Joined: 11 Jun 2008
Posts: 2793
Location: The Big Apple
Let me start off with saying that this is the first time I have attempted a report like this and I think the best way to approach it is with my usual Trip Report format (albeit not as huge as you might expect - much to the relief of some of you I'm sure).
I also ask your forgiveness if the videos & photos are not quite up to my usual standards as I was video taping with my right hand while taking pictures at the same time with my left hand.
That being said, let's begin:
After a quick introduction to Busch Entertainment Corporation's Lucy Howell, PR Manager UK & Ireland and Nick Gollattscheck, Director of Marketing Communications, it was straight off to the construction site.
Everyone hustled through the gate…
…where we were given hard hats (as modeled by Lucy) and a safety briefing.
My first full glimpse of the coaster…
…and the aquarium that serves as the ride entrance.
There was a group of about 20 of us from various coaster websites, including RCDB, ACE & TPR.
We were then introduced to Gary Violetta, Curator of Fish at SeaWorld Orlando, and Brian Morrow, Director of Design & Engineering aka Design & Engineering Project Manager for Manta (pictured below).
After a brief comment by Gary about the animals in the aquarium (I posted a full interview at the end of this report) it was Brain’s turn to tell us all about the coaster entrance.
I only managed to take one picture over near the aquarium…
…before moving even closer to the coaster...
…where Brian explained more about the ride itself.
…we made our way back toward to site gate, where drinks & snacks were made available with a poster of the layout of the ride…
…and the new artwork.
(Sorry for the glass reflection)
(This was the best I could do)
After the short break we headed back out of the construction site (Nick was the last man out)…
…over to the observation tower.
Here we got a better look at the progress of the aquarium entrance…
…the lift & first drop…
…and the pretzel loop.
The construction site is massive…
…and completely dominates the skyline.
Next it was back over along the pathways, where there are more great views of the coaster (too bad there will be netting here),…
…to check out the view as you head up toward the Blue Horizons stadium…
…and some more Q&A with Brian…
On the way out of the park I even persuaded all three into taking a photo with me.
I managed to stop back by the park the following day on my way to the airport…
…to check out the progress they made overnight, since the construction site is active 24-7 (and has been since March).
It’s really amazing to see how fast the track goes up…
…in such a short period of time.
I would have liked to stay here all day…
…in order to see them attach more track…
…and make their way…
…through the eye of the needle.
I’ll finish this up with a scan of the layout so you can see all the details…
…and all the ride stats.
Joined: 19 Jun 2005
Posts: 11316
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Thats pretty wicked man, and you wear that hardhat pretty well if I do say so myself .
Whether the layout is good or not, I can still see this being fantastic with the fish and the theming and what not. Although, it's hard to believe it's opening next summer when it seems like they have made so much progress so far.
Good stuff though, Jerry.
Oh, also, if the construction site is open 24/7, they're still working at like, three in the morning and such?
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Joined: 26 Oct 2008
Posts: 1725
Location: Birmingham, England, UK
Great photos and a great insight. I haven't been able to watch the videos as I'm on a portable device but from what i've seen you got some superb pictures and really saw some amazing things. Hope you had fun and hope to see you do more, as from the pictures and text, this is brilliant.
I think Manta is going to be great. The overall experience, the coaster, everything.
Joined: 04 Apr 2005
Posts: 8282
Location: Hampshire, UK
I never actually released how immense Manta actually is, after reading about the aquarium and seeing all the artwork.
I'll get round to watching the videos at work tomorrow, but from that report, you can tell that they're not skimping on the trimmings. Although they do say don't judge a book by it's cover so hopefully it'll ride well too.
Joined: 11 Jun 2008
Posts: 2793
Location: The Big Apple
Thanks for all the compliments everyone!
I did not have the time to make transcripts of the videos, so viewing them is a must! Please take the time to do so as they are jammed packed with loads of fasinating information. If you do not have the time to view them all, I recommend watching the 2nd & 3rd ones for Brian's insight into the coaster itself & the last two for Gary's brilliant description of the wonderful aquarium entrance.
Please also post any questions you might have, as much more was discussed between Brian & myself (i.e. this is his first major coaster design) and Gary & I (we rode the observation tower together) in private. Gary was also quite open in discussing the purchase of Anheuser-Busch by Inbev.
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