SeaWorld Orlando: Pipeline roller coaster’s opening day approaches
Pipeline the Surf Coaster officially opens to the public at SeaWorld Orlando on Saturday. The ride has been available for the theme park’s annual passholders to preview for a couple of weeks.
The attraction has unusual ride vehicles that are shaped like surfboards but have no actual seats. SeaWorld officials refer to the required stance as a surfing position, although passers-by during previews have exclaimed “They’re standing up!”
Here are a few more things to know before you go catch Orlando’s newest thrill ride.
Getting started
An opening ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, and it will be available to folks in the park. Invited guests will include Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings as well as other elected officials, Visit Orlando CEO Cassandra Matej and SeaWorld Orlando president Jon Peterson. There will be a “Pipeline Day” proclamation, and the first official-official ride will be taken by professional surfers, SeaWorld says.
Word on the seat
When approaching the “seats,” step up onto the surfboard, move into position and put your head through the harness. Stand straight up and pull the contraption down to your shoulders. (There’s a video shown in the loading area, but people seem to be staring at the coaster instead.) Team members adjust and secure harnesses, which move up and down with the motion.
First ride: SeaWorld Orlando’s Pipeline roller coaster
So, there are no seats on Pipeline, but there are height restrictions. Riders must be at least 54 inches tall to ride. The maximum height is 78 inches.
In addition, SeaWorld has added signs noting that the coaster “may not accommodate guests with larger abdominal and chest sizes.” They suggest that concerned potential riders try the test seat near the entrance of the queue.
Where to stuff your stuff
There are paid lockers near the coaster’s exit. Users set their own codes. Pipeline has one inversion and several flip-flop maneuvers that could shake items loose or claim a hat and sunglasses. SeaWorld has installed propped-open coolers at the loading station for gear, though it also warns that it is not responsible for theft. That choice will depend on individuals’ faith in theme-park humanity.
Pipeline’s top speed is 60 mph, making it faster than sister coaster Manta (52 mph max) but not as rapid as neighboring Kraken (65 mph) or Mako (73 mph).
Waving around
As one would expect, there are very surfy conditions in the area, which is near the front of SeaWorld, clearly visible from the parking lot. Retro music enhances beach vibe. There’s no restaurant, although beer and water was sold near the coaster during previews.
Sunshine status
It could be very sunny in these parts. There is a lot of fresh landscaping in there, but I wouldn’t call them shade makers yet. There are a few concrete benches with umbrellas, and there’s a little bit of shade in the queue.
SeaWorld’s new Pipeline Surf Coaster: Cool ride for fans, smart move for SeaWorld
There’s potential for a thriving neighborhood beneath the coaster. That has been demonstrated with Halloween and holiday celebrations in the past. The entrance from the Bayside Stadium/Ice Breaker side has been opened up after being walled off for months. And just in time for the park’s Summer Spectacular event, which launches Saturday, complete with end-of-night fireworks.
Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
