Have you ever seen a manta glide through the water? They're pretty awesome creatures as they weave gracefully through the tropical waters of the world, typically around coral reefs.The manta is the king of the ray family, the largest ever recorded measuring more than 25 feet across with a weight of about 5,000 pounds. That's huge!!!
So you're wondering what mantas have to do with coasters? Simple, beginning this summer you can catch a ride on the largest ray in the world when "Manta - Ride the Flying Ray" swoops into Orlando's SeaWorld.
Of all the new rides slated to debut in 2009, this is one of the splashiest.
According to the park's Web site, the new flying coaster is inspired by the underwater flight of these powerful creatures. Riders will fly face-down, in a horizontal position, underneath the belly of a coaster train shaped like a giant flying ray.
With a wing span of 12 feet across, riders will glide, swoop and dive along 3,359 feet of track and through four inversions on what is billed as one of the most graceful flying steel coasters ever.
The first drop will swoop down 113 feet and reach a top speed of 56 mph. As it curves at the bottom of the hill, Manta will skim along a lagoon and its wings will create a plume of water spray that will be quite a sight for riders and onlookers (and might soak them as well).
The whole idea is to give riders a chance to feel what it's like to be a giant ray, taking flight effortlessly from sky to sea.
How cool is that! This ride will no doubt be making a lot of waves in Orlando this summer! Check out the teaser link below.
That's all for now. Until next time, enjoy the ride!
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Manta Stats
Type of coaster: Steel flying coaster
Height: 140 feet
First drop: 113 feet
Top speed: 56 mph
Track length: 3359 feet
Ride time: 2:35 minutes
Height requirement: 52 inches
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PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
SeaWorld Orlando announces the next generation of SeaWorld thrills with Manta — a new mega-attraction which will seamlessly transition guests from the awe of encountering rays in underwater flight…into the sensation of actually being one. Swooping over sea and sky, Manta will inspire riders with amazing underwater animal habitats, then soar them face-down, in a horizontal position, aboard a manta-inspired flying coaster. Manta opens summer 2009.
The Manta flying coaster will create a new level of immersion into the animal world — in a way only SeaWorld can do — enveloping riders in a sensation of oneness with the ocean’s most powerful and graceful creature as they soar, dive and plummet through the air.. and at times within inches of the sea.
The journey begins the second guests enter a mythical village filled with artisan-created engravings and artwork that celebrate ray legend and lore. No ordinary queue line, the attraction starts with the first step inside. Anticipation builds as guests wind through caverns adorned with ray-inspired art in marble, jewels, and mosaics, all hand-created and left behind by artists who were moved to pay tribute to the beauty, grace and intrigue of these animals.
Whether guests choose to ride or not, the attraction is a world unto itself. Floor-to-ceiling windows create mesmerizing face-to-fin encounters with 300 rays, as well as thousands of fish and mysterious creatures native to oceans all over the world. Shark rays, spotted eagles rays, leopard rays, cownose rays, and oscillate river rays float past guests with fluidity and grace in a view new to SeaWorld. Enhancing the feeling of awe, elaborate lighting, sound and rushing waterfalls further submerge guests into this underwater universe.
The experience then evolves from seeing … to being.
Inspired by the underwater flight of these powerful creatures, guests will fly face-down, in a horizontal position, underneath the belly of a coaster train shaped as a giant manta. With a wing span of 12 feet, the giant manta will soar over sea and sky in the most graceful flying coaster ever created.
Gliding, swooping and diving up to nearly 60 mph, through four inversions on 3,359 feet of track, riders will feel as if they are a ray, taking flight effortlessly from sky to sea — so close at times that the Manta’s wings skim the waves.
“This ride is uniquely SeaWorld," said Dan Brown, Vice President and General Manager of SeaWorld Orlando. “SeaWorld is famous for connecting guests with the sea and its amazing creatures, and Manta does this in a way that has never been done before, creating a true sense of oneness between human and animal.
“The sensation of Manta also will be like none other in the world - guests will be inspired by the grace and power of live rays, then feel as if they, themselves, are gliding through air and water," said Joseph Couceiro, chief marketing officer for SeaWorld’s parent company, Busch Entertainment Corporation. “No one but SeaWorld can unite thrills and ocean animals into such a unique experience."
The four-acre, 140-ft tall attraction will be located inside the main entrance to SeaWorld, and become an icon in the park with its unique design. Towering over SeaWorld’s 200-acres, the manta-themed coaster - cloaked in hues of dark purple, ultramarine blue, and cobalt - will lure guests into the world of the mysterious ray.
ABOUT SEAWORLD - SeaWorld Orlando is one of 10 Worlds of Discovery parks operated by Busch Entertainment Corporation. The other Florida Worlds of Discovery parks are: Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark in Orlando; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Busch Gardens Africa and Adventure Island in Tampa. For guests looking for the best value and flexibility when planning their vacation, multi-park tickets are available. Admission to Discovery Cove includes seven days of admission to either SeaWorld or Busch Gardens. For more information on multi-park tickets and vacation planning tips, guests may visit http://www.seaworld.com/ or call (800) 327-2424. Worlds of Discovery, based in Orlando, Fla., employs more than 21,000 people nationwide. On the Web at http://www.worldsofdiscovery.com./
Manta Teaser
