SeaWorld’s new dive coaster hits two new milestones in major construction update

[SMAX]

Construction on Emperor – SeaWorld San Diego’s NEW dive coaster – the tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster in California – reached two significant and exciting milestones with the installation of the last section of track and the loading of the first ride vehicle onto the track. Each of the floorless trains holds 18 riders in three, six-person rows. This is the first seating configuration of its kind in North America.

When Emperor opens this summer, it will join Tidal Twister, Electric Eel and Manta as the park’s newest rollercoaster thrill-ride experience.

Named for the world’s largest penguin, Emperor will be tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster in California, as well as the only floorless dive coaster in the state. Climbing to 153 feet with feet dangling in the air, riders on Emperor will be suspended on a 45-degree angle at the crown of the ride before plunging down a 143-foot facedown vertical drop, accelerating to more than 60 miles per hour.

This exciting attraction will also highlight an important new animal conservation partnership between SeaWorld and Penguins International, an organisation dedicated to penguin conservation and research, which will focus on penguin awareness and the conservation needs of this special aquatic bird. The partnership will include collaboration on educational elements that will be integrated into the attraction experience to educate guests on everything from penguin behaviour and the effects of climate change on their habitats, to the work that SeaWorld and Penguins International are doing to help the species.

The partnership with SeaWorld will help advance Penguin International’s conservation programs at several high-priority sites and their public awareness campaigns. A portion of the proceeds from sales of penguin merchandise at the Emperor retail store will also be donated to Penguins International to support their important conservation, education and research efforts.

Emperor is being built by Bolliger & Mabillard, based in Switzerland.