![]() ![]() The California Coastal Commission is scheduled to review the project on Friday, and its staff has recommended approval. Today’s article in the Business Section of the U-T reports: Leave a comment below.The 30-foot high roller coaster will transport riders in a 20-car train designed to look like a giant manta ray. Which do you pick in the flying coaster showdown? Do you prefer Tatsu’s aerial maneuvers or Manta’s marine course. Read my full Tatsu at Six Flags Magic Mountain review. Read my full Manta at SeaWorld Orlando review. For the record, I rated them both as 9’s (Excellent) so you really can’t go wrong with either roller coaster. I thought this roller coaster showdown would be much closer, but I picked Manta in 3 out of the 4 categories. Besides, Manta’s loop is still pretty intense. It’s brief, but noticeable and it’s the reason why I prefer Manta in the front more than in the back. For me, airtime wins over intensity. This causes what may possibly be the World’s first moment of airtime on a flying roller coaster. But, Manta stands out by offering a surprising moment of airtime. Where other B&M flyers flatten out or gradually climb before entering this inside-downward loop, Manta makes a pretty sharp climb up into it. Meanwhile, Manta’s pretzel loop falls in between at 98′ tall in terms of size. In contrast, the pretzel loops found on the Superman – Ultimate Flight coasters (found at Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags Great America,& Six Flags Over Georgia,) is only 78′ tall. Tatsu’s pretzel loop is massive, as pretzel loops go, at 124′ tall. The g-forces on the bottom of the loop are very intense. The train dives until the riders backs are on the ground. During the pretzel loop the train dives into an upside down vertical loop. The dive to the water is unique and passing by the rock wall is awesome.Īs I wrote in my Tatsu review, Tatsu’s pretzel loop may be one of the most intense inversions on the planet. While I generally like flying high through the air (hence my preference to Alpengeist over Montu), I’d have to say Manta’s layout is more interesting. Manta also features a pretzel loop, in-line twist, and two corkscrews. I have no idea how close the train actually is, but it was very surprising and my favorite part of the ride. If you sit on the far left side of the train you feel as if you’ll certainly hit the wall. The train swoops right past a rocky wall with a water fall. After Manta’s signature move the ride has one more trick up it’s wing. As the train passes over the water a fountain-like splash is triggered which sprays the riders a little. Manta gains a lot of points for the innovative dive. ![]() In fact, Manta’s coup de grâce is a short dive to a pond that puts riders only a few feet from the water below. Manta, on the other hand, flies much closer to the ground. Tatsu features a corkscrew, zero-g roll, pretzel loop, and an in-line twist. With Tatsu being situated on top of the large hill at the center of Magic Moutain, it flies above the treeline twisting and turning its riders some hundred feet in the air for the majority of the ride. There you are, looking at the tall trees far down below and the only thing between you and a 17-story plunge are the ride’s trusty harnesses. The view at the top is one of the most unnerving things I’ve ever experienced. While in a superman-like position, the climb to the top of the lofty lift feels like it takes forever. Tatsu boasts a terrain layout that spends much of its time skyward. Even thought its track is only 9% longer it feels a good bit more than that. While the stats are surprisingly similar, I’ll give the win to Tatsu. But, the drops are nearly the same with Manta edging out Tatsu by 2′, with a 113′ drop. Tatsu is taller at 170′ with Manta at only 140′. Manta is 3,359 feet long and Tatsu 3,602 feet long. There’s a clear winner on theming.įor some reason I have always thought of Tatsu as a much larger flying coaster than Manta, but their nearly the same length. It’s decent for a Six Flags park, but doesn’t begin to compare to Manta’s theming. Tatsu has some light Asian theming that goes well with the flying dragon theme. They look like they’re flying as they swim hence the tag line for the coaster, “Ride the Flying Ray”. ![]() If you’ve never seen a manta or sting ray in person, they’re quite unforgettable. The exhibit was accessible to guests without having to enter the ride’s queue. The station was integrated with a really cool manta ray exhibit. So, let’s pit the flying dragon against the flying manta ray and see who comes out on top. The two B&M flying roller coasters have interesting custom layouts and their the largest flying roller coasters in the World. As soon as SeaWorld Orlando announced Manta last winter coaster enthusiasts began comparing it to Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Tatsu. ![]()
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