Rode Manta this Weekend!

Yes, very lucky. Glad you enjoyed. I am looking forward to many more positive reports.

I'm jealous.

- Pat-O

I tried to get to Manta Monday mourning, but I had to go back later. It was up and running when I went back at about 4:30. The queue line with the aquariums is neat, but the big tank for the non-coaster people did not look like it was open yet. Nevertheless, stingrays are pretty cool. I like the dark one with glowing yellow spots; it looks like an alien. Back to the ride. I rode it four times in a row with only a bathroom and shopping break in between. While I was there, it did break down for a total of twenty-five minutes, so that was all I could handle. If there was anymore force at the bottom of the pretzel loop or speed after the mid-course breaks, we would need medical attention. Whether Manta has a flat spin, a heartline roll, an in−line twist, or a zero-g roll, they are just right. While you don't get soaked, the "wing dip" and waterfall are great. It seems like there are only inches between your finger tips and that rock wall !

Lucky you, and congrats! Sounds to me it is like the Superman Ultimate Flight.
That pretzel loop will probably be the main element that will always get to me.

^ In the early reports, comparing Manta to Superman would not be good for the Ultimate Flight. It will sound like a kiddie ride. The pretzel loop hurts (LOL).

Well till I have rode Manta, SUF is the only one I can compare it to as it's the only flying coaster I've been on. Pretzel loop still stands as the "holy crap!" part of the ride to me.

^^^I agree. I dubbed S:UF(SFOG, even though they're basically all the same of course)Superman: Mediocre Flight. LOL. I skipped the one in NJ. The pretzel is the only thing worth remembering. Hopefully, I'll like Manta like Nolefan.

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Yeah SFGAdv is the only one I've been on. It might not be memorable like Nitro, but at least I can experience what a flying coster feels like :)
And I can't wait for Manta when I hopefully ride it in August.

I'll be out there in 2 weeks for the media days, along with my kids, riding for the cameras. Looking forward to it, and can let you know what I think then. It certainly looks more interesting than S:UF at SFoG. It's been a few years since I've been on that one, so not sure how much of an accurate comparison I'll be able to make, but I'll give it a shot when the day comes.

It's certainly looking very nice, and getting excited as the day draws near.

Why don't we compare Manta to Tatsu? There may not be an obvious winner.

I finally got to ride Manta on the 7/9/12. I went to SWO after my early VA check-up in Gainesville. I got there at about 1:00. The weather was clear at first, but quickly got stormy within a couple of hours.

Manta was the first coaster that I've rode (One time, in the sixth row). It had a hour or so wait time. The queue was hands down the best that I've ever been through; It was a majestic underwater realm. It had multiple aquariums with all kinds of mantas, sharks, nautilus, fish, it was second to none. The ride was awesome! Very comfortable, the inversions where excellent. I felt just a tad of mist on the splash element. The drop after the MCBR was notable as it had an almost mini-freefall feeling that I haven't felt before on a flyer. It's considerably more thrilling than SUF, Manta is an excellent flying coaster.

I also rode Kraken one time (ridden before). It was a walk on. I rode in the back. It was running great, no head banging, or discomfort to speak. I always appreciate Kraken more than most, also it isn't the most physical coaster in the world, I love the last curved tunnel, head choppers, and the water surroundings.

I also saw the dolphin show which was excellent. I skipped alot of the rides/attractions that I've ridden before like JTA, Shamu etc. I went home a lil' earlier than I expected because of the storms that came, they had many like myself heading for the exits.

* This post was modified at 7/12/12 7:48:29 PM *

The Manta at SW San Diego is different, right? I'm going there in a few weeks and it certainly doesn't look like a flyer and has launches (albeit slow ones).

Jen

That's odd. Manta has an hour wait, but Kraken was a walk on? Sure Manta will be longer, but I would expect some line at Kraken.

Manta at SeaWorld Orlando is my favorite "flying" coaster and Manta at SeaWorld San Diego is excellent as well.

^^^I went to Kraken right after the Dolphin show, and the stadium was completely full, that's probably the reason why Kraken had hardly no wait time; Now that I think of it, Kraken wasn't techically a 'walk on', as I had to wait behind the gate for only a 1/2 cycle, dang near close to being a walk on though.

* This post was modified at 7/13/12 12:55:04 PM *

Manta is a win simply due to the single rider line. I wished Kraken had one.. I also wished they didn't close off a few rows on Kraken for the special pass holders. This year I pretty much stuck with Manta more over Kraken. Kraken is too isolated and I got fed up with the long walk especially if the place was empty (that plus since I'm going to KD to ride Dominator, which I like more, I don't feel like I'm missing much).

As for the Dolphin show, also pretty good, but i wished the rows of seats in that stadium weren't so close together. It's just too close together imo.

^^^I didn't even know about the isolated single rider line on Manta, until I exited the ride, so I more than likely wasted alot of time; I did enter the single rider line that was deep inside the cavern.

* This post was modified at 7/13/12 3:24:39 PM *

I found out about it this year (not sure if they had it last year as most of the times I was there early*). It's a little obscure, but after you get off the ride to exit and see the photo booth, there's a path to your left. Then by the doors, it should say 'quick que' (whatever it's called) and single rider. The person standing there will ask if you are a single rider and then you'll be directed to one of the stairs. That saved me so much time since this year I rode Manta later in the day. I think in total I waited no more than 4 trains (counting both loading sides) to leave till I got on.

*I mean the other entrance, separate from the main entrance.

* This post was modified at 7/13/12 4:03:01 PM *

I rode Manta in Orlando in 2010. It was a quality coaster, but unfortunately, I had ridden it just a couple of months after riding on Tatsu at SFMM.

Manta is nice, but Tatsu is probably my favorite coaster ever.

When we went to Orlando, it was fall and there were not very long lines at SeaWorld. My wife and I did the child swap, so she waited maybe 20 minutes, then I went straight on.