JOURNEY TO THE DRAGON'S GATE MARQUEE
The intent of my thesis is to design a ride system which integrates three transitions between formats. The new system gives Guests an immersive, storytelling experience with an unexpected surprise at the end of their ride. So, welcome to "Journey To The Dragon's Gate."
ATTRACTION QUEUE - JAPANESE TEA HOUSE
The ride begins with Guests walking into a Japanese style building. The building is a wooden structure painted red and white with a gray overhanging curved tile roof. Dark gray stone steps lead into the building. The queue contains Japanese Windows (Shoji) which are made of a latticework wooden frame and covered with translucent white paper to diffuse the light. As Guests proceed through the queue, they are guided into the ride loading area.
LOADING AREA
Traditional Japanese style boats (wasen) were made from wood and primarily used for inshore fishing. My design is cognate to the traditional Japanese style boats. Each boat seats nine Guests. For safety reasons, riders are provided with individual locking lap bars. All Guests must be 40 inches or taller to ride this attraction.
RIDE VEHICLE DESIGN
As the ride begins, the boat floats along a ride path moving with the peaceful water currents. Guests feel that they are not bound to a track but are reliant upon the water's flow. The flow is created by water jet motors. This idea is similar to attractions found in Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom such as It's a Small World or Pirates of the Caribbean. The boat continues to travel on its journey down the river passing cultural landmarks and authentic Japanese Gardens as described by the narrator of the story. Japanese music plays throughout the ride to reinforce the theme. The boat passes under a bridge and Guests experience the sweet fragrance of cherry blossoms and the vibrant colors of the trees and plants as they enter the garden area.
GUESTS APPROACHING WATERFALL AND TORII GATE
Koi Fish begin to swim along the side of the boat incorporating projection mapping on the water. The boat begins to gain momentum as it is swept up by the fast-moving currents as a large waterfall comes into view through the dense fog. As the boat proceeds forward, Guests feel a mist from the crashing waterfall, a cool breeze and the smell of pine trees fills the air. These effects are used to immerse Guests in the environment. The Torii stands proud as the water comes pouring down into the river. Large rocks line the shoreline as the boat gets closer and closer to the falls.
RIDE VEHICLE ON PLATFORM CLIMBING WATERFALL
A conveyor system under the boat slows the ride down and enables it to glide onto a platform in front of the waterfall and stop. The ride vehicle is locked securely into a motion platform. Guests view the Koi Fish trying to swim up the waterfall provided by projection mapping. As the platform begins to move vertically, two mechanical arms begin to extend underneath the boat creating a rocking motion from side to side. As the boat climbs to the top of the waterfall, Guests see less and less Koi Fish trying to swim up the waterfall. The boat reaches the top and the last Koi jumps in front of the boat through the Torii Gate and seems to disappear.
RIDE VEHICLE TRANSITIONING TO ROLLER COASTER
The boat is released from the platform onto a track and passes through the Torii Gate. At this point of my attraction, the boat ride transforms into a roller coaster and roller coaster elements are utilized. The components of a roller coaster operation and design are the tracks, hills, turns, and spirals. My coaster is a steel roller coaster with tubular steel tracks. The wheel assembly of the coaster has three wheels. Up-stop wheels are located under the boat and keep the boat from coming up off the track. Running wheels are above the rails and keep the boat centered on the track and side friction wheels run along the sides of the rails supporting the weight of the boat. I chose this design because it would keep the boat anchored to the track which is very important during twists and turns.
GUESTS ENCOUNTER MAGICAL DRAGON
As the boat proceeds forward, Guests find themselves in the middle of dense clouds. The boat continues to travel in a straight path and the clouds begin to clear. Guests become distracted from light coming from an opening up ahead. Suddenly, a large Dragon appears. The boat moves closer and closer towards the Dragon. The Guest's attention is drawn to the Powerful Dragon and suddenly, the Dragon's breath creates white smoke that pours onto the boat. At this point, the Guest's visibility is impaired, and the boat comes out of the building and races down a steep hill. The nice and peaceful boat ride has now transitioned into a moderate roller coaster with twists and turns and airtime hills that navigates around and through Japanese Gardens. The roller coaster is an element of surprise for the Guests. The boat returns to the water with a splash. It floats up to the dock where Guests will be unloaded and guided into the gift shop.
PLAN OVERVIEW OF ATTRACTION
Scene 1: Fishing Village Scene 5: Transformation
Scene 2: Boat Under Bridge Scene 6: Dragon Encounter
Scene 3: Forest Scene 7: Outdoor Coaster
Scene 4: Koi Fish Scene 7: Japanese Gardens
Scene 5: Approaching Gate Scene 7: Unload Area
Scene 5: Jumping The Falls
CONCLUSION
As technology progresses for theme park attractions, Guests expect more and more amazing experiences. The implementation of screens within attractions have become very popular. The thrills and action come from these screens and do not really immerse Guests into the action. Dark Rides work well because they utilize scene transitions and hold the Guests attention by impressive props, special effects, and animatronics. Dark Rides tell a story and take Guests on a journey through beautiful environments. Roller Coasters are getting taller, faster, and scarier due to advances in technology. They attract Guests who like speed, visceral sensation of fear, thrills, and variety. Even though these coasters are popular, they target only certain types of Guests and age groups.
The purpose of my thesis is to create an attraction that is not only a storytelling, immersive dark ride but, one that excites Guests and raises the level of entertainment for a unique memorable experience. My thesis promotes the idea of combining three different ride systems into a single ride.
The first ride system for my attraction starts out as a dark ride with a free-floating boat ride navigating down a peaceful river. The second transition initiates when the boat approaches the waterfall and is guided onto a motion platform and begins to rise to the top of the falls. This gives Guests the sensation of the boat moving. The third ride system begins when the boat is released from the platform onto roller coaster tracks and proceeds through the Torii Gate. Guests are distracted by the Powerful Dragon and therefore, they have an element of surprise as the boat exits the interior of the building and starts its journey as a roller coaster.
This attraction is not just another boat ride or roller coaster; it is a new experience of an immersive storytelling dark ride adventure which integrates one or more transitions between formats also known as combining three ride systems into a single ride providing an increased level of entertainment and a new kind of experience for park Guests.
