Manta (SeaWorld San Diego)

Manta
Location	SeaWorld San Diego
Status	Announced and Under Construction
Opened	2012 (2012)
Type	Steel - Launched - Family
Manufacturer	Mack Rides
Lift/launch system	LSM
Height	30 ft (9.1 m)
Drop	54 ft (16 m)
Length	2,835 ft (864 m)
Max speed	43 mph (69 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	1:56
Capacity	1400 riders per hour
Max G force	Between 3 and 4 Gs
Height restriction	4 ft 0 in (122 cm)
Trains	4 trains with 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 20 riders per train.
Manta at RCDB
Pictures of Manta at RCDB
Amusement Parks Portal

Manta will be a steel family launched roller coaster at SeaWorld San Diego in San Diego, California, USA. The ride will be manufactured by MACK Rides and is expected to open in 2012.^[1] It will utilize the same ride system that was used in Blue Fire which opened in 2009 at Europa Park.^[2]

History

Manta's concept art

Rumors about a new roller coaster for SeaWorld San Diego date back to October 2007 when details of a possible 2010 project were leaked.^[3] This plan was cancelled in mid-2008.^[4] In early January 2011, construction documents were discovered which detailed the plans for a $10 million manta ray-themed ride and animal exhibit due to open in 2012.^[5] On February 9, 2011, SeaWorld San Diego announced that they would be opening a Mack launched roller coaster called Manta in 2012.^[6][7]

Ride

Manta will feature two launches. Riders will reach speeds of up to 43 miles per hour (69 km/h) on the two-minute, 2,800-foot (850 m) long ride. The ride will stand at a height of 30 feet (9.1 m) and will feature a drop including an underground portion of 54 feet (16 m).^[8] The limited height was required due to height restrictions in place by the California Coastal Commission.^[9]

Trains

Manta's four trains will feature manta ray shaped fronts. The 5-car trains will seat riders 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 20 riders per train.^[1]

Animal exhibit

The existing Forbidden Reef exhibit will be incorporated into the attraction. A marine-life exhibit will also accompany the attraction. The 100,000-US-gallon (380,000 L) exhibit will feature 65 bat rays, 10 guitar fish and more than 400 other fish.^[8][10]

See also

• Manta (SeaWorld Orlando)

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Marden, Duane. "Manta  (SeaWorld San Diego)". Database Entry. Roller Coaster DataBase. http://www.rcdb.com/9819.htm. Retrieved February 10, 2011. 
2. ^ Marden, Duane. "blue fire Megacoaster  (Europa Park)". Database Entry. Roller Coaster DataBase. http://www.rcdb.com/4074.htm. Retrieved February 10, 2011. 
3. ^ Hart, Lance (October 25, 2007). "SeaWorld California". Screamscape. http://www.screamscape.com/html/seaworld_california.htm. Retrieved February 10, 2011. 
4. ^ Hart, Lance (June 3, 2008). "SeaWorld California". Screamscape. http://www.screamscape.com/html/seaworld_california.htm. Retrieved February 10, 2011. 
5. ^ MacDonald, Brady (January 11, 2011). "SeaWorld San Diego to announce new ride for 2012". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-seaworld-san-diego-manta-01201111,0,2419003.story. Retrieved February 10, 2011. 
6. ^ "Sea World San Diego To Open New Roller Coaster Next Year". Beverly Hills Courier. February 9, 2011. http://www.bhcourier.com/article/Local_News/Local_News/Sea_World_San_Diego_To_Open_New_Roller_Coaster_Next_Year/74569. Retrieved February 10, 2011. 
7. ^ MacDonald, Brady (February 9, 2011). "SeaWorld San Diego to add Manta coaster in 2012". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-seaworld-san-diego-manta-coaster-02201109,1,5096450.story. Retrieved February 10, 2011. 
8. ^ ^{a b} "Manta Fact Sheet". SeaWorld. http://www.seaworld.com/SitePage.aspx?PageID=1024. Retrieved February 10, 2011. 
9. ^ http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/oct/31/roller-coaster-update-seaworld-ride-moving-along/
10. ^ "SeaWorld San Diego Announces New ‘Manta’ Coaster". SeaWorld. February 9, 2011. http://www.seaworld.com/SitePage.aspx?PageID=1023. Retrieved February 10, 2011. 

External links

• Concept pictures and information at NewsPlusNotes