SeaWorld Orlando (SWO) Discussion Thread

[robbalvey]

Looks like they might have a winner...but hey...

Still have fingers crossed...

 

From reading:

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/mantax.html

We are running two seperate contests. Our track spotting contest isn't affiliated with Jonny Upsidedown.

 

--Robb

[AtlCoasterNut]

Looks like they might have a winner...but hey...

Still have fingers crossed...

 

From reading:

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/mantax.html

We are running two seperate contests. Our track spotting contest isn't affiliated with Jonny Upsidedown.

 

--Robb

 

I shall take my post back (edited of course) haha And keep my fingers crossed then.

Oh..and I'll keep my mouth shut from now on

 

 

Thanks Rob!

[sam06pr]

Through a YouTube search (hoping a POV might have been posted, but to no alas) I stumbled upon the following two websites that ya'll might be interested in.

 

Manta watch

This site is (what appears to be) a construction worker's blog on the construction of Manta. There are a couple of videos on there, including a ride in the bucket when they were topping off the coaster.

 

Manta Construction

I believe this site is by the same person, but here he shows off on-site construction shots, from angles we haven't seen yet.

 

ooohhh! i love these pics!

[gatorchomp83]

Apparently Sea World didn't love those links I posted. Both sites have been taken down.

[sam06pr]

Alright everyone i took some pics of manta..nothing really new...but what the heck! Hope you guys like it

 

Pretty color combination!

 

 

 

 

 

OMG!!! A TREE!

 

This is def going to be a nice skyline!

 

 

 

 

through the sun?

 

how long can you go?

 

 

Through the trees

 

CANT WAIT!

[jedimaster1227]

Today Bryan and I have a huge photo update of the remaining track for Manta. I find it truly amazing how much track is still here, considering how much has already been installed--the project just looks massive. With every update, I find the anticipation growing more and more!

And one little leftover from the pack helps us to close out this update for today!

So many pieces, so little time!

We found even more!

Preparing to leave...

An overview of the track-storage field.

It looks so peaceful... Just sitting in the grass.

Considering how much construction has already been completed, it is hard to imagine even more track being put into place over the next few weeks.

Even employees get to see what is on the way!

A smart form of advertising on the part of Seaworld--placing the track in the view of the public eye!

There is definitely plenty to see here!

One of the latest track pieces to be delivered...

Additional steel beams are onsite as well.

Can anyone guess what these light blue pieces are for?

Oh! For this day, we have waited too long!

A few hauling trucks remain to transfer track across the properties.

Each piece bears an individual number to assist in the placement of the track.

Each section of track will be pieced together to form this new flying monster...

These pieces will presumably be installed towards the end of the construction.

Track covers a large area within the Busch property.

B&M track looks much larger in person than I'd imagined.

Manta is openly advertised through its visible track storage near the road...

[Not For Sale]

11/12 update: Trackgasm

And you'll be the transition to the block brakes (or brake run) (or something) (I don't know what I'm talking about).

One day you're gonna grow up to be an inline twist!

DO I WIN?!

I'm pretty sure the entirety of the track is on site.

We got track on track up in here!

This track is actually 45.

This piece of track has scoliosis.

Looks pretty long to me, but that's just me not knowing what I'm talking about.

Well what do we see here?

[delirium_guy]

I was off today, but still took a quick spin through the Park so I could actually take my time to look around the site. They essentially have all the supports up, give or take one or two, for that entire side of the construction site. Trying to figure out somewhat of a profile, since we haven't been able to see an actual 3D layout of the ride, it looks like upon exiting the pretzel loop the train will drop about half way to the ground and perform that turn through the pretzel itself. The next portion, which runs back to the pathway that was closed off, appears to be fairly flat with little drop or elevation change. Seems like its going to be a spot for the train to glide through the air. While it appeared to feature a horseshoe turn on the layout, its definitely not. The first half of that turn remains flat, with the track appearing to fly somewhat over that portion of the midway. It looks like it will then drop all the way to the ground before performing the S-turn into the inline twist. The inline itself looks like it will be climbing up into the block brake as it twists. They are definitely speeding along with construction now. No new track has been added, though I'm sure by the weekend or early next week it'll go up in a hurry.

[robbalvey]

Wow! This is like the MEGA MANTA update!!!

 

If anyone needs track or construction photos for the photoshop contest you pretty much only need this page!

 

--Robb

[thunderguy345]

OMG!!!! Cant wait to ride this thing!

I'm going to sea world in the spring, then i'm going to ride it!

[SLUSHIE]

A flying coaster with a drop steeper that Silver Bullets!

[lil jimmy norton]

Thanks for the updates guys. Too bad it won't be open when I go to Florida in December.

[Jcoaster]

These phots make me think that the Pretzel Loop shuld be going up sometime in the next week or so.

[spacemtfan]

*begins drooling*

 

So.......much.........track......

[mertz19]

Great photos! I'm so excited about manta if i visit seaworld next year it will be my first b&m!

[whakojacko]

Great photos! I'm so excited about manta if i visit seaworld next year it will be my first b&m!

 

How are you sure Kraken wont be your first?

 

Oh, and thats a lot of track porn, some people here must be peeing themselves. I honestly dont care much until its actually in place

[mertz19]

Great photos! I'm so excited about manta if i visit seaworld next year it will be my first b&m!

 

How are you sure Kraken wont be your first?

 

Oh, and thats a lot of track porn, some people here must be peeing themselves. I honestly dont care much until its actually in place

 

Well kraken intimidates me, i remember visiting when i was 7 years old. And seeing that big blue coaster scared me. I'm sure it will be awesome though.

[delirium_guy]

Not the greatest pics, since they were from my phone, but snapped a few on break and on my way home for the evening. This morning they started to hang the rest of the track for the first half of the pretzel, it was completed by about 3:00 this afternoon and they were hauling more track to the site......

 

Taken from Smoky Creek BBQ

 

 

 

This was taken from Bayside Stadium

[TheHulk]

^ Now that makes you want to pee yourself.

[J-Man]

Great photos!, wow the track lot really filled up since I was there in early october.

[sam06pr]

awesome half of the pretzel is up!

 

did any of you notice in one of my picture where the drop gets really close to the pathway!!!????

[dragonskeep]

^ I did notice , and I am really glad to see to see it get sooooo close to the ground, thats what a flyer should do. I am also glad to here of the elevation changes in Delirium Guy's description of the supports that are in place. This is gonna be a great ride. Those of us here in Florida are getting spoiled over the next year and a half. See you guys opening day!

[delirium_guy]

^ I did notice , and I am really glad to see to see it get sooooo close to the ground, thats what a flyer should do. I am also glad to here of the elevation changes in Delirium Guy's description of the supports that are in place. This is gonna be a great ride. Those of us here in Florida are getting spoiled over the next year and a half. See you guys opening day!

 

I was looking at it again today. The turnaround that leads into that s-turn and inline twist is looking real interesting. I just happened to look up and notice that the track is most likely going to be going over top of the trees that line the walkway from KeyWest area back to JTA and Kraken. There were still a few supports missing, but it must drop steep and quick because the supports for the S-turn and beginning of the inline are LOW to the ground. Can't wait to see what this section ends up like.

[thrillgeek]

That 2nd picture makes it look huge since it's going over the trees. I love it when parks have the track out in the open like that just lying in the grass. Thanks for all the great pics!

[silvercrew1]

It almost looks like Griffon in that second picture. I really need to hit up Sea World some time, I haven't been since I was like 7.