The big opening of Sea World’s coolest ride Manta has been scheduled for May 22^nd – The Friday before Memorial Day. I can’t wait to try it!!!! As Sea World explains it: “Manta is an all-new breed of mega-attraction immersing you in the mysterious world of rays and allowing you to fly headfirst like a ray aboard a manta-inspired flying roller coaster.” 

To get to the prone/flying position after passengers are seated, the bottom straps at the train will secure passenger’s legs. “It’s like a Transformer” says Brian Morrow, director of design and engineering. The unique position requires a little bit of extra time to get in and out (about 90 to 120 seconds), but Sea World has built a second station to load and unload passengers and keep a high capacity for the ride that has 3 trains, each one seating 32 passengers. The goal is to have 1,500 riders per hour! 

To ensure safety, there are 144 sensors on each train and they monitor seat and rows and safety equipment and make sure everything is aligned before take off. Here are some fun facts about the ride that every roller coaster lover is buzzing about:

FROM SEEING…THE ANIMALS
Total Animals:        3,000
Gallons of Water:  184,000 gallons total
Aquariums:           10
Species:                60+
Rays:                   304
Sea Dragons:         23         
Sea Horses:           20
Fish:                    2,500+ (tropical fish, cardinal fish, invertebrates).
Underwater Views: Floor-to-ceiling, nine feet tall views; including a 220 square-foot overhead viewing panel for observing schools of rays circling above. 
Exterior Lagoon:  16,300 square feet

TO BEING…THE RAY
Type of Ride:        Flying coaster
Seating:               Horizontal, face-down, four people across
Thrills:                    Flies through sky and over a lagoon
Height:                   140 feet
Maximum Drop:     113 feet
Top Speed:             56 miles per hour
Inversions:            4
Track Length:         3,359 feet
Vehicle wing span:  12 feet
Cycle Time:                2 minutes, 35 seconds
Manufacturer:            Bolliger & Mabillard;Monthey, Switzerland
Height requirement: 54 inches
Trains:                    3 per track; with 32 people on each train
Capacity:                Approximately 1,500 people per hour
Opening date:           Summer 2009 on May 22 

To celebrate Manta and the Memorial Day holiday Florida Spirit is offering a 10% discount on any reservations with 4 nights or more During the Memorial day weekend!  Don’t wait another minute reserve your Memorial Day weekend today!