An amusement ride system includes an amusement ride infrastructure defining a travel surface, with at least one vehicle having a vehicle body defining a vehicle undersurface disposed for travel generally along the travel surface. A plurality of valves are disposed to selectively deliver a pressurized flow of water through the travel surface, into a confined region defined between the vehicle undersurface and the travel surface, the pressurized flow of water into and through the confined region creating a cushion of water to separate the vehicle undersurface from the travel surface. The vehicle is configured to convey at least one passenger generally along the travel surface upon the cushion of water.