But industry consultants say SeaWorld executives are likely grateful Manta is opening in the midst of the prolonged, global recession. It's nearly impossible to time the opening of such an elaborate attraction, which takes years to plan and build. Permits filed with Orange County, Fla., government put the construction cost at about $20.8 million, though experts say that figure likely excludes some significant ride-related expenses, such as research and design. "And we think it's going to be."Įxecutives say Manta, which combines a 56-mph inverted roller coaster with a walk-through aquarium stocked with 300 species of rays, is the most expensive attraction yet built by Busch Entertainment Corp. "It's critical that this is a home run," said Dan Brown, general manager of SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica. The starkly different economic environment makes Manta's debut even more important - for SeaWorld and for the rest of Orlando's tourism industry, as both brace for the most challenging summer in years. When ride designers sat down three-and-a-half years ago to begin work on Manta, SeaWorld Orlando's new roller coaster, business at the resort was booming.īut when SeaWorld formally opened its new flagship attraction Friday, it did so amid the worst economic bust in at least a quarter-century. That implies a level of danger that I just don't believe is accurate.ORLANDO, Fla. I'm not arguing about how you FELT, but it's a big stretch (and as another poster very aptly put it, dramatic) to insinuate it could kill you. I thought I was going to die and had a splitting headache after riding The Simpsons at Universal, and it is just a simulator (where you are literally in no physical danger at all, save for the nasty "feeling" that it can induce in us less hearty folks). To be fair, your personal tolerance for roller coasters does not constitute it being a near-death experience. Trust me, he's rode it often enough that if it were a killer coaster (literally), he would have been dead many trips ago. You'll find MANY people who think Manta is one of the best coasters in Orlando.my husband is one of them. I wouldn't let one person's assessment of one roller coaster turn you off of an entire park family. I'm not certain what you are envisioning, but SeaWorld is anything but an extreme rides park. Interesting that we all react quite differently to different thrill rides. My list of thrill rides I enjoy gets shorter the older I get, but the Manta is still on the list as a fun doable one. But the Manta is still a rare fun one for me. Spinning rides don't work for me now that I am older also. I need smooth coasters for them to be enjoyable for me these days. Lots of coasters aren't fun for me these days too - too jerky, too many spins, etc. I enjoy this one, but don't enjoy simulator rides like the Wild Artic (I do the non moving seat line) or the many simulator rides at Universal. My 82 year old mom and 22 year old son love the Manta too. Have you ever had that reaction on anything else or is this the only thrill ride you have not enjoyed? If you know why this one didn't work for you, perhaps you can do some research before riding something new. I personally never had any physical reactions from the ride and found it quite pleasant, but I will say it is the only coaster I ever gave a little scream on. The other two are at Cedar Pointe in Sandusky, OH. That first loop is the only reason it makes it on the list of my top three favorite roller coasters. I like the Manta because of that first loop and to me that's the only reason I bother with it with all the other great stuff (non thrill ride stuff there is to do at SeaWorld). I think if it wasn’t for the inversions this would definitely be the best ride at Sea World, but instead it kind of gave me a migraine especially with the big sharp loop. Rest of the ride is pretty awesome because it is like you’re flying. Because of the way you’re positioned and because it’s such a sharp loop downward making an inverse inversion, you feel like your head is going to implode or fall off or whatever, so Rider beware. Where this ride comes near to killing you however is with the first inversion. I really like the ambient music they play on the lift hill as well. This is an interesting ride in that the seats move up 90 degrees like the Superman roller coaster at Six Flags so it’s like you really are flying, hence why it’s highly recommended to get front row. I got to ride on all the coasters, but one I want to mention is Manta. I was amazed how upscale the park was especially compared to Busch Gardens. Today I went to Sea World for the first time in 14 years now that I have the Platinum Pass.
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