Gap blocking systems and methods for amusement park attractions

A gap blocking system, comprising:

• a loading platform having a gap separating a first portion of the loading platform from a second portion of the loading platform;
• a ride vehicle coupled to a transport extending through the gap, wherein the transport is configured to propel the ride vehicle along a loading path of the loading platform;
• and
• a panel assembly coupled to the loading platform and comprising a plurality of panels, wherein each panel of the plurality of panels is coupled to a respective actuator configured to selectively transition the panels between first positions and second positions, wherein each panel of the plurality of panels is configured to block access to a portion of the gap in the first position, wherein each panel of the plurality of panels is configured to expose the portion of the gap in the second position to permit the ride vehicle to occupy a guest-accessible position on or adjacent to the loading platform, and wherein, in the guest-accessible position, the ride vehicle extends across a radial dimension of the gap to block access to the portion of the gap.

A method of operating a gap blocking system for an amusement park attraction, comprising:

• transitioning, via a plurality of actuators, a plurality of panels of a loading platform to extended positions to cover a gap of the loading platform to block access to the gap;
• detecting that a ride vehicle approaching the loading platform from a ride track is within a threshold distance of the gap;
• and
• transitioning, via at least one of the actuators, a corresponding panel of the plurality of panels to a retracted position to expose a portion of the gap to permit the ride vehicle to enter the gap and occupy a guest-accessible position along the loading platform, wherein a chassis of the ride vehicle overlaps with a radial dimension of the gap in the guest-accessible position to block access to the portion of the gap.