Surfing emulator theme park attraction system

Abstract

A theme-park attraction system including a wave simulator, a transit mechanism, and a platform emulates a surfing experience. The transit mechanism extends longitudinally through the wave simulator. The platform can carry at least one rider and is carried by the transit mechanism. The rider can be loaded securely onto the platform at a loading location, the platform can be driven along the transit mechanism through the wave simulator; and the wave simulator can be activated as the platform enters and deactivated as the platform leaves the wave simulator. The rider can be offloaded at the loading location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A theme-park attraction system operative to emulate a surfing experience, comprising:
 a wave simulator;   a transit means extending longitudinally through the wave simulator; and   a platform carried by the transit means and configured to carry at least one rider.   
     
     
         2 . The theme-park attraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the wave simulator comprises an analog or digital display operative to surround the platform as the platform passes through the wave simulator. 
     
     
         3 . The theme-park attraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the wave simulator comprises a concave wall adjacent to the transit means and a pressurized water source configured to eject water onto the concave wall, wherein the concave wall and the pressurized water source are configured to direct the water above and over the platform as the platform passes the wave simulator. 
     
     
         4 . The theme-park attraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the wave simulator is operative to activate due to proximity of the platform. 
     
     
         5 . The theme-park attraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the transit means comprises a track; and wherein the platform is mounted to the track. 
     
     
         6 . The theme-park attraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the transit means comprises a wheeled vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The theme-park attraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the transit means comprises a water slide with water flowing down the water slide. 
     
     
         8 . The theme-park attraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the platform is configured to support the at least one rider in a surfing position. 
     
     
         9 . The theme-park attraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the platform further comprises a restraining device operative to restrain the rider on the platform. 
     
     
         10 . A method of operating the theme-park attraction system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 loading the at least one rider securely onto the platform at a loading location;   driving the platform along the transit means to the wave simulator;   activating the wave simulator;   driving the platform longitudinally through the wave simulator from an entrance to an exit;   deactivating the wave simulator;   driving the platform along the transit means to the loading location; and   offloading the at least one rider.