While the SeaWorld park in Orlando already has a Manta ride, that coaster is designed to deliver a more intense experience and caters to an older youth demographic than the San Diego ride. For those who opt to ride the coaster, they’ll start out the ride in an enclosed tunnel enveloped by giant images of rays projected on a 270-degree screen before being suddenly launched on their 1-minute, 40-second sojourn.ĭuring the course of the ride, the coaster will plunge 54 feet, which SeaWorld was able to accomplish by digging down into the ground 24 feet. The ride itself, while incorporating the thrills of a typical coaster, seeks to mimic the grace of a manta ray gliding through the water, although the cars will never touch water nor will riders get wet.īefore even boarding the cars, visitors to the five-acre attraction will descend into an underwater viewing area where they’ll be able to see up to 60 rays and hundreds of fish in a 100,000-gallon aquarium. Traversing more than a half-mile of track, the 20-seat coaster trains, shaped like giant manta rays, will rocket out of a launch station, reaching a speed of 43 miles per hour within 2 seconds. At the same time, because it’s not that extreme, we’re hoping that someone who’s the average height of a seven-year-old - 48 inches - can still ride it.” “We consider Manta a mega attraction so we’re looking for a major boost in attendance. “This ride for us delivers a different kind of experience than what you get going to our animal shows,” said SeaWorld San Diego spokesman David Koontz. Last year, however, marked a major turnaround for the aquatic park, which experienced a 14 percent spike in visitors. While regularly refreshing its signature shows and adding new attractions each year, SeaWorld still suffered a significant drop in attendance in 20, even as Southern California parks saw gains in 2010. “A lot of people now go to SeaWorld and say, where are the rides?” It’s another step that helps SeaWorld appeal to theme park fans, not just people looking to go to a marine park or the zoo. “SeaWorld kind of has half a roller coaster with Journey to Atlantis, but Manta’s really the first real coaster in the park. “If you look at the list of the most popular theme parks in the country, there’s only one that doesn’t have any roller coasters,” said Robert Niles, editor of Theme Park Insider. Souce: International Theme Park Services, Inc. Megacoaster 200 feet tall, 75 mph, 85-degree drop.Ī steel sit-down launch coaster 150 feet high, 62 mph, 1 inversion It's 100 feet high with 90-foot drop, 2 inversions, 55mph Front cars of trains shaped like manta rays. Relocated from Six Flags Magic Mountain 177-foot drop, 66 mph, 3 inversions.ģ0 feet high, 54-foot drop, 43 mph. Highest point is 120 feet with 120-foot drop, 5 inversions, 55 mph. Relocated from California's Great America 160 feet tall, 55 mph, 3 inversions. Highest point 210 feet, 60 mph, 4 inversions. Will reach speeds of 92 mph, no inversions, 306-foot lift, 80-degree drop. This year alone, 10 major roller coasters are opening at theme parks throughout the country.įamily coaster that will reach speeds of 55 mph. The expenditure is a measure of how important coasters have become in driving attendance, be it a Six Flags park, Knott’s Berry Farm or even SeaWorld. Thus was born Manta, an amalgam of classic coaster components - speed, a steep drop and sharp turns - and marine-themed elements chock full of sea life and multimedia dazzle.ĭebuting this weekend, the ride will also need to meet the high expectations of SeaWorld executives, who are banking on a significant boost in attendance that Shamu alone can't deliver.īilled as the park’s single largest capital investment, Manta is meant to attract a slightly broader demographic while still catering to its core audience of families.Īlthough SeaWorld officials won’t reveal how much they’ve invested, theme park consultants peg the cost at between $35 million and $50 million. Oh, and another thing, the ride had to be educational, too. When SeaWorld’s creative team set out to design a new roller coaster for the San Diego park, it knew it had to impress thrill-seeking teens - but not so much that it would alienate squeamish parents or terrify younger children. Guest capacity: 1,360 passengers per hourīat ray aquarium: Will hold about 60 rays, plus more than 400 fishes Seats/train: 20 seats per train/four trains Track length: 2,835 feet (about a half-mile) Maximum speed: 43 mph (reached in 2 seconds)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |