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UP CLOSE WITH MANTA Visitors to SeaWorld Orlando can now find out what it’s like to spin, glide, skim and fly like a giant ray Go up close with Manta and get the inside story on the habitats, the marine life and the thrills. At-a-glance:
SEAWORLD’S MANTA IS WHAT’S NEW IN ORLANDO No getaway to Orlando complete without diving deep and flying high on Manta Orlando, Fla. (2009) — SeaWorld’s Manta — a seamless blend of up-close animal encounters with a head-first, face-down thrill ride — is what’s new in Orlando.
The only flying roller coaster of its kind in the world, Manta already is topping the list of don’t-miss 2009 theme park attractions.
The thrills -- Manta hits the thrill-seeking mark with a spinning, flying roller coaster inspired by the biggest ray of all. In a flying coaster, the seats rotate horizontally, putting riders in a soaring, face-down position. Manta combines the best of sea and steel with innovative thrills that only SeaWorld can create. Four inversions and spins and several close-call thrills put Manta on top of the world’s must-ride coasters. Inversions Manta speeds riders through four showcase inversions, including two in-line spins, one flat spin and one pretzel loop. Specially crafted rails make Manta one of the world’s smoothest coasters. Close calls In a sure-to-be-remembered moment, Manta’s speeding train and guests in the queue line are separated only by a waterfall -- Manta on one side, and waiting guests on the other. In line, visitors will feel the punch of air as the train flies past at highway speeds. On the ride, guests will gasp as they dart within 2.5 feet of the gushing water. Approaching the end of the ride, but with a few twists and spins still to be had, Manta’s train seems to skim the surface of the lagoon, throwing out a 14-foot high, 60-foot long spray of water. Did you know? - It’s a known fact that roller coasters cause the brain to release endorphins, creating a “that was so cool” feeling. What follows is usually a desire to ride again. And sometimes again. - On a flying coaster, objects and ride elements seem closer than they are. Manta is different. Ride elements, like Manta’s waterfall and the wing skim, ARE close. - Manta’s loading platform was designed to hide the boarding process from riders. SeaWorld’s experts wanted the head-first, face-down launch to be a surprise. - Manta’s height requirement is 54 inches. In comparison, the biggest manta ray ever seen measured nearly 20 feet across.
The trains -- At the front of each coaster train, a massive, hand-crafted manta ray leads the way. Comfortable straps and cushioned bars safely secure riders from chest to ankle. Powerful motors rotate each seat to a flying position. Held tight, safe, comfortable and face down, riders feel as though they’re flying with a huge gliding/spinning/twisting/soaring ray. Vehicle wing span: 12 feet Length of train: 72 feet, 2 inches Weight per train: 33,100 pounds when empty Wiring per train: 2,524 feet Manta is now open. Explore more at DiveDeepFlyHigh.com. |
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