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NEWS
Cavu Designwerks develops dark water ride concept
POSTED 03 Dec 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Amazon Drifter is a combination of immersive high-definition media, special effects and water Credit: Cavu Designwerks
Media-based attractions specialists Cavu Designwerks have revealed plans for a brand new dark water ride concept.

Unveiled at the IAAPA attractions expo, Amazon Drifter is a combination of immersive high-definition media, special effects and water. Currently under development, the company is in the midst of creating a layout with a potential rollout for 2016.

“We’ve been on some pretty dull and dreary boat rides, we wanted to spice it up,” Daryl White, president of Cavu, told Attractions Management.

“We’ve created a concept that marries the traditional indoor dark ride with water, using a floating vehicle that bounces and spins around in a locale with projected media and sets.”

The 12 passenger concept, themed around an Amazon River adventure, floats down a waterway in a trough. Below the boat will be a submerged conveyor belt with a motion base underneath it. Using this technology, the dark water ride will be able to bounce the boat up, roll it from side-to-side and even turn it 360 degrees. On- and off-board SFX elements such as wind, mist, scent, heat and cool air also add to the immersive experience.

“The goal isn’t to get wet. It’s basically a little bit of thrill, but a fun family ride with some adventure to it,” added White. “We’re designing a layout right now and we hope to have something next year. We have developed a generic story for now but the ride can be themed however an operator would like.”

Because of its bespoke nature, cost will be entirely dependant on layout and features. The ride system has been developed entirely in-house, while AV specialists Kraftwerk are providing AV elements for the ride. Amazon Drifter offers a small footprint, as well as the potential for multiple layouts depending on location.
Below the boat will be a submerged conveyor belt with a motion base underneath that Credit: Cavu Designwerks
Cost will be entirely dependant on layout and features Credit: Cavu Designwerks
The 12 passenger concept, themed around an Amazon River adventure, floats down a waterway in a trough Credit: Cavu Designwerks
RELATED STORIES
  IAAPA 2015: Gesture-tech Ninjago ride announced for Legoland Malaysia


Ride maker Triotech unveiled its new gesture-led Maestro technology at IAAPA last week, as Merlin announced a third location for a dark ride using the technology.
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Legoland Billund, in Denmark, is to get a new dark ride featuring "gamechanging" interactive technology.
  FEATURE: 3D/4D/5D: New Dimensions


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  Canada’s Wonderland unveils new interactive dark ride


Multi-sensory attractions company Triotech has launched an interactive dark ride at Canada’s Wonderland, featuring the longest interactive wall ever integrated into a theme park attraction.
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Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
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NEWS
Cavu Designwerks develops dark water ride concept
POSTED 03 Dec 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Amazon Drifter is a combination of immersive high-definition media, special effects and water Credit: Cavu Designwerks
Media-based attractions specialists Cavu Designwerks have revealed plans for a brand new dark water ride concept.

Unveiled at the IAAPA attractions expo, Amazon Drifter is a combination of immersive high-definition media, special effects and water. Currently under development, the company is in the midst of creating a layout with a potential rollout for 2016.

“We’ve been on some pretty dull and dreary boat rides, we wanted to spice it up,” Daryl White, president of Cavu, told Attractions Management.

“We’ve created a concept that marries the traditional indoor dark ride with water, using a floating vehicle that bounces and spins around in a locale with projected media and sets.”

The 12 passenger concept, themed around an Amazon River adventure, floats down a waterway in a trough. Below the boat will be a submerged conveyor belt with a motion base underneath it. Using this technology, the dark water ride will be able to bounce the boat up, roll it from side-to-side and even turn it 360 degrees. On- and off-board SFX elements such as wind, mist, scent, heat and cool air also add to the immersive experience.

“The goal isn’t to get wet. It’s basically a little bit of thrill, but a fun family ride with some adventure to it,” added White. “We’re designing a layout right now and we hope to have something next year. We have developed a generic story for now but the ride can be themed however an operator would like.”

Because of its bespoke nature, cost will be entirely dependant on layout and features. The ride system has been developed entirely in-house, while AV specialists Kraftwerk are providing AV elements for the ride. Amazon Drifter offers a small footprint, as well as the potential for multiple layouts depending on location.
Below the boat will be a submerged conveyor belt with a motion base underneath that Credit: Cavu Designwerks
Cost will be entirely dependant on layout and features Credit: Cavu Designwerks
The 12 passenger concept, themed around an Amazon River adventure, floats down a waterway in a trough Credit: Cavu Designwerks
RELATED STORIES
IAAPA 2015: Gesture-tech Ninjago ride announced for Legoland Malaysia


Ride maker Triotech unveiled its new gesture-led Maestro technology at IAAPA last week, as Merlin announced a third location for a dark ride using the technology.
'Gamechanging' gesture-led ride coming to Legoland Billund


Legoland Billund, in Denmark, is to get a new dark ride featuring "gamechanging" interactive technology.
FEATURE: 3D/4D/5D: New Dimensions


From zombie-themed dark rides to 3D films about supersonic cars, its the latest news, products and launches from the world of 3D/4D/5D
Canada’s Wonderland unveils new interactive dark ride


Multi-sensory attractions company Triotech has launched an interactive dark ride at Canada’s Wonderland, featuring the longest interactive wall ever integrated into a theme park attraction.
MORE NEWS
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney confirms US$30 billion investment programme as it highlights its economic impact
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
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COMPANY PROFILES
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


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