Manta Ray ride soars on it's first flight!

Thursday 19th March 2009:
Sea World Orlando today announced the successful first test flight of the Manta Ray thrill ride set to open on May 22nd 2009. The promotional teaser video (above) was released at the end of last year - but you can now watch a video taken of the first "flight" filmed on March 19th here in Orlando - by clicking on this link.

Inspired by the underwater flight of these powerful creatures, guests will fly face-down in a horizontal position, underneath the belly of a coaster train shaped as a giant manta-ray. With a wing span of 12 feet, the giant manta will soar over sea and sky in the most graceful flying coaster ever created.

Gliding, swooping and diving up to nearly 60mph through four inversions on 3,359 feet of track, riders will feel as if they are a ray, taking flight effortlessly from sky to sea - so close at times that the Manta's wings skim the surface of the waves!