SWAMP THRILLS 2023 WINNERS
For Swamp Thrills 2023, teams were asked to create a theme park ride or attraction based off any underwater ecosystem
1ST PLACE - CRYPTOZOOLOGISTS
Team Members:
Jordan Schmidt (UF), Elliot Myers (UF), Shannon Brixner (UF), Halle Harper (University of Nevada)
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Ride Synopsis:
Cryptic Quest is an undersea adventure. Upon the escape of C.O.R.A.L.'s newest specimen, the Leviganmat (nicknamed Levi), the director sends you to recapture her. Levi takes you through the ocean, until you reach an abandoned portal that leads to another dimension. You run into a dragon-like sea serpent who chases you. Right when you're about to get eaten, Levi gets in the way and... cuddles the sea serpent. It's revealed that the sea serpent is Levi's mother! C.O.R.A.L. decides to leave Levi to stay with her mother, and you return to headquarters.
2ND PLACE - BUBBLEHEAD ATTRACTIONS
Team Members:
Andrew Long (UF), Erin Matty (UF), Kayla Mys (UF), DJ Sanchez (UF)
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Ride Synopsis:
The S.E.A. Submarine Ride is a two-story indoor trackless dark ride utilizing a variety of practical and computer effects to create an immersive, depth-defying aquatic experience. The ride will begin on the second floor, employing sensors to run the T.U.R.T.L.E. vehicle along the attraction route and a locking mechanism that will "drop" the vehicle into the Atlantic Ocean, creating a submerging effect as riders descend to the first floor of the show building.
As the vehicle passes through the artificial waters, the submarine will shift, twist, and turn through the trash, interacting with native species and aiding the S.E.A. research team using the T.U.R.T.L.E.'s arm to collect waste and mitigate the Atlantic ecosystems' pollution.
