SeaWorld Entertainment continues on its mission to deliver experiences that matter, unveiling a number of new rides and experiences at its parks across North America.
Speaking during a press conference on the first day of the IAAPA trade show in Orlando, Florida, SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby detailed plans for SeaWorld’s parks, including SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
“We are one year into our three year plan to accomplish our mission of creating experiences that matter,” said Manby. “We not only want our guests to have a lot of fun in our parks but we also want to have them help to make the world a better place.
“Our vision as a company is to inspire people to help animals and the wild wonders of the world. If we can create an army of millions and millions of customers, it will be an incredible combination.”
The first of unveiling was the vehicle for SeaWorld San Antonio’s Wavebreaker - a jet ski-inspired multi-launch coaster. Created by Intamin, the ride carriage is designed to make riders feel as though they are riding a jet ski, with the steel coaster flying over the water, recreating the experience seen on the the company’s popular TV show Sea Rescue.
“It’s been more than nine years since we’ve had a new coaster and this one is unique for North America so we’re super-excited to get our guests involved in the things our company does in the wild and having our guests learn about all we do to save wildlife,” said Carl Lum, president of SeaWorld San Antonio.
The next reveal was for SeaWorld’s aquarium-based attraction, featuring a submarine ride at its park in San Diego.
Unveiling a scale model of Ocean Explorer, Brian Morrow, vice president of theme park experience design for the newly announced Deep Blue Creative team at SeaWorld, explained the concept behind the experience.
“The submarine quest takes our guest on a journey around this new realm, where we have digital interaction and gameplay inside of a ride system as our guests roleplay as explorers,” he said.
“This whole land is about inspiring exploration, showing how science is cool and teaching our guests how they can make a difference to oceans all around the world using rides integrated with animals and technology. It’s the future of what you’re going to see as the new SeaWorld starts to create experiences that matter.”
The final announcement was for the Great Coasters-designed InvadR - Busch Gardens Willamsburg’s first wooden ever rollercoaster.
Coming to Virginia in 2017, the Viking-themed ride is a family-friendly attraction, featuring a 74-foot drop and reaching speeds of up to 48 mph.
The trains for InvadR were provided by Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The carts were used for the park's Gwazi wooden coaster, which ceased operating in 2015 after more than 15 years.
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