Comments on: Featured Photo #11 – SeaWorld’s Showstopper

By: adavis

adavis — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 23:04:57 +0000

But if those break runs on Rip Ride Rockit weren't there, a meh coaster becomes a possible airtime machine.

Again, loved the drop, loved the non loop, and it has more hill based airtime than most Florida stuff, but it could have been really good.

By: Mike M.

Mike M. — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 22:25:53 +0000

Living in Orlando, I'd like to call myself a "subject matter expert" on the coasters in the area. I have to agree with the first poster. Outside of the pretzel loop (which is my favorite roller coaster element ever), the rest of the ride isn't that thrilling. Still very good, mind you, but not much in excitement and thrill factor. I have to agree with the Coaster Critic that it definitely is the most photogenic and attention grabbing coaster in the area (Hulk is a close second), but to me it's got nothing on Kraken, especially in the back row. I still stand by my statement that Kraken has the best drop in Orlando. And for flyers, I still prefer Tatsu to Manta. But the pretzel loop still keeps Manta among my favorites. Plus it's prime location along with its slower speed allows me to preen, prose, and scream at all of the observers. Especially at the swooping dive.

Oh, and as for Rip Ride Rockit, I have to disagree slightly disagree with adavis. The first drop is amazing and the "double-take" loop is pretty cool. And the coaster gains enough height back to make the drop before the "treble clef" element almost as good as the first drop. It does lose a bit after that, but there are still a few moments. You catch a bit of airtime a couple of times when the coaster climbs back up into two of the brake runs near the end. And the helix at the end is pretty good.

By: Gearhart

Gearhart — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:17:02 +0000

Manta is arguably the best flyer in existence along with Tatsu. The "splashdown" section may seem gimmicky but was actually pretty cool, especially on a hot day with the refreshing spray from the fountains if on the right side of the train.

By: Gearhart

Gearhart — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:11:42 +0000

totally agree. after the the helix that goes through the building facade by Twister the ride becomes boring.

By: adavis

adavis — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:31:31 +0000

Rip Ride Rockit was pretty "meh". The first drop was cool, the not loop was cool, and then nothing really happens.

By: Quil

Quil — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 05:54:19 +0000

I haven't ridden many florida coasters, but Rip Ride Rockit looks pretty sick to me. (in a good way) Practicaly every large floridan roller coaster gose up-side-down, from what I've seen.

By: The Coaster Critic

The Coaster Critic — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:49:33 +0000

I've kind of got one of those. The employee who took the pic just got the sign, not really the coaster. Here it is.

By: Prof.BAM

Prof.BAM — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:40:30 +0000

The worst thing a coaster fan could see is in this picture, twice! Who likes empty seats? Manta is a very photogenic coaster. My favorite picture is mine in front of the sign with the train in the background.

By: adavis

adavis — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:14:41 +0000

Having ridden all of the above coasters just a week ago, I can say with all certainty that Manta was the favorite for me. Incredible Hulk was good, Kraken and Kumba are aging poorly, Dueling Dragons is short, and Montu is fantastic. Manta stood out, and it wasn't because it was boring. Different strokes for different folks…

By: READYdot

READYdot — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 02:01:58 +0000

This is a serious post. And we were 2 thinking like that. And there are others thinking the same way. Surely not the majority. But the best coaster in Florida, come on. Even Kraken is way better. Incredible Hulk? Kumba? Montu? Dueling Dragons? the list could go on…