Manta – SeaWorld Orlando’s New Signature Attraction
After the eight hour drive down to Orlando for the Manta Grand Opening and Media Day, I was hoping to not be disappointed and thankfully I wasn’t. It was my first time to SeaWorld, but right away I recognized that I was at a Busch-owned theme park. The park was clean and beautifully-themed. Manta is the much-hyped flying roller coaster that I first blogged about some 13 months ago.
Manta’s station was integrated with a really cool manta exhibit. The exhibit was accessible guests without having to enter the ride’s queue. If you’ve never seen a manta in person, they’re quite unforgettable. They look like they’re flying as they swim hence the tag line for the coaster, “Ride the Flying Ray.” I recommend the exhibit whether you ride Manta or not. I will try to upload my short video of the exhibit. On to the ride.
As you reach the station, you can’t help but notice the tricked out trains complete with blue sting ray theming. The trains look like standard Bolliger & Mabillard inverted trains at first. They are positioned below the track with eight rows of cars that have four across seating. Then, after everyone is secured in the comfortable harnesses, the seats fold upward until the riders are facing the floor below in a superman-like position. SeaWorld did a nice job in spicing up this transition with a loud sound effect. Both the riders aboard the train and those waiting to ride cheer in excitement and the train begins its ascent.
140 feet later, with the tropical trees far below, the train begins its swooping 113 foot drop. After the drop, the train climbs back up and into the 98 foot tall pretzel loop. (Coaster Geek Analysis – In comparison, S:UF’s loop is 78′ tall and Tatsu’s is 124′ tall) Where other B&M flyers flatten out or gradually climb before entering this inside-downward loop, Manta makes a pretty sharp climb up into it. This causes what may possibly be the world’s first moment of airtime on a flying roller coaster. It’s brief, but noticeable and it’s the reason why I prefer Manta in the front more than in the back. At the bottom of the loop, riders are pressed against their seat as they’re now flat on their backs on the ground looking up at the sky. The g-forces are pretty strong and they seemed even stronger towards the back of the train.
Manta’s Signature Moment
After the pretzel loop, the train takes a left turn and is then thrown into an in-line twist (360 degree roll). I didn’t really enjoy this element, but I can’t really put my finger on why. It seemed kind of out place or something. Next, there’s another turn that sends the train through the pretzel loop and into a better inversion; a nice corkscrew which leads up to the brake run. The short brake run sets up the ride’s signature moment. Manta’s coup de grâce is a short dive to a pond that puts riders only a few feet from the water below. Manta gains a lot of points for the innovative dive. It froze onlookers in their tracks and had many waiting for another train to come by just to see it. As the train passes over the water a fountain-like splash is triggered which sprays the riders a little. You won’t get soaked, but if you sit on the far right seat you will get wet. I’ll have to add this maneuver to my Memorable Coaster Moments category.
An Excellent Near Miss
After Manta’s signature move the ride has one more trick up it’s wing(?). The train swoops right past a rocky wall with a water fall. If you sit on the far left side of the train you feel as if you’ll certainly hit the wall. I have no idea how close the train actually is, but it was very surprising and probably my favorite part of the ride. Manta finishes with another corkscrew and then hits the station brakes to applause from the hanging riders.
Manta Ride Guide – Back vs. Front & Left vs. Right
The back seems popular for its intensity. The pretzel loop did seem more intense in the back, but it wasn’t a cake walk in the front either. Again, with the front offering that unusual moment of airtime, I favor the front or towards the front. With regards to which side of the four across train to ride, the right side will put you right into the water during the dive. The far left side will throw you closer to the rocky water fall. My favorite here is the left side as that rock wall and waterfall come out of nowhere and you feel like you just may smack right into it. The water spray is much cooler for off-ride viewers than on the ride. Everything happens so fast, that suddenly you’re getting hit with water. When I rode on the far right, my right leg DID get wet.
As a complete attraction, Manta is excellent. If you’re a well-traveled enthusiasts, flying roller coasters are nothing new, but SeaWorld did as 
much as they could to make a pretty unique and memorable experience. Between the immense level of theming to the thrilling layout with few surprises, Manta delivers more than just a flight like experience. It delivers an unforgettable world-class ride. Final Rating – 9.0 (Excellent)
What’s Your Take?
Have you ridden Manta at SeaWorld Orlando? Do you agree with my rating? Leave a comment below.
May 31, 2009 at 19:30
I have ridden the ride dozens of times Im not well traveled , but the only coaster in central florida that I would say is better is Kumba. soo yes I think a 9 is fitting
June 5, 2009 at 19:05
I'm a big fan of Kumba too Matt. In my opinion, Manta's just a notch below it.
Thanks for reading!
June 9, 2009 at 06:04
great review manta was my first flying coaster and i really enjoyed it. man that little guy really packs a punch. quick question since you have ridden both this and tatsu which would you perfer without the themeing which coaster to you is best the better coaster?
June 10, 2009 at 03:11
im going on manta thursday, so i hope it will be as good as you say! the kraken i no is awesome, and atlantis. but i went on seaworld.com, went to orlando, and i thought i saw you an the front row seat. can you check to see if that was you?
June 11, 2009 at 01:23
manta manta manta manta TODAY!!!!!!!!!!! illl tell you guys what i thought and if i agree with the coaster critic. believe it or not, i do think it looks kind of short for the real coaster part than most coasters, so lets hope the flying element really boosts it up.
June 11, 2009 at 02:52
Hey TCC Thanks for making me like coasters.
and i'm making a new YouTube Show the "Roller Coaster Critic" that was inspired by you,Thank You!
From: Cole
June 11, 2009 at 02:54
youre right james, all flying coasters are short manta is the 2nd longest, tallest, and fastest flying coaster in the world so you its pretty long for a flying coaster if right behind tatsu by only about 75 feet more of track
June 11, 2009 at 22:38
Rode this a few weeks back on vacation. *LOVED* it! First off, it's a smooth, clean ride. We rode Kraken immediately after riding Manta, and felt as though we'd traded in the Caddy for a Ford Pinto with bad shocks. I understand there's sand in Manta's supports to dampen sound- is this a standard thing? It certainly seemed to work- Manta is remarkably smooth and quiet.
From the beginning: the waiting time was short- we rode 6 times with only one 20+ minute wait. The rest were nearly immediate seatings. The queue is nicely done, with plenty of aquariums to entertain, and SeaWorld keeps it nice & cool- a welcome relief from the blistering Orlando sun.
Moving on to the ride itself: I agree, I definitely preferred the front. With the smoothness of the ride, you really do feel like you're flying- I thought especially so during the corkscrews into the next element. It happened that for our last ride we were in front, at night, with the moon shining brightly right at the center of the corkscrew turn, giving me something to focus on and heightening the experience. The neat little dip down to the water was breathtaking, as was the waterfall trip- you do get relatively close!
If I had one critique it would be that unloading seems to take a while. You spend several minutes suspended SuperMan style on your belly waiting to re-enter the loading station, which feels longer than it is and can be uncomfortable despite the relative "give" in the harness system.
All in all, I felt SeaWorld really pulled together an amazing ride from start to finish. I'm no expert, nor am I a seasoned critic, but I was really impressed with this ride and consider it hands down my new favorite steel coaster.
June 12, 2009 at 05:47
IT WAS AWESOME! i dont know if it was just because it is my only flying coaster, but i would give it a ten. there were only two little flaws. one was the ride time. and the second was its technical diffulculties. but it was a great ride! i rode it six times, twice in the front twice in the back( so much Gs!) and once in row 4 and row7. slow ride load up, and i saw the funniest thing. on my last time, i saw the magic players, and the WHOLE TRAIN WERE SUPPORTERS AND FANS! it was rediculous. i loved the spray effect.
June 13, 2009 at 19:25
Manta is an excellent coaster. I was, other than the pretzel loop, completely unimpressed with Superman at Great Adventure, but I was still determined to get on Manta if I could while I was in Florida. However, Manta was not opening for a preview until the day after I left for home. I was really bummed, but later on in the day at Sea World, I saw a sign in front of Manta that said, "Now accepting riders", and I freaked out. I ended up riding this gorgeously themed, intense beauty of a coaster nearly a month before it was open to the general public. The pretzel loop nearly ripped my heart right out of my chest it was so intense, and I sat on the very left for that kickass "near miss" with the rock wall and waterfall. I know everyone is touting Diamondback as the best new ride of the year, but I truly believe Manta should at least be number two. Near perfection really.
June 22, 2009 at 18:01
Hi all. My hubby and 2 teen age sons LOVED Manta. I, however, have a different take on it. Don't get me wrong, i love LOVE coasters, especially The Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Rock-n-Rollercoaster, Kumba, Montu….
That being said….and will keep this G for family readers. I have saline implants (and not large ones either!) and it was most difficult to feel comfortable suspended on my abdomen with my chest weight on the flexible harness. I was fine before the ride began, even in the que, once the seat leans forward onto the flying position. Every time i took a deep breath, the chestplate tightened and made it more difficult to breathe and hang comfortably. Every inversion felt like i was being smothered and i have NEVER had that happen on any coaster before. The end of the ride, where you hang suspended for close to 3 minutes, was especially difficult.
I don't feel this would be a complication for most women who do not have implants however, women with them might want to consider this before riding. I truly felt like i was ripping inside my chest wall from the force of the ride.
Hope this helps!! Again, my boys and hubby LOVED it!! Next time, i will just walk thru the que with them because its AMAZING and beautiful. I just will pass on the ride!!
June 23, 2009 at 20:32
obgirlyn, I so wanted to laugh at this, but you know, I specifically remember feeling like my actual heart was pulled up towards the top of my ribcage in the pretzel loop, so I can imagine that for someone with implants, there'd be some definite discomfort. I'm glad that you could appreciate the ride for its good elements though…hope nothing was damaged. LOL
June 27, 2009 at 14:12
Hey, coaster critic, i just wanted to know. do you prefer this over tatsu?
July 13, 2009 at 09:02
I just went again, and the lift up is fast!!! Great for people scared of heights!
July 13, 2009 at 13:42
wow your lucky i want to go on this roller coaster. The sense like your flying in the air would be cool
July 17, 2009 at 00:26
I'M RENAMING ROLLER COASTER CRITIC TO CoasterNews
July 21, 2009 at 16:55
serves as a reason to go to seaworld =]
busch gardens does, however, have the best coasters around.
i have an front row onboard pic of sheikra from opening day in a photo contest for a scholarship. hit the link to check it out and vote for it pleeeease ?
July 21, 2009 at 16:56
[by link i mean my name heh heh] thankyouss !
July 22, 2009 at 14:48
I just remembered. I never noticed when i went to Carowinds but i didnt know they had so many roller coasters! 12 is a pretty big number
August 13, 2009 at 10:15
Hey, Im going back to seaworld and universal and islands of adventure sunday-wednesday. re-ride!