If you’re heading out to your neighborhood fireworks display tomorrow or even one of the Disney parks, you can still sneak in another show by going to SeaWorld Orlando tonight for their special fireworks display. In the above photo technician Andrew Hage checks the connections… Read More »High Flying Fireworks Act at SeaWorld
The Independence Day weekend means firework. In Central Florida the place to be is either at the Themeparks or at the Firecracker 400 (now the Coke Zero 400, but whatever). Usually the weekend finds NASCAR drivers out at the theme parks, but not until after… Read More »Kyle Busch and Scott Speed make Pitstop at SeaWorld Orlando’s Discovery Cove
This Sunday is the Annual Passholder/DVC preview of Hall of Presidents which will kick off a week long patriotic feeling across Orlando that will resolve in huge firework displays across the region. Almost all of the local theme parks have their own displays with some… Read More »4th of July Fireworks at Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Orlando
Along with the new flying roller coaster Manta comes a huge new aquarium that features hundreds of sea critters from rays (as you would expect) to beautiful dragon fish (a relative of the seahorse). I got the chance to speak to SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquarium Curator Gary Violetta and ask him a few questions.
Violetta is a SeaWorld veteran of more than 24 years. As Curator he is responsible for the health and physical care of the more than 3,000 animals found in the Manta exhibit. He manages aquarium exhibits and attractions and is responsible for the care of all sharks, eels, stingrays, alligators, and fish throughout the park. A former curator of fishes at SeaWorld San Antonio, Violetta began his SeaWorld career in 1977. He is a member of the American Zoo and Aquarium association.
Click below the cut to listen to the embedded MP3 and see a few more photos from the exhibit:
Read More »Inside the new Manta Aquarium with SeaWorld’s Curator
Although it’s been in soft openings for a few weeks, Orlando’s newest coaster (and it’s first flying coaster) Manta officially opens tomorrow. Today was press day at SeaWorld Orlando and one of the options was to ride with the ‘Manta Cam’ where you get a… Read More »SeaWorld Manta, That’s How I Roll
With soft openings occurring regularly and the official grand opening just 10 days away, it’s time to get excited about Manta, the first flying coaster to hit Central Florida. If you aren’t yet one of the lucky ones to have experienced the attraction, here’s a… Read More »New Manta Video from SeaWorld
This year sees two major new coasters coming to Orlando. SeaWorld is first on the scene with its new Manta ‘Flying’ Roller Coaster. Guests will feel like they’re soaring over Orlando and aquatic life as they zoom around the park’s entrance area.
Thanks to @RealShamu and @Doterati I got the chance to experience the attraction three times tonight. It was a pretty intense experience, especially in the back row, so three times was just about enough. But I think I could have ridden it all night if I stayed in the middle rows (4 or 5).
Here’s a little video of the unique load and unload process that SeaWorld uses for Manta.
The Roller Coaster ‘Manta’ opens officially on May 22nd, but it’s unofficially open as of Noon on May 5th.
Click below the jump cut for some photos from the evening.
Here’s your first look at an on-ride video from the front row point of view of the new Manta roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando. Alas, it’s not the whole experience, but it’s exciting. If you can’t wait til May 22nd for the official first day… Read More »Manta at Seaworld Orlando, First Onride Video