SeaWorld San Antonio Teases New Wave Breaker Rescue Coaster
SeaWorld San Antonio is looking to boost profits and attendance following years of public blackfish backlash. SeaWorld Entertainment plans to open a new $18 million attraction called Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster at its San Antonio Park for 2017.
Where is this rumor/leak coming from? Lets roll through a quick timeline of events.
Back in November of 2015, SeaWorld announced plans to create rides based on the Saturday morning TV show “Sea Rescue” at their Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio locations during a conference call with investors. For those that don’t know, “Sea Rescue” is an Emmy-nominated TV show aimed for kids that highlights animal rescue efforts made by SeaWorld Rescue Teams and partner organizations.
It was said that SeaWorld already has plans develop at least two of those rides inspired by its “Sea Rescue” television show, including a roller coaster at SeaWorld San Antonio and a dark ride at SeaWorld San Diego. The concept art for the San Antonio coaster showed trains that resemble personal watercraft zooming over a pathway.
The San Diego dark ride concept art showed guests riding in trucks and on personal watercraft while traveling through underwater habitats.
Then, in April of 2016, SeaWorld San Antonio released a 20-second promotional video featuring footage of SeaWorld employees jetting across bodies of water on personal watercrafts and handling dolphins, turtles, and other animals.
“Race into action with a new generation of heroes. We need you,” text superimposed over images of roller coaster tracks reads. The video adds that “a new thrill” is coming in 2017. Specific details of the new attraction are scarce but the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation records show construction on the project will cost an estimated $18 million and wrap up by June 1 2017, just in time for the park’s summer season.
In June 2016, SeaWorld filed a trademark for the name “Wave Breaker The Rescue Coaster“, which we believe will be the name used for the San Antonio ride.
Other than the trademark name and the original concept art almost a year ago, no details have been officially announced about the the ride. Based on the trademarked name and art photos alone, we are guessing the ride vehicles will be similar to the Jet Rescue coaster vehicles that debuted at SeaWorld Austrailia in 2008. (not related to the American SeaWorld Parks chain).
Since these types of coasters are usually built low to the ground soaring close to landscaping, we expect the new coaster to be launched, soaring over or through some themed water features.
President and Chief Executive Officer Joel Manby mentioned to investors in November that the company planned to spend more money on rides as SeaWorld scales back its mammal shows. The mammal shows have declined in popularity following the 2013 release of the documentary film “Blackfish”, which criticized the company’s treatment of killer whales. SeaWorld Orlando attendance has increased over the summer since the debut of MAKO, Florida’s tallest and fastest roller coaster.
As with all projects, until the SeaWorld makes an official announcement, this is still only a rumor… As soon as we hear official details about these projects, we’ll be sure to post updates via our social media. If you aren’t already, follow along now!
For tickets and more information about SeaWorld San Antonio, visit their official site by clicking here.
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