Update: Manta Topped Off

[Mike T]

http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/swo10.28.08/IMAGE_389.jpg (http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/swo10.28.08/)

Manta's lift was topped off today and RCPro was there to grab some photos. Drop construction is about 25% done as well - which means the park had to reroute a main artery pathway - making guests travel all the way to the east boundary of the park in order to get to the popular Journey to Atlantis and Kraken attractions.

www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/swo10.28.08 (http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/swo10.28.08)

[Michael]

Not going to lie, it's pretty short. But I bet B&M have something spectacular planned. :)

[Tom]

I don't think it is all that short, but it is hard to tell from pictures. Keep in mind the largest drop on a B&M flyer is 111 feet at Tatsu. That looks larger than 111 feet.

[Dan]

Tatsu's also built on a big hill...

Thanks for the construction photos. I can't wait for the layout pics to start coming in.

[Michael]

Can't believe I forgot about this. I've been working all night.

Earlier today on the way back from school I saw a flat bed with dark blue mechanical fixtures. I couldn't tell what it was, but it looked like part of a catwalk fixture or possibly part of the station. Either way, I didn't have my phone with me :(

[Steelinwood]

This looks great but are there any visible blue prints for the coaster?

[crZythrill3r]

It's looking pretty good!

I'm anticipating for a layout!

[Steelinwood]

It's looking pretty good!

I'm anticipating for a layout!

So the coaster layout is a secret for now?:confused:

[RollermanDan]

Yup...not released yet.

[Ziggmuff]

I'm sure this is no new video to those checking updates on this ride frequently, but to get a possible idea of what the layout might be, there's this video on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leug1VMAtLU

So far it seems to be accurate to the layout that's already been built, and if you watch, it shows the "splashdown" area of the ride (when you're in the lie position), along with the turn that's similar to the artist's rendering. Again, not official, but I'm guessing it's pretty accurate with what the ride's actual layout will be.

Even though it's built on a hill, at the top of the Tatsu's lift you're looking 170 feet straight down. That's a bit higher than what you'll be looking down at on this drop.

Still, thanks for the update, it looks awesome! I'm excited to get on this during my next Florida trip!

[Mike T]

Image Courtesy of SeaWorld:

[RollermanDan]

Very cool image! Just wish they would have had a lift topping ceremony like Tatsu...

["Kill the Batman" (Joker)]

That is a perfect height for a B&M Flying, very similar to the height of Tatsu, planning a trip down to the coasters in the south this summer 09 can't wait to see what this layout will be, hopefully they have a banked turn over the water like the no limits imitation showed.

[Ziggmuff]

Some people have been complaining about the drop, but I think it looks awesome. B&M Flyers are intense enough as it is, Tatsu's looks to be about the same, and that one gets me everytime.

Here's the final drop, all done! Picture courtesy of Not For Sale over at TPR!

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=660032#660032

Looks like a lot of fun to me!

[ArrowOwnzU]

The drop looks about the same as Tatsu's. The drop, not the height.

[rollercoasterfreak91]

Yeah, and Tatsu's drop is great, so I expect Manta's to be great too. On a flyer, you really don't need a crazy steep drop in my opinion. If you do, your body is completely upside down, and it's more fun if you can see the ground.

[Michael]

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/files/dscf0701_340.jpg

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/files/dscf0701_340.jpg

Wow... that is a really shallow drop.

[Dan]

Sort of reminds me of Silver Bullet's drop -- but it's a flyer, so I'm sure the experience will still be great, no matter how shallow it is. Air a great flying coaster, and that's pretty much as shallow as drops can go.

[Ziggmuff]

The way I see it the first drop doesn't have to be steep...that's what the pretzel loops for.

[Ziggmuff]

Sorry to double post, but the layout has been found!

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta/sw292a.jpg

Picture courtesy of JohnnyUpsideDown.com!

Looks like the layout is exactly like what the YouTube video layout was...either way it looks like we'll be getting some Lie time on this flyer, which has been unique to B&M flyers the past couple installations.

Johnny also has some new pics of the pretzel loop and other things, be sure to check them out! Very nice pictures!

[rollercoasterfreak91]

Sweet! It looks like a nice layout, though a little short. The aquarium will be a nice touch though, I think. Glad to see another pretzel loop, those are one of the best elements ever, IMO.

[ArrowOwnzU]

Looks like Tatsu might still hold the crown for best layout.

[Nate]

Not really that impressed with the layout, but that's not everything that makes a coaster. The surrounding area will surely add to this ride. But I think Arrow is right, Tatsu is most likely going to hold the crown for the best flyer.

[DR27]

I think a little more could have been done to the ride. It's great nonetheless, but it could have been made a little bit longer or included another good element. Even though I have complained, I still think I would find it enjoyable.

[Dan]

I'm disappointed in the post-MCBR layout. It feels really unnecessary, and will really break (and brake) up an already short ride.

[ArrowOwnzU]

The MCBR seems very pointless unless they want to run 4 trains. Which is unnecessary because the ride looks very short.

[Senator Kinzel]

The MCBR seems very pointless unless they want to run 4 trains. Which is unnecessary because the ride looks very short.
Very necessary. The control system on Superman: Ultimate Flight at Six Flags Over Georgia sometimes has to stop one of the trains on the lifthill while the other train clears the block into the finishing brake run. This was back in the staff woes of 2006, so it was quite impressive to see. I'm sure an efficient crew and another 500 feet to the layout [Manta] would be just the same.

I don't understand what the fussing about the drop is about. Manta's drop is only two feet taller than Tatsu, so it's as close to "cookie cutter" as possible, between the two.

[rollercoasterfreak91]

Yes...but Tatsu is built on a mountain and has over 200 feet change in elevation. Manta is on flat ground. :)

[Senator Kinzel]

Yes...but Tatsu is built on a mountain and has over 200 feet change in elevation. Manta is on flat ground. :)
Tatsu is built on a hill, and it stays suspended up in the air for such a large duration, that it never takes advantage of the terrain like it should have.

The closest it comes to the ground is at the Pretzel, where you can't see anything. Let's wait and see how that compares with a finished Manta; there is no justified comparison without any visual cues of Manta.

It's still too early to play the fanboy card just yet.

[rollercoasterfreak91]

I used the word mountain in reference to Magic Mountain, and I'm just saying that we know Tatsu has a 263 foot elevation change from the top of the lift to the bottom of the pretzel loop, and Manta can't have more than 140 feet of elevation change, since it has no terrain to work with. And the speed at the bottom of Tatsu's pretzel is pretty intense... :) I can't say for sure that Manta won't be better than Tatsu, but that's how it seems like it will be.
Oh, and welcome to the site. :D

[ArrowOwnzU]

I already said that the drop looks exactly like Tatsu's. The layout is what isn't as good as Tatsu's.

[Ziggmuff]

I've been on flyers that "terrain" the ground, and I've gotta say, I prefer flying 100 feet high in the sky than being 10 feet high and seeing dirt zoom by. Its much more terrifying.


The closest it comes to the ground is at the Pretzel, where you can't see anything.

What about here?

http://cache.rcdb.com/pictures/picmax/p15253.jpg

Or here?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ed/Tatsu.JPG/450px-Tatsu.JPG

Its funny we talk about MCBR's on Manta and how necessary they might be, lol, at Magic Mountain, I don't think they'd ever need a brake run considering the snail paced dispatch times they have. :cool:

Either way, Manta's layout looks unique to me, and that's what I think is cool. Its nice to have 2 big B&M installations to watch this winter.

[chris]

Lets all remember the features that Manta has. Aquariums, waterfalls, and a splash down. This beats the theme on Tatsu.

[DR27]

Tatsu may be better, but in my opinion, it didn't use the hill to its advantage. To me, the slope looked better without Tatsu. It destroys the feel on Revolution and it looks peculiar just sitting on top of Revolution and everything else up there. Manta may not be able to use as much height differential, but in my opinion it will look, feel, and theme a better ride than Tatsu.

[rollercoasterfreak91]

Weird...I feel exactly the opposite. Not to disagree with you or anything, as this is obviously a matter of opinion, but I found that Tatsu interacts with its environment very well. When the trees have grown up around it it'll be much better, but I really like having the pretzel so close to Revo's loop. If they would only open that platform. I can't say about Manta, but coasters built on uneven ground always seems more appealing to me than coasters on flat pads or flat ground.

[Senator Shapiro]

The majority of Tatsu is experienced from quite high off the ground throughout most of the 'flight'. This creates very little terrain interaction, and a rather underwhelming experience in this regards.

I do not believe much can be said about Manta at this point, because although we have a "layout" there is no true indicator of any elevation changes that will take place. I would not be surprised, due to the potentially superior thematics, if Manta is a much better experience than Tatsu can ever hope to be.

It certainly won't hurt that there is no way that Manta can have a slower crew than that of Tatsu's.

[DR27]

. . . but coasters built on uneven ground always seems more appealing to me than coasters on flat pads or flat ground.


I agree with this statement entirely.

What I was saying was that Tatsu could have done a better job with the terrain then they did. I realize if you make it too much of a terrain coaster it isn't exactly a flyer anymore, but it still would be nice if they could have done something else to it. Even though all I've done is bark at Tatsu, I still find it a great ride.

[ArrowOwnzU]

I've never been on any of the S:UF's but I know that most people don't like it as much as Tatsu. Why did I bring this up? Because a lot of people think that S:UF spends too much time near the ground and doing turns than flying. Which is exactly the opposite of what Tatsu does. I definately think that Manta looks better than the S:UF's but wont hold a candle to Tatsu.

[DR27]

I realize if you make it too much of a terrain coaster it isn't exactly a flyer anymore . . .

This is what I said earlier. I know a flyer should be above ground. I was just saying they could have used a little more of the terrain in their design.

[theRock-steel]

After looking on youtube and Screamscape, this ride looks like it's going to kick Superman's but. If you know where to look, you will find that some are saying that there are going to be four inversions and two water dips. If you pair that with good drops and state-of-the-art themes, this ride should be good. Since I don't live far from SeaWorld Orlando, I think that I will keep my annual pass.

[rollercoasterfreak91]

Just wanted to point you guys to TPR's latest Manta update; the pretzel is done!
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=667025#667025

[Ziggmuff]

And for the non TPR fans Johnny Upside Down also posted photos today!

Just thought you might wanna see some more pics, this ride looks like its going to be hella fun! LOVE the drop after the pretzel directly into the in line twist, can't wait to see what that drop out of the twist is going to look like!

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta6.html

[eyeamthu1]

Looks awesome. That diagram of the layout makes it look a tad short, but other than that, I'm really looking forward to this ride. The new pics of the pretzel and subsequent turning drop - leading back up into the inline twist - are wicked. Looks like it's gonna be a fun ride :)

[RaptorOMGZ]

All I have to say is, how sick does that pretzel loop?! :)

[RollermanDan]

It's going to pull some massive G's, that's for sure. Drove by Sea World on Friday on my way to see the Space Shuttle launch. Looked good from what I was able to see!

[Senator Kinzel]

Am I the only one who noticed that the layout doesn't follow the diagram previously posted? :confused:

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta/sw292a.jpg

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta/sw370a.jpg


There is a Roll-over after the turnaround out of the Pretzel, which isn't on the first diagram (it just shows a transition from the banking).

It makes sense though, because the press release states four inversions, and this additional one would make the missing fourth inversion.

[Steve K]

^It doesn't label it, but if you follow the white line on the track, it indicates an inline in a way...

[Michael]

Like Steve said, if you look at the red line coming out of the loop you can see the yellow heartline wrapping around, indicating a heartline.

I have to say, this is a beautiful coaster.

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta/sw370a.jpg

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta/sw370a.jpg

[eyeamthu1]

Yeh... I don't see how the actual layout is different to the one on that diagram. Looks the same to me. They just haven't labelled the inline twist on the diagram.

[Senator Kinzel]

Like Steve said, if you look at the red line coming out of the loop you can see the yellow heartline wrapping around, indicating a heartline.

Are you looking at the same thing as I am?

The white line indicates the top side of track, the yellow represents the entire bottom side. In the Flat Spin and In-Line Spin you can see the yellow line trailing reverse of the white line, but there is no yellow line and label on the first In-Line Spin.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/7628/tatsu2zv8.jpg

It was probably never labeled and given a yellow line, just by accident. I thought it was worth pointing out since a lot of people probably didn't know there was going to be an inversion there.

[DR27]

The little white line indicates an inline/heatline roll.

Nevertheless it looks like a solid ride and looks like great fun.

[Ziggmuff]

Are you looking at the same thing as I am?

The white line indicates the top side of track, the yellow represents the entire bottom side. In the Flat Spin and In-Line Spin you can see the yellow line trailing reverse of the white line, but there is no yellow line and label on the first In-Line Spin.

It was probably never labeled and given a yellow line, just by accident. I thought it was worth pointing out since a lot of people probably didn't know there was going to be an inversion there.

I know exactly what you mean, it's not clear by looking at that diagram at all. By following that white line, it almost looks like an S turn; like the angle of the track changed banking, not indicating an inline twist.

Perfect evidence that members on coaster sites often avoid admitting they were wrong, lol.

I don't think hardly anybody knew before seeing that picture that it was going to be an inline twist, all I kept hearing was "I though there was supposed to be 4 inversions? Where's the 4th one?" Because nobody's bad mouthing this ride now like they were before.

I liked this ride before, and I didn't know there would be an inversion there (what a nice surprise). How they angled it with the direction of the turn out of the pretzel, and a sweet dive turn to the right after, it looks like it's going to be a much different ride experience that Tatsu, and probably crap loads of fun.

[Senator Kinzel]

I liked this ride before, and I didn't know there would be an inversion there (what a nice surprise).
Yeah, it made me slightly more interested in this ride, even if it's not much.

I found this r/c, which is pretty close (although not perfect)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wce9qro85pQ&fmt=6

[mitchellPAUL]

Doesn't the pretzel loop count as an inversion? I'm pretty sure it does, so that part with no label probably isn't an inversion.

[Gemini78]

The pretzel counts as one inversion, and there was only one other labeled inline twist. There is most definitely a second inline twist between the pretzel and the labeled inline twist, as evidenced by the pictures. That brings the count to 4 with the corkscrew later.

[DR27]

This ride just got a whole lot nicer. I think my earlier comment about it needing more should just be forgotton. This ride looks awesome now.

[Ziggmuff]

The progress that's being made on this ride is phenomenal. They could probably schedule an early March opening if they didn't have the tank and other theming to worry about.

Johnny's got new photos!

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta0.html

The flatspin is halfway done, and the top of the tank now has its concrete poured. Looks sweet!

[DR27]

Cool! It keeps getting better and better. What's not to like?

[chris]

The only thing that I do not like is the short layout. It should of been taller. And another zero-g-roll added. But this coaster is going to be amazing any way.

[Gemini78]

A third inline? No, if anything there should be a cobra roll. Would love to see a cobra on a flyer.

[chris]

The G-Forces will be really intense on it. If any element I think a large loop or an Immelman (either way).