SeaWorld parks reveal ride cars, details for 2020 attractions at IAAPA 2019
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment showcased new ride car designs and details of many of their upcoming attractions today at the 2019 IAAPA Attractions Expo, the industry’s trade show and conference in Orlando.
SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Antonio, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg all revealed the lead coaster car designs and details on their new attractions, while SeaWorld San Diego announced the name of its 2020 coaster, Emperor.
SeaWorld Orlando
Opening in spring 2020, riders will shiver as they speed along on SeaWorld Orlando’s first launch coaster, Ice Breaker. Named after the Arctic summits, Ice Breaker will have four launches, both backward and forward, leading to a reverse launch into the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida – a 93-foot tall spike at a 100-degree angle.
This coaster will be located near the Wild Arctic attraction, and its conservation partner will be the Alaska SeaLife Center.
SeaWorld San Antonio
Texas Stingray, the tallest, fastest and longest wooden coaster in Texas will open at SeaWorld San Antonio in spring 2020. This record-breaking coaster will have a top speed of 55 miles per hour, include a 100-foot drop and a sensory-bending 100-foot-long tunnel. Other features of this coaster include a 57-degree first drop and 76-degree high turns.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
A new legend will rise from the ashes of its predecessor in 2020 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with Iron Gwazi, North America’s tallest hybrid coaster and the fastest, steepest hybrid coaster in the world. Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC), the coaster will be 206 feet tall, feature a 91-degree drop, and reach a top speed of 76 miles per hour. As previously reported, elements of the former wooden coaster, Gwazi, will be integrated into the new hybrid.
The ride experience will include three inversions and 12 airtime moments as it travels along more than 4,075 feet of purple steel track. Iron Gwazi will also have a 48-inch height requirement.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg has announced that the fastest multi-launch coaster in the world is coming to their park in spring 2020: Pantheon. This coaster will feature four launches and have a top speed of 73 miles per hour.
Pantheon will be located in the park’s Festa Italia village, combining the power of five Roman gods in one display of strength, speed, and power. Riders will experience forward and backward launches, two inversions, and a 95-degree drop.
Check out our video coverage from the 2019 IAAPA Attractions Expo below:
