Manta (SeaWorld Orlando)

Manta
Manta splash effect
Location	SeaWorld Orlando
Coordinates	28°24′43″N 81°27′42″W / 28.41194°N 81.46167°W / 28.41194; -81.46167Coordinates: 28°24′43″N 81°27′42″W / 28.41194°N 81.46167°W / 28.41194; -81.46167
Status	Operating
Opened	May 22, 2009
Type	Steel - Flying
Manufacturer	Bolliger & Mabillard
Model	Flying Coaster (custom)
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	140 ft (43 m)
Drop	113 ft (34 m)
Length	3,359 ft (1,024 m)
Max speed	56 mph (90 km/h)
Inversions	4
Duration	2:35
Capacity	1500 riders per hour
Max G force	3.7
Height restriction	4 ft 6 in (137 cm)
Manta at RCDB
Pictures of Manta at RCDB
Amusement Parks Portal

Manta is a roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando. Designed by Bolliger and Mabillard, Manta allows guests to encounter numerous species of rays before boarding a manta-shaped train that takes them on a soaring, gliding journey above the park.

The attraction officially opened to the public on May 22, 2009.^[1]

History

The concept that was to become Manta was first revealed by SeaWorld Orlando to a gathering of travel and community leaders on April 2, 2008,^[2] although it had been in the planning stages for years before.^[3] The exact specifications and details were not immediately revealed, although it was noted that this would be the largest single investment in the history of any SeaWorld park, and that it would open sometime in 2009.^[2] It was further noted that the attraction would include a roller coaster, but that it would be much more than just a roller coaster. Regarding the design of the attraction, Joseph Couceiro, vice president of sales and marketing, said:^[2]

“

What it’s going to be is the next generation SeaWorld attraction. What we do well is connect the world with the sea, presenting marine life in totally different perspectives. Also what we do well is put the guest in the midst of that. This is the next generation of that.

”

Artists' concepts of the new attraction were leaked onto the Internet in April 2008; however, SeaWorld officials would not acknowledge if the images were accurate representations of the attraction's final design, although they suggested that the roller coaster would have a "gliding" sensation.^[4] At the same time, searches of trademark applications uncovered an entry for the use of the term "Manta" as an amusement ride, and construction on a large site within the park had already commenced. On May 29, 2008 park officials confirmed that the attraction would indeed be named Manta, and further revealed additional details about the attraction.

Construction of the roller coaster track and the attraction buildings began in September 2008, with the track completed in December 2008 and the rest continuing into early 2009. SeaWorld began previewing the attraction in early May 2009, leading up to its official opening, May 22.^[5]

Design

Manta is intended to be much more than a roller coaster. The experience begins upon entering the attraction's queue, designed to resemble a seaside village. The village is decorated with mosaics and other artwork inspired by rays. Within the attraction's 4-acre (16,000 m²) site are ten aquariums containing 184,000 gallons of water. 3,000 different animals, representing over 60 species, are visible, including over 300 different rays, such as cownose rays and spotted eagle rays. Sea horses, sea dragons and various tropical fish share the aquarium space. Floor-to-ceiling Plexiglas windows, including a 220-square-foot (20 m²) overhead section, allow guests to observe the animals as if they were underwater themselves.^[6] Portions of the aquarium exhibit can also be viewed by guests who do not wish to ride the roller coaster.^[7] Non-riding guests can use a second entrance to the attraction area, one that will be separated from those waiting for the roller coaster.^[8] Guests in the line for the roller coaster have access to special exhibit components, such as a Plexiglas "pop-up" window into the aquarium.^[8]

Manta is a flying roller coaster, which simulates the sensation of flight. In this case, it is meant to resemble how rays—and mantas, in particular—appear to "fly" through the oceans and seas they inhabit. Guests are initially seated upright on the trains, in one of eight rows that each hold four passengers, for a total of 32 riders.^[9] Prior to departure, mechanisms in the station raise the cars up to the track, such that the riders' spines are parallel to the track. Guests are secured in their seats using a locking lap bar and a vest-like harness, as well as flaps at the riders' ankles to hold their feet in place.

One of Manta's trains

The cars are highly stylized, with a lead car shaped like a manta ray, complete with a wingspan of 12 feet (3.7 m).^[9] The roller coaster will pass extremely close to water, such that the wings will appear to skim the surface. Water jets in the attraction's main lagoon create a "splash effect" as the roller coaster train passes. SeaWorld will be able to adjust various features of the splash effect, such as how long it lasts or how fast the train is traveling when it enters.^[8] The roller coaster's color scheme includes "deep purple, ultramarine blue and cobalt."

Track layout

The roller coaster has 3,359 feet (1,024 m) of track, and reaches a height of 140 feet (43 m). It includes four inversions and reaches speeds in excess of 56 mph. Statistically, this makes Manta the second-longest, tallest and fastest flying roller coaster in the world, behind Tatsu at Six Flags Magic Mountain. In order to control noise, some sections of the track are filled with sand.^[8]

Manta begins as the roller coaster train departs the station and climbs the 140-foot (43 m)-tall lift hill. At the peak, the train dives down towards the right and then swoops upward, passing the attraction's on-ride photo cameras prior to entering the 98-foot (30 m)-tall pretzel loop. The train dives head-first to the ground and then climbs back to the top of the element. It next takes a U-turn to the left through the pretzel loop, after which it encounters a counter-clockwise inline twist. As Manta exits the twist, it enters a 270-degree downward helix to the right, passing close to the ground below and crossing through the pretzel loop a second time as it enters its first corkscrew. After the corkscrew, the train climbs up above the station's return track and reaches the mid-course brake run.

Manta enters the second part of the course by diving down towards a lagoon near the theme park entrance, banking to the right as it approaches. The wings of the lead car appear to skim the surface, kicking up a splash of water (created instead by timed water jets). The train rises, still banked to the right, before diving again, this time towards a waterfall as it continues turning to the right. After missing the waterfall by inches, Manta then enters its final inversion, a second corkscrew, prior to a final U-turn leading to the final brake run and the return to the station.

Reception

Manta has been lauded by the mainstream and industry press since its debut in May 2009. Busch Entertainment Corporation, parent company to SeaWorld Orlando, credited Manta with improving park attendance.^[10] In July 2009, Manta was named "best new attraction" by ThemeParkInsider.com.^[11] In September 2009, Manta placed 3rd in voting for the Best New Ride of 2009 in Amusement Today magazine.^[12]

Golden Ticket Awards: Top Steel Roller Coasters
Year	2009	2010
Ranking	38[12]	33[13]

See also

• Manta (SeaWorld San Diego)

References

1. ^ "SeaWorld Orlando Rides - Manta Coming in 2009". SeaWorld Orlando. http://www.seaworld.com/sitepage.aspx?PageID=598. Retrieved 2009-02-06. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Scott Powers (2008-04-02). "New SeaWorld Orlando coaster/animal attraction revealed". www.orlandosentinel.com. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/04/new-seaworld-or.html. Retrieved 2008-04-02. 
3. ^ Dewayne Bevil (2009-03-04). "SeaWorld's new roller coaster Manta on track for May opening". Orlando Sentinel. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/orl-bk-manta-roller-coaster-seaworld-on-track,0,4731496.story. Retrieved 2009-03-05. 
4. ^ WFTV (2008-04-20). "Images of SeaWorld's Planned Orlando Roller Coaster". www.wftv.com. http://www.wftv.com/slideshow/news/15959360/detail.html. Retrieved 2008-04-25. 
5. ^ Dewayne Bevil (2009-04-30). "SeaWorld: Public can preview Manta at noon on May 5". Orlando Sentinel. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2009/04/seaworld-orlando-manta-roller-coaster-sneak-preview-may-5.html. Retrieved 2009-05-05. 
6. ^ "Manta Fact Sheet". SeaWorld Orlando. http://www.seaworld.com/sitepage.aspx?PageID=352. Retrieved 2008-06-09. 
7. ^ Scott Powers (2008-05-29). "SeaWorld emphasizes animals in planned new roller coaster". Orlando Sentinel. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-bk-seaworld-roller-coaster-052908,0,2551436.story. Retrieved 2008-05-29. 
8. ^ ^{a b c d} Dewayne Bevil (2008-11-17). "Manta on demand: more details about SeaWorld coaster under construction". Orlando Sentinel. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2008/11/manta-on-demand.html. Retrieved 2008-11-18. 
9. ^ ^{a b} Dewayne Bevil (2009-03-04). "On the scene with Manta at SeaWorld Orlando". Orlando Sentinel. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2009/03/manta-roller-coaster-seaworld-orlando-construction-florida.html. Retrieved 2009-03-05. 
10. ^ Jason Garcia (2009-06-27). "New Universal coaster spinning its wheels". Orlando Sentinel. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/orl-universal-roller-coaster-o62709,0,6748181.story. Retrieved 2009-07-03. 
11. ^ Dewayne Bevil (2009-07-03). "Manta, Epcot restaurant, Portofino Bay nab Theme Park Insider awards". Orlando Sentinel. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2009/07/disney-universal-seaworld-epcot-manta-les-chefs-de-france-portofino.html. Retrieved 2009-07-03. 
12. ^ ^{a b} "Golden Ticket Bonus Issue". Amusement Today. 2009-09-10. http://www.amusementtoday.com/corndog/2009GTAissue.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-02. 
13. ^ "2010 Golden Ticket Awards". Amusement Today. 2010-09-11. http://www.goldenticketawards.com/PDF/GTA2010issue.pdf. Retrieved 2010-09-12. 

External links

• Official Manta website