Patent Description:
Various transport systems are used to provide the ride path for the rider carriage. Historically, the carriages are mounted on fixed rails or tracks. "Trackless" options include buried guide cables and local positioning systems. Rider carriages provided as free-ranging automated guided vehicles (AGVs) may use a combination of inertial navigation, laser scanners, RF tracking and ranging systems with WiFi and indoor GPS, optical encoders and sensors, buried magnets, buried wire and RFID tags with an onboard electronic map. Such vehicles may also have onboard or wayside vision systems monitoring for obstacles. Switching systems allow the carriages to be selectively directed onto different ride pathways. The carriages may be rotatable relative to the primary direction of travel along the ride path, and include onboard audio, interactive guns or blasters, displays, effects, etc. An indoor amusement ride is for example disclosed in <CIT> and in <CIT>.

The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and depicted in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.

Proceeding from this background, the present disclosure relates to an indoor amusement ride. One aspect is a ride configuration designed for small spaces, typically less than <NUM> square feet. Another aspect is to provide such a ride configuration for small spaces which also provides a wide range of ride experiences for the passengers within such a small space.

The invention provides an indoor amusement ride according to claim <NUM> and a method of operating an indoor amusement ride according to claim <NUM>. In some embodiments, the variable ride elements are rotatable, preferably <NUM>° rotatable, in order to change which ride scene is displayed to the rider carriages in the main hallway, with a dividing wall separating different ride scenes from one another. For example, the transitional ride scenes provided by the variable ride elements in the main hallway may comprise various scene imagery, animatronics, show action props, special effects, lighting effects, video displays, etc. In addition, the lateral walls of the main hallway may also include one or more entertainment elements for rider interaction, such as theme imagery, special effects, lighting effects, video displays for ride media, etc..

For installations with limited space availability for the ride, the ride path preferably consists of three terminal positions for the rider carriages, namely, a first terminal position located in the loading room, a second terminal position located in the first viewing area, and a third terminal position located in the second viewing area. In which case, the ride path preferably consists of three movement pathways for the rider carriages, namely, one between the loading room and the first viewing area, one between the loading room and the second viewing area, and one between the first viewing area and the second viewing area which bypasses the loading room through the main hallway. According to a further development, the loading room is connected to the first viewing area and the second viewing area respectively with curved portions of the ride path, preferably semicircular portions. Preferably, the loading room, the first viewing area, and the second viewing area are arranged on a same lateral side of the main hallway, with the loading room located between the first and second viewing areas. Such layout is particularly space efficient. According to a further development, the loading room has a floorplan shape of a trapezoid or irregular hexagon, which is narrower on the passenger entry/exit side, and the adjacent viewing area rooms have a corresponding fan-shaped floorplans with the inner sidewalls thereof also providing the angled leg walls of the loading room's floorplan.

The current ride of the first carriage may end after returning to the loading room. In which case, the current passengers are unloaded from the first carriage to end the current ride, and new passengers are loaded on the first carriage to begin a new ride. The first carriage may then repeat the above steps for the new ride. Alternatively, the loading room is used at this point to provide an intermediary scene for the current ride of the first carriage, which allows the second carriage to move through the main hallway between the viewing areas without encountering the first carriage. For example, ride media may be played for the first carriage in the loading room. After playing such ride media for the first carriage in the loading room, and with the main hallway clear of the second carriage, the door between the loading room and the main hallway is opened and the first carriage is moved through the main hallway into either the first or second viewing area, whichever is open based on where the second rider carriage is currently located.

Accordingly, where the ride course path consists of three terminal positions for the rider vehicles, namely, one in the loading room, one in the first viewing area room, and one in the second viewing area room, the operation of the ride or ride system may be further described in terms of the relative positions of the rider vehicles as follows: when one carriage is in the loading room, the other carriage is either in the first viewing area, in the second viewing area, or in the main hallway moving between the first viewing area and the second viewing area; when one carriage is in the first viewing area, the other carriage is either in the loading room, in the second viewing area, or in the main hallway moving between the loading room and the second viewing area; and when one carriage is in the second viewing area, the other carriage is either in the loading room, in the first viewing area, or in the main hallway moving between the loading room and the first viewing area.

In addition to aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the appended drawings, wherein like reference numerals generally designate corresponding structures in the several views.

The description below utilizes example embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:.

Before explaining example embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in application to the details of particular arrangements shown in the drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.

Referring to <FIG>, an indoor amusement ride or ride system <NUM> comprises a rider carriage loading/unloading room <NUM> (or, simply, the loading room <NUM>), a main hallway <NUM>, a first viewing area <NUM>, and a second viewing area <NUM>. This amusement ride <NUM> is designed to operate one or two rider carriages <NUM> at a time. The depicted example shows the ride <NUM> installed in a rectangular building structure <NUM> defined by perimeter walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The main hallway wall <NUM> and lateral wall <NUM> designated in <FIG> are omitted in <FIG> for clarity. The ride building structure <NUM> is accessed from its external environment via one or more ingress/egress points <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the external environment may include outdoor environments, such as where the ride building structure <NUM> is a standalone building, as well as indoor environments, such as where the ride building structure <NUM> is provided within a larger building complex such as a mall, hotel, casino, etc..

In this example, the amusement ride system <NUM> further comprises an indoor reception area <NUM> as well as backroom areas <NUM> within the building structure <NUM>. The reception area <NUM> may include one or more kiosks <NUM> (e.g., for ticketing, merchandise, etc.), a 3D glasses pickup and deposit stations <NUM> and deposit station <NUM>, passenger queue line dividers, waiting area seating, entertainment displays, etc. The reception area <NUM> is connected to the loading room <NUM> via a doorway <NUM>. In the depicted example, the doorway <NUM> is provided with a door <NUM> in the form of a rollup door, preferably system controlled; it being understood that other door types may also be used. Preferably, the reception area <NUM> is designed to limit or prevent contact between incoming patrons entering the loading area <NUM> and outgoing patrons leaving the loading area <NUM>. For this purpose, the reception area <NUM> may be separated into an entry space <NUM> and an exit space <NUM> by a barrier <NUM> such as a wall (see <FIG>), whereby outgoing passengers exit the loading area <NUM> through a left or right side of the doorway <NUM> and incoming passengers enter through the other side of the doorway <NUM>. According to a further development (not shown), the doorway <NUM> is provided with two doors <NUM> - an entry door that opens into the entry space <NUM> and an exit door that opens into the exit space <NUM> - with the entry door to the loading area <NUM> being opened after the previous passengers have left the loading area <NUM> through the exit door. With respect to the external environment, the entry space <NUM> is provided with ingress point or door <NUM> and the exit space <NUM> is provided with egress point or door <NUM> in the example reception area <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> shows an undivided reception area <NUM> with separate entry and exit spaces. One or both backroom areas <NUM> may contain systems equipment <NUM> for ride operation and control including for example actuation and coordination of carriage movement, audiovisual media output, animatronics, etc. as well as building infrastructure such as HVAC, electrical, etc. In alternative designs, the ride building structure <NUM> need not enclose the indoor reception area <NUM>, for example, where such area is outdoors as may be the case in good climates. Likewise, the control room area <NUM> may be designed in view of the particular spatial requirements and limitations.

The rider carriage loading/unloading room <NUM> is where passengers are loaded onto a carriage <NUM> to the start a ride and disembark from the carriage <NUM> at the end of the ride. The loading room <NUM> is connected to the main hallway <NUM> by a doorway <NUM> which contains a system-controlled automated door <NUM>. In the depicted example, the door <NUM> is provided in the form of a two-panel sliding door; it being understood that other door types may also be used. As discussed below, the loading room <NUM> may serve as an interactive space for holding one of the two carriages <NUM> during the ride, in order to allow the other carriage <NUM> to pass across the main hallway <NUM> and move directly between the viewing areas <NUM>, <NUM>. Therefore, the loading room <NUM> is preferably configured to contribute to the ride experience or story via one or more entertainment elements for rider interaction, such as one or more media display screens <NUM> for playing ride media. For example, the media display screens <NUM> may include LED displays and/or screens for media projectors <NUM>. The depicted examples have three in each case, though other configurations are also possible. In the depicted examples, the loading room <NUM> has a floorplan shape of a trapezoid or irregular hexagon, which corresponds to the three media panels. This trapezoid or irregular hexagon shaped floorplan is narrower on the passenger entry/exit side, and the adjacent viewing areas <NUM>, <NUM> have fan-shaped floorplans with the inner sidewalls thereof also providing the angled legs of the floorplan of the loading room <NUM>. Such arrangement is particularly space efficient. Accordingly, the loading room <NUM> equipped with entertainment elements <NUM> may be used to provide the first and/or last scene of the ride, as well as intermediary ride scenes to allow the other carriage <NUM> to pass across the main hallway <NUM>.

For purposes of description, the main hallway <NUM> is characterized as or divided into three sections, namely, a central section <NUM> arranged between two end sections <NUM>, <NUM>. The loading room <NUM> opens into the central section <NUM>. The viewing areas <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged in the respective end sections <NUM>, <NUM>. Doorway <NUM> connects the first viewing area <NUM> to the first end section <NUM>. Doorway <NUM> connects the second viewing area <NUM> to the second end section <NUM>. The doorways <NUM>, <NUM> are shown without doors in the depicted example; it being understood that one or both doorways <NUM>, <NUM> may have system-controlled doors in other embodiments, which can help reduce noise leakage between the main hallway <NUM> and viewing areas <NUM>, <NUM> if desired. The first viewing area <NUM> and the second viewing area <NUM> are arranged on a same lateral side of the main hallway <NUM>, with the loading room <NUM> located between the first and second viewing areas <NUM>, <NUM>. Preferably, the main hallway wall <NUM> includes one or more entertainment elements for rider interaction, such as theme imagery, special effects, video displays for ride media, etc..

The ride <NUM> further comprises two variable ride elements <NUM>. Each variable ride element <NUM> is provided in a respective end or corner of the end sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the main hallway <NUM>. Each variable ride element <NUM> comprises at least two ride scenes, including a first ride scene <NUM> and a second ride scene <NUM>, which each present a respective "part" or "scene" of the experience or story of the ride <NUM>. For example, the ride scenes <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise scene imagery, animatronics, show action props, special effects, video displays, etc. The variable ride elements <NUM> are controlled and timed with the passage of the carriages <NUM> during the ride. For example, the variable ride element <NUM> in the hallway end section <NUM> may display the first ride scene <NUM> when the carriage <NUM> passes from the main hallway <NUM> into the first viewing area <NUM>, and then change to display the second ride scene <NUM> when the carriage <NUM> exits the viewing area <NUM> back into the main hallway <NUM>, or vice versa. Preferably, not only are the ride scenes <NUM>, <NUM> of the same variable ride element <NUM> different from each other, but also the ride scenes <NUM>, <NUM> of one ride element <NUM> are different than the ride scenes <NUM>, <NUM> of the other ride element <NUM>. In which case, the two variable ride elements <NUM> provide at least four distinct scenes for the ride experience or story, which avoids redundancy and creates an illusion that the amusement ride <NUM> is much larger in size. This effect may be augmented by rotating the carriages <NUM> to disorient the passengers' sense of direction.

In the depicted example, the variable ride elements <NUM> are rotatable, preferably <NUM>° rotatable, in order to change which ride scene <NUM>, <NUM> is displayed to the rider carriage <NUM>. In particular, the ride scenes <NUM>, <NUM> are provided as different displays separated from one another by a dividing wall <NUM> of the variable ride element <NUM>, with each scene <NUM>, <NUM> allocated about half or <NUM>° of the turntable platform of the element <NUM>. In a further development, one or both variable ride elements <NUM> are divided into more than two displays containing more than two ride scenes. In embodiments with three scene displays, each scene display is preferably allocated an equal area of the turntable platform, in particular a <NUM>° circumferential arc. In embodiments with four scene displays, each scene display is preferably allocated an equal area of the turntable platform, in particular a <NUM>° circumferential arc.

Other designs create the at least two scenes <NUM>, <NUM> without needing to rotate physical displays or use physical dividers. For example, the variable ride elements <NUM> may have objects which are raised and lowered to change the ride scenes <NUM>, <NUM> such as from the floor or ceiling. Additional techniques to create different impressions for the ride scenes <NUM>, <NUM> include projection mapping, black light to white light transitions, Pepper's ghost illusions, different animatronic dialogue and/or motions, video displays playing different ride media, holograms, special effects, etc. In this way, the same physical display may be used to present more than one unique ride scene. Accordingly, with respect to the depicted example, the two variable ride elements <NUM> divided into four total scene displays may be cleverly used to provide more than four scenes of the ride experience or story.

The viewing areas <NUM>, <NUM> provide an immersive ride media experience for the passengers. Each viewing area <NUM>, <NUM> has a panoramic media screen <NUM> that receives images from a 3D projector <NUM>. The curved display area extends over a <NUM>° arc here, though other angular coverages are also possible. Projection cones are indicated by dashed lines. In another embodiment, the viewing areas <NUM>, <NUM> may have one or more LED screens, again preferably providing a panoramic display area for immersive effect. Audio components of the media may be provided by audio speakers onboard the carriages <NUM> and/or in the viewing areas <NUM>, <NUM>. The viewing areas <NUM>, <NUM> may be equipped with additional sensory stimulating devices, such as lighting effects, fan blowers, fog machines, water sprayers, odor emitters, etc. The viewing areas <NUM>, <NUM> are designed the same in the depicted example; it being understood that the viewing areas <NUM>, <NUM> may instead be configured differently from one another to provide different experiences or effects if desired.

The carriage <NUM> is displaced along a ride path <NUM> and rotatable relative to its primary direction of movement along the ride path <NUM>, which can be used to direct passenger attention toward or away from ride elements as desired. The carriage <NUM> may have onboard audio, interactive user interface devices (e.g., guns, blasters, etc.), displays, effects, etc. To provide the ride path <NUM>, any suitable transport system may be used with controllable switching to direct the carriage <NUM> to move directly between any combination of the loading room <NUM>, the first viewing area <NUM>, and the second viewing area <NUM>. Example transport systems include traditional fixed rail as well as trackless systems such buried guide wire and local positioning systems. Rider carriages <NUM> provided as free-ranging automated guided vehicles (AGVs) may use a combination of inertial navigation, laser scanners, RF tracking and ranging systems with WiFi and indoor GPS, optical encoders and sensors, buried magnets, buried wire and RFID tags with an onboard electronic map. Such vehicles may also have onboard or wayside vision systems monitoring for obstacles. Such transport systems and carriages are known in the amusement ride art, and therefore not discussed in further detail here. The depicted example uses buried guide wire for the ride path <NUM>.

As seen in <FIG>, the ride path <NUM> preferably consists of three terminal positions for the rider carriages <NUM>: a first terminal position <NUM> located in the loading room <NUM>, a second terminal position <NUM> located in the first viewing area <NUM>, and a third terminal position <NUM> located in the second viewing area <NUM>. The carriages <NUM> can move directly between any two of the three terminal positions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the ride path <NUM>. Thus, the ride path <NUM> consists of three possible terminal-to-terminal movement pathways for the carriages <NUM>: one between the loading room <NUM> and the first viewing area <NUM>, one between the loading room <NUM> and the second viewing area <NUM>, and one between the first viewing area <NUM> and the second viewing area <NUM> which bypasses the loading room <NUM> through the main hallway <NUM>. The loading room <NUM> is connected to the first viewing area <NUM> and the second viewing area <NUM> respectively with curved portions of the ride path <NUM>, preferably semicircular portions. Likewise, the first terminal position <NUM> is connected to the second terminal position <NUM> and the third terminal position <NUM> respectively with curved portions of the ride path <NUM>, preferably semicircular portions.

<FIG> show various stages or steps of a method of operating such indoor amusement ride or ride system <NUM>. For purposes of description, the rider carriages <NUM> have been labeled and designated a first carriage or car <NUM> and a second carriage or car <NUM>. Likewise, the two variable ride elements <NUM> (each with components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) have been labeled and designated a first variable ride element <NUM> (with components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a second variable ride element <NUM> (with components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).

In <FIG>, the first car <NUM> is positioned in the loading room <NUM> to load passengers to begin a new ride. In particular, the first car <NUM> is located at the terminal position <NUM> of the ride path <NUM>. The second car <NUM> is positioned in the second viewing area <NUM>. In particular, the second car <NUM> is located at the terminal position <NUM> of the ride path <NUM>. The second car <NUM> may or may not have passengers at this point; for example, the second car <NUM> would be empty if the first car <NUM> is being loaded for the first ride of the day. In beginning a new ride, the passengers are secured onboard the first car <NUM> and the door <NUM> between the reception area <NUM> and loading room <NUM> is closed. After which, the one or more media display screens <NUM> in the loading room <NUM> are preferably used to initiate the ride experience by presenting an introductory or opening scene, before the first car <NUM> exits the loading room <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the sliding door <NUM> between the loading room <NUM> and main hallway <NUM> is now open. The first car <NUM> is moving from the loading room <NUM> into the main hallway <NUM> through the open doorway <NUM>. The first car <NUM> has also been rotated <NUM>° to face toward the main hallway <NUM> in the primary direction of travel. Interactive elements, if any, along the hallway wall <NUM> may be engaged at this point.

In <FIG>, the first car <NUM> is continuing to move through the main hallway <NUM> toward the first viewing area <NUM>. The first variable ride element <NUM> in the first hallway end section <NUM> displays its first ride scene <NUM> for the first car <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the first car <NUM> has fully moved into the first viewing area <NUM>. In particular, the first car <NUM> is located at the terminal position <NUM> of the ride path <NUM>. At this point, the panoramic media screen <NUM> of the first viewing area <NUM> plays ride media for the first car <NUM>. In embodiments where the doorway <NUM> includes a door, such door is preferably closed when the first car <NUM> is interacting within the first viewing area <NUM>. With the first car <NUM> inside the first viewing area <NUM> and the second car <NUM> inside the second viewing area <NUM>, the variable ride elements <NUM>, <NUM> are in the process of changing to display different ride scenes. In the end <NUM>, the first variable ride element <NUM> is rotated to display another ride scene <NUM>. The previously displayed scene <NUM>, which is separated from the ride scene <NUM> by divider <NUM>, is rotated to face away from the main hallway <NUM> and out of the passengers' view. In the end <NUM>, the second variable ride element <NUM> is rotated to display another ride scene <NUM>. The previously displayed scene <NUM>, which is separated from the ride scene <NUM> by divider <NUM>, is rotated to face away from the main hallway <NUM> and out of the passengers' view.

In <FIG>, the variable ride elements <NUM>, <NUM> have fully transitioned to display their different ride scenes <NUM>, <NUM> respectively.

In <FIG>, while the first car <NUM> is in the first viewing area <NUM>, the second car <NUM> moves from the second viewing area <NUM> into the main hallway <NUM> toward the loading room <NUM>. In the process, the second car <NUM> is directed toward the newly displayed ride scene <NUM> of the variable ride element <NUM> in the second end <NUM>. The door <NUM> between the loading room <NUM> and main hallway <NUM> is open to receive the second car <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the second car <NUM> is positioned in the loading room <NUM>. In particular, the second car <NUM> is located at the terminal position <NUM> of the ride path <NUM>. The door <NUM> between the loading room <NUM> and main hallway <NUM> is closed. At this point, the loading room <NUM> may be used for an intermediate part of the ride or an end of the ride for the second car <NUM>. For an intermediate part of the ride, the one or more media display screens <NUM> are preferably used to present an intermediate ride scene, before the second car <NUM> exits the loading room <NUM> to continue the ride. For a ride end, the one or more media display screens <NUM> may optionally present a closing or final scene, before outgoing passengers are directed to disembark from the second car <NUM> and exit into the reception area <NUM>. After which, the second car <NUM> is loaded with one or more passengers to begin a new ride.

In <FIG>, while the second car <NUM> is in the loading room <NUM>, the first car <NUM> moves from the first viewing area <NUM> into the main hallway <NUM>. In the process, the first car <NUM> is directed toward the newly displayed ride scene <NUM> of the variable ride element <NUM> in the first end <NUM>. The variable ride element <NUM> in the second end <NUM> has also changed back to display its first ride scene <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the first car <NUM> continues down the main hallway <NUM> bypassing the loading room <NUM>. In this example, the first car <NUM> is rotated to face toward the hallway wall <NUM> and away from the door <NUM> of the loading room <NUM>. Interactive elements, if any, along the hallway wall <NUM> may be engaged at this point.

In <FIG>, the first car <NUM> is continuing to move through the main hallway <NUM> toward the second viewing area <NUM>. The second variable ride element <NUM> in the second hallway end section <NUM> displays its first ride scene <NUM> for the first car <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the first car <NUM> has fully moved into the second viewing area <NUM>. In particular, the first car <NUM> is located at the terminal position <NUM> of the ride path <NUM>. At this point, the panoramic media screen <NUM> of the second viewing area <NUM> plays ride media for the first car <NUM>. In embodiments where the doorway <NUM> includes a door, such door is preferably closed when the first car <NUM> is interacting within the second viewing area <NUM>. In the end <NUM>, the first variable ride element <NUM> has changed back to display its first ride scene <NUM>. In the end <NUM>, the second variable ride element <NUM> has changed to display its second ride scene <NUM> for when the first car <NUM> exits the second viewing area <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the first and second cars <NUM>, <NUM> have swapped positions from their starting points in <FIG>. The first car <NUM> in <FIG> is in the second viewing area <NUM> in the position of the second car <NUM> in <FIG>. The second car <NUM> in <FIG> is in the loading room <NUM> in the position of the first car <NUM> in <FIG>. The second car <NUM> may now proceed to the first viewing area <NUM> in the same manner previously shown and described with respect to the first car <NUM>. Once the second car <NUM> is in the first viewing area <NUM>, the first car <NUM> may proceed back to the loading room <NUM> in the same manner previously shown and described with respect to the second car <NUM>. As discussed with respect to the second car <NUM> in <FIG>, depending on the particular ride design, the first car <NUM> may return to the loading room <NUM> for an intermediate part of the same ride, or for an end of the current ride and start of a new ride. In the former case, after playing ride media for the first car <NUM> in the loading room <NUM> and opening the door <NUM> between the loading room <NUM> and the main hallway <NUM>, the first car <NUM> moves through the main hallway <NUM> into either the first viewing area <NUM> or the second viewing area <NUM> whichever is open based on where the second car <NUM> is located at that time. In the latter case, outgoing passengers are unloaded from the first car <NUM> to end the current ride and incoming passengers are loaded onto the first car <NUM> to begin a new ride.

Therefore, it should be appreciated that the ride vehicles <NUM> are continuously cycled between the three areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> without encountering the other vehicle. Moreover, the ride vehicles <NUM> traverse the same ride course path <NUM> multiple times while experiencing different scenes on each pass. The ride media that is projected or displayed in each viewing space <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is changed to show new ride content each time the same ride vehicle <NUM> enters the same space. The variable ride elements <NUM> in the main hallway <NUM> are configured to change between different ride scenes to provide new experiences for passengers as the same ride vehicle <NUM> passes the same ride element <NUM> in entering and then exiting one of the viewing areas <NUM>, <NUM>. The ride vehicles <NUM> are preferably rotatable relative to the primary direction of travel in order to direct passengers' attention in a desired direction to highlight and/or hide something in the ride environment, as well as disorient the passengers' sense of direction. Accordingly, the design and operation of the indoor amusement ride or ride system <NUM> allows for an immersive and diverse ride experience in a small spatial footprint which creates the illusion of a much larger ride.

The example indoor amusement ride or ride system <NUM> with three rooms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> positioned on the same lateral side of the main hallway <NUM> is particularly designed to fit small spaces. Where additional space is available for the ride <NUM>, alternative designs may include one or more additional rooms on the other lateral side of the main hallway <NUM>. For example, one such embodiment (not shown) has an additional room attached to the main hallway <NUM> across from the loading room <NUM>, wherein the ride path <NUM> has four terminal positions (the fourth being in the additional room), and therefore the ride <NUM> is operable with three rider carriages <NUM> which increases rider capacity. The same concepts apply in embodiments with more than one additional room.

While several aspects and embodiments have been discussed herein, those persons skilled in the art will recognize numerous possible modifications, permutations, additions, combinations and sub-combinations therefor, without these needing to be specifically explained or shown within the context of this disclosure.

Claim 1:
An indoor amusement ride (<NUM>) comprising:
two rider carriages (<NUM>) movably disposed with respect to a ride path (<NUM>),
a loading room (<NUM>) for loading entering passengers on and unloading exiting passengers from the rider carriages (<NUM>), wherein the loading room includes one or more entertainment elements (<NUM>) as part of the ride (<NUM>),
a main hallway (<NUM>) separated from the loading room (<NUM>) by an automated door (<NUM>), wherein the main hallway (<NUM>) has a first end section (<NUM>),
a second end section (<NUM>) and a central section (<NUM>) located therebetween, characterised by the loading room including one or more entertainment elements (<NUM>) as part of the ride (<NUM>),
the loading room (<NUM>) opens into the central section (<NUM>) of the main hallway (<NUM>),
a first viewing area (<NUM>) which opens into the first end section (<NUM>) of the main hallway (<NUM>), wherein the first viewing area (<NUM>) includes a panoramic media screen (<NUM>) for playing ride media,
a second viewing area (<NUM>) which opens into the second end section (<NUM>) of the main hallway (<NUM>), wherein the second viewing area (<NUM>) includes a panoramic media screen (<NUM>) for playing ride media, and
two variable ride elements (<NUM>) respectively located in the first and second end sections (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the main hallway (<NUM>), wherein each variable ride element (<NUM>) includes at least two different ride scenes (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the ride (<NUM>).