting or spraying a gas, such as air, a vapor, such as water vapor or steam, or even a liquid, such as water, toward or onto part of a rider's body or the rider's clothing. The system is advantageously substantially self-contained aboard the vehicle, but may receive power or working fluid from off-board sources, either at discrete locations, or continuously along the ride path.

Abstract: A system for confirming authorization of a operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths, the system having at least one ride vehicle with an onboard control system being configured to confirm operator authorization prior to allowing operator control thereof and an electronic device dimensioned and configured to be supported by an operator, the electronic device being further configured to remotely authorize operator control of the onboard control system. A method for confirming authorization of an operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for managing theme park ride lines by providing an identifying device to a guest, the device configured to uniquely identify the guest, using the identifying device to ascertain an amount of time a guest spends at a predetermined location and reducing the amount of time a guest spends in a line queue for a predetermined ride by the amount of time the guest spends at the predetermined location. A system for managing theme park ride lines is also provided.

Abstract: Transformable scenery includes a shell wherein at least one discrete portion of the shell is configured to be transformable between one outward appearance and one or more other outward appearances wherein the one outward appearance and the one or more other outward appearances are three-dimensional.

Abstract: At least one actuator for actuating a guest lap bar locking assembly for releasably positioning a lap bar includes a rotatable actuator hub, a telegraph rod interconnected with the rotatable actuator hub, an operator arm also extending from the actuator hub and a toggle latching assembly interconnected with the actuator hub. The toggle latching assembly provides for rotation of the telegraph rod to actuate the lap bar locking assembly to prevent movement of the lap bar in at least one particular direction.

Abstract: An amusement ride has a track defining a ride vehicle path with a section of the track that can be decoupled from the main track and is subsequently movable on or about up to three axes with between one and six independent degrees of freedom.

Abstract: At least one actuator for actuating a guest lap bar locking assembly for releasably positioning a lap bar includes a rotatable actuator hub, a telegraph rod interconnected with the rotatable actuator hub, an operator arm also extending from the actuator hub and a toggle latching assembly interconnected with the actuator hub. The toggle latching assembly provides for rotation of the telegraph rod to actuate the lap bar locking assembly to prevent movement of the lap bar in at least one particular direction.

Abstract: An entertainment apparatus for at least one guest, includes a vehicle, at least one guest support located on the vehicle and a lap bar assembly. The lap bar assembly may include at least one lap bar that is located proximal to the at least one support and that is configured to releasably position at least one guest. The lap bar assembly may also include at least one lap bar locking assembly that may be configured to releasably lock the lap bar and may further include at least one actuator. The at least one actuator may be configured to remotely actuate the at least one lap bar locking assembly to enable movement of the lap bar.

Abstract: A guest lap bar locking assembly for releasably positioning a lap bar within a water ride at an entertainment park includes a lap bar locking assembly that is dimensioned and configured to provide continuously variable position locking of the lap bar.

Abstract: An apparatus for entertaining multiple guests includes a device that selectively generates a flame and a barrier interposed between each guest and the flame. The barrier is configured to remain transparent throughout multiple repetitions of use of the device for generating a flame. A method of entertaining guests is also presented.

Abstract: A multi-language attraction communication device is provided wherein a guest selects a particular language file corresponding to an audio file coordinated with at least one entertainment activity. The communication device includes a memory for storing multiple language files for at least one entertainment activity and a processor. The processor is configured to access the memory, in response to a selected language file for the at least one entertainment activity, and to communicate the language file for review by a guest in real time coordination with the at least one entertainment activity. A method of providing audio to guests at an entertainment activity is also provided.

Abstract: Transformable scenery includes a shell wherein at least one discrete portion of the shell is configured to be transformable between one outward appearance and one or more other outward appearances wherein the one outward appearance and the one or more other outward appearances are three-dimensional.

Abstract: A device for displaying multiple image streams each comprising multiple image frames that entertains multiple viewers includes at least three image generators for generating at least three separate image streams that each include multiple image frames. At least one of the image generators is configured for at least one viewer input. An image multiplexer is provided for interleaving image frames of each image stream to produce an interleaved image stream and a display is provided for showing the interleaved image stream. A method of displaying multiple image streams is also presented.