SeaWorld announces opening day for Manta

February 8, 10:49 AMOrlando Family Travel ExaminerKen Black

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SeaWorld Orlando: Manta 

SeaWorld Orlando has announced the opening date of its new Manta roller coaster. For those families with older children who will meet the height requirement of 54 inches, this may be the highlight of a trip, even for those who make an annual (or more frequent) trek to the theme park. The coaster will open May 22.

Promised to have a summer opening since last year, the Manta will be Orlando’s first “flying coaster,” which puts passengers on their belly to simulate flying. Other coasters across the country utilizing this technology have opened to rave reviews.

The Manta will first seat people on the coaster in a loading area much like they would at any other roller coaster. However, before they leave the loading station, it will then position them into a position that will be nearly like laying face down. The coaster will then leave the station reaching a height of 140 feet and a maximum drop of just more than 110 feet, obtaining a speed of 56 mph.

However, Manta is much more than just a coaster. The queue line is thought to be unlike anything any theme park has ever done, with guests passing through aquariums filled with various species of rays and fish. For those who have been to SeaWorld before, think Shark Encounter but with a much better ending. Even for those with small children who do not want to ride the coaster, SeaWorld designers promise they may still want to go through the line, just for the aquarium experience. Further, the ride is sure to offer something many ride lines do not offer in Central Florida – air conditioning.