PW July 09 P38-40.qxd 6/24/09 10:39 am Page 39
Ride Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
“
We
worked on the
Manta concept
for several
years; it fully
complements
and broadens
the SeaWorld
brand. The
guys at B&M
were and are
consummate
professionals
”
an elaborately-themed queue line, as guests wind Swooping Sensation
their way through caverns adorned with art in Meanwhile the giant Manta coaster train glides,
marble, jewels and mosaic. swoops and dives at up to 60 mph, as its wings
A separate path for non-riders ensures all almost touch the water. Travelling over 3,359ft of
SeaWorld guests enjoy the “pre-show” thanks to track, riders encounter four inversions including two
floor-to-ceiling windows that create mesmerising in-line spins, one flat spin and one pretzel loop. But
“face-to-fin” encounters with over 300 rays, as one of Manta’s most memorable elements is surely
well as thousands of fish and other creatures, when it speeds past the queue line, separated only
including a massive Pacific octopus, hundreds of by a waterfall from the waiting guests on the other
colourful clownfish and mysterious sea side.
anemones. According to Brown, reaction to the ride has been
Elaborate lighting, sound and rushing waterfalls "outstanding. Guests have been raving about it
further submerge guests into this underwater since we first let them ride,” he says. “In my view,
universe. the best part of it is the feeling of weightlessness
JULY 2009 39
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48