SeaWorld Orlando (SWO) Discussion Thread

[snoflake15]

If I ask nicely do you think they would let me ride next Wednesday?

[AmericanEagle15]

As much as I would like to see a soft later this month, I really doubt it. But then again, I could be wrong.

[Wily J]

I'm just disappointed Sea World didn't call this coaster "Blackfish" and have it mow down hologram CNN anchors and PETA protesters along the route.

 

 

[AmericanEagle15]

Just got yet ANOTHER mail from Sea World regarding the Mako Preview day, and its making me excited! Would anyone still be interested in going to register? I'll donate as much gas money as i can pull out of my funds! *excited*

[coasterbill]

At the park now! Here's a few pictures of Mako from about 5 minutes ago.

The entrance area is starting to take shape.

I can't wait to see how this area turns out...

Around the bend.

 

We should be back early next year. I can't wait to ride it!

And some theming work...

[palavos3]

Coaster enthusiasts that live in the New York/Jersey area coming to Sea World for Mako is a waste of time. It is basically a clone of Nitro.

[Jew]

It's never a waste of time to visit Orlando.

[snapfordakids]

Coaster enthusiasts that live in the New York/Jersey area coming to Sea World for Mako is a waste of time. It is basically a clone of Nitro.

 

Except with a steeper first drop, immersive theming, a splash down effect, tight maneuvered swooping turns and 15 years of technology advancements compared to when Nitro debuted...etc.

 

Yeah it's an exact clone if you say so.

[Genx24]

It's never a waste of time to visit Orlando.

[coasterbill]

It's never a waste of time to visit Orlando.

 

 

Or SeaWorld.

[DoinItForTheFame]

It's never a waste of time to visit Orlando.

 

 

Or Disney.

 

Fixed that for you!

[DILinator]

Count me in as somebody else who thinks it's NEVER a waste of time to go to Orlando! I love that place, and frankly, wouldn't mind living down there! Also, Sea World beats any of the Disney parks, at least for me personally!

 

And Mako a clone of Nitro??? For shame...

[coasterbill]

Count me in as somebody else who thinks it's NEVER a waste of time to go to Orlando! I love that place, and frankly, wouldn't mind living down there! Also, Sea World beats any of the Disney parks, at least for me personally!

 

And Mako a clone of Nitro??? For shame...

 

I wouldn't compare Sea World to Disney because they're so different, but if you're a big-time animal lover I don't think it's unreasonable at all to prefer Sea World. I love Sea World for the laid back atmosphere compared to the other Orlando parks, the great animal exhibits and shows and because Manta is probably Orlando's best coaster.

[chickenbowl]

Manta is probably Orlando's best coaster.

 

Umm... Manta isn't even SWO's best coaster.

 

I saw pictures that park employee's are riding today! The coaster looks fantastic - I think it may be one of the best B&M Megas under 300'.

[DILinator]

Count me in as somebody else who thinks it's NEVER a waste of time to go to Orlando! I love that place, and frankly, wouldn't mind living down there! Also, Sea World beats any of the Disney parks, at least for me personally!

 

And Mako a clone of Nitro??? For shame...

 

I wouldn't compare Sea World to Disney because they're so different, but if you're a big-time animal lover I don't think it's unreasonable at all to prefer Sea World. I love Sea World for the laid back atmosphere compared to the other Orlando parks, the great animal exhibits and shows and because Manta is probably Orlando's best coaster.

 

I should have phrased it this way... For me personally, and my tastes, I'll take Sea World over Disney anyday! However, that's because of their awesome roller coasters, including my beloved Kraken, and not really because of the animals, which I usually skip. However, I look forward to having a more well rounded experience at Sea World in the future, taking my kids, because I think they will enjoy it, and I always enjoy anything I'm doing with my kids!

[coasterbill]

Count me in as somebody else who thinks it's NEVER a waste of time to go to Orlando! I love that place, and frankly, wouldn't mind living down there! Also, Sea World beats any of the Disney parks, at least for me personally!

 

And Mako a clone of Nitro??? For shame...

 

I wouldn't compare Sea World to Disney because they're so different, but if you're a big-time animal lover I don't think it's unreasonable at all to prefer Sea World. I love Sea World for the laid back atmosphere compared to the other Orlando parks, the great animal exhibits and shows and because Manta is probably Orlando's best coaster.

 

I should have phrased it this way... For me personally, and my tastes, I'll take Sea World over Disney anyday! However, that's because of their awesome roller coasters, including my beloved Kraken, and not really because of the animals, which I usually skip. However, I look forward to having a more well rounded experience at Sea World in the future, taking my kids, because I think they will enjoy it, and I always enjoy anything I'm doing with my kids!

 

Have you been there for Bands, Brews and BBQ? For me there's absolutely nothing better than sitting in the sun near the lake, having a few drinks, eating some great BBQ and listening to live music (sometimes from some really impressive names). Personally I'll take a Bands, Brews and BBQ day over a Magic Kingdom day 100% of the time. Especially when you mix in some rides and animal shows but they are VERY different parks.

[DILinator]

^Sadly, I have not had the pleasure of doing Bands, Brews, and BBQ, but it sounds absolutely amazing! I don't get down to Florida as much as I'd like to, but I'll have to try and synchronize a trip down there with that event sometime in the future!

[BlahBlahson]

Seaworld's Christmas event is the tops in the area. It is so cheesy and romantic. I've always preferred Seaworld and Busch dramatically over Animal Kingdom, so I'm really happy DAK is getting a bunch of upgrades to make it more than a 4 hour morning experience. But with Mako I still know which park I'll have the annual pass to and powerride the coasters.

[Onionbelt]

I was lucky enough to ride Mako 7 times during the preview day yesterday. 3x in front, 2x in 2nd row, and 2x in back.

 

Overall it is a fantastic ride! Easily the best B&M hyper I've experienced and I'd even say it's a strong contender for best coaster in Orlando. For reference, other B&M hypers I've ridden are Apollo's Chariot, Diamondback, Nitro, and Raging Bull. Mako reminded me of an improved and refined version of Nitro, with better forces and pacing.

 

I'll attempt to review it element by element:

First off, the lift hill felt pretty fast for a chain lift and provided a nice view of Orlando. First drop is great and decently steep for 200'. The back row is excellent here, I was catapulted out of my seat for the entire duration of the drop. Large overbanked turn is quick and fun with a bit of hangtime. The first large parabola hill provides fantastic airtime, strongest I've experienced on a B&M. The hammerhead turnaround felt similar to those on Diamondback & Nitro, but a little tighter. The next parabola hill provides great floater air. The trim was on every time I rode, unfortunately. It's a light tap, but it was noticeable. Next hill continues the floater airtime ending with a banked dive towards the water. Nitro has a similar shaped hill, but I've never gotten airtime on it like I did on Mako's. Next up is the speed hill - definitely one of my favorite elements on the ride. It provided long sustained airtime in every seat I rode in, just pure bliss. Then a small pop of airtime brings us into the MCBR.

 

The MCBR was little hit and miss for me. I had 5 rides where the MCBR was barely on, and 2 rides where it slowed us down quite a bit. They're obviously still testing it, so we'll have to wait and see where it ends up. But it really is a terrific finale if the train has that extra speed. The airtime hill after the MCBR is the weakest of the entire ride and is similar to the final hills on Nitro or Diamondback. The 90 degree banked turn into the park is awesome and provides a pop of sideways airtime if the MCBR didn't slow you down too much. Then you break through some beautiful shipwreck theming into another banked turn that gracefully dives towards the water and up into the final break run.

 

Overall, it's a magnificent ride with great airtime, nice pacing, and a wonderful location over the water. My favorite B&M hyper yet and I can't wait to see it with all the construction and theming elements finished.

[chickenbowl]

I was lucky enough to ride Mako 7 times during the preview day yesterday. 3x in front, 2x in 2nd row, and 2x in back.

 

Overall it is a fantastic ride! Easily the best B&M hyper I've experienced and I'd even say it's a strong contender for best coaster in Orlando. For reference, other B&M hypers I've ridden are Apollo's Chariot, Diamondback, Nitro, and Raging Bull. Mako reminded me of an improved and refined version of Nitro, with better forces and pacing.

 

I'll attempt to review it element by element:

First off, the lift hill felt pretty fast for a chain lift and provided a nice view of Orlando. First drop is great and decently steep for 200'. The back row is excellent here, I was catapulted out of my seat for the entire duration of the drop. Large overbanked turn is quick and fun with a bit of hangtime. The first large parabola hill provides fantastic airtime, strongest I've experienced on a B&M. The hammerhead turnaround felt similar to those on Diamondback & Nitro, but a little tighter. The next parabola hill provides great floater air. The trim was on every time I rode, unfortunately. It's a light tap, but it was noticeable. Next hill continues the floater airtime ending with a banked dive towards the water. Nitro has a similar shaped hill, but I've never gotten airtime on it like I did on Mako's. Next up is the speed hill - definitely one of my favorite elements on the ride. It provided long sustained airtime in every seat I rode in, just pure bliss. Then a small pop of airtime brings us into the MCBR.

 

The MCBR was little hit and miss for me. I had 5 rides where the MCBR was barely on, and 2 rides where it slowed us down quite a bit. They're obviously still testing it, so we'll have to wait and see where it ends up. But it really is a terrific finale if the train has that extra speed. The airtime hill after the MCBR is the weakest of the entire ride and is similar to the final hills on Nitro or Diamondback. The 90 degree banked turn into the park is awesome and provides a pop of sideways airtime if the MCBR didn't slow you down too much. Then you break through some beautiful shipwreck theming into another banked turn that gracefully dives towards the water and up into the final break run.

 

Overall, it's a magnificent ride with great airtime, nice pacing, and a wonderful location over the water. My favorite B&M hyper yet and I can't wait to see it with all the construction and theming elements finished.

 

 

Thanks for your review! I'm looking forward to riding it!

[chargersmichael]

I was lucky enough to ride Mako 7 times during the preview day yesterday. 3x in front, 2x in 2nd row, and 2x in back.

 

Overall it is a fantastic ride! Easily the best B&M hyper I've experienced and I'd even say it's a strong contender for best coaster in Orlando. For reference, other B&M hypers I've ridden are Apollo's Chariot, Diamondback, Nitro, and Raging Bull. Mako reminded me of an improved and refined version of Nitro, with better forces and pacing.

 

I'll attempt to review it element by element:

First off, the lift hill felt pretty fast for a chain lift and provided a nice view of Orlando. First drop is great and decently steep for 200'. The back row is excellent here, I was catapulted out of my seat for the entire duration of the drop. Large overbanked turn is quick and fun with a bit of hangtime. The first large parabola hill provides fantastic airtime, strongest I've experienced on a B&M. The hammerhead turnaround felt similar to those on Diamondback & Nitro, but a little tighter. The next parabola hill provides great floater air. The trim was on every time I rode, unfortunately. It's a light tap, but it was noticeable. Next hill continues the floater airtime ending with a banked dive towards the water. Nitro has a similar shaped hill, but I've never gotten airtime on it like I did on Mako's. Next up is the speed hill - definitely one of my favorite elements on the ride. It provided long sustained airtime in every seat I rode in, just pure bliss. Then a small pop of airtime brings us into the MCBR.

 

The MCBR was little hit and miss for me. I had 5 rides where the MCBR was barely on, and 2 rides where it slowed us down quite a bit. They're obviously still testing it, so we'll have to wait and see where it ends up. But it really is a terrific finale if the train has that extra speed. The airtime hill after the MCBR is the weakest of the entire ride and is similar to the final hills on Nitro or Diamondback. The 90 degree banked turn into the park is awesome and provides a pop of sideways airtime if the MCBR didn't slow you down too much. Then you break through some beautiful shipwreck theming into another banked turn that gracefully dives towards the water and up into the final break run.

 

Overall, it's a magnificent ride with great airtime, nice pacing, and a wonderful location over the water. My favorite B&M hyper yet and I can't wait to see it with all the construction and theming elements finished.

 

Excellent review! I can't wait to ride Mako this summer. It sure sounds like a fantastic ride with plant of airtime. Looking forward to its opening.

[dwfan42]

I was lucky enough to ride Mako 7 times during the preview day yesterday. 3x in front, 2x in 2nd row, and 2x in back.

 

Overall it is a fantastic ride! Easily the best B&M hyper I've experienced and I'd even say it's a strong contender for best coaster in Orlando. For reference, other B&M hypers I've ridden are Apollo's Chariot, Diamondback, Nitro, and Raging Bull. Mako reminded me of an improved and refined version of Nitro, with better forces and pacing.

 

I'll attempt to review it element by element:

First off, the lift hill felt pretty fast for a chain lift and provided a nice view of Orlando. First drop is great and decently steep for 200'. The back row is excellent here, I was catapulted out of my seat for the entire duration of the drop. Large overbanked turn is quick and fun with a bit of hangtime. The first large parabola hill provides fantastic airtime, strongest I've experienced on a B&M. The hammerhead turnaround felt similar to those on Diamondback & Nitro, but a little tighter. The next parabola hill provides great floater air. The trim was on every time I rode, unfortunately. It's a light tap, but it was noticeable. Next hill continues the floater airtime ending with a banked dive towards the water. Nitro has a similar shaped hill, but I've never gotten airtime on it like I did on Mako's. Next up is the speed hill - definitely one of my favorite elements on the ride. It provided long sustained airtime in every seat I rode in, just pure bliss. Then a small pop of airtime brings us into the MCBR.

 

The MCBR was little hit and miss for me. I had 5 rides where the MCBR was barely on, and 2 rides where it slowed us down quite a bit. They're obviously still testing it, so we'll have to wait and see where it ends up. But it really is a terrific finale if the train has that extra speed. The airtime hill after the MCBR is the weakest of the entire ride and is similar to the final hills on Nitro or Diamondback. The 90 degree banked turn into the park is awesome and provides a pop of sideways airtime if the MCBR didn't slow you down too much. Then you break through some beautiful shipwreck theming into another banked turn that gracefully dives towards the water and up into the final break run.

 

Overall, it's a magnificent ride with great airtime, nice pacing, and a wonderful location over the water. My favorite B&M hyper yet and I can't wait to see it with all the construction and theming elements finished.

 

Thanks a lot for your great review! I haven't been on a B&M Hyper yet, so I don't want to get my hopes up too much- regardless, Mako sounds fantastic! Could you say what you thought of the positive g-forces (or specify them if you know), and which is the best overall seat for the ride? Thanks a million

[dwfan42]

What element's are everyone excited for the most on Mako? For me it's the first airtime hill and the hammerhead turn after. The speed hill also sounds great

[TheCoasterKid211]

Count me in as somebody else who thinks it's NEVER a waste of time to go to Orlando! I love that place, and frankly, wouldn't mind living down there! Also, Sea World beats any of the Disney parks, at least for me personally!

 

And Mako a clone of Nitro??? For shame...

 

I wouldn't compare Sea World to Disney because they're so different, but if you're a big-time animal lover I don't think it's unreasonable at all to prefer Sea World. I love Sea World for the laid back atmosphere compared to the other Orlando parks, the great animal exhibits and shows and because Manta is probably Orlando's best coaster.

Hulk says hi.

[coasterbill]

I think Manta is infinitely better than Hulk but to each his own.