Tidal Twister, SeaWorld’s latest roller coaster, will debut May 24, in time for the park’s crucial summer season, the San Diego park announced last week.
Billed by SeaWorld as the first coaster of its kind in the world, Tidal Twister features a nearly 300-foot-long single-rail figure-eight track, elevated 16 feet off the ground. Designed as a horizontal ride, the coaster’s 16-passenger trains will reach speeds of up to 30 mph. By comparison, the Electric Eel coaster, which made its debut last year, has a top speed of 62 mph.
While not a speedy ride, Tidal Twister will still thrill its passengers with a 360-degree inversion that will occur when the two trains, which load at opposite ends of the figure eight, meet up and cross paths. At that point, the car on the lower track will invert. Because there is a lower-height requirement of 48 inches, the ride will still be suitable for younger ages.
Construction of the ride remains on schedule, SeaWorld spokesman Dave Koontz said. The park had always planned to have the attraction open by the end of May, he said. Just last month, workers loaded three of the cars and manually pulled them around the track. Workers will next focus on the operating equipment, including the motors that power the trains around the track.
