The second interpretation of the Manta coaster concept just opened at SeaWorld San Diego, and seeing as they are so different, I think it’s just about appropriate to compare them on PureCoaster. Now, I’m going to compare them in three subtopics before the poll, just so we can learn a little about these coaster cousins.
Type of Coaster:
The original Manta at SeaWorld Orlando is a flying coaster by B&M, meanwhile the new Manta at SeaWorld San Diego is a MACK launch coaster. These coasters couldn’t be more different when it comes to classification, and layout. In Orlando, you see four inversions, one of which is a gargantuan pretzel loop. On the other hand, in San Diego it’s very low to the ground with lots of tight high speed curves.
Splashdown
What is to me the most iconic thing about these coasters is the splashdown. The one in Orlando is very grand, and very showy, meanwhile the new one in San Diego is more subtle, and likewise more realistic. Both are very unique effects that have become a sort of trade mark for SeaWorld.
Trains
Seeing as they are different makes of coaster by different manufacturers, the trains for these coasters are quite different. The stylized B&M flying coaster trains in Orlando have a grand manta ray at the front of each train, plus cute smaller mantas at the front of each car, and on the MACK mega coaster trains in San Diego, they have a beautiful, gigantic manta at the front.
Personally, I think the original Manta in Orlando better mimics the sensation of being a manta, but due to height restrictions in San Diego they were forced to modify the concept, and in my opinion, they got a less than spectacular result. My vote is to the flying coaster at SeaWorld Orlando.
We’re almost half-way through 2012 and the theme park news shows no signs of slowing down. Over the course of the last month, we’ve seen openings, testing, announcements, and even new construction for next season!!! Let’s take a look at what happened in theme parks this month;
X-Flight Opening
The third B&M wing coaster for 2012 finally opened, in the form of the highly appraised X-Flight, at Six Flags Great America. Also, the park surprised us with a few water and fog effects to complement this cool coaster.
SeaWorld’s second Aquatica waterpark opened in San Antonio this month. This one features the same tropical theme, with some new slides. I really think SeaWorld has a winner with this concept!
What might just be Leviathan’s biggest competitor this year is Port Adventura’s Shambhala, which features a mid-course splash-down, and the new staggered seating trains from B&M. Can B&M make a BAD hyper?
Busch Gardens’ themed launch coaster Verbolten made it’s debut recently, and I’ve really got to applaud the park for the amazing theming and backstory to this ride. The whole “Gunther and Gerta” characters, and the pitch black indoor section with the vertical drop section, makes this ride VERY unique.
SeaWorld’s second interpretation on the Manta concept opened in San Diego as a MACK launch coaster.
Skyrush Opening
What is this, the year of the mega coaster? The third new mega coaster to open for 2012 is Skyrush at HersheyPark. As the park’s 12th coaster, it joins amazing rides like Great Bear, Stormrunner, and the classic Comet.
Deja Vu reopend in it’s new home as Goliath this month, and despite the normal technical difficulties, I think it’s better suited at Six Flags New England than it was in California. Now if only they’d remove Flashback………
The third Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been announced, and it is destined for Japan. Universal Studios Japan will be building another incarnation of the highly appraised land, the famed Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, and presumably more for a 2014 opening date.
The month of April has come and gone, and as we progress into the year 2012, the attractions the public anticipates finally open their gates. As for the rest, they are all checking the last things off their check-lists, and getting ready for openings in the near future. Lets take a look at what happened at theme parks this month;
Leviathan Preview
Canada’s Wonderland unveiled their beast-of-a-coaster Leviathan at the end of April, and the folks from PureCoaster were there!!!! I’ll have a full photo update on the site real soon, (sorry for the delay.)
Oziris Opening
B&M inverts have become coaster classics, and Oziris looks like it can live up to the legacy left by coasters like Nemesis and Katun. Sporting Egyptian theming, and Montu style track and trains, this looks like a winner.
“Your worst nightmare underground,” opened at Alton Towers and just by the fact that this is the only attraction to ever get an an age rating by the British Board of Film Classification, this is not for the easily frightened!
Now this is a show that lives up to the name “night-time spectacular!” Disneyland Paris’ Disney Dreams is a castle show, and with water fountains, digital projection, lasers, and plenty of pyro, Disney Dreams has to be seen to be believed!
Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories Previews
Disney Dreams isn’t the only new night-time show for 2012, Universal has begun showing their new night-time show that features numerous water effects, and of course fireworks.
Even though it’s not set to open for another month, Transformers is already in “Technical Rehearsals!” After all the hype this attraction has received since the announcement, this is looking REALLY good.
Dubbed as the first 360 degree 3D attraction, TurtleTrek’s opening is the first of one of three attractions SeaWorld has planned for the next two years.
Continuing on the success from last year’s four Windseekers, Cedar Fair opened another two incarnations of this 301ft tower swing at Kings Dominion and Carowinds.
Even though this is Dorney Park’s second relocated shuttle coaster, there’s something about this ride that makes me happy to see it open. Brought in from the almost sold California’s Great America, it’s a great fit at Dorney Park.
The remaining “New for 2012” B&M wing coaster began testing this month. Think about it, it will only be a few weeks until we’ll be able to ride this epic coaster!
Shambhala Testing
Leviathan and Skyrush aren’t the only mega coasters opening this year, Shambhala has not only completed it’s track this month, but it’s begun testing as well!
We’re all one step closer to “Braving the Black Forest,” as Verbotlen is testing as well!
Mammoth Testing
Holiday World has beaten their own record for World’s Longest Water Coaster with Mammoth. Sitting next to it’s predecessor Wildebeest, Mammoth not only looks like a great ride, but it fits in with the Splashin’ Safari theme too!
After virtually no updates from the park, Six Flags America’s hand me down Apocalypse has completed it’s track this month. Additionally, they have started re-painting the supports to match this coaster’s hot new black and orange paint job.
Mirabilandia’s Intamin Hypersplash/coaster combo with multiple splash-downs and coaster segments has it’s circuit complete. We can expect to see water dummy testing soon!
As we get further into 2012, all of the highly anticipated attractions open, and those that aren’t quite there check more things off of their construction lists. But that doesn’t mean that there weren’t a few surprises. Lets take a look at what’s happened at theme parks this month:
The Swarm Opening
One of the first “New for 2012” roller coasters to open was Thorpe Park’s The Swarm. This heavily themed wingrider opened mid-month and is a fantastic addition to Thorpe Park.
Right on schedule, Dollywood opened Wild Eagle, the third wingrider by B&M. Not only is this a great coaster, but it has been accompanied by a metal eagle sculpture. Between this, Thunderhead and Mystery Mine, Dollywood is now a must-visit park.
The Magic Kingdom got a little more magical this month as the first phase in the Fantasyland expansion opened to guests. Storybook Circus, taking the place of the old Toontown Fair, features the classic Dumbo attraction, and a re-themed Barnstormer roller coaster.
In recent news, Europa Park’s Wodan had its media event. This GCI Woody interacts with rides like Atlantica Supersplash and Blue Fire. Additionally, the park kept with tradition and added a fair amount of theming in the queue as well as around the attraction.
Six Flags always seems to have something up their sleeve, and a little while back, they announced that their Mr. Freeze launch coasters, would be re-worked to launch trains backwards starting this summer.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed writing it, and in the next few months, as the rest of the attractions for this year open, I’ll post a few more of these to cover everything at a glance.
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