Possible new 2009 coaster? (B&M Flyer)

[Nascar48]

2009 - New Coaster - Rumor - (10/22/07) A Screamscape source says that they were asked to take part in a guest focus group at SeaWorld Florida where they were showing off various different ideas for a new Flying Coaster in development for the park. One possible idea was to use shorter trains, only 3 or 4 rows long, but each would be themed as a different species of Ray: Manta Ray, Sting Ray, Bat Ray, etc. While no specific layout was given, the ideas being tossed around seemed a involve quite a bit of ground hugging which may imply a layout more like AIR and less like the Six Flags’ Superman versions. They did discuss with a bit of detail a very special element they want to feature hower, which would be a kind of water splashdown effect similar to what we’ve seen on SheiKra and Griffon, but in this case they want the coaster trains to swoop down over rolling waves, skimming the surface of the water. In fact, the tips of the Ray’s wings sticking out to the sides would dip into the water itself, tossing up big rooster-tails of water. I’ve got to say that I like this idea myself… especially if they had a nice prolonged skim over the water, allowing riders time to really reach out to try and touch it. I’m not sure about the short train design, but I suppose they could use a double loading station to fix the capacity issues.

(10/19/07) Those rumors for a B&M Flyer coming to SeaWorld in time for the 2009 season are still holding out, and today we’ve heard that the ride may be themed to either a Flying Fish or a Dolphin. I’m not sure I’m buying that last bit however as Busch has always been about naming their coasters after fierce monster and iconic animals like Kraken, Steel Eel, Great White, Alpengeist, Montu, etc. A Flying Fish or Dolphin themed ride sounds more like a kiddie coaster… though there is the Thunder Dolphin coaster in Japan. Naaa…still sounds kind of silly.

I think this would be a great addition to Seaworld. For thrillseekers like me all there is is Journey To Atlantis and Kraken (I do like the shows though). And for those of you don't know what a B&M Flyer coaster is, here's a couple pictures of other flyer coasters out there.

Air at Alton Towers

Tatsu at Six Flags Magic Mountain

Superman: Ultimate Flight at Six Flags Great Adventure

 

[DOOM1001]

I think I saw somewhere on Screamscape that they were already moving an employee parking lot to make room to start working on this coaster.I've been on Superman Ultimate Flight in Georgia and while I liked it overall I don't like the way your legs get strapped in the ride,it feels a bit claustrophobic and since this is a Busch park it will be a B&M just like Superman.The first time I pictured the Manta Ray design skimming over the water just like Sheikra sending jets of water to the sides of the coaster wetting people like at Sheikra I knew this would be a perfect fit for Sea World.

 

[tink too]

Sounds cool - hope the rumours are true.