Sorry for reviving the old thread, but it seemed the most appropriate place for this, as I didn't see it come up in any of the other threads I searched...
Disney was just granted a patent for a new version of the boat system used all over the parks in Pirates, Small World, etc.
In this version, the boats are still free-floating, but are tethered to underwater wheel assemblies at the front and back that follow an underwater track. These assemblies are propelled by linear-induction. This would allow for varying speeds in different places along the track.
The diagrams also show the possibility of the front and rear ends traveling separately, allowing the boat to turn and move sideways, perhaps even turning 180 and continuing to travel backwards, much like the Omnimover systems do now.
There are other side benefits to this, such as the ability to truly E-stop the ride, as well as "stack" the boats at unload without them bumping into each other.
The one drawback is that I don't think a drop like the ones in Pirates or Maelstrom would really be possible with this ride system. (But hey, if your boat magically stopped and then continued gliding along while turning 180 degrees....I think it's a fair trade-off)
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=disney&OS=disney&RS=disney
-Rob
