Test riding Manta?

[YetiJonesBear]

I've seen test riders on Manta. They let a couple on at a time it seems. Usually front and back row. Contrary to belief, they do not appear to be employees or team members.

Does anyone know how to get on? I would love to test ride it for them before it opens...

::UPDATE:: There will be a soft opening the first week of May, not sure which day, but definitely within the first week.

::2nd UPDATE:: I have updates from my sources that the soft-opening could be as early as this weekend(Friday May 1st or Saturday May 2nd) if the upper management allows it and final checks are ok.

::3rd UPDATE:: May 5th and opening at noon for the rest of the week is the official date reported by Metro West and the Orlando Sentinel. See you guys there for anyone who is showing up.

::4th UPDATE:: Well, SeaWorld jumped the gun and opened it yesterday (Friday, May 2nd). I'm not sure if it will be open today (Sunday, May 3rd), but I will stop by to check on my way to Disney.

 

[wdwpins]

I'm planning on being at SeaWorld on 05/22, Manta's opening day, but would love to test ride it earlier. If anyone knows when they're asking people to test ride, please email me at wdwpins@aol.com. Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

I've seen test riders on Manta. They let a couple on at a time it seems. Usually front and back row. Contrary to belief, they do not appear to be employees or team members.

Does anyone know how to get on? I would love to test ride it for them before it opens...

I think it's just a matter of being in the right place at the right time...soft openings are usually like that.

 

[RabFlmom]

I've seen test riders on Manta. They let a couple on at a time it seems. Usually front and back row. Contrary to belief, they do not appear to be employees or team members.

Does anyone know how to get on? I would love to test ride it for them before it opens...

Only employees have been on it. Son was there yesterday with some SW friends and that is what they told him. Still lots of work to do before letting guests on.

 

[Tillikumtrainer]

It's in the news their planning to start letting guests on during a 'soft opening" the 1st week of May!! since they are way ahead of schedule

SeaWorld targets first week of May for Manta 'soft opening'

posted by Jason Garcia on Apr 23, 2009 3:11:58 PM

SeaWorld says the coaster is ahead of schedule -- so much so that it might start letting guests ride it in two weeks.

SeaWorld spokesman Nick Gollattscheck said water has already been pumped into the aquariums around the attraction and that the testing and safety checks of the coaster are complete. The park is now populating those aquariums with rays. It has been having employees ride Manta for the past couple of weeks.

Letting guests start riding at the beginning of May would allow for a roughly three-week soft opening before Manta's formal grand opening on May 22.

 

[chimo2u]

What type of coaster is Manta? is it going to have loops and such? I am trying to determine if it is a ride I would be brave enough to attempt, as I am not extremely confident on rollercoasters! I've been on EE and rockin roller coaster at Disney...but it took a lot of "chicken exit" attempts before I tried them After I tried them, I loved them. I am interested to know what this ride is to be like.
Thanks

 

[YetiJonesBear]

It's a flying coaster, like Superman's Ultimate Flight. It's the only flying coaster in Florida. I'm glad we have one now, cause I would usually make the trip to Six Flags Georgia to ride a flying. And this one should be longer and better than SUF.

They're a great experience, you ride("fly") almost parallel to the ground.

 

[MelanieC]

How exciting - I'm so looking forward to a new ride this year

 

[chimo2u]

It's a flying coaster, like Superman's Ultimate Flight. It's the only flying coaster in Florida. I'm glad we have one now, cause I would usually make the trip to Six Flags Georgia to ride a flying. And this one should be longer and better than SUF.

They're a great experience, you ride("fly") almost parallel to the ground.

Are there loops in this coaster? If not, then I think I could summon up the courage to try it

 

[YetiJonesBear]

There are loops. The first one should hit the hardest, somewhere around 3 to 4 g's. Then there are the pretzel loops.

 

[YetiJonesBear]

Update folks, there will be a soft opening the first week of May, not sure which day, but definitely within the first week.

 

[jpeppers]

I went on Tatsu last year at SFMM in California so I'm assuming it is the same type of coaster (flying) but want to make sure I'm right. If it is anything like that I'm very excited and can't wait to get back to Seaworld.

 

[YetiJonesBear]

Yes it Tatsu is a flying coaster as well.

BTW, I have updates from my sources that the soft-opening could be as early as this weekend(Friday May 1st or Saturday May 2nd) if the upper management allows it and final checks are ok. The employees are telling people it's next weekend though. I will be there tomorrow and hopefully they'll open it. If not, I'll try again Saturday...

 

[Metro West]

Yes it Tatsu is a flying coaster as well.

BTW, I have updates from my sources that the soft-opening could be as early as this weekend(Friday May 1st or Saturday May 2nd) if the upper management allows it and final checks are ok. The employees are telling people it's next weekend though. I will be there tomorrow and hopefully they'll open it. If not, I'll try again Saturday...

The paper said Tuesday, May 5th and opening at noon for the rest of the week. Then...the grand opening May 22!

 

[vossjemi]

We will be going to SW first week of June (prob Tues or Wed). Do you think the park will be extraordinarily busy since Manta will only have just opened a couple weeks prior?

 

[YetiJonesBear]

^ I would probably expect it to be busy around that time. Most parks are right after they open a new ride.

MetroWest - Yeah I saw that in the paper this morning too. I was hoping it would soft-open earlier, but I guess not. I will be in line Tuesday then.

 

[YetiJonesBear]

Well, SeaWorld jumped the gun and opened it yesterday (Friday, May 2nd). I'm not sure if it will be open today (Sunday, May 3rd), but I will stop by to check on my way to Disney.

 

[ChrisK]

Well, SeaWorld jumped the gun and opened it yesterday (Friday, May 2nd). I'm not sure if it will be open today (Sunday, May 3rd), but I will stop by to check on my way to Disney.

Posted before, as of 1pm it still was not open to for everyone. They had some event going on and were unsure if it was going to be open. If it was, they were guessing 3PM.

 

[Timmy Boy]

Yea it opened at 3, got 2 rides on it, then I decided it was too hot outside to stay. It's a really good addition to the park, and the ride is plenty fun.

 

[YetiJonesBear]

Yeah, I arrived there around 3:15 pm and decided to stay until it closed at 7 pm. I got seven rides on it; I agree it is definitely something that SeaWorld needed. It is definitely better than SUF. I'm probably gonna stop by later in the afternoon tomorrow again in case they open it.