A water ride comprising a multi-stage water effect system, comprising: a plurality of water ride vehicles (14a - 14c) wherein a water ride vehicle of the plurality of water ride vehicles (14a - 14c) comprises: a plurality of sensors (32a - 32h) configured to obtain feedback associated with an interaction between the water ride vehicle and the water ride; a plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f), each configured to provide a fluid flow; a control system communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors (32a - 32h) and the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) of the water ride vehicle of the plurality of water ride vehicles (14a - 14c), wherein the control system is configured to: receive the feedback associated with the interaction between the water ride vehicle and the water ride from at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors (32a - 32h); select a stage of operation from a plurality of stages of operation based on the feedback, wherein the plurality of stages of operation comprise a first stage of operation associated with a first fluid flow · from a first subset of the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) and a second stage of operation associated with a second fluid flow from a second subset of the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) activate the first subset of the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) of the water ride vehicle to provide the first fluid flow at a first time in response to selection of the first stage of operation; and activate the second subset of the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) of the water ride vehicle to provide the second fluid flow at a second time in response to selection of the second stage of operation. a plurality of sensors (32a - 32h) configured to obtain feedback associated with an interaction between the water ride vehicle and the water ride; a plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f), each configured to provide a fluid flow; a control system communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors (32a - 32h) and the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) of the water ride vehicle of the plurality of water ride vehicles (14a - 14c), wherein the control system is configured to: receive the feedback associated with the interaction between the water ride vehicle and the water ride from at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors (32a - 32h); select a stage of operation from a plurality of stages of operation based on the feedback, wherein the plurality of stages of operation comprise a first stage of operation associated with a first fluid flow · from a first subset of the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) and a second stage of operation associated with a second fluid flow from a second subset of the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) activate the first subset of the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) of the water ride vehicle to provide the first fluid flow at a first time in response to selection of the first stage of operation; and activate the second subset of the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) of the water ride vehicle to provide the second fluid flow at a second time in response to selection of the second stage of operation. receive the feedback associated with the interaction between the water ride vehicle and the water ride from at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors (32a - 32h); select a stage of operation from a plurality of stages of operation based on the feedback, wherein the plurality of stages of operation comprise a first stage of operation associated with a first fluid flow · from a first subset of the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) and a second stage of operation associated with a second fluid flow from a second subset of the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) activate the first subset of the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) of the water ride vehicle to provide the first fluid flow at a first time in response to selection of the first stage of operation; and activate the second subset of the plurality of water effect devices (16a - 16f) of the water ride vehicle to provide the second fluid flow at a second time in response to selection of the second stage of operation.