Manta Roller Coaster To Swoop And Fly In SeaWorld San Diego In 2012

San Diego, CA – SeaWorld San Diego unveiled plans for their latest attraction that is slated to open in 2012. Manta, an all-new launched roller coaster will seamlessly transition guests from the awe of watching rays in underwater flight into the sensation of actually behing one. The park plans to break ground on the new roller coaster within a month and the attraction will debut to the public next year.

Swooping over sea and sky, Manta will not only inspire riders with amazing underwater animal habitats, but take them on an exhilarating ride on a coaster shaped like a giant manta ray.

"We are delighted to bring energizing new attractions to our guests year after year," said SeaWorld park president, John Reilly, "and Manta does just that, combining the thrill and excitement of a coaster, with the educational and entertaining value of an incredible marine-life exhibit."

Artist rendring of the Manta roller coaster that is coming to SeaWorld San Diego in 2012.

Manta will begin inside an enclosed "launch station" where larger-than-life images of rays will be projected on a 270-degree enveloping screen using a state-of-the-art projection system that will be the first of its kind in the United States. The visual introduction to the world of rays will also enhance the acceleration experience as the train is launched down the steel track.

The roller coaster's three-story tall layout for will include a 54-foot drop and trains will reach a top speed of 43 miles-per-hour as they swoop and glide around 2,835 feet of track. Manta will include dozens of twists and turns to make riders feel as if they are a ray and at one point the Manta's wings will skim a surface of water.

SeaWorld opened a similar roller coaster attraction that is also called Manta at their Orlando park in 2009.

Both riders and non-riders alike will be able to enjoy the new attraction. SeaWorld San Diego's exisiting attraction Forbidden Reef where guests can feed and touch bat rays, will be incorporated and enhanced as part of Manta.

"With Manta, our guests will be able to see and interact with 65 bat rays, 10 guitar fish, and hundreds of fishes," said SeaWorld San Diego curator of fishes, Thad Dirksen. "The below-water viewing area will include eight acrylic windows and a reef design. The above-water interaction area will allow our guests more opportunities to touch and feed the rays."

SeaWorld plans to locate the new attraction just north of Rocky Point Preseve. Riders will need to be at least 48-inches tall to participate. German ride designer MACK is working with SeaWorld to design and engineer the roller coaster and is the same company that designed the park's water coaster, Journey To Atlantis.

For more information about SeaWorld San Diego, visit www.seaworldsandiego.com.