Gyro Tower

A visit to California’s Great America

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California’s Great America

A visit to California’s Great America was the main reason for coming to California in the first place. The park opened by Marriott in 1976 is one the great American theme parks constructed in the 70s. For the first years of operation, the park offered the same line-up as its sister park in Gurnee, Illinois (nowadays known as Six Flags Great America). In 1985, Marriott sold the park to the City of Santa Clara with Kings Entertainment to operate the park. Four years later, the city sold the park to Kings Entertainment. In 1993, the group was purchased by Paramount and in 2006 by Cedar Fair.

Carousel Columbia

From opening day, the Carousel Columbia is the icon of the park. This double-decker carousel sits majestic at the end of a large pool featuring all kinds of water fountains. It is the first ride guests see when entering the park.

Gold Stiker

The GCI wooden coaster Gold Striker is probably the most popular ride at California’s Great America, due to its location right next to the park’s entrance. Gold Striker’s first drop gives the Star Observation Tower a very nice backdrop.

Like many GCI, the ride starts with a small pre-lift section. With best views onto the observation tower, we then climb the lift hill. When approaching the top of the lift, we then enter a tunnel and shortly thereafter, we take the first drop. After a righthand curve close to the ground, we race over a small bunny hill right next to the station. Following a large incline, we now race through a large left-hand turn consisting of multiple hills. After changing direction, we race over a series of small airtime hills. An inclined left-hand turn then leads us into a series of close to the ground turns before reaching the brake section of the ride.

So far, Gold Striker is probably my least favorite GCI wooden coaster. Albeit the ride maintains its velocity until the end, the ride lacks a bit the airtime and out of control sensation many GCI wooden coasters are known for. Furthermore, it did not run smooth on my day of visit. To be fair, I could only ride it once, so my perception might have changed when experiencing the ride more often.

Patriot

When filming Berverly Hills Cop III, the Vortex was Paramount’s Great America’s newest roller coaster and hence can be seen a few times within the movie. In 2017, the ride received new trains, transforming the old Stand-Up coaster into a floorless Sit-Down coaster. 

After leaving the station in a lefthand turn, we immediately reach the ride’s lift hill. Once at the top, we plunge down the first drop in a steep curve and into a vertical loop. This is followed by a horseshoe turn around. After a short bend to the right, we take a helix travelling through the loop. Back on the ground, we then take another bend to the right, diving into a corkscrew immediately after. A turn to the right then leads us into the final incline. After a short straight section, we then hit the brakes.

Albeit being the second oldest B&M coaster, Patriot still feels great. I just wish, I could have experienced the ride in its old configuration, as I truly enjoy Stand-Up coasters, yet I don’t mind the fun floorless coaster it currently is.

Whitewater Falls

The Shoot the Chute Whitewater Falls is the large water ride in the front section of the park. The ride made to soak every rider features a nice double drop descent. Interestingly, after my turn, the ride broke down for the day.

Berserker

California’s Great America has a surprisingly large collection of flat rides made by the German company Schwarzkopf. The very nice looking Berserler is one of them. Unfortunately, the ride was down on my visit to the park.

Railblazer

Railblazer is the second installation of a Raptor Track coaster by RMC: a roller coaster which due to its Monorail-esque track design, allows for very tight and compact elements. Of course, the narrow track doesn’t come without downsides, as the seating arrangement within the cars is not optimal for a great throughput.

After boarding the vehicle, the ride starts with a very fast climb to the top of the lift hill. Once we reached the top, the train descents a small drop and moves through a curve. We now hit a small hill after which the vertical drop of the ride awaits us. As the top of the hill is very tight, we are immediately thrown out of our seats and experience an amazing airtime filled drop shortly after. Faster than we could possibly imagine, we already hit the next valley and make our way towards the top of the Dive Loop. A second later we twist ourselves sideways in a large camelback. Another second later, we initiate a curvy incline leading into the second airtime filled drop. This is followed by a Cutback element and a classic Corkscrew. After another curve we already slam into the brakes and the 50s long journey of endless insanity comes to an end.

Railblazer is absolutely awesome and together with Wonder Woman: Golden Lasso Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas is the best RMC roller coaster I’ve ridden so far. You simply cannot describe the insanity of the layout – you have to experience it. It is just awesome.

Demon

The Demon is the classic roller coaster of California’s Great America. Born as Turn of the century, the ride first featured a set of camelbacks which later got replaced by the vertical loops.

The ride starts by entering a dark tunnel. After a short bend, the lift hill is reached. Once at the top, we soon enter a long bend to the left, before taking the big drop. After hitting the ground, we directly hit the vertical loops one after the other, only slightly interrupted by a short straight section. After this breathtaking sensation, we then race through a very funky tunnel featuring some very awesome old-school light effects. Soon after, we take a gentle incline, race through a braking section and initiate our return to the station. A short drop into a rather demonic rock formation is followed by the two iconic corkscrew inversions directing us into the ride’s final helix. Shortly thereafter, we reach the brakes and our great ride comes to an end.

Grizzly

The Grizzly is the park’s large scale wooden roller coaster. The ride based on Coney Island’s Wildcat design starts its journey with a curve leading towards the lift hill. Once at the top, we directly take the big drop of the ride. Interestingly, the valley is slightly bended, leaving us with a rather odd sensation when racing through. After a incline, we take a wide turning curve. After the second drop, we take a very gentle hill with a slight bend to the left. This is followed by another elevated turning curve featuring a ramped entry and exit. After a curve close to the ground, we initiate the second lap through the layout by going parallel to the already experienced track for a while. After the valley following the large turning curve, we then climb into the brake section of the ride.

Pacific Gliders and Drop Tower

Even though California’s Great America is closing in a few years, the park is still adding a few rides here and there. With the addition of the Pacific Gliders flat ride this year, the whole section of the park got a small make-over and even the old Intamin Drop Tower shines in a new light. The ride on the drop tower is a delight, even though not all gondolas were available during my visit.

Psycho Mouse

One of the rarest roller coaster models is Arrow’s Psycho Mouse. Born during the big popularity boom of the modern Steel Wild Mouse roller coasters in the 90s, this Arrow creation sure takes some adventurous new routes. While the first half of the ride does not differentiate too much from its German role model, it’s the part after the hairpin bends which characterises this model.  After the sloped curve, we directly take the large drop of the ride. Then, after passing through a brake section, we take a slightly inclined curve to the right which directs us into a medium sized drop. Another brake section is followed by a curve and two back-to-back drops. Last but not least, our return to the station in initiated by two inclined curves with a straight middle section in between. Soon after, we hit the brakes and our great ride comes to an end.

Centrifuge

The second classic Schwarzkopf ride on our tour through the park is the Centrifuge. Interestingly, the ride is one of the last remaining Calypso rides by the German manufacturer and hence a ride everyone should enjoy on his visit to the theme park.

Woodstock Express

I normally don’t struggle to get into a roller coaster, yet the belts on the Woodstock Express were extremely tight. The small family roller coaster is one of the oldest rides to be manufactured by Intamin and features very gentle slopes and a helix.

Planet Snoopy

I always enjoy the large Snoopy areas in the Cedar Fair parks, as they always provide a good amount of rides for the whole family. At California’s Great America, the most noticeable among them are the HUSS Break Dance Peanuts Pirates, the children’s roller coaster Lucy’s Crabbie Cabbies and the seesaw Gr8 Sk8 – a ride which many people might have experienced as X-Scream at a height of 264 m on top of the Statosphere Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Delirium

The swing ride Delirium is right next to the entrance to the water park South Bay Shores – which was already closed for the season. The ride on the Chance Rides Fireball offers a great and intense cycle.

Orbit

Next to the Rip Roaring Rapids – a Rapids Ride by Intamin, which was not in Operation during my visit –, you can find the Orbit. This treasure of a flat ride, is one of the last Schwarzkopf Enterprise rides left in operation and therefore an absolute must-do ride for every enthusiast.

Flight Deck

Flight Deck, originally known as Top Gun, is the park’s medium sized Inverted Coaster. After climbing the lift hill, the ride directly guides us into the vertical loop after a steep curve to the left. After experiencing a lot of pressure, we then gain some altitude in a very tight helix. After another drop, we then fly over the entrance area of a nearby theatre in a nice Zero-G Roll. We then turn left, race through an elevated bend and take a drop into the ride’s final inversion – a very powerful corkscrew. After being whipped to the side, we then experience a very tight helix over a lake, whereupon we take a curve into the brakes and our very powerful rides soon comes to a stop.    

Pictures California’s Great America

Conclusion California’s Great America

My visit to California’s Great America was a delight. It was the last park on my trip through California and I truly enjoyed the park, as it has a very nice family-friendly atmosphere. The park still feels like one of the Great American theme parks built in the 70s and has a great line-up of rides on offer. It’s sad to see it gone in a few years of time; especially since its only competitor is a rather underwhelming Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.  

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California Adventure Day 21 / California's Great America

Having a sugar rush at Hersheypark

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Hersheypark

Even if you don’t feel like visiting the amusement park, you can still have a lot of fun at Hersheypark. In addition to the Hersheypark Stadium and the Hersheypark Arena, where numerous sporting events and concerts take place, there is also a large souvenir shop, The Chocolatier restaurant and Hershey’s Chocolate World. 

Hershey’s Chocolate World

There is a lot to experience at Hershey’s Chocolate World and you can learn a lot about the production of the famous chocolate. The highlight of the exhibition is the Hershey’s Chocolate Tour dark ride, which you can experience for free. At the end of the informative and entertaining ride, there is even a small tasting.

Candymonium

Since 2020, the Candymonium hyper coaster has dominated the entrance area of the theme park, which has been relocated to form a large entrance plaza starting from Hershey’s Chocolate World, where visitors gather in long queues early in the morning.

After entering the park, you can turn directly into the old Main Street or immediately turn right, where the entrance to the B&M Candymonium rollercoaster is located.

After leaving the lift hill behind us, we immediately plunge into the depths. After a rapid descent, we head straight into a classic camelback, which we fly over. Now we smoothly change direction in a horseshoe turn. Two airtime hills are followed by an intense upward helix. In a short left-hand bend, we then descend the next drop, whereupon another airtime hill awaits us. Now we ride once in a helix around a fountain. After a short ascent and a small dip, we reach the brakes of the ride.

Candymonium is one of the best B&M Hyper Coasters I’ve had the pleasure of testing so far. The ride has a great layout with lots of speed and plenty of airtime. As the braking sections only come towards the end of the ride, you fly through the many elements without interruption. A great ride!

Comet

The Comet wooden roller coaster is a real classic at Hersheypark. Since 1946, the 84ft high wooden roller coaster has been captivating riders with its classic out-and-back layout and the slightly out-of-control ride between the Sooper Dooper Looper and the Skyrush roller coaster. The track runs through an L-shaped layout with numerous camelbacks, all of which lift you slightly out of your seat.

Skyrush

At a height of 200 feet, Skyrush dominates the front of the park. The very slender supporting structure does the rest. Most of the ride is very close to the ground, which makes for a very fast ride.

The ride on Skyrush starts with a very fast cable lift. After a few seconds we reach the top of the lift hill and plunge into the depths. In the bottom third of the first descent we take a right turn. We then cross the water basin below us in a large camelback. After a wide left turn we enter another airtime hill. Now we go full throttle through a right turn and a Stengel Dive. After a short left-hander, the track continues into a right-hander and then through a valley. After a nice change of direction, we ride over another airtime hill. Finally we enter a left turn and shortly after the final brake of the coaster.

The Skyrush coaster is just perfect. The ride is high, incredibly fast and mercilessly intense. The bars used are a bit tight, but not as bad as some fans have described. All in all, a great ride.

Sooper Dooper Looper

The Sooper Dooper Looper is the second looping coaster from German manufacturer Schwarzkopf.  It opened just one year after the Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

As soon as we take our seats in the new Gerstlauer trains, the ride can begin. After the ride up the lift hill, we immediately enter a left turn and the first descent. This leads us into the vertical loop of the ride. A wide left turn then takes us through the middle of the loop. After a change of direction, the track leads us through a long tunnel, where almost every rider starts to scream. Parallel to Spring Creek, we then ride a little over hill and dale. Finally, a helix awaits us just before the final brake.

The Sooper Dooper Looper is a great coaster with a fantastic name. After the nerve-wracking highlight at the beginning of the ride, we are treated to a very nice but also extremely leisurely ride.

Coal Cracker

Coal Cracker is the large Arrow Hydro Flume here at Hersheypark. The ride not only gets you wet, but also offers a great view of the tangled tracks of the Sooper Dooper Looper and the Great Bear rollercoaster. Unfortunately, the Coal Cracker was not in operation when I visited.

Great Bear

On the same hill as the Sooper Dooper Looper and the Coal Cracker, there is also a large section of the Great Bear rollercoaster track.

The ride on the B&M Inverted Coaster starts directly at the lift hill of the roller coaster. However, instead of starting directly into the big drop, you first enter a helix. The actual first drop then follows in a steep right-hand bend. With plenty of momentum, the ride goes through the first valley and into the roller coaster’s large loop. We then change direction in an equally large Immelmann. Now it’s straight into the Zero-G Roll, which takes us in the direction of Spring Creek. Parallel to the river, the path now leads us into a corkscrew. Interestingly, no supports are allowed to protrude into the creek, which leads to some pretty cool near-miss elements. After a few bends, we reach the braking section of the ride.

The Great Bear is a really cool inverted coaster. The ride is really fun, which is mainly due to the rather unusual layout.  The only pity is that the walk from the exit to the entrance is quite strenuous, which unfortunately makes the ride unsuitable for continuous riding.

Twin Turnpike Speedway and Kissing Tower

At the top of the hill, next to the Twin Turnpike Speedway vintage car racing circuit, is the Kissing Tower. The windows of this observation tower are designed to resemble the famous Hershey Kisses.

ZooAmerica

Further down the slope is the entrance to ZooAmerica, which is also included in the entrance fee. Here you can mainly see native animal species. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit the zoo during my visit.

Reese’s Cupfusion

Reese’s Cupfusion is one of the most popular attractions at Hersheypark. On this interactive dark ride, you act as an agent and shoot a bunch of evil sweets to protect the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups factory. A fun ride for the whole family.

Cocoa Cruiser

The Cocoa Cruiser is the smallest family roller coaster in Hersheypark. In addition to a sweeping first drop, the ride also offers a helix and another right-hand bend.

Hershey Triple Tower

One of the most interesting attractions in Hersheypark is the Hershey Triple Tower, which is reminiscent of the towers of the neighbouring factory. The conglomerate of three free-fall towers from the manufacturer S&S promises three different experiences, whereby the size of the individual towers is not at the expense of intensity. The smallest of them, the Hershey’s Kisses Tower, is a double shot tower where you are not only shot upwards but also downwards with brutal airtime.

Trailblazer

Unfortunately, the Arrow Mine Train Trailblazer was closed when I visited. Making perfect use of the terrain, the ride promises a fast-paced adventure for the whole family.

Jolly Rancher Remix

The remodelling work on the Vekoma Boomerang was still in full swing when I visited. The ride now has a candy theme and is called Jolly Rancher Remix. The new Zamperla NebulaZ ride Mix’d Flavoured by Jolly Rancher had also not yet opened.

Storm Runner

Ever since I first played Roller Coaster Tycoon 3, I’ve been fascinated by the Storm Runner roller coaster. The accelerator coaster from Intamin has a very imaginative layout and some inversions that have never been seen before. When I signed up to the gaming forums, I named my nickname after this rollercoaster. I even thought about doing a Stormrunn3r meets Storm Runner tour one day. After all these years, I finally made it to Hersheypark and luckily Storm Runner ran smoothly today.

The ride on Storm Runner starts with the entrance to the launch area. After a countdown, we shoot up a top hat and turn 90° to the side. Just above the apex, we immediately go back down vertically. After a powerful descent, we enter the Cobra Loop, after which we change direction – similar to a sidewinder. Following a climb, we enter the Hearline Roll and then the Flying Snake Dive. The combination of these two elements is simply breathtaking. Once back in the valley, the ride takes several bends back to the station. Once at the top, we immediately enter the braking section of the rollercoaster.

What a rollercoaster. The launch, the top hat and the roll with the subsequent flying snake dive – everything is just right on this coaster. Only the ascent back to the station is a little rougher on Storm Runner, but still very pleasant thanks to the soft straps used in the restraint systems. What a great ride!

Frontier Flyers, Pirat and The Claw

Also in this part of the theme park are the Flying Scooters Frontier Flyers, the HUSS swing ride Pirat and the Chance Rides Fireball The Claw, all of which offer a great ride.

Fahrenheit

97 degrees and getting hotter. There are few other roller coasters where the angle of inclination of the first drop matches the temperature as well as the Fahrenheit, assuming you visit the park in high season.

After the vertical lift, we immediately hit the steep drop. We ride through the first valley and then up the Norwegian Loop. At the top of the hill we first turn overhead in a roll and then plunge down half a loop before experiencing the element in reverse order. Back at lofty heights, we plunge into the next drop. Now the ride’s big cobra roll awaits, spinning us through the air like crazy. A short straight then leads us into the rollercoaster’s two corkscrews. After a steep turn we cross an airtime hill into a left turn close to the ground. This leads us into the braking section of the ride.

As an Intamin fan, it is really difficult to choose a favourite roller coaster at Hersheypark, as all of the coasters at the park are definitely among the best of their kind. However, of the three coasters, Fahrenheit is my favourite. What a great ride!

The Boardwalk and Tidal Force

There are some pretty cool water slides at The Boardwalk water park. Unfortunately, the park was not yet open for the season, which also applied to the big water ride Tidal Force. This Shoot the Chute by O.D. Hopkins creates a huge wave. A net designed to break the wave, which is attached above the ride’s runout, floods all passengers with water. Great fun, at least if you ride the ride in swimwear!

Wildcat

The Wildcat roller coaster is the first wooden roller coaster from the manufacturer GCI. The layout of the ride is very winding and has some interesting curves.

The ride on the Wildcat begins with a right-hand bend, after which you enter the ride’s lift. Once at the top, the ride immediately descends steeply in a right-hand bend. After an incline, we ride through a left-hand bend at a lofty height before approaching the ground again in a steep bend. The path now leads us over a camelback. At the next crest, we turn into a steeply descending right-hand bend. After a short climb, we change direction and plunge into the depths once more. A wide bend then takes us over another airtime hill. After another left-hand bend, we take a right-hand bend that leads us first into a valley and then up a hill. Finally, after a short dip, we reach the ride’s final brake.

The Wildcat wooden roller coaster is a really good ride. The layout of GCI’s first ride is excellent and offers some daredevil turns and great airtime moments. Unfortunately, only one train was running on the day of my visit, which, combined with the long ride, led to long waiting times.

Wild Mouse

One of the big family rollercoasters at Hersheypark is the Wild Mouse. Throughout the day, this usually had a waiting time of around 40 minutes. However, as I joined the queue, it started to rain lightly, which is why the ride was closed indefinitely. Although I could have continued to wait here, I decided not to take a ride.

Laff Track

More than at any other park, it is worth starting the day at the back of Hersheypark at The Boardwalk water park, as there are two compact and popular roller coasters here, both of which unfortunately have a rather low capacity. While the waiting time of 40 minutes for Wild Mouse was still reasonably acceptable, the indoor roller coaster Laff Track had us standing around for hours before we could even get to the ride.

As always, it’s worth getting on the SC2000 backwards so that you can experience the first drop backwards before the turning function is activated after a climb and a short curve. The subsequent hairpin bend gets the car rotating like crazy, so that the Immelmann Turn is usually experienced looking up or down. The following section consists mainly of smaller bends and a fun straight with lots of twists and turns before the grand finale down a helix. All in all, a really great roller coaster that offers a superb atmosphere thanks to the many very impressive black light effects.

Whip, Music Express and Ferris Wheel

In addition to the Lightning Racer and Wildcat wooden roller coasters, this area also houses the theme park’s large Ferris wheel and the two flat rides The Whip and Music Express.

Lightning Racer

The Lightning Racer wooden coaster is one of GCI’s most exciting projects. Here two trains duel in a wild race through a very winding track.

The ride on Thunder and Lightning starts with a twisting ride to the two lift hills, which run parallel but not at the same height. Once at the top, both trains go down in a steep turn. The tracks now run largely parallel over a hill and then over a bunny hop. The two tracks then separate and both Thunder and Lightning enter a turn. Both tracks now enter a tunnel next to each other, in which there is another speed bump. After a left hand bend close to the ground, the track leads over another speed bump directly into a right hand bend. The two tracks separate again on the next hill. Thunder now enters a clockwise helix, while Lightning goes counter-clockwise.  Both tracks then run over several intertwined hills. As Thunder enters a right-hand turn, Lightning comes up to him again. After another hill, the two lanes run parallel towards the home straight. Shortly after that we reach the braking section of the coaster.

Lightning Racer is a unique double wooden roller coaster. Not only is it one of the few racing coasters available today, it also has a very varied layout that keeps you guessing until the very end. In short, Lightning Racer is a world class roller coaster.

Pictures Hersheypark

Conclusion Hersheypark

I really enjoyed my visit to Hersheypark. The park has a really nice atmosphere and almost all the attractions are really good, including three of intamin’s best roller coasters. There are also three world-class wooden roller coasters and a simply brilliant B&M Hyper and Inverted Coaster. If I’d had a bit more time, I would have liked to stay another day. I will definitely be back.

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Hersheypark / The Stumbled Runner Day 9

Christmas at SeaWorld

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SeaWorld Orlando

Sometimes a visit to an amusement park starts with a bit of a bummer. In my case, the reopening of the Manta flying coaster was scheduled within a few days after an extensive overhaul and the Kraken floorless coaster was due to close on that very day. As I had already experienced a copy of Manta at Nagashima Spa Land, I was keen to try Kraken. In the end, Kraken didn’t open on the day of my visit and so I missed out on two of SeaWorld Orlando’s major attractions at the same time.

Manta

The ride on Manta starts with the ride’s lift, which takes the riders up to a height of 43m. Once at the top, the train plunges into a steep curve to the right. In a wide radius the train then floats through the valley and immediately climb a hill, which turns out to be the starting position for the Pretzel Loop. Without mercy it then plunges down and send its riders overhead for a short time and before doing the same in reverse order. Once again at high altitude, a left turn follows. Before the riders know it, they are spun around their own axis in an inline twist and hurtling towards the ground in a right turn. In a corkscrew the train then crosses the Pretzel Loop once more to reach the middle block section.

In a right-hand bend, accompanied by synchronised water fountains, the train then goes across a lake. Similar to a Bavarian curve, hill follows dale and at the end of the curve there is even another inline twist waiting for the passengers. Still in this great flow, it then goes in a left turn, which unfortunately leads the riders straight into the final brake.

Dolphin Adventures

The Dolphin Adventures presentation at SeaWorld Orlando was a delight. The show was visually impressive, but also had a very high educational character. It was probably the most beloved show on my day of visit, taking me quite a few trials before I could finally see the presentation.

Manatee & Turtle Rescue, SeaWorld Coral Rescue

SeaWorld Orlando is home to a large Manatee Rehabilitation Area adjacent to five-acre Rescue Center used for rehabilitating wildlife that has been ill, injured or orphaned – including manatees, sea turtles, birds and other marine animals. It is a very quiet and interesting area of the park, where you can easily spend a few hours, if interested.

Journey to Atlantis

Journey to Atlantis is the first water coaster by Mack Rides. It is a very elaborate themed ride featuring a large indoor section before the ride’s first lift hill. Once outdoors, the music changes dramatically. Once at the top, we take a short bend before going down a large straight drop, which barely soaks us. After a turn, there is a small lift serving as a block section of the ride, after which we experience a tiny chute, which – due to the rock works and a very mean S-Bend – completely drenches the front row. We then climb another lift hill back into the ride’s main building. Here, we go through another well themed dark ride section before we suddenly rush down a steep bend. Within a nice flow, we then change the direction of travel, take a short ascent, and then plunge down into the water once more. The middle-sized drop sure does not disappoint and gets the remaining passengers well moistened.

When exiting the ride, the paths lead directly into the Jewel of Sea Aquarium – a nice gem to an overall nice water ride.

Kraken

As I mentioned earlier, I did not have the chance to ride Kraken. This coaster is one of the first B&M floorless coasters to open and features one of the finest layouts to be found on any B&M looping coaster. After the first drop, guests experience a total of seven intense inversions starting off with a loop, a dive loop, a Zero-G roll and a Cobra Roll before hitting the elevated block brake section. After that, another loop and a corkscrew follow.

Antartica: Empire of the Penguin

SeaWorld Orlando used to be home to the very short-lived dark ride Antartica Empire of the Penguin. It was a trackless ride in a cool chamber with some screens and a few light effects for storytelling. The exit of the ride led directly to the penguin enclosures which you can still experience today. In 2024, the old show building will be the home base of the Penguin Trek roller coaster.

Sky Tower

SeaWorld is home to a very elaborate themed observation tower. Unfortunately, as it is with many of the SeaWorld parks and resorts, Observation rides like the Sky Tower are not included in the park’s admission, which is a pity.

Seaport Theater

Right next to the Sky Tower is the Seaport Theater, where they showed the Sesame Street Christmas Special Elmo’s Christmas Wish. This musical show is quite fun to watch, especially if you have younger children with you.

Pacific Point Preserve and the Sea Lion & Otter Spotlight

Located at a very calm corner of the park is the Pacific Point Preserve, home to Californian sea lions and harbor seals. Here you can easily waste some time observing the animals, before heading over to the Sea Lion & Otter Spotlight presentation. Although the show mainly consists of cheap jokes, it is a real treat and a must-do when visiting the park.

Shark Encounter

Right next to the park’s central lake, where you can rent flamingo shaped paddle boats, there is the entrance to Shark Encounter. The animal experience is home to very large aquariums and displays. The main attraction is a large underwater tunnel through the shark tank.

Mako

Apart of the final turns, you don’t see much of the park’s B&M hyper coaster Mako. Immediately after we left the station and went through a small turn, we are climbing the lift hill up to a height of 61 m. Once we reach the top, we are already descending toward the ground. With a speed of 117 km/h, we then take the first hill, guiding us along the boarder of the lake in a heavily inclined curve. This is followed by a very fine airtime hill after which we immediately change direction in an elevated turn. A series of airtime hills parallel to the already experienced path joins in, before hitting a block section right next to the lift hill. We then dive under the lift hill and hit another airtime hill right next to the station. A heavily inclined turn then leads us to the final turns on the park’s central lake, which we saw when entering the ride. Soon after, we hit the brakes and our very fine and highly repeatable roller coaster journey on Mako comes to an end.

Nautilus Theater

During my visit to SeaWorld Orlando, I had the opportunity to experience a concert of O-Town Motown featured in the Sounds of the Season performance series in the Nautilus Theater. The show was very entertaining.

Infinity Falls

One of the most exciting water rides at SeaWorld Orlando is Infinity Falls. This big rapids ride from Intamin begins with a very fast and furious rapids section before reaching the lift hill over which the final descent of the ride takes us. Another section of rapids follows on the top level, taking us to the ride’s elevator. As soon as the boat enters the lift, the tension rises in proportion to the increase in height. Finally, we leave the lift and shoot down the slide. Well soaked, we then take the last bend towards the station.

Sesame Street Land

The Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando is probably the largest Sesame Street area outside of the Sesame Street theme parks. While the recreation of modern Sesame Street with its interactive play and photo possibilities certainly has a certain aesthetic for American kids, this area falls short in terms of rides, especially compared to Port Aventura’s Sesamo Avontura with its awesome dark ride Sesame Street: Street Mission.

Super Grover’s Box Car Derby

The biggest ride it the Sesame Street Land is Super Grover’s Box Car Derby. It is the only Force Three Coaster by Zierer and hence a rather impressive family coaster. After climbing the lift hill, the ride goes down a steep curve to the left. Passing the lift hill, we then take a long turn along the ride’s station. Back to the ground, we then take a fast left turn over hill and dale before we hit the brakes and our ride soon comes to an end.

Orca Encounter

Since a few years, the focus of the large Orca shows at SeaWorld shifted more towards edutainment. As a result, they are now more of an opportunity to see an orca in action than pure entertainment. Of course, the Orcas still splash you, when sitting in the soak zone, but that’s more or less it. The Orca Encounter still is an worthwhile experience if you keep your expectations low. 

Wild Arctic

Wild Arctic used to be home of an old-style flight simulator, which like Antartica: Empire of the Penguins served as a preshow to the animal enclosure you would experience immediately after. This area is home to beluga whales and walruses and is overall very well themed and worthwhile.  

Ice Breaker

While the Ice Breaker roller coaster was still in construction, no shows were shown in the Bayside Stadium. The Premier Rides roller coaster with the world’s only quadruple launch features a nice launch section with double-up elements on both ends. The train then goes over a top hat and into a curvy low to the ground section offering a bunch of rapid transitions, a few airtime hills and a remarkable turnaround.

Pictures SeaWorld Orlando

Conclusion SeaWorld Orlando

Albeit I did not experience the park to its fullest potential, I had a very good time at SeaWorld Orlando. With soon to be five more roller coasters for me to experience, I’m pretty sure to come back sooner then later.

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SeaWorld Orlando