You are a volunteer for Starport, an organization dedicated to bringing supplies and morale drops to its sponsored extraterrestrial exploratory settlements. Before the ride begins, you receive a briefing on Starport, your mission, and the route you are expected to take, which should be a straightforward journey. You board the mothership, learn about Starport’s history and accomplishments, and wait to be dispatched to your assigned planet. Eventually, it is your turn, and you step into the smaller spaceship pod to head towards your assigned planet. Once you are released into space, Milo, your robot guide and Starport expert, begins guiding the ship. You see your assigned planet in front of you, but suddenly, a giant nudibranch comes up from under the spaceship, splitting your pod into two separate parts. Each ride vehicle is subsequently sent into a wormhole! Over the radio, Milo assures you that he can guide you through nearby wormholes and help you return to your route.

Synopsis of Attraction Design

Starport is designed to take advantage of both vertical and horizontal space. The Starport complex spans three floors, which our trackless ride vehicles navigate using two mechanisms: elevators and sliding converter lifts. Within the attraction, the ride vehicle splits in two, and each half travels to a different floor. Both vehicle halves begin on the second floor. From there, angled converter belts guide Sequence A to the first floor and Sequence B to the third floor. Each ride is thrust into a different dimension. After completing their separate dimensional journeys, both ride vehicles return through their respective wormholes and reunite on the second floor. From there, guests board The Emergency Transporter, which brings them back to the first floor to complete their delivery.

Floor 1:

Approximately one-sixth of Floor 1 is dedicated to the Starport introduction. The first portion of Floor 1 serves as guests' introduction to Starport. This area contains a switchback queue featuring Starport achievements and displays that introduce riders to the mission. Eventually, recruits enter the pre-show, where they are briefed on their specific task before boarding The Mothership, a large elevator that takes them up to the second floor.

The remaining space on the first floor contains the layout for Sequence A. There is a lift that takes vehicle A from the 2nd floor back down to the 1st floor. In this area, there is a relatively open floor plan with bordering walls to separate the three distinct incidents that occur during Sequence A. After completing its path on the first floor, the vehicle reconnects to a lift and returns to the second floor to reunite with the other half of the pod.

Floor 2:

Floor 2 is split in half. In the first half of Floor 2, riders arrive together via The Mothership elevator and board their spacecraft to begin the attraction. The ride begins with a journey through space toward the guests’ assigned planet, but the vehicle is soon split in two and redirected by angled converter belts onto separate paths. At this point, Sequence A descends to the first floor while Sequence B ascends to the third floor. The second half of Floor 2 is reserved for the vehicle reunion sequence. After the vehicles reunite, guests board another elevator, The Emergency Transporter, which takes them back to the first floor to complete their delivery.

Floor 3:

Approximately one-sixth of Floor 3 is dedicated to a maintenance and control room, which serves as the operators’ base for overseeing ride operations and rider safety. The other remaining space contains the layout for ride Sequence B. There is a lift that takes vehicle B from the 2nd floor up to the 3rd floor. This area also uses an open floor plan with bordering walls that divide the three distinct incidents in Sequence B. After completing its path on the third floor, the vehicle reconnects to a lift and returns to the second floor to reunite with the other half of the pod.

Concept Drawings

Attraction Type

This attraction immerses guests of all ages by balancing thrill with playfulness in both its storytelling and physical ride experience. By designing a story-driven attraction, we were able to focus on deeper and more immersive world-building rather than a short thrill-only experience. By choosing a trackless vehicle system, we were able to tailor the experience to a wider audience, as this technology allows for a high degree of ride customization. Each ride can be programmed with unique motion profiles and scene variations, allowing for a low- to medium-intensity experience. Furthermore, our trackless vehicles allow riders to enjoy multiple experiences, even when seated on the same side or following the same general path, because each ride can include subtle variations. These variations can be scaled from small changes, such as subtle actuator movements, to larger changes, such as an added spin sequence. Through this, we can also encourage riders to look for hidden differences throughout their ride experiences. Additionally, the ride can be updated over time, helping the experience remain fresh and engaging for returning guests.

Plot, Characters, Storyline

Guests arrive at Starport, an intergalactic organization dedicated to delivering supplies and sustenance to its sponsored extraterrestrial colonies. Their journey begins in the lab. Guests walk through a switchback queue, passing illusion-based displays of Starport’s supplies (freeze-dried cubes magically transforming into food, holograms of crates, etc.). Also on display are nudibranchs, the mild-tempered star creatures native to outer space.

Guests gather in a small staging room. Here, Freightmaster Oswald describes the process of supply delivery. Oswald explains that once they board the Starport mothership, they will be assigned a planet and shipped out on their spacecraft to deliver the goods. After training, recruits will be guided along the way by Milo, a robot companion and intergalactic delivery expert. However, just as Oswald finishes his explanation, a nudibranch bursts through the back wall, causing mayhem in the room. Guests are quickly ushered into an elevator that transports them to the mothership.

Guests then enter a large room filled with projections and special effects. Milo comes into view, assuring everyone that everything will be alright. The deliveries have to happen now. Once all guests are in position, they see a starship pass overhead. Suddenly, the room glows purple, and the guests feel weightless as they ascend up to the ship.

Once aboard the mothership, guests queue to board their delivery spacecraft. When each ship arrives, a hologram flashes (both above and within the vehicle), indicating the group’s uniquely assigned planet and corresponding color. With a thrust, the recruits fly out of the mothership and begin to explore outer space. The scene is beautiful: incredible planets swirl around, and nudibranchs can be seen floating near the vessel.

Just as their assigned planet comes into view, a giant nudibranch rises from beneath the ship and splits the ride in two. Milo assures the recruits that everything will be okay, but he does not sound so sure himself. Guests are thrust into an eerily silent room, with stars and nudibranchs whirring around as they travel at warp speed. Confused, guests begin to hear telepathic whispers from the intergalactic worms. Milo explains that they are in a wormhole and should reach the other end any second now. Suddenly, each vessel gets thrust into separate dimensions.

With the 16-seat vehicle now split in half, each group begins a separate journey through either a diamond-raining exoplanet or a rapidly dying nebula. To reunite, the riders must follow Milo’s guidance, escape their respective dimensions, rejoin the other half of their pod, and complete the delivery safely.

Sequenced Attraction Elements

After passing through Starport’s museum queue and watching Oswald’s chaotic pre-show briefing, riders board their spacecraft and begin their journey to their assigned planets. Their seating choice determines which sequence they experience. Each rider unknowingly makes a choice by either sitting on the left or right side of the ride vehicle. The left side of the vehicle follows Sequence A, “Into Crustallos,” while the right side follows Sequence B, “Escaping Incendium.”

For both sequences, the entrance to each scene is the same. The ride vehicle jolts to a stop as the crew immediately exits their wormhole. Milo’s voice crackles through the staticky speakers as the ride vehicle begins to shake, attempting to reassure the explorers that they are safe. This small extraterrestrial earthquake marks the beginning of each sequence. The pace quickens with a series of sharp turns, leading directly into the three major incidents of each sequence.

Sequence A: Into Crustallos

General Plot: After being split apart, the explorers in Sequence A are immediately sent downward through their wormhole to Floor 1, where they enter the storm systems of a gas giant called Crustallos. They can feel the chill of its thick atmosphere permeate through their spacesuits. They swirl through the storm, narrowly dodging flying debris made of diamond and ice. Their objective: get to the center of the ice storm to reunite with the rest of the crew.

Incident 1: A large diamond rolls down a small mountain above the ride vehicle and shatters into reflective pieces, lighting up the space as the recruits fly right under it. After the narrow escape, explorers take a sharp turn and fly right above a Crustallos colony. The ride slows briefly, giving explorers time to take in the environment and its set design.

Incident 2: Just as riders begin to calm down and the storm briefly settles, the wind and the vehicle’s speed begin to increase, and riders find themselves on the edge of a diamond tornado. As the ride suddenly starts spinning, recruits dodge different items picked up from the colony: random household items, broken Starport crates, half-eaten cheeseburgers, etc.

Incident 3: As explorers make their way through, they enter the eye of the storm! In a fully mirrored room, crystallized light figures reflect around the environment. Explorers can see the exit ahead: another wormhole that will carry them back down to reunite with the other team.

Sequence B: Escaping Incendium

General Plot: After being split apart, the explorers in Sequence B are immediately sent upward through their wormhole to Floor 3, where they arrive at the edge of a dying star called Incendium. They must dodge expelled star energy as it starts to explode and collapse into a black hole. With gravity pulling everything towards the center, they swirl around, dodging smaller nudibranchs. Their objective: get out of the center of the exploding supernova to reunite with the rest of the crew.

Incident 1: Upon entering, recruits are confronted by a massive solar flare racing directly toward the spaceship. As the vehicle spins to avoid the flare, a growing black hole appears ahead, forcing the turbodrive to kick in as the crew attempts to outrun it.

Incident 2: As the car rounds a sharp corner, Milo warns the crew about micro-flares. Recruits are met with a huge shockwave as they go down a rocky corridor and must dodge smaller ribbons of light and gusts of warm wind coming from the walls.

Incident 3: Suddenly, just as they come face to face with the black hole, the engine briefly stalls, seemingly defying gravity itself, before roaring back to life and sending them spinning upward through another wormhole to reunite with the rest of the crew.

Reunited:

After both pods reunite on the second floor, Milo lets out a brief sigh of relief as the full crew boards an emergency Starport transport vehicle. Guests are then quickly dispatched to their assigned planet’s destination, where they exit their vehicles and complete their delivery through the gift shop experience.

Site Plan

Floor 1:

Floor 2:

Floor 3:

Ride Layout

Floor 1: Queue and Pre-Show

Guests enter on the first floor and walk through the queue.

With illusions and graphics, the lab builds the world and theme.

The “mission” is assigned, and guests are moved via elevator to floor two.


After loading, guests are sent into deep space.	Encounter with the nudibranch! The spaceship splits into two, and guests are sent to the wormholes, which are silent and eerie.

Floor 3: Escaping Incendium


On floor three, guests come face-to-face with a dying star and dodge a solar flare.	The star collapses and starts to pull in the spaceship, which enters turbodrive to avoid the pull.	A “shockwave” throws the spaceship back — a bumpy ride!

Holograms of microflares and heated fans immerse the guests in space.	The black hole is fully formed, the pull is inescapable!	Escape through the wormhole! Two lifts are available to bring guests to floor two.

Floor 1: Into Crustallos

Meanwhile, guests on floor one must dodge a shattered diamond.

They fly over a Crustallos colony, enhanced by illusions and projections.

A tornado picks up, spinning guests into a whirlwind of random items picked up from the town below.


The eye of the storm is calm and glimmering.	The exit is ahead — guests navigate to the wormhole, which sends them to floor two.

Floor 2: Delivery and Post-Show


The two halves of the vehicle are reunited and joined together.	A fly-by of the planet and its settlement.	Guests are congratulated for a successful (if a bit bumpy) mission.

The vehicle is sent down a lift to the first floor.	Guests exit to a themed gift and dining area.	The vehicle is sent back up to the start of the ride.

Detail Schematics + Models

As displayed in our final video and in the section view below, we modeled the interior of the show to demonstrate how Starport’s key ride moments fit within the overall building footprint. The attraction’s interior show spaces, ride paths, transfers, and support zones fit within 75,207.232 sq ft of interior space, while the full footprint, including the exterior queue, totals 80,000 sq ft. These models communicate the spatial layout of the attraction across all three floors, from the introductory queue and pre-show to the split ride sequences, reunion area, and final unload.

The section views and interior models also help show that the attraction is not only visually compelling but also physically achievable. They illustrate how the ride vehicles transition between floors, how scenic environments are organized around guest sightlines and ride motion, and how technical spaces such as lifts, maintenance access, and transfer points are integrated into the show building. Together, these schematics support the feasibility of the attraction by showing how story, ride system, and architecture work together as one unified design.

Ride Vehicle Model/Drawing

Our ride vehicle hosts a total of 16 riders per ride, with 8 seats per row and two rows in total. To support the storyline, we use two identical ride vehicles that travel side by side to appear as one cohesive vehicle before splitting apart. Each “half” of our ride vehicle hosts a total of 8 people with 4 seats per row and two rows in total. Because the vehicles are trackless, they can be programmed to move in sync before separating into their individual sequences.

Safety Considerations

Starport’s building design includes multiple maintenance corridors and emergency exit routes distributed across all floors within the 80,000 sq. ft. attraction footprint. Maintenance on our ride vehicles, innovative technologies, and moving set elements will occur regularly, with schedules determined by the scope and invasiveness of the required work. We anticipate daily checks that include running empty ride cycles, testing restraints, and inspecting braking mechanisms. During the off-season, we can partially disassemble ride systems and conduct more thorough testing of attraction features.

Our ride system is designed in accordance with ASTM F2291 standards for a Class 3 amusement attraction. For the restraint system, this means the following:

Our restraint system consists of a shared lap bar that secures more than one rider, with the final latching position varying based on rider size to ensure both safety and comfort. The restraint may be manually latched by either the rider or the operator, with the operator verifying that it is properly secured. Patrons or the operator may manually unlatch the restraint after the ride ends. No external indication is required as the design allows the operator to perform visual/manual restraint checks for each ride cycle.

Furthermore, for structural materials used in the ride vehicle, such as Aluminum 6061-T6, the allowable stress is limited to approximately 66% of yield strength to maintain an acceptable factor of safety in accordance with Section A1.I2.3 of ASTM F2291. For a material with a yield strength of approximately 40,000 psi (276 MPa), this means the ride vehicle would be designed to remain below about 26,400 psi (182.16 MPa).

In addition, safe vehicle separation is essential to ASTM F2291 compliance. During the split sequence, the two side-by-side vehicles maintain a minimum clearance gap of 2 in (50.8 mm) at all times, and protective barriers prevent riders from reaching into the adjacent vehicle. All riders must also meet the minimum height requirement of 48 in.

Innovative Technology Integration

Our primary technological innovation is the combination of ultrasonic panoramic speakers and an anechoic chamber-inspired room. While riders are thrust into their respective wormholes, they briefly enter a room that takes inspiration from an anechoic chamber for around 20 seconds. After the first 5 seconds of entering this sound-absorbing room, they are overwhelmed by the whispers of telepathic nudibranchs through panoramic speakers that are mounted to the front wall panels in the wormhole’s interior. Together, these technologies turn a key story moment into a memorable sensory experience, allowing the nudibranchs to appear as though they are telepathically communicating with the explorers. The audio system combines K-Array Tornado-KT2 speakers embedded in the seat headrests, which also deliver Milo’s voice to recruits, with CODA Audio Omnio5 360-degree speakers paired with QSC DSP amplifiers to create high-fidelity surround sound and immersion. The silence of the anechoic chamber, paired with these audio technologies, heightens the overall sense of immersion.

Other Miscellaneous Technologies:

Within the switchback queue, future explorers pass displays highlighting past and ongoing delivery missions, along with whimsical glimpses into the manufacturing process behind Starport’s supplies. Through this experience, riders witness different forms of holographic projections, such as holographic fans.

Within ride sequence A, we incorporated water pearl technology to create stroboscopic effects in tandem with infinity mirrors to reflect the illusion of shattered diamonds through a storm within the room. Within ride sequence B, we use pseudo-color reflection holograms for the nano-flares and CITC wind machines.

Operational Feasibility

Starport is designed for practical operations, maintenance, and emergency response across all three floors. Dedicated maintenance hallways, lift access, and a third-floor control room allow operators and technicians to monitor the attraction and reach ride systems without interfering with guest circulation. For emergencies, guests can be evacuated from any scene into adjacent perimeter corridors, directed to staircases, and routed down to Floor 1 exits. The ride system is also divided into controlled block zones, including load, unload, split-transfer, scene, reunion, and reset areas, so vehicles can be stopped, isolated, and cleared safely without affecting the entire attraction. In the event of a vehicle malfunction on the upper floors, the vehicle can be safely stored adjacent to the lifts and brought to the main floor after EOD for repairs at a separate facility.

Floors 1-3: Evacuation Plan

Capacity + Throughput

Ride Capacity Statistics

Riders per Vehicle: 16

Vehicles in Operation: 7

Total Riders in System: 112

Total Cycle Time: 12 minutes

Pre-show: 2 minutes

Main ride portion: 8 minutes

Loading: 30 seconds

Unloading and exit: 1 minute 30 seconds

Dispatches per Hour: 5 per vehicle

Maximum Hourly Capacity: 560 riders

Queue Capacity Statistics

Our attraction’s switchback queue covers approximately 5,545 sq ft, allowing a maximum of 1,109 people to wait at one time if approximately 5 square feet are allocated per person.

Guest Immersion Elements

Starport’s guest immersion is driven by a combination of environmental storytelling, sensory effects, and personalized ride moments. From the queue onward, guests are treated as new Starport recruits, surrounded by museum-lab displays, mission artifacts, supply demonstrations, nudibranch exhibits, and recruitment-style messaging that establishes the world before the ride even begins. The pre-show deepens this immersion by introducing Milo and Freightmaster Oswald as recurring characters, giving guests a clear role in the story and raising the stakes before launch.

During the ride, immersion is reinforced through synchronized vehicle motion, lighting, surround audio, temperature and wind effects, reflective surfaces, holographic illusions, and distinct scene identities across both pathways. The assigned planet color, the sudden pod split, and the two separate dimensional journeys make each experience feel personal and replayable. After the reunion and return to safety, the themed exit and gift shop continue the narrative, extending the world of Starport beyond the ride itself. Altogether, these elements create an attraction that feels both fantastical and fully lived-in.

Why It’s Compelling

Our attraction is especially compelling because it offers two distinct ride experiences within the same overall story. The surprise of the vehicle splitting apart creates both excitement and curiosity, encouraging guests to ride again to discover what happens on the other side. This structure also cultivates community, as riders compare and share their different experiences after the attraction ends. We can foresee friendly banter and genuine dialogue occurring as riders become immersed in their favorite story. Ultimately, Starport invites riders to engage with imaginative and playful interpretations of space in a fun, story-driven way. We encourage riders to use their imagination and reconnect with a sense of childlike wonder about life beyond what we currently know. To us, that is what space exploration is all about!

Integration

We intentionally designed Starport’s theme so it could extend naturally into gift shops and dining spaces. At the start of the storyline, recruits are leaving Earth, but they land on their assigned planet at the end. As a result, the exit route and surrounding exterior spaces can both carry the attraction’s space-themed design language.

Within the gift shop, a general space theme can be paired with merchandise tied to each explorer group’s assigned planet color. This allows for multiple versions of the same product to be collected in their own uniquely themed color palettes as riders discover the other planet assignments. Furthermore, Starport itself has many intergalactic morale items that can be sold as either real food within a restaurant or themed props where riders can build their own custom morale kits. Starport’s merchandise line also allows for a wide range of themed products, from nudibranch blind boxes to Milo plushies and Freightmaster Oswald stickers, giving riders additional ways to stay immersed in the story beyond the ride itself.