Someotherguyuser Posted June 2, 2012 Posted June 2, 2012 Since I just got out of school (Until my Summer class on Monday) and I had Thursday of May 30th off of work, I decided to take the opportunity to drive down to San Diego to ride Manta at SWSD with just me. Since San Diego was over a two-hour drive from where I lived, this was my first real road trip that I took on my own. After getting a few of my CDs together and stopping by McDonald's for breakfast, I fueled up and headed down to SD. *DISCLAIMER: I have taken all of these photos with my iPod, so you'll have to excuse the sub-par quality from the photos. On the open road to SD. Before I went to Sea World, I stopped by and saw someone I know. I had McDonalds for lunch with him (Won't be long before I'm a fatty) This is the Saw trap costume he made for ComicCon last year. Well, enough of the nonsense. It was time to get to SeaWorld and ride the ray. I arrived at the park around 11:45 or noonish. When I saw a lot of cars in the parking lot, I grew concerned hat the park would be crowded and that there would be a long line for Manta. Turned out that for a Thursday, the lines were pretty sort. Hello SeaWorld. The reward for my long drive to San Diego. For some reason, the splash effect was turned off here. I LOVE the theming in the queue line. More queue theming. So I finally had the privilege of riding Manta. When the ride was first announced, my expectations were low. After seeing progress on the ride, however, my hopes began to build for this ride. Once I finally rode the experience, ALL of my expectations were exceeded. For a family coaster, it's pretty wild with all of the "ejector" airtime and wild twists and turns. Even though the ride tops off at around 40 or 42mph, it still feels like it's MUCH faster than it actually is with the tight turns. Overall, Manta is an amazing addition to Sea World and is definitely the surprise hit of the Summer. Manta is so good, I would even put it in my "Top 5" coasters list in SoCal among Xcellerator at Knott's and X2, Tatsu, and Goliath at SFMM. It's really that good. I don't care how far away you live from SW, but make an effort to drive down to SW to ride this thing. Got to ride the coaster five times and every ride was totally great! It was totally worth it for me and will be worth it for a lot of you for sure. So go ride Manta...now. Anyway, moving on... After the ride, I decided to check out the "chicken" entrance aquarium. It's REALLY nice! Manta ray above my head. Decided to ride Journey to Atlantis two times. Fun ride, but it always bothered me how they never put any sort of dark ride scenes in there. Disregarding that, it's still a unique ride for SoCal and still fun. I love the theming in the ride. (Why I never took any pictures in front of Atlantis is BEYOND me. I could've sworn I took a couple of shots but...oh well.) Inside the Atlantis aquarium Went on Wild Arctic. Just look at the atrocious line! It's more popular than Manta! *Laughs at how incredibly dated this ride is* I think it's time for a replacement. How about a new dark ride? Inside the ride we go. During the ride, right before the snow canyon scene, I yelled out, "Lightspeed to Endor!" Only one person got it and laughed. Despite the outdatedness of the ride, I love the theming in the exit. This looks like something out of John Carpenter's the Thing. In fact, When I was looking at this, I started listening to the main title music from that movie. Sea World put on a wonderful tuxedo party that i wasn't invited to. Turtle Reef! Haven't seen this yet since my last visit to Sea World was 2008...before Transformers was even announced! Really great flat ride! Nerd shot. Next up: Bayside Skyride Great view of Mission Bay View of the park. More Manta goodness Yes, I have no shame. I really did go see this. Wish they would've kept Haunted Lighthouse. Warning sign fail. It's Sesame Street and children will be scared? SO WHAT'S THE POINT!?!?!!? After that show and another ride on Manta, I decided to hit the Sky Tower. Main star of this update: Manta San Diego is such a beautiful place! Time to swim with the sharks! After that, I decided to leave the park to go to Belmont. I just couldn't leave without having a cup o' joe and a Shamu cookie. Goodbye SeaWorld... Hello Belmont. Took a ride on the giant Dipper twice as well as Control Freak and Beach Blaster. I only have two words to describe Giant Dipper: Pain and Pleasure...okay that's three words. Took a walk on the beach before the rides. Serious pose. In ten years from now, that list of regulations will be twice as long. You watch. Beethoven? Shots of the mini Big Dipper museum. Played some laser tag. "Whatever you do...DON'T CROSS THE STREAMS!!!" Belmont at night. Had some really good pizza right across the street from the park. After a big day at Sea World and some good pizza it was time for me to head back. Definitely a day off VERY well spent. The trek home was part of the fun for my trip as I drove through the rest of SD and past Disneyland with my Faith No More and Aerosmith blasting. Got home around midnight. Felt it at work the next day, but oh so worth it. That concludes my Trip Report. Please gather all of your personal belongings and exit to your right.
wesley815 Posted June 4, 2012 Posted June 4, 2012 Great TR- Thanks for posting! The pictures were fine... it almost makes it seem more 'real' when every pic isn't perfectly setup and edited. Looks like you had a fun mini-roadtrip.
Someotherguyuser Posted June 4, 2012 Author Posted June 4, 2012 Great TR- Thanks for posting! The pictures were fine... it almost makes it seem more 'real' when every pic isn't perfectly setup and edited. Looks like you had a fun mini-roadtrip. Thanks for the feedback! I'm not professional photographer by any means so I'm glad my amateur "Just shoot" style wasn't too much of an issue here. And yes, I had a great time. The on Manta really made it fun.
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