justint87

In the video, another "hidden whale" can be found at :42 jumping out of the water in the background. I was at the park today and of course they are still testing but looks like more employees are riding it now. Today they had a train with at least 10 people on it. It was funny because one girl on it was screaming so much that everyone walking by just stared at it. Rumors has it that a soft opening may begin sometime at the beginning of May but I'll believe it when I see it.

Since were on the topic of Busch, once again this year they said the estimates are completely wrong compare to what they actually saw. www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bizattendance17041709apr17,0,2646872.story But of course, these were estimates and Busch Entertainment declined to assist them in creating the estimates. This could mean that some of the Busch parks that are reported to have declined in attendance could have stayed flat or increase this past year.

Thanks gatorchomp83! Once again, those were great photos as well as excellent video footage. The graphics on the smaller rays really makes the graphics on the whole train flow together making it look even greater! As for the themeing that is going up, more and more is it starting to look like the concept art. I'm really excited how it will turn out, the more the themeing, the better. Its also great to see people testing it because then we know the testing with the dummies went well. All in all, can't wait for your next update.

The reason why Mama's Kitchen was changed was because of Manta. Being in a location close to Manta, it would become a high traffic area and with more people being around and wanting to eat, they needed a restaurant that appeals to a wider audience (Mama's Kitchen sold only healthy alternatives) and would allow people to move in and out quickly to keep the place from overflowing which is the reason for pre-made sandwiches. Label Stable and the Bud Shop in the Waterfront are the only two places that sells Busch products. If you pay close attention, Bud Shop has recently went from a larger store to a smaller one. There are not the same amount of Busch products as before as most of the items are now on sale.

^ My personal opinion, I don't think there will be water down there. I know in the video they said it but in the same video, they said there would be "Mantas" in the tank... we all know that isn't true. Update on the park, when entering the park and heading towards the construction site, the construction wall on the left (next to the strollers rental) have been taken down and a newly built area for the flamingos is now there. No flamingos yet though, just a pool and some grass/sand area. The fence that is put up and the basic design of the railing is the same that would be put on the attraction side. Basically a little preview of the type of themeing we might see (fences and railings wise).

^ Pretty cool pictures especially the sunsets ones. They are matching up with the concepts very well, even the color of the sunset in the concept art matches the one you took!

Awesome video of Manta. This video provides and up close look on a private tour that was given. The two guys in the video were kind of entertaining and funny too in a corny way. Video includes shots of inside the aquarium (views not seen before), the queue line, from the construction site, on the final brake run, inside the train storage building (up close look at the trains), and many more. www.ted.me/exclusive-seaworld-manta-update/

johnnyupsidedown posted an excellent update with great pictures of the train as well as the entire area. There is also a video of the train in action, one of the best videos I seen actually. www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta0.html

This is only a guess but maybe they just haven't added the designs onto the baby rays just yet. Considering only one of the zero car has the designs, they aren't finish just yet...

The zero car design looks great. Thanks for getting out and getting those pictures for us. Oh and the video, I been waiting for the longest time to see a video from that angle (right under the first drop going towards the pretzel loop). It looks great. Thanks again gatorchomp83!

RCPro has posted an update that shows how great the themeing is coming along. Included in the update is an video of Manta testing with the new zero car design. Unfortunately, it is nearing evening and it is moving too fast to see the design clearly. Even by pausing the best I can say is it looks like some watery design... Link to photo update: http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/swo04.08.09/ Link to video: http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/swo04.08.09/video.html *Note: The video has two cycles, the second cycle has the new zero car design. Preview:

^ I see where your coming from but to some of the general public, a ray is a ray. Sure there are some of us who are well educated to tell the difference but the majority of people would just call any ray a stingray. To give you an example, I have heard quite a few times at the park around the construction walls with the name of the ride where someone would ask "Hey, Manta, isn't that what killed Steve Irwin?" to their family. Of course we know it wasn't a Manta but to them, its just a stingray. Another one which really bothers me was a woman who was so certain that she told her whole family that a Manta was what killed Steve Irwin. I remember when I heard that, I thought to myself, "are you serious!?!" I know these may be isolated incidents but its sad that in the eyes of some in the general public, a stingray no matter the species is an stingray. Hopefully there is a section of the aquarium that will provide educational material that describes the different species of stingrays and where they are found throughout the world's oceans similar to the one in Penguin Encounter.

Its great to finally see concept art of the interior surfaced. Gets me more excited to see what else we could experience from this new attraction. About the building theme; construction has not been completed on it yet so that would explain why it doesn't look like the concept art. If I remember correctly, the last time I was there, a large side of the building was getting a "rock treatment" so we'll see. I too have always thought the aquarium looked small while it was being built but the views we have aren't the best. Until we can go in to see for ourselves, we won't know for sure how big it is. From the concept art, the walkways aren't that wide to begin with so it does seem somewhat accurate. Oh and if the entrance (riders and non-riders) turns out to be anything like the concept art; I would consider it as one of the best/beautiful ride entrances I have ever seen.

Whats so great is that the scenery/themeing looks so beautiful yet the main scenery/themeing area is still under construction. We can only imagine what the ocean, beach area, waterfall at the entrance and the waterfall off the aquarium building will look like once completed. This is a guess but maybe the grass walkway is for people who want to take a nice stroll through. Before Manta, this area had a nice relaxing canopy of trees and nice places to just sit and relax. Maybe this is what it is for, only difference is now there will be a coaster flying overhead. Just a guess.

RCPro posted an excellent update of Manta showing off the new area open to the public and the landscaping from various angles. These photos really gives you a great perspective of the area from a guest standpoint. Link: www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/swo03.30.09/ Previews:

Those were some great photos! Some of the best I seen yet. The landscaping on that side looks beautiful. I haven't had the chance to walk on that side of the park in a while and I can't wait to see for myself in person. Ride is coming along really well and the other half of the themeing is looking great already. Cannot wait to see more pictures during the coming weeks.

Those are some great pictures of the ride and the ocean filled in. I think I saw you took those pictures of the ocean. I saw someone with a camera sticking it through the opening in the fence.

To answer your question about why there was a line at the entrance of Shark Encounter. Basically, they stop guests from entering the aquarium when too many people are inside. They do this to keep guest flowing through smoothly. A lot of guests stop to take photos and look at the animals and it would be too crowded if they let everyone in at one time so they stop them so the guests inside can move in further before letting more guests in.

I'm just throwing this out but maybe the reason the crane isn't there is because it had some kind of malfunction and they needed to get it repaired/replaced. I don't think there is anything to worry about. Before we know it, construction on the lift will resume and the sooner we can all ride it.

The Orlando Sentinel posted a video of Manta testing provided by SeaWorld. I know we all seen the other videos but this one provides us with a clear up close look at Manta going through the pretzel loop as well as the second roll before the MCBR. This is the view we would get standing right next to the pretzel loop. www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/orl-bk-manta-roller-coaster-test-run-story,0,6408017.story It looks faster up close and SO smooth...

^ I don't know if you know or not but that picture is not an actual picture taken at the park. That photo is edited because there is no way you could get a picture of Hulk at that angle with Dueling Dragons in the background. Same goes for Dr. Doom Fearfall. All of those are edited onto one background which could explain DD sunset colors and not Hulk. Anyways, back on topic. It will be interesting in the next few weeks to see the steel supports go up to create this castle. Just like RRR, it will be great to see this building reach its highest point.

^ I agree as well, when I first saw the picture, I didn't understand what was different about it. That is just how DD looks like when sunlight is shining on it.

^ Great video! Great job editing, thanks! I have followed this ride ever since they started clearing the land for it and to see it go from then to now... I just can't wait to get on it. I think one of the best thing about this ride is that just about every section of it is near a pathway so there should be great interaction between riders and non-riders who just want to watch. One of my favorite part of Kraken is right before the underground dive when your right in front of the guests view. Manta should provide plenty of those moments.

The ride is looking great and runs so smooth. Thanks for all the pictures and video, now the only thing left is to see more themeing go up and animals put in. Cannot wait until this ride is open and we all can "ride the flying ray!"

^ Thanks for the video! It was quite dark and hard to make out a lot of things but from what you can see, it looks great. It seemed very smooth going through the pretzel loop. Hopefully they run the trains through in the day so we can see the whole thing more clearly.