Methods and systems for thermal control systems for self-contained floating marine parks

Abstract

A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, a floating water park positioned in a body of water is described, as well as, a floating marine park. A floating marine/water park may include one or more floating containers positioned in a body of a first fluid. One or more of the floating containers may function to hold a second fluid, marine life, and/or participants in water amusement activities. A floating marine park may include a heat exchange system configured to exchange heat between a body of water and fluid in at least one of the containers.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 713,847 entitled “FLOATING WATER PARK” filed on Sep. 2, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present disclosure generally relates to water amusement attractions and rides. More particularly, the disclosure generally relates to a floating water park and a system and method for water transportation. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be actively involved in a water attraction. [0004] 2. Description of the Relevant Art [0005] The popularity of participatory family water recreation facilities (e.g., water parks) and water rides in amusement parks has increased in recent years. Traditional water rides (e.g., waterslides, river rapid rides, log flumes) require participants to walk or be mechanical...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0027] A water transportation system may advantageously transport participants between traditional water rides in a water park. A water transportation system may relieve participants from carrying their vehicles up to the start of a water ride and allow riders to stay in the water between rides. In some embodiments, a water transportation system may be used to transport guests between rides in a water park, past rides and areas of high guest density in a water park, from one side of a water park to another, between water parks, and / or between guest facilities such as hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers. In certain embodiments, a water transportation system may be an attraction (e.g., a ride) with exciting water and situational effects used to connect traditional water rides in a water park. A water transportation system, therefore, may be an entertaining and enjoyable part of the water park experience, allowing riders to spend more of their time in the water between rides and / or destinations.

[0028] In certain embodiments, a water park may include a continuous water ride. Continuous water rides may include a system of individual water rides (e.g., two or more) connected together. Water rides may include downhill water slides, uphill water slides, single tube slides, multiple participant tube slides, space bowls, sidewinders, interactive water slides, water rides with falling water, themed water slides, dark water rides, and accelerator sections in water slides. Connecting water rides may reduce long queue lines normally associated with individual water rides. Connecting water rides may allow participants to remain in the water and / or in or on a vehicle (e.g., a floatation device) during transportation from a first portion of the continuous water ride to a second portion of the continuous water ride.

Problems solved by technology

Traditional downhill water rides are typically short in duration (normally measured in seconds of ride time) and have limited throughput capacity.

The combination of these two factors may result in long queue line waits of up to two or three hours for a relatively short ride.

Additional problems (e.g., hot and sunny weather, wet patrons, excessive walking) may result in poor customer satisfaction or low perceived entertainment value in the water park experience.

Typical amusement park transportation systems may be unsuitable for water parks because of high installation and operating costs.

Vehicles could be transported from the exit to the entrance of the ride using mechanical transportation devices, but these devices may be expensive to install and operate.

Delays and / or effort associated with carrying and / or transporting vehicles may cause excess wear and tear on the vehicles, reduce guest enjoyment, contribute to guest injuries, and inhibit guest access to the rides.

Also, a water park that includes several non-integrated rides may require different vehicles for one or more rides, thereby increasing operating expenses and complicating logistics.

Water park rides may require substantial waiting periods in a queue line due to the large number of participants at the park.

Besides the negative and time-consuming experience of waiting in line, the guests are usually wet, exposed to varying amounts of sun and shade, and are not able to stay physically active, resulting in physical discomfort and / or lowered guest satisfaction.

Additionally, these queue lines may be difficult for physically disabled guests to negotiate.

Queue lines for popular rides may be overcrowded.

Unbalanced overcrowding may lead to guest dissatisfaction and less than optimal guest dispersal throughout the park.

The geographic location of a water park may restrict the length of the operating season of the water park.

Additionally, a water park may be closed due to inclement weather such as rain, windstorms, and / or other disruptive conditions that might reduce enjoyment and / or compromise safety of participants.

Limiting the number of days a water park is open may reduce the profitability of the water park.

Availability of suitable land may limit development of water parks.

While it is desirable to locate water parks close to a high concentration of potential participants, land prices, especially for large tracts of land, may be prohibitively expensive near large metropolitan areas or popular vacation destinations.

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