Coaster coming to SeaWorld California in 2012

[StarTrekGeek]

From Screamscape:

2012 - Manta - Confirmed - (4/21/11) A Screamscape reader went by SeaWorld the other day to check on the status of Manta and sent in a great shot taken from the Skytower showing off what a huge construction site they’ve cleared out for this project. For the most part, it looks like they have already demolished the majority of the oldest surviving structures that were still in the park from the old days… back when there was nothing but a parking lot where the current Shamu Stadium is and the old entrance used to cross over a turtle pond about where the bottom of the Shipwreck Rapids lift hill now sits. (Ok… I’m showing my age I guess.)

Construction began on March 16, 2011 (according to SWSD Facebook).

And also from SoCalCoasters at ThemeParkReview:

Ok, I got some interesting info on Manta today, from some park spokespersons at the Scout Fair in San Diego.

-Forbidden Reef is gone for good, it will not be returning. Manta will be taking up it's area now.

-The Mantas have been moved to the Aquarium in the Journey To Atlantis gift shop for the time being.

-A large section of the back of the park will be closed for the next year, so watch out for bottlenecking over by Shipwreck, especially when One Ocean gets out...

-Construction has already started.

-It is unknown whether or not the Bat Ray feeding will return in this new area. Odds are not in its favor sadly :(

- The queue and gift shops will have aquariums.

[BJCool]

BUMP!
Update from Screamscape

(1/18/12) SeaWorld San Diego unveiled one of the Manta ride cars at the park a few hours ago and were kind enough to send us pictures of it to share here on Screamscape. The car will remain on display near the front of the park for the next several months while work on Manta continues.
....The park reports that Manta is still on track to open on May 26th, with 55% of the track now installed, and the rest to be in place before the end of February. The station is about 65% complete and they will begin construction on the “launch tunnel / show building” next week. If everything stays on track, ride testing will begin in April.

Here are pics of concept art, track in the process of being installed, and the sit-down ride vehicle:

[Jymmymack]

Too bad that San Diego is an extra 3 hours past Anaheim, otherwise I'd be more likely to get there right after it opens.

[BJCool]

New behind-the-scenes video on the latest progress of Manta

[Felipe]

^ That's interesting! So if I understand correctly, after you get on the vehicle, you are going to be in a sort of movie room watching video of manta rays before you launch? Sounds cool!

[BJCool]

RCPro has a bunch of great new pics

[BJCool]

SeaWorld released the followup video to the one posted above. It is indeed interesting how their can be sister attractions in other parks but have key differences.

[BJCool]

From 10NEWS.com

SAN DIEGO -- The last section of track was put into place Monday for SeaWorld's Manta coaster, which is set to open in late May.

"This is an exciting milestone in this project. Construction continues to go very well and we're on track for a May 26 opening," said John Reilly, park president.

[hatetofly]

Really gonna try to skip out of LA for a day to ride this in a couple months. Between Manta, Carsland, Transformers, updated Matterhorn, and Lex Luthors Drop of Doom it gonna be a real tough choice to cut anyone out of the schedule.

[Sehsun]

Can't get the video to embed properly. =/

Here is the article where you can see the video of them placing the last piece of track.

[BJCool]

MiceAge caught this aerial view of the track's footprint in the park.

[BJCool]

SeaWorld posted a new video update:




Additionally, ******** has some new construction pics including the themed entrance:

[BJCool]

Manta Testing

[BJCool]

More Manta Testing

[BJCool]

Theme Park Insider has posted their review of the new family coaster Manta, as well as this POV with park president John Reilly:



- - - Updated - - -

Behind the Thrills also posted a report from the opening of the coaster, along with a video of the ceremony.