One of the best and worst things about my job is being “in the know” before the general public about all the new things happening at the Worlds of Discovery Parks . This is great because I love knowing what new and exciting things are happening around our parks, but not so great when you are waiting for the newest attraction to be built. Knowing early means waiting longer for opening day, in this case waiting for Manta .
We began hearing whispers about SeaWorld Orlando’s new coaster Manta last year, but the excitement really began to build after the formal announcement last summer. My family and I had been discussing taking a vacation, but I convinced them we should head to Florida since we had never been to the SeaWorld or Busch Gardens theme parks there. I also convinced them to put off taking the trip until after the ride was complete to make sure I got the chance to go on Manta. In fact, my sister laughed after I told her my alternative motive for pushing back the trip dates and said “good luck” after seeing the Manta pictures.
It looks amazing! Manta’s official opening date is May 22, but previews are happening now so some lucky guests might even get the chance to ride it early. Color me green with envy. For the rest of us, here are the latest fun Manta facts, straight from Orlando:
• Maximum drop: 113 feet – Manta’s first drop provides all the power the flying coaster needs to speed for the next 3,000-plus feet, even through multiple loops, inversions and twists.
• Top speed: 56 miles per hour
• The trains on flying coasters are the most complicated and technically advanced trains of any type of roller coaster.
• Manta speeds riders through four showcase inversions, including two in-line spins, one flat spin and one pretzel loop. Specially crafted rails make Manta one of the world’s smoothest coasters.
• At the front of each coaster train, a massive, hand-crafted manta ray leads the way.
• Comfortable straps and cushioned bars safely secure riders from chest to ankle. Held tight, safe, comfortable and face down, riders feel as though they’re flying with a huge gliding/spinning/twisting/soaring ray.
• On a flying coaster, objects and ride elements seem closer than they are. Manta is different. Ride elements, like Manta’s waterfall and the wing skim, ARE close.
• Manta’s loading platform was designed to hide the boarding process from riders. SeaWorld’s experts wanted the head-first, face-down launch to be a surprise.
Special thanks to Brittany at SeaWorld Orlando for the updated info on Manta. Now I imagine I’ll be antsy for the next three months until vacation time! I’ll have to check and see if they have a Quick Queue pass like SeaWorld San Antonio… definitely something to look into.
Until then, have fun and keep riding!
Related posts:
- SeaWorld Orlando’s Newest Coaster Almost Finished
- Younger Riders Not Forgotten
- Thrills On A Chilly Day
- Journey to Atlantis Will Open May 12, 2007
- Ride Scenario Training
Posted in Coaster Connections
