But is the ride itself any good? Queuing areaĪs a major rollercoaster located close to the entrance of SeaWorld, it’s inevitable that Manta will have to deal with hefty lines during peak seasons. Add to this a brand new aquarium featuring rays and hundreds of other sea-dwellers, and Manta represents a major new area that has the potential to soak up a large portion of any guest’s day at SeaWorld. Manta swoops and glides through a stunning artificial oasis, in a mysterious dance that will captivate guests. However, SeaWorld’s ambitions with Manta go beyond simply adding a new thrill ride – the park has created a lavish new centrepiece that draws in visitors as soon as they enter the park. The new rollercoaster is a beast – stretching some 3,359 feet, reaching a top speed of 56mph and featuring a 98-feet-tall first “pretzel” loop. Riders lie on their stomachs (or on their back through the coaster’s many inversions), simulating the feeling of flying, or in this case gliding. To do this, SeaWorld has selected Bolliger & Mabillard’s flying coaster system, which was first used for Air at Alton Towers and has since been replicated around the world. Following our review of the Rockit, we thought it only fair to share our impressions of Orlando’s other major new addition for 2009.Īs with all of SeaWorld's attractions, Manta has an aquatic theme – in this case, the coaster aims to simulate the gentle gliding of Manta rays through sea water. TPT finally got to experience the ride in August, shortly after catching rival Universal’s Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit on its opening day. The roller coaster has been built by the renowned Swiss coaster design company, Bolliger & Mabillard who also built Kraken at SeaWorld, SheiKra, Kumba and Montu at Busch Gardens and Duelling Dragons and the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure.SeaWorld Orlando opened its latest addition, flying rollercoaster Manta, to huge crowds back in May. Height requirements are 54 inches (137 cms). It is painted in shades of dark purple, ultramarine blue and cobalt. The 140 foot high coaster has been built close to the park main entrance on a seven acre site including the former flamingo habitat. The 3,359 feet of track includes a 113 foot drop and takes the riders only inches above the surface of a lagoon as it skims across the water. In fact the water fall separates the queue line from the ride and you'll be able to feel the train as it hurtles past. Manta reaches speeds of 56 mph with four inversions and spins including two in-line spins, a flat spin and a pretzel loop, a close call with a waterfall and a wing dip just inches above the water. The cars are shaped like a Manta ray with a twelve foot wing span and hold 32 guests. After you get onboard, the seats rotate you into a prone face-down position unlike traditional coasters where you sit face-up throughout the ride. The Manta Ray ride is one of only a few flying roller coasters, the first to be built in Florida and will give the riders the sensation of swooping and gliding like a ray. There is also an overhead viewing panel where you will be able to watch rays circling overhead.Īll told there is some 184,000 gallons of water in ten aquariums and a lagoon.
#Seaworld manta series
Set in a mythical village celebrating the legends of rays, the queue lines will be decorated with ray inspired art work.Ī series of aquariums will then give the visitors amazing views of around 2,500 tropical fish and some 300 rays of various kinds including Shark rays, Spotted Eagle rays, Leopard rays, Cownose rays and Oscillate River rays as well as other unusual sea creatures like Sea Horses and Sea Dragons.
Note that if you don't want to ride the roller coaster you will still be able to enjoy seeing the rays. SeaWorld have coined the phrase "from seeing to being" to emphasise how you can view the beauty of how rays swim in the water and then experience the same type of flight yourselves on the roller coaster. The new Manta attraction is in two parts, a themed village environment housing a large number of tropical fish and rays and a state of the art roller coaster ride.
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