Orlando’s “Coaster War” Heats Up!

Orlando area theme parks have moved forward with new attractions, specifically new thrill rides, despite a weak economy.  Universal Studios and SeaWorld Adventure Park both have new roller coasters that have already opened or are close to opening in 2009.

Ride The Manta at SeaWorld Adventure Park

With Manta opening, SeaWorld now has two high speed roller coasters for those looking for some thrills in addition to SeaWorld’s well known wild life attractions.  Manta also has a beautiful new aquarium for those waiting in line as well as for people not interested in riding the rollar coaster.

Gliding, swooping and diving up to nearly 60 mph, through four inversions on 3,359 feet of track, riders will feel as if they are a ray, taking flight effortlessly from sky to sea — so close at times that the Manta’s wings skim the waves.

“This ride is uniquely SeaWorld,” said Dan Brown, Vice President and General Manager of SeaWorld Orlando. “SeaWorld is famous for connecting guests with the sea and its amazing creatures, and Manta does this in a way that has never been done before, creating a true sense of oneness between human and animal.

“The sensation of Manta also will be like none other in the world – guests will be inspired by the grace and power of live rays, then feel as if they, themselves, are gliding through air and water,” said Joseph Couceiro, Chief Marketing Officer for SeaWorld’s parent company, Busch Entertainment Corporation. “No one but SeaWorld can unite thrills and ocean animals into such a unique experience.”

The 4-acre, 140-ft tall attraction will be located inside the main entrance to SeaWorld, and become an icon in the park with its unique design. Towering over SeaWorld’s 200-acres, the manta-themed coaster – cloaked in hues of dark purple, ultramarine blue, and cobalt – will lure guests into the world of the mysterious ray.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Roller Coaster at Universal Studios Orlando

Opening in the second half of 2009 is Universal Studio’s brand new roller coaster, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Roller Coaster!  Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a high-speed rush of first-ever maneuvers, hit music and specially created take-home videos starring each rider. These experiences have never been brought together on a coaster before – and rely on extreme technologies being used in entirely new ways.

“This is where high-speed coaster meets outdoor mega-concert meets user-generated content – all shot on production-quality video,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “No one has ever created such a sophisticated ride experience. And no one has ever used technology the way we have to pull it all together.”

The ride vehicle is a high-performance hot rod that features a revolutionary new restraint system designed to put riders closer to the experience than ever. They pick their own music using industrial-grade touchpads that operate with the sophistication of an iPod. Songs from five genres of music will be pumped through individual sound systems that rely on all-weather speakers typically reserved for high-performance sports boats. And the network of cameras that will create the guest videos are used on high-speed trains and engineered to work in the toughest conditions.

Special Event Options

There are multiple event options at both SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Studios Orlando to incorporate these new thrill rides in your next special off-site event.  Give Florida Coast to Coast a call to determine what the best fit would be for your group.