Carousel ride systems and methods

A method of operating a carousel ride system, the method comprising:

• positioning, using a lift system, a plurality of figures at a same vertical height relative to a rotatable platform along a vertical axis during loading operations, wherein each figure of the plurality of figures is supported on a respective support post that extends vertically through a respective opening in the rotatable platform;
• moving, using the lift system, the plurality of figures up and down relative to the rotatable platform along the vertical axis during rotation of the rotatable platform and the plurality of figures during ride operations;
• and
• positioning, using the lift system, the plurality of figures to the same vertical position relative to the rotatable platform along the vertical axis during unloading operations.

A carousel ride system, comprising:

• a rotatable platform;
• a plurality of figures that are configured to rotate with the rotatable platform, wherein each figure of the plurality of figures is supported on a respective support post that extends vertically through a respective opening in the rotatable platform;
• and
• a lift system comprising a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control one or more actuators of the lift system to adjust one or more components of the lift system to cause the plurality of figures to repeatedly move up and down relative to the rotatable platform along a vertical axis during ride operations and to cause the plurality of figures to be at a same vertical height relative to the rotatable platform during loading and unloading operations.