SeaWorld Orlando (SWO) Discussion Thread

[coasterbill]

A Mack would be great but they need a B&M.

 

Sea World needs something that's guaranteed to open on time and be extremely reliable. They tried a prototype ride last year in Tampa and when they really needed a ride to bring people into the park and stop the bleeding they got a ride that missed the entire summer season.

 

They need to play it safe with a manufacturer that's already built a ton of hypers and that they already have a great relationship with. With attendance dropping like it is I don't think it's smart to ask a manufacturer to build something they've never built before even though I'm sure Mack is fully capable of building a high quality hyper. They need to play it safe... with B&M you know the ride will have mass appeal, you know it will be reliable and you know it's going to open in time for peak season.

[OrlandoPete]

Plot Twist: SheiKra Clone

 

Haha, but it can't be because this will be the longest coaster in Orlando. I think this will definitely be a pure out and back hyper heading either out over the parking lot or on the other side of the pond where Kraken sits.

[DirkFunk]

What is with this "they don't have money" bit.

 

People looking at their financial statements. Just because Blackstone controls a lot of stock doesn't necessarily mean they have access to Blackstone's coffers of cash. Not any different in that sense than wondering why it is Disneyland Paris rarely gets new attractions when Disney is the largest shareholder.

[Khat26]

I think we're going to see Orlando's first wing rider.

[Genx24]

I think we're going to see Orlando's first wing rider.

Doubt it. Buzzwords like "tallest, fastest, and longest" don't read as a wing rider to me. It's most likely a hyper.

[Khat26]

^ It wouldn't have to be super huge to be the tallest and fastest in Orlando. I would personally like a hyper coaster, I just don't think they'll build one.

[Genx24]

^ The fact that they specifically stated that it's going to be 200 feet tall also leads me towards hyper. But of course this is all speculation right now so we'll see.

[grsupercity]

Would be nice to see a taller, longer, better version of Steel Eel. Some LR style turns and elements with the gtx trains

[Meteornotes]

Well, didn't expect to see this news when I got up this morning. Good move, SeaWorld. Will be curious to see more details about this.

 

dt

[RyanTPM]

This should be a great addition, very intrigued to find out more details in May.

[Gutterflower]

My sources tell me it will be a B&M around 200ft tall which runs along the access road across the water from Kraken. Out and Back style with the final turn back over the other lake to the west.

I was also told the park has a maximum height limit around 200ft. The sky tower ride was granted an exception way back when.

[A.J.]

I think we're going to see Orlando's first wing rider.

Doubt it. Buzzwords like "tallest, fastest, and longest" don't read as a wing rider to me. It's most likely a hyper.

Yes, but any coaster that has a height of 200 feet or higher is considered a hyper coaster, regardless of type.

[Genx24]

Even so, I doubt it will be a wing rider. Besides, that's the broad definition of hyper. I meant hyper in the narrow sense of the word; a 200 foot out and back coaster with no inversions.

[anonymouscactus]

Why not something like xcelerator at Knott's, or one of the launched rides at Hershey? (Stormrunner?)

[Genx24]

Why not something like xcelerator at Knott's, or one of the launched rides at Hershey? (Stormrunner?)

Because it's being billed as the longest coaster in Orlando, and most Intamin launched coasters are not very long. The longest coaster currently in Orlando (according to RCDB) is Expedition Everest, at roughly 4,400 feet. To top that, it'd most likely have to be some sort of out and back model. Of course, that could indeed include a launch over a top hat like the rides you mentioned, but personally I don't see Seaworld going in that direction.

Edited April 24, 2015 by Genx24

[ragerunner2]

Great news. I think this sets up Sea World/Busch Gardens to have a very strong cross marketing effort. With both parks getting coaster additions. I can see it now (and they already do this - but this will give them even more opportunity), buy a multi-day SW/BG pass and ride Florida's two new coasters. Not a bad move. I am sure they will also see a nice uptick in their 3 park annual passes as well.

[DJeXeL]

^CA Screamin' says "Hi."

[anonymouscactus]

Why not something like xcelerator at Knott's, or one of the launched rides at Hershey? (Stormrunner?)

Because it's being billed as the longest coaster in Orlando, and Intamin launched coasters are not very long. The longest coaster currently in Orlando (according to RCDB) is Expedition Everest, at roughly 4,400 feet. To top that, it'd most likely have to be some sort of out and back model. Of course, that could indeed include a launch over a top hat like the rides you mentioned, but personally I don't see Seaworld going in that direction.

 

I was thinking of what would be unique that Busch doesn't have, but I totally forgot Cheetah Hunt is launched... woops.

[Genx24]

^CA Screamin' says "Hi."

Fair enough. The two rides mentioned have top hats, so I zeroed in solely on the other Intamin launches with top hats. My mistake. But, IMO, Seaworld would also be making a mistake if they went with a ride like California Screamin'.

Edited April 24, 2015 by Genx24

[OrlandoPete]

Genx24 is on point. I agree classic out and back hyper. There is not much room at SeaWorld for a complex layout unless they demo something. The easiest thing would be to hug the edge of the park, probably a tight side by side style like Behemoth at PCW. Also don't forget there is still nothing like this in airtime-starved Florida.

[colinx]

I think it could be like a longer version of Skyrush. Whatever it is, I just hope that this is heavily themed and not like Kraken which is basically over an outer road to the park. Since this is probably a shark themed coaster and coupled with Sea Life in Orlando just opening, it's time the Shark Encounter gets a renovation since that aquarium makes the Shark Encounter at SW look very dated. There is also a picture circling from floridatripguides.com, not sure if it is accurate but doe seem like a potential placement for the coaster that wouldn't involve much demo.

[StealthFan]

It will be a shame if this is a B&M because Orlando has all great B&Ms and it would be a shame to see a boring modern one be thrust into the mix and become the ugly step child of the bunch. Personally I would love to see an Intamin, Mack or maybe even a Gerstlauer like they are building at Hansa Park but we will just have to wait and see!

[cwgator]

This is wonderful news! It's about time they officially let something out of the bag. Here's what I believe it will be:

-B&M Hyper, 200 ft or maybe +5-15 feet to make it taller than SheiKra if allowed.

-Shark Themed, perhaps called Great White (since it has the TM already with the invert in TX...savings $$$)

-Station between Shark encounter and Nautilus Theater headed out & back along retention pond along I-Drive/parallel to Kraken

-Alternate station location where Nautilus Theater is, however since it's the largest indoor theater, I don't think they would remove it just yet.

[OrlandoPete]

I think it could be like a longer version of Skyrush. Whatever it is, I just hope that this is heavily themed and not like Kraken which is basically over an outer road to the park. Since this is probably a shark themed coaster and coupled with Sea Life in Orlando just opening, it's time the Shark Encounter gets a renovation since that aquarium makes the Shark Encounter at SW look very dated. There is also a picture circling from floridatripguides.com, not sure if it is accurate but doe seem like a potential placement for the coaster that wouldn't involve much demo.

 

Totally agree about the Shark Encounter. I love how they integrated a beautiful aquarium with Manta which not only serves as a standalone walk through attraction but also interacts with the queue. I would love it if they re-did the shark tank like that, but I don't know...massive undertaking.

[DJeXeL]

^CA Screamin' says "Hi."

Fair enough. The two rides mentioned have top hats, so I zeroed in solely on the other Intamin launches with top hats. My mistake. But, IMO, Seaworld would also be making a mistake if they went with a ride like California Screamin'.

 

I agree. CA Screamin type coaster is not probable for SWO. I'm hoping something with a launch.