SeaWorld San Diego (SWSD) Discussion Thread

[ryder]

The race is on: which will open first--this, or WCR?

[chickenbowl]

Not only is Emperor progressing extremely quickly, but the park has submitted plans to the city for yet ANOTHER coaster.

 

The proposed coaster looks to be an Intamin family launch coaster similar to Wave Breaker (or Jet Rescue in Aus). It would take over the space the Wild Arctic simulators take up and use the employee lot/storage area to the East. The ride would be 30ft tall (under the CA Coastal Commission limit) and travel 42mph. The Wild Arctic animal exhibit would remain.

[Canobie Coaster]

The amount of coasters being added by the SeaWorld parks is quite exciting.

 

Wave Breaker is a nice family coaster and the ride feels much different than SWSD's Manta.

[Superbatboy]

There’s apparently been quite a bit of progress on this recently.

What a gorgeous picture

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Looks great!

 

Wave Breaker is super fun and the other two Sea Worlds should have a similar ride.

[boldikus]

The amount of coasters being added by the SeaWorld parks is quite exciting.

[chickenbowl]

(My pic)

 

We are already just one piece away from being topped off. It's very steep and simply massive for this park!

[pǝʇɹǝʌuı]

We are already just one piece away from being topped off. It's very steep and simply massive for this park!

 

I'll be heading down to SD once school gets out in a bit. I'm excited to see the progress on this thing! Not sure if I'll make it to the park this time around or not (I'd like to go and try Tidal Twister if I can), but I'll definitely be going when Emperor opens up!

 

It's interesting to me, though, how much perspective affects ride experience. When a ride is big for the park it's in, it tends to be a lot more fun simply by being the biggest thing around. That's what I felt when I rode Hangtime, which is a ride that would be considered boring or bad at a park like Cedar Point but easily makes it into my top 3 at Knott's. Emperor is going to be an amazing hit for this park!

[coasterbill]

^^ Great shot, thanks for sharing.

[grsupercity]

If they keep expanding like this they will have to start getting very creative with space

[KBrylczyk]

^ Nah, they'll just build a parking garage at some point and expand into the existing lots. That would free up a huge amount of real estate, almost enough to double the size of the park.

[UriJo]

Emperor was topped off today!

 

Sea World San Diego Instagram

[sfkk]

Wild Arctic will have its last day of operation on January 10. The animal exhibit is confirmed to stay open. The simulators are confirmed to be replaced by a new attraction in 2021.

[coasterbill]

Wow, so this Wild Arctic coaster rumor really has some legs now.

[coasterlvr]

so last time i went to Sea World was when Wild Arctic was new. that's sad. LOL i'll for sure head down when the dive coaster opens.

[Jew]

Wow, so this Wild Arctic coaster rumor really has some legs now.

 

I believe it has already been presented to one of the planning bodies that needs to approve it, hence how it got out.

[jedimaster1227]

Wild Arctic in San Diego seemed to be on its last legs a few years ago when I visited the park... I can only imagine how it is running now (especially seeing how it runs here in Orlando). It seems like an incredibly wise decision to maintain the animal habitats and use the raw simulator bay space for something new and more thrilling like a coaster. Four major new coasters in the span of nine years is not too shabby (five if you count Tidal Twister, though I'd argue that it is a flat ride)...

Edited December 30, 2019 by jedimaster1227

[Jew]

Wild Arctic in San Diego seemed to be on its last legs a few years ago when I visited the park... I can only imagine how it is running now (especially seeing how it runs here in Orlando). It seems like an incredibly wise decision to maintain the animal habitats and use the raw simulator bay space for something new and more thrilling like a coaster. Four major new coasters in the span of nine years is not too shabby (five if you count Tidal Twister, though I'd argue that it is a flat ride)...

 

The strategy they should have enacted right after blackfish. Build lots of rides and move animals to the background (while still doing all the good work they do for animals).

[coasterbill]

Looking great!

 

Source: Reddit

[jedimaster1227]

The strategy they should have enacted right after blackfish. Build lots of rides and move animals to the background (while still doing all the good work they do for animals).

 

Agreed. But it definitely seems like the approach has worked for the SeaWorld parks over the last few years... I'm hoping that between Emperor, Ice Breaker, Iron Gwazi, Texas Stingray, the smaller projects across the parks and the investments already announced for 2021 (Wild Arctic San Diego replacement and Sesame Place San Diego) that these parks will continue to see positive results.

 

I'm still pretty bitter about John Reilly being passed over for the CEO post. Under his direction, the investment model for the parks really seemed to be amplified between rides, shows and events. I'm still incredibly concerned that this board under Scott Ross is going to drive these parks back into the ground.

[WolfBobs]

I'm really excited to have one of these smaller Dive coasters opening in the US. Personally my favorite B&Ms always tend to be the smaller, compact rides.

[chickenbowl]

Two new images from reddit:

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Aw man, they filled in the jump.

[CaptainUnknown]

^Ah, man.

[_koppen]

Cookie monster looking down a tornado slide is absolutely hilarious!