SeaWorld Orlando reveals Mako ride vehicle
SeaWorld Orlando has unveiled their new ride vehicle for the Mako hyper-coaster at a media event this morning.
Mako will be Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster when built. Surfacing summer 2016, this 200-foot-tall hyper coaster will reach 73 mph along 4,760 feet of steel track — nearly a mile long — and leave riders feeling both breathless and weightless.
The first ride vehicle spent the last couple of weeks traveling from Switzerland inside a gigantic crate. As the crate was lifted, the first thing you noticed about the new coaster was the sleek shark design with purple seats and turquoise lap guards. Seven of these cars will complete the coaster as 28 passengers will get to ride at speeds more than 70 mph, four riders per row.
“It’s going to leave them both breathless and weightless,” said Mike Denninger, vice president of theme park development at SeaWorld Orlando.
Mako is being called the next generation of rides although the park is keen to stress that learning and entertainment are the top priorities.
“It’s really the next evolution of design, I think the big point of difference here is just the chance for guests to be an animal, and to feel the power of a shark,” said Brian Morrow, Vice President of Theme Park Design at SeaWorld Orlando.
SeaWorld Orlando also made a second announcement, saying the new roller coaster would be the beginning of a new shark realm at the park.
“We really wanted to complete the realm and the overall shark story. So the ride, new retail experiences, and a lot of new educational experiences will really complete the portfolio of what the “Shark Realm” will be here at the park,” said Morrow.
