originally posted on 3/18/2022 1:58:00 AM
All photos by Derek Perry. View full-sized image.
After two years of tantalizing residents of San Diego with its imposing presence, SeaWorld’s newest coaster, Emperor, officially opened on March 12.
The coaster, from the respected manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, is of its dive machine variety. Emperor features a first drop of 90 degrees but also holds riders of the three-row, six-seat trains (the only ones of its type in the United States) at the top of that 143-foot drop, looking straight down for what seems a delicious eternity before being released into gravity’s hands, reaching speeds of 60 mph. A series of super smooth inversions and twists follows, returning riders back to the open-air station in about 30 seconds.
Emperor is the only dive coaster that features six-across seating. View full-sized image.
Emperor mimics the under- and above-water acrobatics of the emperor penguin, which can only be seen in North America at SeaWorld San Diego. Guests who do not want to partake of the coaster can enjoy viewing the namesake penguins, just steps away at Penguin Encounter. The thrilling, yet family friendly, ride has a height minimum of 52 inches, putting it in between Manta’s 48 and the more challenging Electric Eel’s 54, thus being accessible to a wider range of guests.
As pointed out by Erika DiProfio, vice president of marketing, Emperor is SeaWorld San Diego’s first coaster with a traditional but steep lift hill, albeit one taken at a quick and quiet 20 mph. It is marketed as the tallest and fastest dive coaster in California but really holds that title for parks west of the Mississippi. She added that this coaster does a very good job of tying the ride to the featured animals in the park and that a part of the proceeds from sales of promotional merchandise goes to Penguins International, a conservation charity. Finally, DiProfio mentioned that this coaster builds on other iconic aspects of the park such as the Sky Tower that create the park’s skyline. As an added promotion for the coaster, she pointed out that the park has partnered with a local brewer to create an Emperor beer (a hazy lPA), sold in attractive, Emperor-themed cans and available only at the park. Other beer/ride tie-ins are to follow. (Remember when SeaWorld gave out free beer?)
View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
Judging from the applause, hoots and hollers from riders returning to the station (and not just ACE members) it’s clear that SeaWorld San Diego has a real winner on its hands.
For media day, a crew of 35 local ACE members were on hand to add life to the festivities, as well as to provide on-air and taped interviews for various San Diego media outlets.
— John Gerard, ACE Southern California Assistant Regional Representative
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