Amusement park attraction

• US 5,403,238 A
• Filed: 08/19/1993
• Issued: 04/04/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: The Walt Disney Company
• Inventors: Redmann, William G., Watson, Scott F., Spencer, David W. II, Baxter, Anthony W., Snoddy, Jon H., Fink, David G., Wolf, William L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIEN T
• Application Number:
  US08/109,170
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 472/43, 472/57, 472/58, 472/59, 472/65, 472/64, 472/135, 472/136, 472/137, 104/77, 104/78, 104/81, 104/83, 104/84, 104/85, 104/86, 434/55, 434/58, 298/22 D, 298/22 B
• US Class Current: 472/43
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/16 creating illusions of travel

Abstract

An amusement park attraction having a dynamic ride vehicle for executing a sequence of distinct motion patterns and for providing unique ride experiences in the amusement park attraction or other environment. The ride vehicle includes a movable chassis and a body having a passenger seating area. A motion apparatus, including Ycomputer controlled actuators, imparts motion to the body along a plurality of axes independent of any motion of the chassis as it moves along a path in the amusement park attraction. As the vehicle travels along the path, articulation of the body and appropriate steering of the vehicle enables the vehicle to execute, in cooperation with the motion apparatus, a sequence of distinct motion patterns. Execution of the motion patterns enhances the passengers'"'"' sensation of vehicle movement that is actually taking place, as well as the sensation of a realistic moving ride vehicle experience that is actually not happening.

Claims

1. An amusement park attraction, comprising:

a path adapted to be followed throughout the attraction;

scenery positioned along said path at selected locations; and

a ride vehicle adapted to follow said path, said ride vehicle including

a passenger supporting structure,

a motion base supporting said passenger supporting structure that articulates said passenger supporting structure in a plurality of degrees of freedom relative to and independent of motion of said ride vehicle along the path, and

a control system that controls said motion base to articulate said passenger supporting structure.

2. An amusement park attraction according to claim 1, wherein said control system controls said motion base to articulate said passenger supporting structure at said selected locations to impart a specific effect in relation to a specific show set among said scenery, said specific show set and corresponding effect respectively including at least one of providing and obstacle and traversing that obstacle, providing an obstacle and lurching to avoid that obstacle, providing an incline and ascending that incline, providing a decline and descending that decline, providing a body of water and fording that body of water, providing a bridge and falling off that bridge, and providing a roadway and skidding off that roadway.

3. An amusement park attraction according to claim 1, wherein said ride vehicle has a body that resembles a living animal.

4. An amusement park attraction according to claim 1, wherein said control system includes:

a ride control device that controls actuation of said motion base to thereby articulate said passenger supporting structure independent of motion of said ride vehicle along said path; and

a program memory that is coupled to, and accessed by, said ride control device, said ride control device controlling actuation of said motion base in accordance with a ride program having sequenced data stored in said program memory, said sequenced data being accessed by said ride control device in synchronization with motion of the vehicle chassis along said path, to thereby cause specific articulation of said passenger supporting structure at selected points along said path, said program memory being selectively alterable to thereby permit programmatic change to an overall ride experience provided by said sequenced data.

5. An amusement park attraction according to claim 4, wherein said program memory is adapted to store a plurality of ride programs, each having different sequenced data corresponding to different patterns of motion of said passenger holding structure, said ride control device having one of software and logic that permits selection of one of said plurality of ride programs, to thereby provide for selection of one ride experience from among differing ride experiences provided by each of said plurality of ride programs.

6. An amusement park attraction according to claim 1, further comprising means for moving said scenery with respect to said ride vehicle to selectively enhance or subdue the sensation by passengers of their visual-perceptions of motion of said ride vehicle, independent of motion of said ride vehicle along said path.

7. An amusement park attraction according to claim 1, further comprising:

audio means for presenting sounds to passengers in said ride vehicle; and

means for introducing special effects along said path to enhance the ride experience of the passengers through said amusement park attraction.

8. An amusement park attraction according to claim 1, wherein said ride vehicle includes a chassis and said motion base includes a plurality of actuators of said ride vehicle connected between said passenger supporting structure and said chassis for imparting motion to said passenger supporting structure independent of motion of said ride vehicle.

9. An amusement park attraction according to claim 7, wherein said motion base includes three actuators for imparting multiple axes of movement to said passenger supporting structure, including pitch, roll and elevation.

10. An amusement park attraction according to claim 8, wherein said actuators are hydraulic actuators and wherein each of said plurality of actuators has a position sensor that provides information to said control system for controlling the movement of said actuators independently of each other.

11. An amusement park attraction according to claim 1, wherein said passenger supporting structure is adapted to be selectively pitched from front to back, rolled from side to side, and elevated with respect to said ride vehicle by said motion base.

12. An amusement park attraction according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle has wheels in rolling contact with said path followed by said vehicle.

13. An amusement park attraction according to claim 12, wherein said vehicle includes two front wheels and two rear wheels connected to said chassis.

14. An amusement park attraction according to claim 13, further comprising steering means for steering said front wheels and said rear wheels.

15. An amusement park attraction according to claim 13, further comprising steering means for steering said rear wheels independently of said front wheels.

16. An amusement park attraction, comprising a path and a plurality of ride vehicles that each follow said path, each of said ride vehicles having a motion base that articulates a passenger supporting structure in a plurality of degrees of freedom relative to and independent of motion of the vehicle along said path, said path including a passenger loading point and a passenger unloading point, wherein said plurality of ride vehicles are adapted to be operated concurrently at different locations along said path between said passenger loading point and said passenger unloading point, such that a departure of vehicles from said passenger loading point can be staggered in time.

17. An amusement park attraction according to claim 16, further comprising at least one show set positioned along said path to present a three dimensional visual image to passengers, said at least one show set actuated to move in at least one predefined pattern in response to a position of at least one of said plurality of ride vehicles.

18. An amusement park attraction according to claim 16, further comprising at least one speaker that produces predefined sounds in response to a position of at least one of said plurality of ride vehicles.

19. An amusement park attraction according to claim 18, wherein at least one speaker is mounted within each ride vehicle at a location that is adapted to simulate sounds of at least one of gear whine, engine revving, screeching tires, sounds of a flat tire and screeching brakes.

20. An amusement park attraction according to claim 18, wherein said at least one speaker is mounted at a location adjacent to said path and is synchronized to produce predefined sounds during concurrent passing of one of said plurality of ride vehicles by said location, said predefined sounds selected to include at least one of splashing water, thumping, scraping, crashing, banging, whistling air, creaking and cracking wood sounds.

21. An amusement park attraction according to claim 16, further comprising a path-mounted special effects device that produces, for sensation by passengers of said plurality of ride vehicles, at least one of wind, dust clouds, flying gravel, dirt, mud, sparks, water spray and fog.

22. An amusement park attraction according to claim 16, wherein said motion base articulates said passenger supporting structure in accordance with stored program instructions maintained by a vehicle computer system of each ride vehicle and indexed by one of a position of the particular ride vehicle and time, position defined by one of elapsed distance and elapsed time from a reference, each vehicle computer system maintaining at least one ride program consisting of a particular sequence of said stored program instructions.

23. An amusement park attraction according to claim 16, wherein each one of said plurality of ride vehicles includes a steering actuator, said steering actuator of each ride vehicle actuated to steer the particular vehicle in accordance with stored program instructions maintained by a vehicle computer system of each ride vehicle and indexed by one of a position of the particular ride vehicle and time, position defined by one of elapsed distance and elapsed time from a reference, each vehicle computer system maintaining at least one ride program consisting of a particular sequence of said stored program instructions.

24. An amusement park attraction according to claim 23, further comprising a plurality of different paths that said ride vehicles may each alternatively follow, said steering actuator of said ride vehicles actuated to steer the particular vehicle to select one of said plurality of different paths, in accordance with said stored program instructions, each vehicle computer system maintaining a plurality of alternative ride programs that correspond to said different paths and that cause the particular ride vehicle to follow different ones of said paths.

25. An amusement park attraction according to claim 16, wherein each one of said plurality of ride vehicles includes a velocity control, said velocity control of each ride vehicle actuated to move the particular vehicle in accordance with stored program instructions maintained by a vehicle computer system of each ride vehicle and indexed by one of a position of the particular ride vehicle and time, position defined by one of elapsed distance and elapsed time from a reference, each vehicle computer system maintaining at least one ride program consisting of a particular sequence of said stored program instructions.

26. A method of providing a ride experience to an occupant in an amusement park attraction having a ride vehicle of the type having a chassis that follows a path, a passenger supporting structure, and a motion base that moves the passenger supporting structure in multiple degrees of freedom independent of motion of the chassis, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) moving the vehicle along the path in the amusement park attraction;

(b) providing scenery positioned along the path at selected locations;

(c) articulating the passenger supporting structure with respect to the chassis to thereby enhancing or diminishing the effect of vehicle motion through the attraction at selected locations along the path; and

(d) providing special effects for enhancing the sensations experienced by the occupant as the vehicle interacts with the path and scenery.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride vehicle also has a control device that controls actuation of the motion base, to thereby control articulation of the passenger supporting structure with respect to the chassis, and a program memory that is coupled to, and accessed by, the control device, the control device controlling articulation of the passenger supporting structure with respect to the chassis in accordance with a ride program having sequenced motion data stored in and accessed from the program memory, the data including individual data units that each describe at least one of (1) an orientation and position of the passenger supporting structure with respect to the chassis and (2) an incremental movement of the passenger supporting structure with respect to the chassis, said method further comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a position of the vehicle along the path in the amusement park attraction;

(b) accessing the program memory with the control device to obtain therefrom motion data associated with the position of the vehicle; and

(c) actuating the motion base in accordance with the motion data to move the passenger supporting structure with respect to the chassis to a predefined orientation and position represented by the motion data.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the program memory is adapted to store a plurality of ride programs, each having different sequenced motion data, wherein:

(a) said method further comprises the step of selecting one ride program from among the plurality of ride programs; and

(b) the step of accessing the program memory with the ride control device includes accessing the selected one ride program to obtain therefrom motion data associated with the position of the vehicle, corresponding to the selected one ride program.

29. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience is the simulated effect of a sliding turn on a twisting road, and wherein:

(a) the step of providing scenery includes providing stationary scenery with a horizontal horizon, and objects that appear to protrude into the path;

(b) the step of articulating the passenger supporting structure includes steering all wheels of the vehicle in a direction away from the protruding objects to thereby simulate the effect of a sliding turn, while simultaneously causing rotational acceleration of the passenger supporting structure with respect to the chassis about a roll axis in an outward direction with respect to the turn to enhance the sensation of the turning motion; and

(c) the step of providing special effects includes introducing the sounds of engine roar and skidding corresponding to motion of the vehicle along the path, and further introducing the effect of flying gravel as the vehicle initiates and then completes its sliding turn.

30. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of climbing a steep hill, and wherein:

(a) the step of providing scenery includes providing stationary scenery with a horizon that angles downward in a direction toward the vehicle as it approaches such scenery;

(b) the step of articulating the passenger supporting structure includes pitching the passenger supporting structure backward by raising and causing rotational acceleration of the front end about a pitch axis and keeping the passenger supporting structure in this position as the vehicle moves along the path past the stationary scenery, with forward acceleration of the vehicle and fish-tailing provided by steering all four wheels of the vehicle; and

(c) the step of providing special effects includes introducing the sounds of a straining engine and wheels spinning during climbing of the hill.

31. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience is the simulated effect of descending a steep hill, and wherein:

(a) the step of providing scenery includes providing stationary scenery with a horizon that angles upward in a direction away from the vehicle as it approaches the scenery;

(b) the step of articulating the passenger supporting structure includes pitching the passenger supporting structure forward by raising and causing rotational acceleration of the rear end about a pitch axis and keeping the passenger supporting structure in this position as the imaginary hill is descended, and then dropping the rear of the passenger supporting structure down until it reaches a position substantially level with respect to the path; and

(c) the step of providing special effects includes introducing the sounds of gear whine, a screaming engine and wheels sliding as the vehicle descends the hill.

32. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of sudden forward acceleration of the vehicle, and wherein:

(a) the step of providing scenery includes providing far stationary objects at a predetermined distance from the vehicle and close moving objects that accelerate rearward as the vehicle begins its forward acceleration;

(b) the step of articulating the passenger supporting structure includes pitching the passenger supporting structure rearward by raising and causing rotational acceleration of the front end about a pitch axis and keeping the passenger supporting structure in this position as the vehicle accelerates in a forward direction, while simultaneously providing four-wheel steering to simulate the effect of fish-tailing during acceleration; and

(c) the step of providing special effects includes introducing the sounds of a roaring engine and squealing tires during acceleration of the vehicle.

33. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of a screeching stop by the vehicle, and wherein:

(a) the step of providing scenery includes providing stationary scenery;

(b) the step of articulating the passenger supporting structure includes pitching the passenger supporting structure forward by raising and causing rotational acceleration of its rear end about a pitch axis and keeping the passenger supporting structure in this position as the vehicle decelerates, providing fish-tailing of the vehicle with four-wheel steering and then dropping the rear end of the passenger supporting structure down rapidly to a horizontal position when the vehicle is fully stopped; and

(c) the step of providing special effects includes introducing the sounds of screeching brakes and sliding tires and the effect of a forward blowing dust cloud during deceleration of the vehicle.

34. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of sliding off the side of a road while in a turn, and wherein the steps of providing scenery, articulating the passenger supporting structure and providing special effects include the steps of:

(a) providing stationary scenery, including the appearance of a ditch at the side of the road on the outside of the turn;

(b) turning the chassis in a direction to follow a curved path corresponding to the direction of the road, while exaggerating the turn using four-wheel steering and causing rotational acceleration of the passenger supporting structure with respect to the chassis outward and rearward along a roll axis and a pitch axis in a direction away from the turn;

(c) introducing the sounds of sliding tires, thumping and scraping as the vehicle simulates the effect of sliding off the road while in the turn; and

(d) simulating the effect of sparks flying out from under the vehicle during the turn.

35. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of driving over a log, and wherein the steps of providing scenery, articulating the passenger supporting structure and providing special effects include the steps of:

(a) providing stationary scenery and a log prop across the path that moves out of the way just as the vehicle is about to drive over it;

(b) moving the vehicle forward to a point corresponding to the location of the log, quickly pitching the passenger supporting structure backward and then forward by causing the front end of the passenger supporting structure to quickly raise up and then down as the front of the vehicle passes the point corresponding to the location of the log, waiting for an elapsed distance travelled by the vehicle that corresponds to the rear of the vehicle reaching the log, and then quickly pitching the passenger supporting structure forward and then backward by causing the rear end of the passenger supporting structure to quickly raise up and then down as the vehicle continues to move forward passing the log;

(c) pitching the passenger supporting structure forward and backward for several cycles after the vehicle has passed the log, and decreasing the amplitude of the pitching motion as the distance between the vehicle and the log increases, until the passenger supporting structure is eventually returned to a substantially level position with respect to the chassis; and

(d) introducing the sounds of thumping and crashing while the passenger supporting structure is articulated with respect to the chassis as the vehicle simulates the effect of driving over the log.

36. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of driving over a ditch, and wherein the steps of providing scenery, articulating the passenger supporting structure and providing special effects include the steps of:

(a) providing stationary scenery including the appearance of a ditch that appears to be but is not actually present in the path followed by the vehicle;

(b) moving the vehicle forward to a point corresponding to the location of the ditch, raising the rear end of the passenger supporting structure and then dropping it back down as the front of the vehicle passes the point corresponding to the location of the ditch, waiting for an elapsed distance travelled by the vehicle that corresponds to the rear of the vehicle reaching the ditch, and then raising the front end of the vehicle and then moving it back down as the vehicle continues to move forward passing the ditch;

(c) pitching the passenger supporting structure forward and backward for several cycles after the vehicle has passed the ditch, and decreasing the amplitude of the pitching motion as the distance between the vehicle and the ditch increases, until the passenger supporting structure returns substantially to a level position with respect to the chassis;

(d) introducing the sounds of thumping and splashing as the vehicle travels through the ditch; and

(e) simulating the effect of dirt flying and water splashing as the vehicle travels through the ditch.

37. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of driving over rocks, and wherein the steps of providing scenery, articulating the passenger supporting structure and providing special effects include the steps of:

(a) providing stationary scenery along the path and rocks in the path of the vehicle that move out of the way just as the vehicle is about to travel over them;

(b) pitching the passenger supporting structure rearward and then forward in combination with outward passenger supporting structure roll away from the location of the rocks in the path as one side of the vehicle travels over the point corresponding to the location of the rocks; and

(c) introducing the sounds of thumping and banging as the vehicle passes the location of the rocks.

38. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of driving through a stream, and wherein the steps of providing scenery, articulating the passenger supporting structure and providing special effects include the steps of:

(a) providing a stream that appears to be but is not actually in the path of the vehicle, with water pools on opposite sides of the path corresponding to the appearance of the stream;

(b) pitching the passenger supporting structure in the forward and rearward directions, in combination with outward passenger supporting structure roll from side to side, to create a bouncing and rolling motion of the passenger supporting structure with respect to the chassis as the vehicle travels through the stream;

(c) introducing the sounds of splashing, engine roar and spinning tires as the vehicle travels through the stream; and

(d) simulating the effect of spraying water from underneath the vehicle as the vehicle travels through the stream.

39. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience is the simulated effect of cresting a hill and going airborne in the vehicle, and wherein the steps of providing scenery, articulating the passenger supporting structure and providing special effects include the steps of:

(a) providing stationary scenery along the path followed by the vehicle;

(b) moving the vehicle along a path having a hill and pitching the passenger supporting structure backward by raising the front end more than the rear end with respect to the chassis as the chassis begins descending the hill, and thereafter slowly pitching the passenger supporting structure forward so that the front end of the passenger supporting structure is lower than the rear end with respect to the chassis, and then dropping the passenger supporting structure down completely to simulate the effect of a crashing drop;

(c) pitching the passenger supporting structure forward and backward for several cycles after the vehicle has completed its crashing drop, and decreasing the amplitude of the pitching motion as the distance between the vehicle and the hill increases, until the passenger supporting structure is eventually returned to a substantially level position with respect to the chassis;

(d) introducing the sounds of engine roar, free wheeling, crashing and skidding as the vehicle goes airborne and then lands; and

(e) simulating the effect of sparks and dirt flying from underneath the vehicle during the crashing drop of the vehicle.

40. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of floating in water, and wherein the steps of providing scenery, articulating the passenger supporting structure and providing special effects include the steps of:

(a) providing stationary scenery including the appearance of water pools that appear to be but are not actually present in the path followed by the vehicle;

(b) elevating the passenger supporting structure with respect to the chassis with gentle forward and rearward pitching in combination with side to side rolling of the passenger supporting structure with respect to the chassis as the vehicle travels through the water;

(c) introducing the sounds of splashing water and waves as the vehicle travels through the water; and

(d) simulating the effect of fog in the path followed by the vehicle to create the illusion of water in front of the vehicle.

41. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of flying or falling through the air, and wherein the steps of providing scenery, articulating the passenger supporting structure and providing special effects include the steps of:

(a) projecting rapidly moving scenes on a projection screen located along the path followed by the vehicle;

(b) gently pitching the passenger supporting structure forward and backward and rolling it from side to side with respect to the chassis; and

(c) introducing the sounds of whistling air as the vehicle travels past the rapidly moving scenes, while simultaneously introducing actual wind blowing against the passengers in the vehicle.

42. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of driving over a jungle bridge, and wherein the steps of providing scenery, articulating the passenger supporting structure and providing special effects include the steps of:

(a) providing a jungle bridge that appears to sway from side to side as the vehicle passes over it;

(b) driving the vehicle over the bridge and causing the vehicle to move from side to side using four wheel steering; and

(c) introducing the sounds of creaking and cracking wood as the vehicle travels over the bridge.

43. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of swerving to miss a falling object, and wherein the steps of providing scenery, articulating the passenger supporting structure and providing special effects include the steps of:

(a) providing stationary scenery and an object that falls into the path of the vehicle;

(b) moving the vehicle along the path and abruptly swerving the vehicle out of the way of the object, and exaggerating that swerving by four wheel steering of the vehicle away from the object; and

(c) introducing the sounds of the object crashing and skidding tires of the vehicle.

44. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of being stuck in the mud, and wherein the steps of providing scenery, articulating the passenger supporting structure and providing special effects include the steps of:

(a) providing stationary scenery including the appearance of mud that appears to be but is not actually present in the path followed by the vehicle;

(b) slowly stopping the vehicle as it reaches a position along the path corresponding to the location of the mud, and then imparting a slight rolling motion to the passenger supporting structure with respect to the chassis by using gentle forward and rearward pitching and side to side rolling motion; and

(c) introducing the sounds of a roaring engine and spinning tires, and simulating the effect of mud flying away from the vehicle as it is stuck in the mud.

45. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of driving at high speed, and wherein the steps of providing scenery, articulating the passenger supporting structure and providing special effects include the steps of:

(a) projecting images on a projection screen that appear to move rapidly in a rearward direction relative to the vehicle;

(b) gently pitching the passenger supporting structure forward and backward and rolling it from side to side relative to the chassis;

(c) introducing the sounds of a roaring engine and tires spinning at high speed as the vehicle passes the rapidly moving images; and

(d) causing actual wind to blow against the passengers in the vehicle.

46. A method according to claim 26, wherein the ride experience includes the simulated effect of driving with a flat tire, and wherein the steps of providing scenery, articulating the passenger supporting structure and providing special effects include the steps of:

(a) providing stationary scenery along the path followed by the vehicle;

(b) using a combination of pitching and rolling movement of the passenger supporting structure with respect to the chassis to cause one corner of the vehicle to bounce up and down in a cyclical manner; and

(c) introducing the sounds of a flapping tire as the vehicle moves forward along the path.

53. An amusement park attraction according to claim 41, wherein:

said at least one ride vehicle includes

a variable motive element that imparts one of variable steering of said ride vehicle, variable velocity to said ride vehicle, and articulation to said passenger supporting structure relative to said ride vehicle by the motion base, and

a vehicle computer system in communication with said variable motive element and controlling the same in accordance with sequenced program instructions of a ride program stored by said computer system; and

said show set computer system being in communication with said vehicle computer system to thereby synchronize actuation of said variable motive element with movement of said at least one show set in accordance with their respective, associated stored program instructions.

54. An amusement park attraction according to claim 53, wherein:

said amusement park attraction further comprises a plurality of different show set actuation programs stored by said show set computer system;

said amusement park attraction further comprises a plurality of different ride programs stored by said vehicle computer system; and

one of said show set computer system and said vehicle computer system includes selection software that selects one of said different show set actuation programs and one of said different ride programs and is in communication with the other of said show set computer system and said vehicle computer system to transmit to the same selection information to thereby synchronize actuation of said variable motive element in accordance with the selected one of said plurality of different ride programs with movement of said at least one show set in accordance with the selected one of said plurality of different show set actuation programs.

47. An amusement park attraction, comprising:

at least one ride vehicle that follows a path within said amusement park attraction, said ride vehicle having

a passenger supporting structure that moves along said path with said ride vehicle,

a motion base supporting said passenger supporting structure that articulates said passenger supporting structuring in at least one degree of freedom relative to and independent of motion of said ride vehicle along the path, and

a variable motive element on said ride vehicle that imparts programmably-defined motion in the form of at least one of variable steering of said ride vehicle, variable velocity of said ride vehicle, and articulation of said passenger supporting structure by the motion base relative to said ride vehicle; and

a computer system in communication with said variable motive element and controlling the same in accordance with sequenced program instructions of a ride program stored by said computer system, said sequenced program instructions defining a repeatable pattern of programmably-defined motion.

48. An amusement park attraction according to claim 47, further comprising a show set positioned along said path to present a three dimensional visual image to passengers in said ride vehicle.

49. An amusement park attraction according to claim 48, wherein:

said show set is movable in a predefined pattern of motion in accordance with sequenced program instructions of a show set actuation program; and

said amusement park attraction further comprises a show set controller that maintains said show set actuation program and controls the movement of said show set in accordance with said predefined motion pattern.

50. An amusement park attraction according to claim 47, further comprising a plurality of different alternative ride programs stored by said computer system, each one defining an alternative, repeatable pattern of programmably-defined motion.

51. An amusement park attraction, comprising:

at least one ride vehicle that follows a path within said amusement park attraction,

said ride vehicle having a passenger supporting structure that moves along said path with said ride vehicle and a motion base supporting said passenger supporting structure that articulates said passenger supporting structure in at least one degree of freedom relative to and independent of motion of said ride vehicle along the path;

at least one show set positioned along said path to present a three dimensional visual image to passengers in said ride vehicle, said at least one show set being movable in at least one programmably-defined pattern in accordance with sequenced program instructions of a show set actuation program; and

a show set computer system in communication with said at least one show set and controlling the same in a repeatable motion pattern in accordance with said programmably-defined pattern.

52. An amusement park attraction according to claim 51, further comprising a plurality of different alternative show set actuation programs stored by said computer system, each one of said plurality of different show set actuation programs defining different, alternative programmably-defined patterns of motion.

55. An amusement park attraction, comprising

a plurality of ride vehicles;

and

a central controller;

wherein each of said plurality of ride vehicles has

a passenger holding structure,

a motion base supporting said passenger supporting structure that articulates said passenger supporting structure in at least one degree of freedom relative to and independent of motion of said ride vehicle along the path, and

an on-board vehicle computer system that controls actions of the particular vehicle in the form of one of steering, velocity and articulation of said motion base according to a programmably-defined motion pattern defined by sequenced program instructions of a ride program, each said vehicle computer system storing at least one said ride program, each vehicle computer system in communication with said central controller.

56. An amusement park attraction according to claim 55, wherein each said vehicle computer system monitors vehicle position and communicates the same to said central controller by wireless communication.

57. An amusement park attraction according to claim 55, wherein:

said amusement park attraction further comprises a path, each of said plurality of ride vehicles following said path through said amusement park attraction, said path including a passenger loading point and a passenger unloading point to allow passengers to load and unload from said ride vehicle; and

said plurality of ride vehicles are adapted to be operated concurrently at different locations along said path between said passenger loading point and said passenger unloading point, such that a departure of vehicles from said passenger loading point may be staggered in time.

58. An amusement park attraction according to claim 55, wherein each said vehicle computer system communicates with said central controller by communication that is transmitted between the corresponding vehicle and said central controller by radio frequency electromagnetic communication.

59. An amusement park attraction according to claim 55, wherein each said vehicle computer system communicates with said central controller by communication that is transmitted between the corresponding vehicle and said central controller by infrared light.

60. An amusement park attraction according to claim 55, wherein:

said amusement park attraction further comprises a fixed path having a power bus, each one of said ride vehicles continuously tapping said power bus to receive electricity therefrom; and

each said vehicle computer system communicates with said central controller by communication that is electronically transmitted between the corresponding vehicle and said central controller through said power bus.