originally posted on 1/6/2023 1:25:00 AM
All photos courtesy of SeaWorld. View full-sized image.
Sea World (Queensland, Australia)
recently welcomed a new coaster to its growing lineup — Leviathan. This
new Martin & Vleminckx wooden coaster
boasts 909 meters of track (that’s 2,982 feet), speeds of up to 80 kph (50 mph)
and it has a surprise — riders in the last car ride backward! Riders who
are at least 54 inches tall can ride this family-friendly thrill ride.
“Leviathan is one
of the most dynamic wooden roller coasters ever built in the world,” said Chuck
Bingham, senior executive vice president/sales director for Martin &
Vleminckx. “Park guests will love the speed, the twists and the multiple
cross overs. From the start of the queue line to the end of the ride, guests
are fully immersed in the Atlantis theming of Leviathan.”
The park describes Leviathan
as the “World’s most iconic wooden rollercoaster,” and while coaster
enthusiasts around the globe may have other opinions about that assertion, Leviathan
certainly adds a new element of family-friendly entertainment to the park. Once
riders move through the underwater-themed queue and make their way to the
loading platform, the walls simulate being underwater with a dragon swimming
nearby.
The back car is turned facing the backward direction.
View full-sized image.
The train features the same
friendly-yet-intense-appearing dragon on the front of the first car. The
dragon leads both passengers up the 105-foot-high lift hill, while the timber
and track that the dragon trains ride on are designed to flex and move for a
smooth ride experience. Leviathan features a great view of the city off
the lift hill, some twisting double-down moments, airtime and wildly banked
curves that keep it contained in a compact space, occasionally traveling through
the ride structure and making a loop around the outdoor queue.
Take a ride.
Reviews from locals have been glowing.
Plans for the
park’s newest project, The Atlantis Precinct, were announced in 2019. After the
pandemic forced some delays, Leviathan finally opened in December
2022. The cornerstone of the park’s The New Atlantis Precinct, Leviathan
looms over the horizon, surrounded by the 180-foot-tall Trident swing ride and
the Vortex (Top Spin) thrill ride.
Jet Rescue.
View full-sized image.
Storm Coaster.
View full-sized image.
Leviathan joins Sea World’s other three coasters: Jet Rescue
(Intamin jet ski), SpongeBob’s Boating School Blast (Zamperla kiddie)
and Storm Coaster (Mack water coaster).
Visitors to the
park are sure to enjoy this new addition. ACE certainly hopes that some members
are able to visit this new attraction and share their experiences with the
organization.
– Liz Tan, ACE News
#ACENews