Patent ID: 7942752

Claim:
A system for controlling a participant flow rate through a multi path water amusement ride system, comprising: a first belt; wherein the first belt is coupled to a first source of water and to a second source of water; a second belt; wherein the second belt is coupled to the first source of water and to a third source of water, wherein a first portion of the first and second belts are positioned adjacent to each other; a first belt movement system, configured to move at least the first belt in a loop; a second belt movement system, configured to move at least the second belt in a loop; at least one gate mechanism positioned adjacent the first portions of the first and second belts, wherein at least one of the gate mechanisms is configured, upon activation, to inhibit a participant from entering the first or second belt; and an automated control system coupled to at least one of the gate mechanisms, wherein the automated control system is configured to electronically monitor and automatically adjust a flow rate of participants dynamically based upon a participant flow rate of at least a portion of a water amusement park coupled to the second source of water or the third source of water such that as the participant flow rate changes in the portion of the water amusement park, the automated control system automatically adjusts the flow rate of participants through the multi path water amusement ride system to compensate, and wherein the automated control system automatically adjusts the flow rate of participants through the multi path water amusement ride system by signaling at least one of the gate mechanisms to activate more or less frequently such that a gate activated by the gate mechanism distributes the flow of participants between the first belt and the second belt differently as required to compensate for the participant flow rate changes in the portion of the water amusement park; wherein the automated control system is configured to receive a signal from a participant, using a personal electronic signaling device, indicating to the automated control system which body of water the participant prefers to be conveyed, and wherein in response to the participant's signal the automated control system sends a signal to at least one of the gate mechanisms.