Manta (SeaWorld San Diego)

Manta is a steel family launched roller coaster at SeaWorld San Diego in San Diego, California, United States. The ride was manufactured by MACK Rides and opened to the public on May 26, 2012.[1] It utilizes the same ride system that was used in Blue Fire which opened in 2009 at Europa Park.[2]

Manta
The entrance.
SeaWorld San Diego
LocationSeaWorld San Diego
Coordinates32.767063°N 117.227998°W / 32.767063; -117.227998
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateMay 23, 2012 (2012-05-23)
Opening dateMay 26, 2012 (2012-05-26)
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched – Family
ManufacturerMack Rides
Lift/launch systemLSM
Height30 ft (9.1 m)
Drop54 ft (16 m)
Length2,835 ft (864 m)
Speed43 mph (69 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration1:56
Capacity1400 riders per hour
G-forceBetween 3 and 4 Gs
Height restriction48 in (122 cm)
Trains4 trains with 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 20 riders per train.
Quick Queue available
Manta at RCDB
Pictures of Manta at RCDB

History

Rumors about a new roller coaster for SeaWorld San Diego date back to mid October 2007 when details of a possible 2010 project were leaked.[3] This plan was cancelled in mid-2008.[4] In early January 2011, construction documents were discovered which detailed the plans for a $10 million manta ray-themed ride and animal exhibit due to open in 2012.[5] On February 9, 2011, SeaWorld San Diego announced that they would be opening a Mack launched roller coaster called Manta in 2012.[6][7]

Ride

Manta features two launches.[8] Riders reach speeds of up to 43 miles per hour (69 km/h) on the two-minute, 2,800-foot (850 m) long ride. The ride stands at a height of 30 feet (9.1 m) and features a drop including an underground portion of 54 feet (16 m).[9] The limited height was required due to height restrictions in place by the California Coastal Commission.[10]

Trains

Manta's four trains each feature manta ray shaped fronts. The 5-car trains each seat riders 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 20 riders per train.[1] There is also elevated seating for the second row of each car.

Media

Manta begins with a 270 degree projected media experience at the first launch. The train rocks forward and backward in synchronization with the projected film of a coral reef and school of rays. The media tunnel and film was produced by Falcon's Treehouse. For Electric Ocean, Manta changes after 7PM to Manta re-charged. The film projection for Manta re-charged features an array of colored lights projected on the screen.

Animal exhibit

The previously existing Forbidden Reef exhibit was incorporated into the attraction, featuring a touch pool above and an aquarium below The 100,000-US-gallon (380,000 L) exhibit features 65 Bat rays, 10 Shovelnose guitarfish, 2 White sturgeons and more than 400 other fish.[9][11]

See also

References
  1. Marden, Duane. "Manta  (SeaWorld San Diego)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  2. Marden, Duane. "blue fire Megacoaster  (Europa Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  3. Hart, Lance (October 25, 2007). "SeaWorld California". Screamscape. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  4. Hart, Lance (June 3, 2008). "SeaWorld California". Screamscape. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  5. MacDonald, Brady (January 11, 2011). "SeaWorld San Diego to announce new ride for 2012". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  6. "Sea World San Diego To Open New Roller Coaster Next Year". Beverly Hills Courier. February 9, 2011. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  7. MacDonald, Brady (February 9, 2011). "SeaWorld San Diego to add Manta coaster in 2012". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  8. MacDonald, Brady (May 28, 2012). "Review: Manta joins new class of themed coasters at SeaWorld". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  9. "Manta Fact Sheet". SeaWorld. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  10. "Roller coaster update: SeaWorld ride moving along". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  11. "SeaWorld San Diego Announces New 'Manta' Coaster". SeaWorld. February 9, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
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