Rotating amusement water related feature

Abstract

A ride structure is disclosed using rotating tunnel sections as part of a static water ride with or without variations in the tunnel cross-section and/or embedded three-dimensional features to disturb the water paths which carries vehicles with riders. The riders may exit the rotating large tunnel upstream and downstream and the volume and velocity of the water can be manipulated to change the ride experience.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water ride feature, compromising:
 a rider entrance;   a rider exit;   a ride surface adapted to carry one or more riders or ride vehicles sliding thereon between the rider entrance and the rider exit, wherein the ride surface is a fully enclosed tube section with a plurality of rider lanes separated by dividers,   wherein the ride feature is configured to be rotated around a central longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The ride feature of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of rider lanes is identical to each other rider lane of the plurality of rider lanes. 
     
     
         3 . The ride feature of  claim 1 , wherein each rider lane of the plurality of rider lanes comprises at least one of the following enhancement elements:
 a three-dimensional surface feature;   a variation in cross-sectional diameter;   sound effect features;   light effect features; and   gaming elements,   wherein each of the plurality of rider lanes comprises a different combination of enhancement elements compared to every other rider lane.   
     
     
         4 . The ride feature of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of rider lanes is fully enclosed and separated from each other rider lane by dividers. 
     
     
         5 . The ride feature of  claim 1 , wherein the fully enclosed tube section further comprises an open central section centered on the central longitudinal axis, wherein each of the plurality of rider lanes is visible to a rider in one of the rider lanes of the plurality of rider lanes. 
     
     
         6 . The ride feature of  claim 1 , further comprising a first section wherein each of the plurality of rider lanes is fully enclosed and separated from each other rider lane by dividers, and a second section wherein the fully enclosed tube section further comprises an open central section centered on the central longitudinal axis, wherein each of the plurality of rider lanes is visible to a rider in one of the rider lanes of the plurality of rider lanes.